Herbal healing in July

With the sun out and the countryside in full bloom, it seemed fitting that our July talk was from medical herbalist Val Thomas – telling us all about herbs and their healing powers.

Fresh from a trip to Cornwall, Val arrived with a vase full of herbs from her garden, and talked us through what they were and how to use them. From the moment this eloquent lady started speaking, the whole group was enraptured and soon pens and notebooks were appearing all over the room. We learned about herbs that are good for digestion problems, the right herbs to use to cure excessive sweating, and how a cup of lemon verbena tea can cure a multitude of ailments.

As well as delivering great practical advice, and helping us Swallowtails to think more carefully about the herbs in our gardens, Val got us all caught up in her passion for the subject. We heard how she fell in love with herbs as a little girl, but had to wait almost a career lifetime before taking the qualifications that meant she could be a herbalist by profession. Her excitement about the little sprigs of green that she passed around the room was infectious – and the copy of Val’s book – A Witch’s Kitchen – that Secretary Szara had brought for us to look at was well thumbed by the end of the night. We know more than one Swallowtail who went home and immediately ordered it after the meeting.

It was a wonderful night for us to welcome our WI delegates Jean Chapman and Ann Cox from the Woodside WI to tell us all about the National Federation’s conference in Brighton. It was great to get an insider’s view of the event, and to hear interesting details about the experience for the Norfolk contingent. We were also proud tell Jean and Ann that we had already established mini meets for members including our book club, film club and dog-walking club. It was inspiring to hear the two ladies talk about joining the WI in their thirties and how much joy it’s brought into their lives during the intervening years. We are proud to follow in their footsteps as we look forward to the Swallowtail WI’s first birthday in September.