Roots - United Kingdom

The Royal Botanical Gardens at Kew have had a programme since 2003 that aims to compile local knowledge on herbal traditions in Britain. http://www.kew.org/ethnomedica/

Please use the Share your own stories pages to pass on your own experiences.

Helpful resources - United Kingdom

Books:

D Allen & C Haltfield. Medicinal Plants in Folk Tradition. Timber Press, Cambridge, England.

WWW:

http://www.edenproject.com

Stories from the UK so far:

Fennel For more information on fennel have a look at the Extract Database
	Heather Cornwall	I drank fennel seed tea when breastfeeding to help with my baby's colic. I lightly crushed the seeds in a pestle and mortar then steeped in boiling water for ten minutes.
	Expert's comment	Fennel is likely to be safe with breastfeeding and is known to both reduce baby's colic and enhance lactation. However, do not use during pregnancy without professional advice.

	Tam Oxford	For tummy ache* - drink fennel tea!*
	Expert's comment	Fennel is well established around the world as a remedy that reduces cramping and colic throughout the digestive system. It is particularly useful when the symptoms are made worse in the cold or relieved by heat (eg. hot water bottles). A very few people have reported allergic reactions to fennel but otherwise it is safe to take.
Ginger For more information on ginger have a look at the Extract Database
	Tam Oxford	This is our family's amazing remedy for colds: Squeeze the juice from 1 lemon - keep juice separate Peel 1 inch of root ginger and grate add to a cup of boiling water along with the lemon leftovers add an inch of cinnamon stick and leave to steep for 10 minutes add the lemon juice and honey to taste. This will knock most colds on the head.
	Expert's comment	This is one of the most popular treatments for heading off colds in human history! It also works a treat: both ginger and cinnamon stimulate circulation and possibly other functions that the body uses when it is fighting infections. The lemon adds useful flavonoids and vitamin C. A great recipe!
Lavender
	Tam Oxford	To help my children* settle in at bedtime, I put a few drops of lavender oil in their baths and a few drops on their pillow.*
	Expert's comment	Do not put concentrated lavender oil directly onto the skin of very young children. When used in this indirect way however it is safe.
Melissa - lemon balm For more information on Melissa have a look at the Extract Database
	Sarah Devon	When I get indigestion* I use an infusion of lemon balm in boiling water. It also calms my stomach after over-eating! Because it tastes nice I can give it to my kids too.*
	Expert's comment	Lemon balm (Melissa) is shown to have a carminative effect (in other words it helps expel gas from the stomach or intestines so as to relieve flatulence or abdominal pain or distension). It is generally regarded as very safe and is probably OK to take while breastfeeding. The essential oil in lemon balm can pass into breast milk, producing a mild calming effect in the baby.
Raspberry Leaf
	Tam Oxford	To speed up contractions* when in labour, I drank raspberry leaf tea.*
	Expert's comment	There is very little research but much practical experience that points to potential benefits of taking raspberry leaf during the later stages of labour. Practitioners generally avoid recommending anything during the first three months of pregnancy. Use cautiously in highly inflamed or ulcerated conditions of the gastrointestinal tract.