By Ruth Baker, Medical Herbalist BSc MNIMH This blog post gives
information about recent herb walks. I shall organize more walks
in spring next year, and may conduct one more walk in the
Autumn. Herb walks help people to recognize plants growing
locally and to become more knowledgeable about natural plant
remedies. I have conducted two herb walks this summer, one on
the Downs and the other along the Frome valley. The walk on the
Downs was well attended, and we found a wide variety of
medicinal plants. Some areas are being left uncut, allowing more
plants to grow and self-seed, and this is a very encouraging
development. Unfortunately, it was pouring with rain when I
conducted the second walk in late August, but it still went
ahead – most herbalists are not deterred by rain! Here are some
of the plants we identified: The Downs, June 2012 Hawthorn –
Crataegus monogyna. The hawthorn was in full flower during our
June walk, and now the berries are ripening. It is mainly used
in the treatment of cardiovascular con