Today I had the pleasure of listening to the first session of the Big Hearted Education Summit with Kat and Kurt from Bushings Nature Play. It was an amazing listen, filled with so many morsels of information to grab with both hands and run with. One particular topic that stood out to me, which I already knew a little about but definitely want to learn more about, is using plants for medicinal purposes and how we can do this safely and holistically within a family day care setting. I decided to dig into some research because I am now so focused on this that listening to the next five speakers today just won't happen until I've explored this topic further.
Exploring medicinal plants in a family day care setting not only enhances the learning environment but also promotes a holistic approach to health and wellness. As with all activities and new explorations, we need to research and ensure we are creating a safe and engaging environment, not necessarily free from risks but risk-assessed. With this new garden to be implemented in our yard, or in your service, we can foster a deeper connection with nature and instill lifelong healthy habits in children.
Let us start at the beginning, what are Medicinal plants?
Medicinal plants are plants that have been used for their therapeutic properties to treat, prevent, or alleviate various health conditions. These plants contain natural compounds that can have beneficial effects on the human body. They have been an integral part of traditional medicine systems around the world, such as Ayurveda, Traditional Chinese Medicine, and Indigenous healing practices.
Integrating these plants into early childhood education not only introduces children to the wonders of nature but also instils an appreciation for natural remedies and holistic health from a young age.
Key Characteristics of Medicinal Plants
Natural Compounds: Medicinal plants are rich in various bioactive compounds that confer their therapeutic properties. These compounds can include:
Therapeutic Uses: Medicinal plants have a broad spectrum of therapeutic applications. They can be used to:
Cultural Significance: Medicinal plants hold a deep cultural significance across various societies, reflecting a rich history of traditional medicine. This cultural aspect includes:
Understanding these key characteristics of medicinal plants highlights their complex and multifaceted roles in health and wellness. By integrating scientific knowledge with traditional practices, we can appreciate and effectively utilise the healing potential of these natural resources. I am already so excited to get this garden underway. I know exactly where I am going to put it!
Medicinal Plants in Family Day Care
Incorporating medicinal plants into a family day care setting offers a unique opportunity to blend natural health practices with early childhood education. Incorporating a medicinal garden into a Family Day Care Service enhances the learning environment but also promotes holistic wellness among children. As always there are lots of things to take into consideration so let's have a look at the risks, educational benefits, health benefits, and connection to the National Quality Framework and Early Years Learning Framework and let's not forget about community opportunities having a garden like this opens up for our services.
Educational Benefits:
Risks of a Medicinal Garden:
Medicinal Garden and Connections to the EYLF
Medicinal Garden and Connection to the National Quality Framework
Health Benefits of a Medicinal Garden in a Family Day Care Setting
Community Engagement Ideas for a Medicinal Garden
So I guess we have covered all the important bits. So let us have some fun!
Our garden: is going to follow suit of the rest of our evolving garden, starting with asking the community for assistance, with donations of manure, rocks and soil. The rocks collected will be going between the veggie patch and the under-construction family-time BBQ area. We will create a space filled with layers and a path through the middle and crushed sand on the path, allowing for a flow between our garden spaces. At each end of the path will be 2 pots for those pesky invasive plants, and this space will join our sustainability/agriculture space to the rest of our yard!
Our Garden in reality!
Roughly What our garden looks like on paper currently!
So what plants are we going to grow?
Plant Options for a Medicinal Garden:
Selecting the right plants for your medicinal garden is crucial. So I have curated a list of amazing options that we will be using and a few others for you to consider for your own space. This diverse selection of medicinal plants offers unique health benefits and educational opportunities for not just the children in our services but also the parents and the wider community!
For us we will start with Lavender (Lavandula angustifolia), and create a bar through the middle of each side of our garden.
Health Benefits: Lavender is known for its calming properties and can help relieve stress and anxiety, and promote better sleep.
Educational Opportunities: Children can explore the soothing aroma of lavender and learn about its uses in aromatherapy and herbal remedies, such as using lavender to remedy bug bites.
Peppermint (Mentha × piperita) is painful it is one of those plants which is invasive so this will be going in one of the big pots at the end of the path.
Health Benefits: Peppermint is a natural digestive aid and can help alleviate nausea, indigestion, and stomach discomfort.
Educational Opportunities: Children can taste fresh peppermint leaves and learn about the digestive system and the importance of healthy eating habits.
Chamomile (Matricaria chamomilla), I already grow chamomile, and we collect the flowers for tea and playdough, but I will definitely be adding it to this medicinal garden also.
Health Benefits: Chamomile has anti-inflammatory and calming properties, making it useful for relieving digestive issues, and anxiety, and promoting relaxation.
Educational Opportunities: Children can observe the delicate flowers of chamomile and learn about its traditional uses in herbal teas and natural remedies.
Echinacea (Echinacea purpurea), again I already grow, but I will be adding it to this garden, alternating around the border with chamomile.
Health Benefits: Echinacea is commonly used to boost the immune system and prevent colds and flu. It also has anti-inflammatory properties.
Educational Opportunities: Children can study the unique purple flowers of echinacea and learn about the body's immune response to infections.
Aloe Vera (Aloe barbadensis), does not grow fantastically here, but I will definitely give it ago at the end of each garden.
Health Benefits: Aloe vera gel is known for its soothing properties and can be used to treat minor burns, cuts, and skin irritations.
Educational Opportunities: Children can observe the succulent leaves of aloe vera and learn about plant adaptations and first aid treatments for minor injuries.
Calendula (Calendula officinalis),
Health Benefits: Calendula has anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties, making it useful for treating wounds, rashes, and skin infections.
Educational Opportunities: Children can explore the bright orange flowers of calendula and learn about herbal salves and natural skincare products.
Lemon Balm (Melissa officinalis), I love lemon balm, but can quickly go out of control so will be adding it to one of the pots in our garden.
Health Benefits: Lemon balm has a calming effect on the nervous system and can help reduce stress and anxiety, and promote relaxation.
Educational Opportunities: Children can rub the lemon-scented leaves of lemon balm and learn about its uses in herbal teas and aromatherapy.
Sage (Salvia officinalis), will not be going in this garden we have 4 sage varieties in our garden already and don't need to add another.
Health Benefits: Sage has antimicrobial properties and can help soothe sore throats, coughs, and respiratory infections.
Educational Opportunities: Children can examine the velvety leaves of sage and learn about its culinary uses and traditional healing properties.
Rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis), is an increible plant and we grow 4 of these already but use it constantly, so adding a couple of these won't go astray.
Health Benefits: Rosemary has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties and can help improve memory, concentration, and cognitive function.
Educational Opportunities: Children can inhale the woody aroma of rosemary and learn about its uses in cooking, herbal remedies, and natural cleaning products.
Thyme (Thymus vulgaris), again is something we grow already and won't be grown in this garden.
Health Benefits: Thyme has antimicrobial properties and can help relieve coughs, congestion, and respiratory infections.
Educational Opportunities: Children can explore the tiny leaves of thyme and learn about its culinary uses, as well as its role in traditional medicine.
Comfrey (Symphytum officinale), is so so beautiful and will be adding this into the garden.
Benefits: Comfrey has anti-inflammatory and wound-healing properties, making it useful for treating bruises, sprains, strains, and minor cuts and burns. It can also help relieve joint pain and arthritis.
Preparation: Comfrey leaves and roots can be dried and infused into oils, salves, or poultices for topical use.
Arnica (Arnica montana)
Benefits: Arnica has anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties, making it useful for treating bruises, sprains, strains, muscle aches, and arthritis pain.
Preparation: Arnica flowers can be dried and infused into oils, creams, or salves for topical use.
Elderberry (Sambucus nigra) is a tree and will go in the middle of one of these gardens with a diverse range underneath.
Benefits: Elderberry trees produce berries that are rich in antioxidants and vitamin C, making them useful for boosting the immune system and preventing colds, flu, and respiratory infections. Elderberry flowers are also used for their diaphoretic and expectorant properties.
Preparation: Elderberry berries and flowers can be dried and brewed into teas, syrups, or tinctures for internal use.
Neem (Azadirachta indica) is a tree and will go in the middle of one of these gardens with a diverse range underneath.
Benefits: Neem has antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, and antifungal properties, making it useful for treating skin conditions such as acne, eczema, and fungal infections. It is also used in traditional medicine for its immune-boosting and detoxifying properties.
Preparation: Neem leaves, bark, and oil can be used in various preparations, including teas, oils, creams, and powders for internal and external use.
Licorice (Glycyrrhiza glabra) unfortunately doesn't grow well here.
Benefits: Licorice has demulcent, expectorant, and anti-inflammatory properties, making it useful for soothing sore throats, coughs, and digestive issues such as heartburn and gastritis.
Preparation: Licorice roots can be dried and infused into teas, decoctions, or tinctures for internal use.
There are lots of other plants that you could also use such as:
Aloe vera
Peppermint
Chamomile
Echinacea
Lavender
Ginger
Garlic
Turmeric
Ginseng
Calendula
Valerian
St. John's Wort
Elderberry
Rosemary
Thyme
Sage
Catnip
Dandelion
Licorice
Milk Thistle
Hawthorn
Passionflower
Yarrow
Arnica
Comfrey
Willow
Nettle
Lemon Balm
Fenugreek
Plantain
Evening Primrose
Ashwagandha
Astragalus
Feverfew
Black Cohosh
Marshmallow
Skullcap
Bilberry
Ginkgo Biloba
Goldenseal
Kava
Red Clover
Saw Palmetto
Slippery Elm
White Willow
There is also an extensive range of Toxic plants that could be dangerous to plant in the garden it's essential to be aware of plants that may be misleading or potentially toxic. Here are some examples:
Larkspur (Delphinium spp.) - Contains alkaloids that can be toxic if ingested.
Hellebore (Helleborus spp.) - Contains toxic compounds, including cardiac glycosides and alkaloids.
Bloodroot (Sanguinaria canadensis) - Contains toxic alkaloids, including sanguinarine.
Jimsonweed (Datura stramonium) - Contains toxic alkaloids, including scopolamine and hyoscyamine, which can cause hallucinations and other severe symptoms.
Spurge (Euphorbia spp.) - Contains toxic latex sap that can cause skin irritation and other symptoms if ingested.
Oleander (Nerium oleander) - Contains toxic compounds, including cardiac glycosides, which can be harmful if ingested or even through skin contact.
Foxglove (Digitalis purpurea) - Contains cardiac glycosides, which can be toxic if ingested.
Castor Bean (Ricinus communis) - Contains ricin, a highly toxic protein, especially in the seeds.
Monkshood (Aconitum spp.) - Contains toxic alkaloids, which can be lethal if ingested.
Pokeweed (Phytolacca americana) - Contains toxic compounds, including saponins and alkaloids, which can be harmful if ingested.
Nightshade (Solanum spp.) - Contains toxic alkaloids, including solanine, which can cause symptoms if ingested.
Angel's Trumpet (Brugmansia spp.) - Contains toxic alkaloids, including scopolamine and hyoscyamine, which can cause hallucinations and other severe symptoms.
Yew (Taxus spp.) - Contains toxic alkaloids, including taxine, which can be harmful if ingested.
Rhododendron and Azalea (Rhododendron spp.) - Contains toxic compounds, including grayanotoxins, which can cause nausea, vomiting, and other symptoms if ingested.
Wisteria (Wisteria spp.) - While not usually lethal, all parts of the plant are toxic if ingested, causing nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, and diarrhea.
These plants should be avoided, especially if you're unsure of their identification or if there's a risk of accidental ingestion. It's crucial to educate yourself and others about the potential dangers associated with these plants.
Finishing it up:
If you've been inspired by this post to explore the world of medicinal plants and create something incredible in your garden, we encourage you to embark on this exciting journey! Whether you're starting with a small herb garden on your balcony or transforming your backyard into a lush oasis of healing herbs, the possibilities are endless.
By incorporating medicinal plants into your garden, you not only create a beautiful and functional space but also cultivate a deeper connection with nature and the healing power of plants. Imagine stepping outside your door and harvesting fresh herbs to brew soothing teas, create aromatic tinctures, or craft nourishing salves and creams. The possibilities for exploration and creativity are endless.
Moreover, by sharing your experiences and discoveries with others, you contribute to a growing community of gardeners, herbalists, and nature enthusiasts who are passionate about harnessing the potential of medicinal plants for health and wellbeing. Whether through social media, community workshops, or simply sharing a cup of herbal tea with a friend, your journey with medicinal plants can inspire and empower others to connect with the natural world and embrace the healing gifts it has to offer.
So, if you feel inspired to embark on this journey, we encourage you to take the first step today. Whether you start by researching different medicinal plants, planning your garden layout, or simply taking a moment to connect with nature, know that every step you take brings you closer to creating something truly incredible in your garden. And remember, if you do decide to embark on this journey, please share your experiences and creations with us – we would love to hear about your adventures in herbal gardening!
Happy gardening, and may your garden be filled with health, healing, and abundant blessings from nature.
Comments