Plants have been used for thousands of years to treat illnesses.

But how relevant are they to 21st century medicine?

The National Botanic Garden of Wales will help you decide.

To do this, we are hosting a series of talks, courses, exhibitions and fun activities throughout May 2012.

All are FREE with admission except where indicated.

 
Wed 2nd May

12 – 12.30pm. Launch of ‘Mediterranean Medicinal Plants QR Code Trail’. Discover how you can use your smartphone to find the most fascinating medicinal plants in the Great Glasshouse. Meet at the Western Entrance of the Great Glasshouse.

1pm. Opening of ‘Physicians of Myddfai Remedies’ –an exhibition of multi-coloured lino cuts by artist Judith Stroud in the Courtyard Art Gallery.

**2-3pm: Lecture Series. ‘Lust, hunger and security – The Life of Erasmus Darwin’ with Professor Tony Campbell in the Theatr Botanica.

Saturday 5th May

**10.30am-4.30pm. ‘Herbs in the Hedgerow’ with Lara Bernays. A walk in the Gardens’ meadows and woodland to explore the medicinal wild plants.  Learn how to sustainably harvest plants and how to use them as remedies. Pre-booking necessary. Cost £35 including materials, (members and concessions £30).

Wed 9th May

**2-3pm. Lecture Series. ‘New developments and hopes for Aspirin, the miracle drug’ with Professor Peter Elwood in the Theatr Botanica

10am- 5pm in the Wallace Room. Have a Go Yourself Drop-in Session. Medicinal herbalist Nicola Dee Kelly will be on-hand to practically show you how plants, such as meadowsweet, have been used like aspirin.

Sunday 13th May

11:30am – 12.30pm. ‘Growing for Gold ’ with champion vegetable grower  Medwyn Williams in ??? This is a joint event with the West Wales Food Festival.  RHS members £5 – Non RHS Members £6.50.

Wed 16th May

** 2-3pm. Lecture Series. ‘Green Medicine’ with Professor Terry Turner in the Theatr Botanica

10am- 5pm in the Wallace Room. Have a Go Yourself Drop-in Session. Medicinal herbalist Nicola Dee Kelly will be on-hand to practically show you how plants are turned into Green Medicine.

11am- 4pm in the Apothecary’s Hall. Meet the Leeches Drop-in Session. Medicinal historian Bob Edwards will be on-hand to talk to you about how leeches have been used medicinally from the past to the present.

Wed 23rd May

11.30 – 12.15 in the Great Glasshouse. Talk on “Medieval Gardens” by Heather Henderson of the West Wales Herb Group

12.30-1.30pm. Creating a Herb Garden with Sally Hedger in the Apothecaries Garden

**2-3pm. Lecture Series.  ‘Secrets of the Medieval Manuscripts – Welsh Medicine’ with Dr Diana Luft in the Theatr Botanica

10am- 5pm in the Wallace Room. Have a Go Yourself Drop-in Session. Medicinal herbalist Nicola Dee Kelly will be on-hand to practically show you how plants referred to in the medieval texts have been used medicinally..

12 – 4pm in the Apothecary’s Hall. Display of ethno-botany books from the Garden’s library.

Sat 26- Sun 27th May

10am- 5pm. Pirates, Peppers  and Plague Treasure Hunt. Actors dressed in the costumes of Elizabethan pirates, maids and merchants, will interact with visitors. The storyline will be based on the adventures of the Middleton family whose profitable trade in mace, nutmeg, cloves and peppers, led to the establishment of the Middleton Estate where the Garden now stands.

Wed 30th May

**2-3pm. Lecture Series. The Future of Plants in Medicine with Professor Les Baille in the Theatr Botanica

10am- 5pm in the Wallace Room. Have a Go Yourself Drop-in Session. Medicinal herbalist Nicola Dee Kelly will be on-hand to practically show you how plants are being used today to treat illnesses.

11am- 4pm in the Apothecary’s Hall. Blood Letting Drop-in Session. Medicinal historian Bob Edwards will be on-hand to talk to you about how blood letting was thought to have been a medical cure-all.

 

**Pre-booking necessary through Kay Bailey on 01558 667150 or email Kay at kbailey@gardenofwales.org.uk

Throughout May. Key Stage 2 Primary School Course. Explore the history of the use of Plants in Medicine from the Physicians of Myddfai to the modern day. Schools who come on Wednesday will have a bonus session with medicinal herbalist Nicola Dee Kelly. For bookings, contact Kay Bailey on 01558 667150 or kbailey@gardenofwales.org.uk