In their heyday, the gardens of abbeys and monasteries were sources of food and medicine as well as contemplative calm and spiritual inspiration. Research on the mediaeval hospital of Soutra in the Scottish Borders and other monastic sites has provided important insights into medicinal uses of plants in Scotland - and in general into mediaeval remedies and the ailments they were used to treat. Join ethnobotanical researcher Anna Canning (Floramedica) for an illustrated exploration of how monastic gardens provided health and healing not only to resident monks but to people in their local environment - and reflect on lessons we can draw for today.
Anna’s interest in medicinal plants originated while working as a translator and researcher in various European countries and led eventually to a degree in Herbal Medicine. Her work since then focuses mainly on community education, exploring the myriad practical ways in which plants - and nature connection more broadly - can benefit people of all ages. She teaches on the Herbology programmes at the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh, but also works with marginalised and disadvantaged groups in community contexts. Alongside these activities, Anna loves researching historical uses of medicinal plants and enjoys occasional collaborations with researchers and educators in fields from archaeology to art history, and gastronomy to soil science.
This talk will take place at Holyrood Park Education Centre (1 Queen's Drive, Edinburgh EH8 8HG).