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Herb of the Week for 16th Feb
Salute To Robert
By Lynn Kirkland
Herb Robert, geranium robertianum, grows
freely in the woods where our gnome community
lives.
A common European herb, it is an old medicinal
plant which in medieval times was called
St. Robert.
The special folk who live in the Peace
Woods have been given their special charm
by the talented brushstrokes of my Dad,
Robert Rogers, (known as Bob).
Dad turns eighty seven this week and it
seemed a fitting tribute to talk about
a herb with his name.
Herb Robert is the sprawling plant with
the little pink flowers which is next
to our ale drinking gnome.
You will not find it in garden centres
as it is actually a wild herb.
Wild herbs or weeds are the survivors
of the plant world.
They are on this planet for a reason and
sometimes we forget that these humble
plants are popping up in our gardens for
our benefit.
Herb Robert has been used through history
as a wash for skin problems or as an eyewash
and used internally for a wide variety
of curative effects.
There is some fascinating information
on Isabel Shiphard's website, www.herbsarespecial.com
telling of a report in Nature magazine
back in 1953 which chronicled the beneficial
effect this simple plant had on cancers.
It fascinates me how simple plants can
have powerful effects. I call this Botanical
Simplicity based on my belief that nature
knows best.
Herb Robert is part of the cranesbill
family and happily grows in sun or shade
and is great at filling in gaps or bare
ground.
It has dissected leaves and pretty small
bright pink flowers.
My Dad is likewise a survivor having come
through the war years surviving a torpedo
attack when on a POW ship and then going
on to have many close shaves through the
war. He greets each day with a smile and
a positive outlook and like our merry
band in the photo enjoys good company,
a drink and loves to sing.
I salute my Dad with his indomitable spirit
and wish him the happiest of birthdays
on the 18th and many more to come.
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