The Healing Power of Herbs

James Neal, Head Gardener at Michelham Priory, provides a tour of The Physic Garden, a spot which has provided restorative produce for centuries.

The Physic Garden is a much loved part of the garden at Michelham Priory. Nestled behind the house and overlooking the South Lawn, it was donated in 1981 by John G MacCarthy and the Sussex Historic Gardens Restoration Society, which became the Sussex Gardens Trust.

The garden was planted by the then Head Gardener Richard Bickers with the help of a community group from the Youth Training Scheme.

It serves both to enhance the garden experience and provide an imaginative link between the current site as a visitor attraction and the site as a functioning Augustinian Priory, from 1229 to 1537.

Almost certainly, from its foundation as a Priory in the 13th Century, there would have been a working physic garden at Michelham.

It is suspected that it would have been at the location of the current vegetable garden. The Physic Garden is laid out to display as many herbs as possible and indicate their uses in the medieval period, as described by John Gerard in his Herbal from 1597.

Although, the planting is divided into 11 sections of usages, many of the herbs have multiple uses and could be displayed in multiple sections.

The original Physic Garden would have been laid out as a series of parallel raised beds separated by sanded paths, each bed containing a single herb variety, aiding identification.

An Infirmarer was appointed from the Cannons to tend this garden and it would have been a secure location. The Infirmarer prepared and administered all kinds of medicine to both the religious community and the lay people, preparing an assortment of Ointments, cordials, purgatives, sedatives, cough mixtures, air and floor fresheners and pot herb mixtures for convalescents, as well as drying and storing spare produce.

Each plant had many uses and all parts could be used. Roots, bark and seeds were ground up for powders or soaked and boiled to produce decoctions. Infusions were made by pouring boiled water over fresh leaves and flowers. Poultices were created by mashing fresh herbs with water to bind them into a mass.

Examples include Symphytum officinale Comfrey or Knitbone, used for treating fractures, the pounded root was spread like plaster on the broken limb, it sets dry and holds the bone in place to heal.

Ground Ivy Glechoma hederacea or Alehoof was used in the fermenting process of ale brewing, known as tunning. The plant clarifies and flavours the ale and improved its keeping properties. It was replaced by hops in the early 1600.

Soapwort Saponaria officinalis crushed into boiling water and simmered, creates a liquid soap, a mild detergent suitable for cleansing textiles, such as lace, linen and delicate woollens, for this reason the herb is naturalised in Sussex and has strong historical ties to the county.

A Taste of Sussex at Michelham Priory

Michelham Priory House & Gardens will provide the backdrop to a series of events throughout 2023 exploring the food and drink of Sussex.

v Woodfire cooking –various dates in August. Sessions for under and over 8s.

v Fermenting for Health –September 24th v A Walk on the Wild Side: an exploration of foraging – October 8th & 15th v Nectar of the Gods: Sussex Seasonal delights –November 11th

Pre-booking is required for all events.

For details visit www. sussexpast.co.uk/whats-on