Herbal Medicine Week 20th to 27th June 2009

You’ll be aware from some of my posts that we use herbs for both culinary and medicinal uses, here at Chez Green. In fact, my recipe for home made cough syrup is one of the most viewed pages on the site!

Organised by the National Institute of Medical Herbalists, the aim of herbal medicine week ;which takes place 20th – 27th June, is to raise awareness of the natural medicinal and healing properties of plants.

In addition, they want to share the immense body of anecdotal medical evidence that exists within the tradition of Western Herbal Medicine.

Herbalism – a natural remedy

An interest in herbalism is increasing thanks to recent programmes like James Wong’s ‘Grow your own drugs’. During herbal medicine week, there will be a variety of events taking place throughout the UK which will help you discover what herbalism is and how to use it.

Herbal walks

The highlight is a mass herbal walk occurring on Midsummer Eve (23rd June), when herbalists will be leading walks to demonstrate the incredible wealth of natural wild herbs growing all around us, as well as the romance and folk history associated with these plants.

You can find list of walks, which typically last between one and two hours,  on the National institute of medical herbalists website.

Midsummer’s Eve

The choice of Midsummer’s Eve was deliberate as Shakespeare’s work is full of references to the potency and efficacy of herbals and the symbolism and meaning of plants.

For further details, find your local NIMH member who may be organising their own walk which you can join in with.

What about you – do you have a favourite herb for use in cooking or healing common ailments?