Fundays : Outing at Kew Gardens

Outing at Kew Gardens

If you read last week’s Fundays post, you will already know I spent part of it at Kew Gardens, and that first we went for tea at The Original Maids of Honour. Besides from the fact I love Kew, there were two reasons for our visit – it was the last chance we had to go before the Plantasia exhibition finished, and before the Pagoda closed to the public. I have so many lovely photos of the day it’s hard to know which ones to share, but here are some highlights from our trip to Kew Gardens –

Peaceful waterfall gardens, all lush and green

The inquisitive peacock

The allotment of my dreams

With pumpkins

Bonsai trees, a plant I’ve always wanted but not gotten round to nurturing

But the real reason for our visit was to see Plantasia before it closed. Plantasia was a celebration of life-enhancing plants inviting people to celebrate and discover the true power of plants. Rainforest Remedies was part of the exhibition in one of the main glass houses, and The Healing Giant lay at the foot of the pagoda, which was open to the public for the first time I can ever recall.

There were rather a lot of stairs to get to the top of the pagoda, but the view was so worth it!

Here is The Healing Giant from the top of the pagoda

Here are some of the herbs found in the healing giant –

Echinacea originates from north America and was traditionally used by native Americans to treat a wide range of ailments from snake bites to sore throats.

Honey has been used for thousands of years as a sweetener to bitter medicines and to soothe sore throats and colds

Mint is a popular flavour it also has proven healing properties

Its strong flavour may help relieve nausea and morning sickness

Peter Rabbit’s mother gave him chamomile tea to help him sleep. It is well known for its calming effects

It has anti-spasmodic and anti-inflammatory effects that help soothe stomach and intestinal cramps

Pot Marigold – calendula officinalis – was used by the Romans and now features in many moisturisers and lip balms

Preparations from marigold flowers were used in World War I to treat battlefield wounds

Comfrey was used to heal wounds by soaking dressing in a thick paste made from boiled comfrey

89 million trees in England live in fields, hedges, orchards, gardens, parks and streets

Chemicals from Madagascan Periwinkle have helped increase the chances of surviving childhood leukaemia from 10% to over 90%

Aloe Vera was known as the plant of eternity by ancient Egyptians and was used as a burial gift for Pharaohs.

Calendula Oil is a common ingredient in may nappy rash creams, lip salves and moisturisers. It’s also used for tooth infections and gargles for sore throats.