Herb planters used to create refreshing soft drinks and natural fresh green teas
Our HQ at Waddock near Dorchester is abuzz with excitement following the delivery of three bespoke herb planters packed full with a range of medicinal herbs specially selected to allow our staff and visitors to smell, pick and use throughout the day. While most of us use a few staple herbs in the kitchen, 18 different species presented at once is like "catnip" to us!!
The inspiration came from an introduction to Sensory Solutions back in the depths of last winter. Fiona Heckels (BSc. Herbal medicine) visited us to understand more about watercress and wasabi and kindly gave us a herb guide to explain which herbs are best used for specific outcomes. As a result the planters have been divided into 6 zones; Immune Boost, Coughs & Colds, Anti-inflammatory, Chill Time, Women's Health and Tummy Time. Each zone contains 3 key herbs to pick and brew into a soothing tea by infusing in the wonderful natural spring water we abstract on this farm. Alternate uses are for cooking or simply to enjoy the fragrance whilst taking a break.
The idea of using herbs to treat our basic ailments is well known and to learn more we also attended a "Herbs for First Aid" course in Dorchester run by Fiona. We learnt how herbs can be used to treat more serious issues and how wild herbs or plants such as nettle, garlic and dandelion can be fantastic additions to our diets.
As soon as the planters arrived we were visited by our herb guru Fiona who gave us an inspiring presentation on the wonders of herbal remedies and healing using commonly available British plants.
Through the crops we grow and our research into the benefits of eating watercress, we share similar ideals with Fiona with regards to promoting health via the food we eat. The connection seemed fairly obvious and feedback from both staff and visitors has been great! Mustn't forget to keep them well watered during the current dry weather....this is done every morning by Pat and he loves this as his start to the working day!
Herbs infused in Waddock spring water
Wonderful aromatic and (we found) slightly salty, delicious sage tea
Wellness through daily use of herbs...Is James really listening to the information on "Women's health" section?
Inflammation? Sorted with this zone!
If you are interested in learning more about how best to incorporate herbs into your life, there's no time like the present - begin by taking a look in your garden or on the way to work and simply touch, smell and taste. Adding a few sprigs of rosemary into your water is a fantastic start and if you like this you can move onto creating plantations that specifically suit yours or your friends/families needs. Alternatively you could contact Fiona Heckels online at sensory solutions , email : seedsistas@sensorysolutions.co.uk or follow her fantastic Facebook page sensory solutions herbal evolution