Age-old herbal remedies explained

Apr 14 2009 by Dave Black, The Journal

COUNTRYSIDE cures dating back centuries to the days long before modern medicine are being kept alive by a North East herbalist.

In bygone times, when rural dwellers lived long distances from the nearest doctor, they often relied on plants plucked from the gardens, fields and hedgerows as do-it-yourself cures for their illnesses and ailments.

The plant medicines were passed down through the generations, and some are now used as the basis for modern-day drugs which treat patients for a variety of diseases and conditions.

Now the curious world of age-old herbal remedies is being explained to fascinated audiences by Newcastle-based herbalist and teacher Jill Schnabel.

Later this month she will give a talk on the so-called Grannies’ Remedies used long before the birth of the NHS at Morpeth Library – when she will invite people to bring along their own family tales of plant-based medicines.