Herbal remedies under discussion
BRAILSFORD WI started the ‘new year’ after the summer break with a fascinating talk and demo by Frances Burton, a qualified medical herbalist and member of the National Institute of Medical Herbalists.
She explained how common plants have been used for cen- turies as treatments for various ailments and are still in use today. She told us that she works alongside prescribed medicine as a complementary therapy.
Personally, I would rather look at natural remedies than pumping chemicals into my body! She took us through everything from weeds to culinary herbs to wild flowers, and described their use for allergies, infections, and mental health.
My favourites are rosemary (for memory), mint (for the tummy and gut), lavender (for calming and sleep) and fennel (for digestion, coughs and as an antibacterial).
It was also interesting to hear of medieval uses of herbs, like meadowsweet for fevers and as a strewing herb, and plantain for bites, stings and wounds.
Almost all can be used as teas (infusions), tinctures and ointments. Frances made us some delicious rosemary and mint teas for us to taste.
She works as a practitioner in the health shops in Ashbourne and Wirksworth. Now I’m off to make some fresh rosemary tea before I forget!
For those of you who don’t know us, we are a friendly group of ladies with a wide range of ages and interests, meeting every second Thursday of the month at 7.30pm in Brailsford Village Hall.
It’s a great way to make local friends, especially if you are new to the village or district, and we have members from villages around Brailsford and Ashbourne, and several from Mickleover.
Upcoming events include a shopping trip to Meadowhall and a talk on how to wrap presents perfectly (in time for Christmas!).
We have also begun a coffee/crafts/chat morning at the Rose and Crown in Brailsford on the third Thursday of each month 10.00-12.00 – do just come along and join us (crafts are not compulsory!).
Our special charity focus, in the light of the national WI focus on mental health, is the mother and baby unit at The Beeches attached to Derby Royal Hospital and we have collected many useful and much needed items for the mums.
We have also contributed spring bulbs for planting to benefit our village.
Future dates: September 20 – Coffee morning (Rose and Crown 10am-12pm), then October 18, November 15, December 20. October 11 – Pub names. November 8 – How to wrap your presents perfectly. December 13 – Christmas party.
Visitors (sorry, gentlemen, it’s ladies only!) are welcome to come and try us out without obligation before they think about whether they would like to join.
If you’d like a “buddy” to bring you the first time and introduce you to new friends, contact Pam Stanley on 01335 360243 who will pair you with someone who lives near to you.