Part of the Transition Year 08/09 Updates
Flower Power
We the transition year students of Hazelwood College have took part in many interesting and exciting events over recent weeks. One of which was a one day course on herbal medicine. We undertook this with Christine Best, a medical herbalist from Tralee, Co. Kerry. This herbal medicine course took place for the first half of the day in the organic gardens of Springfield Castle, Broadford, Co. Limerick. Here we learned various different medical uses for different types of plants, herbs and even the occasional wild growing weed. We learned that even something as simple as a dandelion can be of use medically. A dandelion is a brilliant aid for the liver and urinary problems. The dandelion is also extremely nutritious because of its plentiful supply of Vitamin C, Iron and Potassium. Over the course of being at the gardens we picked different plants, herbs and weeds and then brought them back to the school for the second part of the day. When we arrived back at school we went to the Home Economics room, where we learned how to make herbal teas and infusions, how to produce peppermint and orange lip balms, ointments and therapeutic creams with comfrey and in turn made our own products to take home. We also made a home Spa treatment, a bath bomb using citric acid powder, rose water and dried rose petals. We as a group all immensely enjoyed the day and learned of many interesting facts, and above all had a great time.
Written by:
Susan O’ Brien and Michelle Browne