While considering what we could investigate during the Year 7/8 Plant Health Science elective for this semester, we were intrigued by an article in the Weekly Times about Dr John Harrison, an Apothecary. John has been a horticultural teacher, therapist and now an Apothecary which is a chemist who is very learned about the properties of medicines usually based on herbs and plants. So to put a spin on 'plant health' we are investigating 'plants for our health'. Due to COVID restrictions, John was interviewed and students watched a Webex with 'Dr John Harrison' describing his career path and why he is so interested in the history and healing properties of plants. We heard about the uses of Stinging Nettle, Sauerkraut, Lavender, Opium poppies, Laudanum, Hawthorn berries, mouldy bread, spider’s web, rose hips, Caraway seeds, Hops, Ginsing, Aloe Vera, Hemp, Vanilla and Rosemary. Dr John explained that Aboriginal people used Warrigal Greens, Eucalyptus, Yam Daisy (Murnong) and Bunga Bunga Pine for food and fibre resources and that Frankincense and Myrrh have been used since the Egyptians. Dr John described Garlic as the perfect plant for now as it’s properties were “anti-fungal, anti-bacterial, anti-septic and anti-social!” Comments are closed.
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