RBGE Herbology Exhibition Celebrates 20 Years of Contemporary Knowledge

A resurgence of herbology has been taking place. People are increasingly interested in a more holistic and natural way to healthcare, preventative wellness and treating the body as a whole, not just treating symptoms. With herbal medicine becoming more accessible and the bridge strengthening between ancient knowledge and clinical evidence, as well as being believed to be safer, more sustainable and gentler on the body. The Herbology Exhibition at the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh has arrived at the ideal moment. Here is everything you need to know.

Herbologist's Toolkit, RBGE Herbology Exhibition ©M D Harding Travel Photography

RBGE Herbology Exhibition Celebrates 20 Years of Contemporary Knowledge

Before prescriptions, there was the healing power of plants. Celebrating 20 years of the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh’s modernised herbology course by herbologist and course director Catherine Conway-Paye. The exhibition highlights the work of the programme through a variety of engaging mixed media by students and illustrators and dives into the long history of medicinal plants. Open daily with free admission the Herbology exhibition runs at the John Hope Gateway until Sunday, June 28.

“Remedies, recipes and rituals” - This exhibition explores a variety of medicinal plants, remedy-making methods and recipes giving you an insight into the Garden’s green pharmacy and showing the important role it played in traditional healing practices. The Herbology exhibit captivates visitors, drawing them into the rich history of medicinal plants. Through its displays, it highlights how plants have been around for centuries helping illnesses and demonstrates how long before the existence of pharmacies, communities worldwide relied on herbs, roots and flowers as the only source of medicine.

The exhibition showcases the connection between traditional herbal knowledge and modern science. Many of the medicines used today derive from compounds found first in plants. By showcasing them both, the exhibit illustrates plant knowledge’s influence on the development of modern medicine.

Besides highlighting medical uses, the exhibit also invites its visitors to reflect on the importance of plant conservation. While researchers continue studying plants for future medical applications, the importance of protecting biodiversity increases.

The Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh diploma in Herbology is a course that investigates the study of medicinal plants by combining botanical science with traditional herbal knowledge. The course explores the historical and modern uses of plants, with the option to study online or in-person and provides the basis for further education in herbology and plant-based health.

Did you know that for every aspect of your being, there’s said to be a plant to help heal and nourish you? 

Countless research studies support what you may intuitively already know: plants offer a cornucopia of healing benefits that include supporting your immune system, detoxifying your organs, and even slowing the aging process.

As well as the informative Herbology Exhibition, there is also HERBOLOGY: A Physic Garden Pharmacy by Catherine Conway-Payne book published by Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh. The hardback book is well laid out, with beautiful photographs and illustrations. Detailing what herbs are available through the seasons, things to do in the physic garden throughout the year, as well as recipes for lotions and potions, including a sloe gin and raw cacao truffles!

HERBOLOGY: A Physic Garden Pharmacy

Catherine Conway-Payne

ISBN: 9781910877500

£35

I thoroughly enjoyed my visit, inspired to dive deeper into herbology and to make the delicious-sounding raw cacao truffles.

Herbology: A Garden's Medicine Exhibition is open daily with free admission at the John Hope Gateway, Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh (RBGE) until Sunday, June 28.

Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh (RBGE) is a leading international research organisation delivering knowledge, education, and plant conservation action around the world. In Scotland, its four Gardens at Edinburgh, Benmore, Dawyck and Logan attract nearly a million visitors each year. It operates as a Non-Departmental Public Body established under the National Heritage (Scotland) Act 1985, principally funded by the Scottish Government. It is also a registered charity, managed by a Board of Trustees appointed by Ministers. Its mission is “To explore, conserve and explain the world of plants.” Learn more: www.rbge.org.uk