Stagnant
water could spread Weil’s disease
I got a small parcel delivered to me this week, which I
always find exciting. Usually it’s something I ordered from Ebay and forgot
about. This parcel was from Mercier Press based in Cork and contained a book
they thought I might like to read called ‘The Holistic Gardener, First Aid for
the Garden’, written by horticulturalist and broadcaster Fiann Ó Nualláin.
Julian in my Pocket
I don’t really ‘do’ the book thing and all of my collection
went to various groups years ago so the inclusion of this book has increased my
collection to 1. When I was at horticultural college I had a tutor called
Julian who was so knowledgeable about everything that I always wished I could
keep him in my shirt pocket for him to be there permanently to get answers to my
questions. My wish sort of came true a few years ago with the introduction of
the smart phone. I can now get answers (usually hundreds of different ones) to
most questions at the swipe of my screen and it’s got the added benefit of not
having to feed it and I can switch it off when it gets annoying.
Flick Through
I thought the book looked interesting so took it along to
Portstewart to have a flick through while I was waiting for my lad to come up
from the Atlantic where he was doing some deep sea diving. As I had a few hours
to wait I thought it would make good use of my time. I generally fall asleep in
the car when I am waiting for someone so this made a pleasant change.
In between naps I read more about what motivated the writer
Fiann to write a book about natural first aid remedies in the garden and it seems
that apart from having a lifetimes experience in garden related accidents, he
saw that there was a need for a book that combined herbs, homemade remedy
preparation and a garden plant reference all in one so when you run into the
garden with a cut you don’t have to sift through endless reference books or
drip blood onto the computer keyboard or phone as you put in keywords to find a
relevant page on how to treat the injury.
Comprehensive
After a few disclaimers and recommendations about seeking
professional medical help if you get bitten by rats, Fiann convinces early on
that gardens have remedies for most injuries from a scratches, heatstroke, chapped
hands, heart attacks, pesticide poisoning to wasp stings. Miraculously all of
these can be treated on site with the plants you grow. Fiann happily tells us
that the plant beside you as your work or relax in the garden can be the answer
to a hive, ache or watery eye and ingesting fruit and vegetables can also build
up antihistamine levels as a defence against stings and bites. Plants including
calendula, sage, geranium, dandelions and roses all have their healing virtues.
As the day progressed I found myself reading chapter after
chapter of the book which I initially thought would just be for reference. If
you are unlucky enough to get stung by a bee or wasp or have an army of midges
following your every move then fear not, the answers lie in the plants you
grow. There’s even a bit later on about after sun remedies and gardener’s knee
complaint.
The more I read the chapters the more I realised just what a
dangerous place the garden is, even stagnant water in a butt can give you Weil’s
disease. I just couldn’t put the book down, even pruning a rose could be a
dangerous business.
Top Tips
The book has some lovely illustrations by Sam Chelton which
breaks up the text and has some good top tips such as not to burst blisters. I
needed to have that put in writing because that’s what I always say to people
when I see them with the pins out of the sewing box.
No Competition
I was going to give the book away in a competition, but I’m
afraid this time it’s not going to be. I have decided to keep it. Partly
because it’s the only book I have in my “collection”, but mainly because it’s a
very good reference book if you need to remedy an accident in the garden.
I really enjoyed the read and it’s hopefully made me a bit more
cautious in the garden. I hope by keeping it, I never have the need to refer to
it again. It can be a constant reminder to take things slowly and carefully in
the garden.
Fastest Selling
The Holistic Gardener is the fastest selling Irish Gardening
book ever and can be bought either as hardback or Kindle. Fiann is currently co-presenting
on RTE 1’s Dermot’s Secret Garden programme. Check out Fiann's blog theholisticgardener.com
or send him a tweet @HolisticG especially if you have any more remedies, I can
see a sequel coming on.
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