Native plants have always been part of the medicinal “tool kit,” used by Indigenous people, settlers, immigrants as well as doctors and researchers. Even today, upwards of 40% of the medicines we use are plant based. When high tech science collides with nature, the results are remarkable! Ongoing research peels away the layers of the anecdotal uses of our native plants and substantiates many as beneficial medicines. This presentation looks at the history of a sampling of Ohio’s Native Plants and their role in providing medicine then and now.
As a naturalist, speaker and writer Carol Mundy taught for the University of Cincinnati and Hamilton County Park District, leading classes on urban wildlife issues, native plants, weed identification and the historical uses of plants. She continues to offer lectures and workshops in her “retirement.” One of her favorite botanical projects was the design of the historical medicine display for The Ohio Governors’ Residence Heritage Garden & Lloyd Medicinal Garden.
Carol is the recipient of the Citation for Horticulture Education from the Garden Club of Ohio and the long-time host of a weekly radio program “Outdoor Life” on WMKV radio in Cincinnati. The show features unique topics and interviews tying together nature, science, art and culture.
Registration required.
