In moments spent tending my grandmother’s garden in the past, I am deeply fascinated with the history of medicinal practices, herbal remedies, and healthcare emerged. Memories of her, a wise “Manangnangal”, records herbal recipes in her worn medicinal notebook are etched in my mind. Traditionally, she would be a female witch when it was only men who could pursue higher education. With each visit to the bustling garden markets, she acquires plants like malunggay, sambong, and butterfly pea flowers to learn more about nature’s remedies.
Her teachings were not just about tradition but a reason I persisted healthy especially when we were living in poverty in the Philippines. From my constant ailments, her herbal concoctions were always miraculous. With her guidance, I became both a student and test subject in her experiments.
The legacies of herbal witches and their remedies would be my connection to my grandmother’s spirit after her passing. Their tales fueled my curiosity to explore beyond my grandmother’s garden. Thus, I realized that London has a strong herbal past with gardens full with herbs dated back during the 1600s, a time when medicine, folklore, and cultural beliefs intertwined in intriguing ways. As a young scientist, I'm eager to uncover ancient herbal stories. Exploring Kew Royal Botanic Gardens and The Chelsea Physic Garden will allow me to venture off the bountiful herbs that London has to offer considering it holds a vast collection.
Growing up immersed in my grandmother’s wisdom, I developed a profound connection to the history of medicinal practices and herbal remedies. Her role as a ‘Manangnangal’—a healer in a time when only men could pursue higher education—instilled in me a deep respect for nature’s ability to heal. The lessons she passed down, from crafting remedies with plants like malunggay and sambong to recording her herbal recipes in a worn notebook, left an indelible mark on my life.
Her guidance not only kept me healthy during difficult times in the Philippines, but it also sparked a passion that has grown into a desire to explore the broader world of traditional medicine. My research aims to dive into London’s rich herbal history, a place where folklore, culture, and science intersect. By exploring the Kew Royal Botanic Gardens and The Chelsea Physic Garden, I hope to uncover the stories of ancient herbal practices and their impact on modern healthcare. This project is not just about research—it’s a tribute to my grandmother’s legacy and the herbal wisdom that shaped who I am today. Through this journey, I hope to bridge the gap between tradition and innovation, uncovering the healing potential of nature for future generations.
