Gardeners World Special

[Mrs Ava]

Did you see it tonight?  Sarah Raven had an hour special about medicinal plants and herbs.  So very interesting!  I love the thought of using herbs and plants in cooking, and finding ones to heal also is a real bonus!  I have lots of aloe vera plants, and use them occassionally on daughters eczema, altho it has been known to inflame her sores more - she is incredibly sensitive...tut...  And Sarah made the most gorgeous looking healing cream from calendula flowers!  Mine have all finished now, but I am going to print out the recipe and make sure I grow plenty next year!  And how good are blueberries please!?!?!  I know they are the latest trend in super fruits, but I didn't realise how much. 

Anyhow, just to say I really enjoyed it (apart from her awful floral skirt  ;D) and adore seeing her gorgeous gardens at perch hill.

[Mrs Ava]

[busy_lizzie]

We loved it too EJ.  I find the subject fascinating and I'm very interested in herbs and their medicinal qualities. We are going to be visiting my Sister, who lives in London, sometime in September, so we would love to visit the Chelsea Physic Garden.  I hadn't realised that Sarah Raven had been a doctor before she became a gardener, so quite a change in profession.  I did used to think her clothes were very strange when I first saw her, as everything she wears seems totally inappropriate, especially that weird corduroy coat she wears, but now I quite like her eccentricity in the clothes department. Blueberries and Pomegranates seem the latest health food fad but I am not sure whether they are just a passing fashion.   busy_lizzie

[Carol]

I enjoyed it too.  I live near Soutra where Dr Brian Moffat was showing Sarah Raven around.  I have been up there but never knew there was so much round about and with all them medicinal plants.  Soutra aisle used to be a hospital used by Monks.  Its a fascinating place.

;) ;) ;)

[Heldi]

I loved the programme too. I'm another who is interested in using herbs. I'm scared of doing something wrong though. Was great to see Sarah making the tea with lemon balm and the calendula cream looked amazing.

[Val]

I've taped it so will be watching it soon. When do we get GW back? It hasn't been on for ages, I think these specials should be on when others are watching sports etc, still its better than nothing so I'll shut up. ;)

[Bun]

Loved it! Anyone know when they repeat it?

[janet h 1948]

Hi Emma Jane. Have you heard of neem cream. It is brilliant for skin problems. I had fungal eczema for over a year & tried all sorts from the doc + many others. It was gone in 2 weeks with neem cream.
I've just had a look & it's not suitable for people with nut allergies.
Nielsons do a homepathic callendula cream which is very good.

[Marymary]

Janet can you say more about neem cream please.  I know someone with a fungal thing on his hand which he's had for about 2 years & nothing has made any difference.  Maybe neem cream is something to try. Thanks MM

[farmerfen]

And wasn't that medicinal woman's spiral life-cycle garden inspiring!?  Haven't heard of anything like it before, so creative!

In case you missed it Friday (or if you want to see it again):  the full-length GW shows can be watched through the BBC website for up to a week after the original airing.  Go here http://www.bbc.co.uk/gardening/tv_and_radio/gardeners_world/index.shtml
and select "Watch Online".

Enjoy!
FarmerFen

[Mrs Ava]

Ooooo, neem cream.  Nope, never heard of it, so thanks to the dreary weather and gardening having to go on hold for a day or 2, we are going to investigate!

Funny how it is only ladies who have replied to this thread (sorry if any of you are fellas - I am assuming by your names you are all girlies).  Do you think that the whole herbal/medicinal thing appeals more to women than men?  I figured the Beeb were pointing the program more at women by having just Sarah Raven and her soft tones present the show. 

[prink13]

Only caught the end of the programme, but hoping that the whole series might be on again, or out on DVD soon, as also really enjoyed the episode on fruit!

:)

[Alimo]

I really enjoyed the prog.  I'd love to know more about the medicinal properties of plants.

Was suprised at Sara being a doctor before gardening - I wonder why she gave up??.

Alison

[Robert_Brenchley]

At a guess, possibly because gardening and TV presenting might be less stressful.

[katynewbie]

 :-\

Also because they don't make theatre scrubs in appalingly cut dull colours or revolting flowery long skirt-type styles!

Sorry. Bad day, claws back in now!

;)