Talk & Planting: Botanicals & Modern Medicine

The talks for this year’s Beer & Berries take a look at the many uses of plants in the treatment of illness and have been developed in partnershipo with Laura Mansfield at FEAST Journal. The history of modern medicine has its roots in herbalism, as our skills with organic chemistry developed individuals were able to modify and adapt plants, extracting different compounds for the treatment of disease. Join us as we explore plants as both herbal medicine and a vital compound in contemporary pharmaceuticals.

Botanicals & Modern Medicine: The Wellcome Centre of Infectious Diseases in Dundee will introduce their recently planted public garden. Located outside the centre, the garden showcases plants that are currently being used in research against infectious diseases. Irene Hallyburton, a researcher currently working to discover new drugs for the treatment of Malaria will talk about the role of the garden & how the different species planted tell a story of the centre’s ongoing work. Ali Floyd Public Engagement Manager at the Wellcome Centre will discuss the pocket medicinal gardens they have been initiating following the opening of their public garden. The pocket gardens include a sensory garden for teenagers at the Science Museum & community medicinal gardens in Stobswell, Dundee. Following the talk, join the Wellcome Centre team and Hospitalfield’s Head Gardener Kate Robinson for a Collective Planting as they plant two ‘companion beds’ of medicinal plants. One side will be planted with a collection of species used in traditional Scottish herbal remedies, the other with a selection of plants used in contemporary pharmaceutical research.

Tickets for this talk are included in the entry cost for Beer & Berries. Tickets available for £6 per person and offer full access the stallholders area, Live Music  the talks & workshops programme (book in advance) and as well entry to the Walled Gardens and Fernery.

Advance booking is essential, tickets available for timed entry here