During last summer it was time to test our 40-hour Home Herbal Pharmacy program in practice. All project partners from Croatia, Italy, Slovenia, Spain, and Cyprus implemented the program in their local communities and collected valuable feedback from the participants. We included 60 participants over 54 years of age, who carried out multiple activities outdoors and indoors.
It began with theory on how to recognize various plants and which parts of plants are appropriate for usage. Specially guided field trips provided participants with knowledge about wild plants, their habitats and ecological impact on the environment.
In the practical part of the program, the participants prepared a variety of products that they can use in their home apothecary, including tinctures, syrups, teas and herbal blends, oil macerates, and other ointments. These results were the direct outcome of the hands-on activities, and participants gained valuable knowledge on how to make these products on their own in the future. During this part a lively debate ensued among the participant on how they prepare similar products and how they use them and, furthermore, the exchange of herbs and plants was in high demand.
The participants also learned about the correct choice of packaging for these products and were introduced to the essential tools required for making ointments, tinctures, and oil macerates. The program provided them with the skills and confidence to continue using and producing these natural remedies at home.
All in all, the program was well-received and participants gained new knowledge on how to prepare and properly use everyday herbal plants for their health issues.
Greek (el-GR)