Summer in the medicinal garden: A series of afternoons exploring medical plants and herbal medicines

Join the Royal College of Physicians in their medicinal garden for a series of three afternoons exploring medical plants and herbal remedies past and present, celebrating the College’s 500th anniversary.

World renowned experts deliver talks on themes as diverse as plants in anaesthesia, the 400th birthday of one of Britain’s most influential book of medicines, poisons in the works of Agatha Christie, addictive herbs and modern food supplements.

With themed lectures, an expert-led garden tour and refreshments included each afternoon, there can be no better way to discover one of London’s most fascinating botanical gems this summer.

All events cost just £10 and are sure to sell out quickly. Reserve your place now using the links below.

Monday, 11 June 2018
A history of plants in anaesthesia by Dr David Wilkinson, former consultant anaesthetist, St Bartholomew’s Hospital and ‘Unicorn Horn and London Treacle’ a celebration of the 400th birthday of the publication of Pharmacopeia Londinensis by Tony Cartwright, retired pharmaceutical regulatory consultant.

Tickets for this event also include admission to the Poynter Lecture of the British Society for the History of Medicine at 6pm: ‘The Doctor as Collector’ by Dr Simon Chaplin, Director of Culture and Society at the Wellcome Trust.

Monday, 16 July 2018
Plants poison in the works of Agatha Christie, by Dr Kathryn Harkup, author of ‘A is for Arsenic: the poisons of Agatha Christie’ and a study of addictive substances derived from plants, from alcohol to morphine and cocaine, by Professor Graham Foster, Royal College of Physicians Garden Fellow and Professor of Hepatology.

Monday, 10 September 2018
‘Neutraceuticals’, Professor Ruth Andrew of the University of Edinburgh examines plant-based supplements and fortified food, and ‘Oranges and Lemons’ the true story of citrus fruits in scurvy told by Dr Henry Oakeley, Royal College of Physicians Garden Fellow and retired consultant psychiatrist.
Click here for more information and to book your place for this event.

Programme
1.30pm Registration with refreshments
2pm First lecture
3pm Tea and coffee with garden tours of relevant plants by Royal College Garden Fellows
4pm Second lecture
5pm Drinks reception
6pm Event finishes