SARAH Owen-Hughes is passionate about passing on her science-based knowledge to everyone.

She encouraged us to learn more about plant diversity, the science that has evolved behind plant discoveries and how modern science can help us to discover how plants can assist in the challenge to find new drugs.

Her fascinating talk helped us to appreciate how all parts of a plant, from roots to leaves, flowers and seeds to fruits and its own defence mechanisms have always been used to procure remedies and cures for all kinds of ailments throughout history.

The earliest record of a plant being used to cure disease was Artemesia, for the treatment of malaria, was discovered in China 2,000 years ago. Since the 1800’s the discovery of quinine (from the cinchona tree) used as a cure for malaria meant the study of plants as medicine became an accepted science.

Sarah began her intriguing talk with our own recollections of ‘home remedies’ often mentioned by our grandparents. Feverfew for headaches, Calendula for skin complaints and Lavender as an anti-bacterial and all-round calming effects.

Nowadays people are experimenting more with ‘natural’ remedies in toiletries, cosmetics and sleep remedies but Sarah warns against ‘dabbling with science’ as some plants have dark and mysterious, even dangerous properties. You only have to read a few Agatha Christie novels to know that poisons are the favourite murder weapon for women. Only half a leaf of Digitalis (foxglove) is enough to kill an adult, so be warned, do not be tempted to make your own remedies!

While our GPs are prescribing gardening as a means of supporting some illnesses, not only as a relaxing, restorative hobby but that actually being ‘in’ nature, touching the soil and plants, walking amongst trees has a measurable effect on our health.

Tree hugging takes on a whole new meaning when you find out that every tree releases its own oils into the palms of our hands (as its own defence mechanism) which are beneficial to us and our own immune systems.

Plant science is never far from our own back yard. As gardeners we can all help by raising healthy plants; mixing our composts, switching buckets of earth around the garden, introducing new a microbiome by composting kitchen waste and using leaf mould, we are giving our plants the best possible chance of survival.

We may never think of gardening the same way again.