Simple Herbal Preparations at Home - Kew Online Courses

Welcome to this online course from the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, brought to you in partnership with David and Charles. You are about to embark on a journey into Herbal Remedies. You will combine a variety of techniques to create a helpful and soothing herbal 'first aid kit'. As an online course, this learning experience allows you to follow at your own pace – enjoy the process and you will enjoy the results! You can watch each section as many times as you need and you can pause at any point to focus on your work before moving on.

Kim Walker grew up in the wild and beautiful West Coast of Scotland. At the age of 18, she moved to London and was a little overwhelmed by city life. When offered a permanent job at the London Stock Exchange, Kim reassessed her choices and realised how much she missed being in nature. She quit the office routine and embarked on a degree in zoology, during which she connected most strongly with the ecology and plants modules. This led her to switch to a herbal medicine course at the University of Westminster, and it was here that Kim met her business partner to be, Victoria Chown. Together they set up a business to share their passion for botany through foraging walks and workshops – in part to fund their studies.

Kim first began working with the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew for her Master’s project, and continues to work as a researcher in Kew’s Economic Botany Collection, as well as running in-person workshops. Kim loves reconnecting people with nature, and aspires to counter PAD (plant awareness disparity), showing everyone that there’s so much more than just grass and trees out there – including so many beautiful and useful herbs. She has written two best-selling books with Vicky and is currently a doctoral student in the history of medicine field, as well as working with several related committees and associations.

Please note that the materials required are no longer available to purchase as a kit, so please source the following items before beginning the course:

• 2 x 300ml Syrup/oil bottles

• 100ml dropper bottle

• Cheesecloth

• Labels and string

• Dried mint and chamomile blend

• Rosehips

• Rose petals

• Liquorice root

• Calendula

• Dandelion root

• Marshmallow root

Please see the list in Resources for the household items you'll need for each preparation

Do not exceed the dosage recommended in this course. The information given here does not constitute any form of medical advice, and is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical opinion, diagnosis or treatment. Always seek the advice of a qualified health practitioner. If you're consulting your doctor or pharmacist about health matters; are on any medication or hormonal contraceptives; or are about to undergo surgery, always disclose any herbal medicines you're taking. Herbal remedies may not be suitable for people with serious health conditions, including, but not limited to, liver or kidney disease, those taking over-the-counter or prescribed medications, including contraceptives, those about to have surgery, young children, pregnant or breastfeeding women or the elderly – consult your doctor first if you fall into any of these groups.

Herbal syrups: In addition to the above, this syrup should not be taken by anyone with hypertension (high blood pressure) or on any hypertension medication.

Infused oils: In addition to the above, for topical treatment it is best practice to perform a patch test and discontinue use of herbs if they cause reaction or allergy.

When foraging for wild herbs, you must be able to correctly identify what you are picking, otherwise you should not use or ingest it.

Great care has been taken to maintain the accuracy of the information contained in the content of this course. However, neither the publisher, the editors nor authors can be held responsible for any consequences arising from use of the information contained herein. The authors, editors and publisher make no representation or warranties with respect to the accuracy, completeness, fitness of a particular purpose or currency of the contents of this course and exclude all liability to the extent permitted by law for any errors or omissions and for any loss, damage or expense (whether direct or indirect) suffered by any one relying on any information contained in this course.