Did you know that your garden could be a 24-hour pharmacy on your doorstep?
This is not as far-fetched as it sounds. The first thing you may think of in this regard is the ubiquitous marijuana plant but that is not where I am heading — sorry!
Many of the perennials we grow for their reliability and cheery colour have medicinal benefits which in times past were valued by our ancestors. Echinacea, for instance, can boost immune function and relieve pain and inflammation. Feverfew is known to alleviate fevers, headaches and arthritis, and has been called the aspirin of the 18th century. And witch hazel contains tannins, and in times past was used to treat bruises and sprains.
These few examples are but the tip of the iceberg, because there are more than 4,000 medicinal herbs that grow naturally or under cultivation in Canada. So, yes, some of the plants in your perennial bed have pharmacological benefits! How cool is that?
You may now look at your gardens with a different eye. Your plants may provide not only beauty but healing potential. This is not anything new, but many of us
have forgotten it, or never known it. Gardens are great healers of stress and anxiety, and their plants have the ability to physically restore our health as well.
Rev. Will Wheeler, pastor of the Freelton Strabane United Church, has delved into the use of traditional herbal medicine in his role as volunteer at Westfield Heritage Village Drug Store. He also can be found talking about food sustainability in the Lockhart cabin at the village. His keen interest in traditional herbal medicine has led to a large knowledge base which he is happy to share with others.
Rev. Wheeler will be presenting a talk on medicinal plants at the next Flamborough Horticultural Society meeting, on Wednesday, Sept. 18. Join us at St. Thomas the Apostle Church parish hall on 715 Centre Road in Waterdown. Meet and greet begins at 7 p.m. Contact [email protected] for
payment options or transfer to [email protected]. There is a $5 guest fee to join the meeting.
See you there!
The Flamborough Horticultural Society meets the third Wednesday of the month. Jennifer Godyn is the communications coodinator for the club, which can be reached at [email protected] or 905-977-8567.
