DAY
TRIP TO KEW GARDENS - 2003
Written by Nicky Sadler and Kat Williams – Aromatherapy Students at Essentials
for Health
On a beautiful sunny May morning this year 12 budding aromatherapists set off to Kew Gardens with tutor Doreen and guide for the day Jennie Harding.
Jennie (author, aromatherapy researcher, lecturer and gardener) led us on a fascinating tour around the spectacular grounds of Kew Gardens, helping us to become familiar with the actual plants, which are the source for the essentials oils we are studying and will be using in aromatherapy practice.
We learnt that most of the essential oils used in aromatherapy come from the Lamiaceae family, including the household favourites of Lavender, Rosemary, Sage and Thyme. These and many others were on full display in the Specimen Beds, Herb Garden and the Lavender Walk.
As well as talking about the essential oils each plant produced Jennie gave us some interesting history on herbal medicine. We found out that The Doctrine of Signatures maintained that the outward appearance of a plant gave an indication of the ailments it would cure e.g. the leaves of lungwort were said to resemble diseased lungs, so the plant was used for bronchitis.
From the heady smells of the herb gardens we were introduced to the delights of scented geranium, Frankincense, Myrrh, Ginger, Tumeric and Black Pepper in the Princess of Wales Conservatory. Again more words of wisdom, as Jennie and Doreen pointed out that the therapeutic properties of essential oils often mirror the use in the plant they are extracted from e.g. Frankincense where the bark is cut to produce a resin is known for its cicatrisant / wound healing properties.
Alongside aromatherapy we learnt about the therapeutic benefits of the Bach Flower Remedies and we saw the Black Walnut Tree, Pine, Elm, Willow, Beech and Sweet Chestnut trees. We paused for a moment under the canopy of an ancient Oak tree, sturdy and robust, to experience the calmness and protection of the canopy. We also saw many of the plants, which may be used as a counterpart to our work, such as Echinacea, Aloe Vera and Jojoba.
We went on to admire many of the great trees, such as Atlas Cedarwood, Eucalyptus and Pine and enjoyed a roof top walk among the whispering canopies of some giant Redwoods (not for those who don’t like heights!). Our tour continued to take in the aromas of Sweet and Bitter Orange, Lemon, Mandarin, Grapefruit, Patchouli, May Chang, Lemongrass and Vetiver in the Temperate House. And just to see if our sense of smell was still working we even visited the largest compost heap in the UK!
Maybe one of the highlights was then discovering the scented roses (Rosa damascena, Rosa centifolia), which luckily for us were in full bloom and producing the most wonderful fragrance and bouquet. We all thoroughly enjoyed ourselves for what was an enlightening day that helped bring to life all the wonderful smells we learn on the course.
