HERBAL NEWS AND EVENTS
A herbal treasure hunt to find at least 10 different medicinal herbs and learn how to use them in your everyday life. The walk takes 2 hours at a slow pace, starting at Slades Farm Park in Bournemouth.
In the human body, the nepetalactones, chemical constituents from catnip, are similar to valepotriates from valerian and produce a very relaxing and calming effect. Catnip (latin name Nepeta cataria ) grows very well in the garden and can be picked for useful homemade infusions. It is a bit of a forgotten herb, maybe because too famously known by its effect on cats, and a few lines about it may help to increase its popularity!
Wild garlic, also known as ramsons, can be considered of similar potency than culinary garlic, with similar medicinal actions. It has the advantage of being well tolerated, much less pungent, easily included into food and a wonderful spring tonic. The numerous qualities of this warming plant include depurative, anthelmintic, anti-infective, hypotensive, rubefacient and stomachic. It is a great ally to promote a healthy body by fighting infections, cleansing, regulating and strengthening the cardio-vascular, respiratory and gastro-intestinal systems.
