About Us

 Back when I lived in Toronto, we often drove to the family cottage, on Sturgeon Lake, now owned by mysister.  The two hour drive was much more pleasant on the secondary roads.  And even more pleasant with a rest stop, either at theice cream store in Goodwood, or at Richter’s Herb Farm, just beyond the town.

Herb farm?  Whatkind of ice cream do they serve there? Big and beautiful greenhouses, abounding with vibrant, fragrantplants!  And infectiously enthusiastic,knowledgeable owners.  A pleasureto talk with.  We started withscented geraniums: lemon and mint and rose.  Then, learning a little, graduated to Comfrey, Valerian andTansy.  The comfrey and valeriansprawled all over my tiny urban 3’ x 2’ spot, never harvested.  The tansy did not keep the flies awayfrom the back door.

But the book, The Herb Book by John Lust, lived on my coffeetable, regularly consulted and idly read, for years!  Such history, such science, such mythology!  A great blend.  ‘Do no harm’ is the healer’scredo.  So, we cautiously startedtrying the most benign, most common herbal ‘simples’, and old wives remediesrecalled from childhood, and from our ancestors.  Chamomile tisane, as in Agatha Christis novels, peppermintto aid digestion, basil to brighten the spirits. 

Some things just take off ~ all on their own.  The pile of herbal reference books onthe table just grew and grew, as did my tiny, over-gown herb garden.  In a lengthy gap in work, I took theChartered Herbalist program at Dominion Herbal College.  I kept reading:  all kinds of herbal  books:  Susun Weed’s Menopausal Years, Bartram’s Encyclopedia ofHerbal Medicine, David Hoffman’s New Holistic Herbal, Rosemary Gladstar.   James Duke.  And more. 

I take delight in the depth and breadth of their expertknowledge of botany and biology, of nutrition and chemistry. They are accomplished healers andeducators, great story-tellers, with a deep connection to the earth and topeople

And by and large, their wisdom works.  There is a great middle ground, betweenRobust Health and Absolute Illness that can, in my opinion, best be managed byoneself.  Who knows you better?  Part of this self- knowledge, ofcourse, is knowing when to call the doctor or head for the clinic..  But, to me, it just makes sense to beprepared with knowledge and respect for the time-tested healing plants, to helpmyself and others stay healthy ~ better and longer.  In the same way that awareness of basic nutrition andexercise needs can ensure better health. 

Putting the kettle on for a cup of tea anyway?  Why not make a herbal choice, with a specific purpose in mind:relaxation, say, or  toning thedigestion. What do you need right now? Try using Little Medicine, to avoid needing Big Medicine.  It helps us be a little more in controlof our own health.  And that canmake us feel better.

References:

The Herb Book,  JohnLust, Bantam Books

Menopausal Years, the Wise Woman Way, Susun Weed, Ash Tree Press

Encyclopedia of Herbal Medicine, Thomas Bartram, Grace Publishers

A New Holistic Healer, David Hoffman, Element Publishing

Nancy Eagles
Chartered Herbalist
info@inannaherbs.com

"We've got to get ourselves back to the garden"...Joni Mitchell