Tweed and District Horticultural Society welcomed Helene Darisse, a member of the group as the guest speaker at the February meeting.
Helene, an amateur herbalist started her herbal journey in 1970 while visiting Turkey. Since the people in the town she was visiting did not have access to medical care, they relied on herbal remedies. After this visit to Turkey, she started applying centuries old knowledge of foraging herbs growing in backyards and using these herbs for homemade remedies for various aches, pains and minor illnesses.
An herb is a plant with savory, aromatic or medicinal properties. Dandelion and Burdock are the main herbs used for medicinal purposes. Other plants that can be used for medicinal purposes are chickweed, daisy, wild bee balm, asparagus, black-eyed Susan, chicory, mullein and Queen Anne’s lace. These herbs can be used as remedies for minor illnesses such as insect bites, reducing inflammation, detoxing the liver, controlling blood sugar.
At the meeting Helene shared a variety of her creams, ointments, dried leaves and herbs.
Helene will be holding a workshop session starting February 10 @ 7pm at the Tweed Library. If interested, email her helenedarisse@gmail.com
LOOKING AHEAD….
March 3 @ 7pm…Carson Arthur, owner of Carson’s Garden and Market in the county and host of Take it Outside on CJBQ will be the guest speaker at the March meeting. Carson will talk about the importance of growing food for the community. He will discuss changes in Agriculture Canada, the changing climate and the importance of sustainability.
NOTE: This meeting will be held at the Agricultural Building at the Fairgrounds in Tweed. Although there is no admission fee, please bring a food or cash donation for the Salvation Army Food Bank.