Dalton Herb Society hears about the history of herbs

Published 12:00 am Tuesday, December 17, 2019

The Dalton Herb Society held the fall meeting at the Bolles home in Ellijay. Everyone enjoyed the pretty autumn-colored leaves, taking walks and relaxing on the beautiful fall day.

The hostesses provided lunch using herbal recipes, serving a very tasteful and healthy meal. The hostesses were Mickey Bollwerk, Bobbie Carmichael, Marie Crosby and Dorothy Powell.

A program was given by Brelinda Bolles on the history of herbs, stating the knowledge of the healing power of herbs dates back to the beginning of civilization. A sophisticated science of herbal treatments was developed in Egypt during Pharaoh’s era, circa 3,550 B.C.; notes found had the use of herbs as medicine.

The Greeks’ knowledge also was highly esteemed, so much so that a law set a death penalty on the theft of herbs and plants.

Hippocrates’ writings made clear the knowledge of plants and herbs was an essential part of medicine. Even in the Dark Ages we learn from Capitulary’s notes the knowledge of herbal plants for healing was passed on to the next generation. And so on through the Medieval Period, the monks at the monastery had a part in preserving the knowledge of herbs and plants.

Early settlers brought their herbs to America; some of the ones we have today were planted in Georgia in the mid-1800s. Herbs played a vital role in the lives of the settlers. Herb gardens were an essential feature of the pioneer homes for many reasons, including remedies for illness, the flavoring of food and dye for fabrics, fragrances, etc.

But in the 19th century with the new man-made drugs, the knowledge and research of herbal medicine began to decline, and was not passed on from one generation to the next.

Now in our day we see pharmaceutical drugs do not always work, and they carry so many side effects, so the pendulum is beginning to swing back to natural herbal and plant medicine.

By using herbs we can use the wisdom and knowledge from centuries of research; many years, herbs have played an important part of man’s life. Our desire is to learn more about herbs and pass this on to the next generation.

Members attending were Mickey Bollwerk, Joyce Busby, Bobbie Carmichael, Janie DuBose, Barbara Meyers, Shirley Mosier, Jean O’Neal, Audrey Pilcher, Dorothy Powell, Glenda Rizer, Lu Rodric, Diane Sikalis, Barbara Smith, Judy Sorrows, Judy Stascheit, Lana Sweenie, Martha Waskey and Judi Welch.