Harnessing the Power of Nature: Creating Herbal Remedies with Kayleigh Sinclair and Catherine Conway-Payne

Kayleigh Sinclair and Catherine Conway-Payne, experts in herbal remedies, share their knowledge on cultivating and utilizing various herbs to create teas, balms, and syrups. From teaching courses at the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh to running workshops at RHS Garden Wisley, they emphasize the importance of understanding the properties and uses of different plants. Sinclair recommends starting with hardy herbs like calendula, German camomile, and English lavender, which can thrive in poor soil and provide a steady supply of ingredients.

Key Takeaways:

• Sinclair and Conway-Payne highlight the benefits of using sea buckthorn (Hippophae rhamnoides) to create beauty products and herbal remedies.
• Calendula, German camomile, and English lavender are recommended as beginner-friendly herbs for creating teas and balms.
• The experts stress the importance of proper harvesting and drying techniques to preserve the potency of herbs.
• The National Institute of Medical Herbalists provides accredited courses and member directories for those interested in learning more about medical herbalism.
• Essential oils are highly volatile and should be used with caution, with recipes only from qualified practitioners.

Statistics:

• Calendula balm is used by Sinclair for scrapes, cuts, and allergies.
• Sinclair makes paints from plants like hibiscus, beetroot, and nettle.
• The beetroot recipe for 60ml of red paint involves cooking half a beetroot to extract the juice.
• Elderberry and rosehip are good remedies for colds, with elderberry reducing the length and severity of illness.

Sources:

• Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh
• RHS Garden Wisley
• National Institute of Medical Herbalists