The Medicine Garden by Rachel Corby

After Brigit's intriguing and enthusiastic words about this book in the last newsletter (read it here), I couldn't wait to get my hands on a copy. And Brigit was right, what a beautiful book! Books on medicinal herbs can be quite daunting to the uninitiated, there is just so much to take in. Rachel's book, however, is a gentle read in every way; instead of blinding you with facts, it takes you by the hand and leads you on a gentle walk through your garden, starting right outside the back door, connecting you to the spiritual side of plants as you go. After reading it I willed my fragile spring shoots to break through the hard soil quickly so I could try out these exciting herbal remedies.

However, I was even more excited when I learnt that Rachel was going to be a guest speaker on the Big Green Bus at the Malvern Spring Gardening Show, the very same day I was going to be there! Well, I couldn't miss such a golden opportunity for an interview now, could I?

One thing that particularly stood out for me about The Medicine Garden was the fascinating life Rachel has led. Intrigued I wanted to learn more...

Rachel's journey into the medicinal qualities of plants began in 1998, where as a member of Greenpeace, she had travelled to take part in an environmental project in Guatemala. It was here she was introduced to the locals' knowledge of the medicinal and culinary uses of the plants growing around them. Inspired by this she then returned to England and worked in a herb nursery, learning the medicinal qualities of the plants, in the process studying under such legendary teachers as Patrick Whitefield.

Two books inspired her on her journey: The Lost Language of Plants by Stephen Harrod Buhner and Plant Spirit Medicine by Eliot Cowan (click on the links below to buy these books). These books took Rachel in a slightly different direction, one that connected her much more with the spirituality of the plants she was using. A plant picked locally is 100 times stronger than one that is not local and one picked by yourself is 1,000 times stronger. Rachel makes a connection with the plant and encourages others to do the same - to have an ‘attitude of gratitude'. Thank the plant as you pick it, as you are taking another life for the benefit of your own. This connection with the spirituality of the plant also boosts its medicinal benefits.

To a layperson like myself, there are just so many plants to learn about - it can be an unnerving prospect. Rachel advises to learn bit by bit. Look at what you have outside your back door, or in your veg bed or in your lawn. Learn about those uses and go on from there. Each year add another plant or two to your repertoire: you will soon have an impressive knowledge.

So what are Rachel's favourite medicinal plants?

Yarrow: in Rachel's words, the Big Convincer. If you cut yourself, chew a leaf to break down the cellulose and release the volatile oils, and press the chewed leaf onto the cut. Leave it on for as long as possible, tape it to the wound if necessary. When you take the leaf away, you will be amazed!

Basil: good for fighting off a cold. Simply chop up the leaves and eat them with your meals. It will also help you sweat out any fever. Crushed basil leaves treat mouth ulcers when placed directly on them.

Garlic: speeds up healing if wiped over a cut. Don't hold it on for too long as besides stinging (anyone who has chopped garlic with a cut on their hand will know this!), it can cause blisters.

Sage: in a tea is excellent for soothing a sore throat.

Daisy: before cutting your lawn, pick the daisy leaves and flowers. Put them in a muslin bag in a bath to relieve aches and pains.

Dandelion: eating the young leaves in a salad eases digestive complaints.

Hollyhock: don't despair if you have a beautiful, weed free garden. An infusion of hollyhock can be used to treat sore throats.

Aquilegia: aside from the flowers tasting fabulous, the ground-up seeds are used to treat nits and will also deter them from returning.

Elderflower: two teaspoons in hot water soothes inflamed mucus membranes and is ideal for treating hayfever. This liquid, when cold, also eases sunburn.

Collecting plants and using them as medicine is an empowering experience that puts you back in touch with the seasons and the natural world. The very act of going outside, identifying and picking a plant to use as medicine is in itself a healing process.

I was delighted to hear that Rachel is in the process of writing another book, looking in more detail at the twenty most useful medicinal plants. As soon as it comes out, you will be the first to know. Watch this space!

Jo

If you are interested in learning more about medicinal plants visit Rachel's website www.gatewaystoeden.com for details of courses. Current courses include Growing Medicine in a Suburban Garden, Introduction to Communicating with Plant Spirits, Introduction to Sacred Plant Medicine and an Autumn Equinox Medicine Forage. Email Rachel at .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)

top photo (c) Gary Barlow 2010

other photos (c) Charlotte Strawbridge 2010

You can buy a copy of Rachel's book direct from the Big Green Idea for £16.95 + £2.50 carriage and profits from the sale directly fund more of the BGI's good works; just click on the 'Buy it now' button below!

Our affiliate merchant AMAZON has lots of books for sale around this subject. The Big Green Idea is paid a commission if you choose to buy via our links. These are not recommendations by the author and are chosen purely to give a representation.