two-day course herbal medicine

venue: Martineau Gardens, Birmingham

What’s in your kitchen cupboard? What’s growing in your garden? “Let food be your medicine and medicine be your food.”

This course is run by Noreen Lopez, MNIMH, Medical Herbalist and Aromatherapist.

Herbal medicine has roots as ancient as civilisation itself, yet enthusiasm has never been greater than it is today. Modern medicine can and does save lives, but there are many non-serious ailments that respond quickly to simple measures we can take at home. Knowledge of kitchen home remedies was universal throughout our diverse cultures until very recently. This course aims to revive interest in our rich heritage of home healing.

The course will be held both indoors and outside in the truly inspiring surroundings of the Martineau Gardens. You will learn how to identify and use a range of home remedies including many surprises you may already have in your kitchen cupboard, in addition to some commonly occurring 'weeds' and familiar garden plants. There will be a strong emphasis on learning from our different cultural traditions as they relate to diet and health. A selection of healthy foods and homemade remedies will be available to sample and course participants will be able to take home remedies they have made. All ingredients and equipment will be provided. Handouts for home reference, including recipes, safety issues and tips for healthy living will be available along with suggestions for further reading.

Course outline:

Day One: Home remedies for internal use

• Introduction: sharing our varied cultural knowledge on food and health; learning to identify some simple and safe remedies in the kitchen and in the garden
• Harvesting for health – when, and what to do with what you’ve got tummy bugs, colds, 'flu, colic, diarrhoea and constipation, insomnia - self help for adults and children
• Simple remedies to try at home; make your own cough syrup; prepare a simple cold and 'flu remedy that has been used in traditions as far-flung as Jamaica, North Africa, India, China and Ireland
• Safety issues when using herbal medicine and aromatherapy at home; when to call the doctor

Day Two: Looking good and feeling great – herbs for skin, hair and body care

• Skin-care for adults and children – Nutrition and general health issues
• Simple external herbal applications for use at home – make your own skin salves, and bath preparations
• DIY First aid for skin and hair problems
• Further tips on growing and preserving plants for home use
• Last word - Sustainability issues in growing, harvesting, buying and using medicinal plants

dates: see 'book online' below

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