By: Kezia Royer-Burkett, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Burlington Local-News.ca
As part of its Earth Day programming, Burlington Public Library’s Central branch welcomed local residents to an interactive and reflective workshop exploring the power of plants and traditional healing practices.
The session, titled Nature’s Medicine Cabinet: A Look at Herbal Medicine, brought together approximately 16 residents for an evening of learning, discussion, and sensory exploration. Organized as part of the library’s health and wellness programming, the event was facilitated by medical herbalist Meru Parmar, in partnership with the Ontario Herbalist Association and Medicinale Botanic.
Librarian Kumkum Bhandari, who coordinates health and wellness programs at the library, opened the session by welcoming participants and emphasizing the importance of accessible, community-based learning. The workshop aligned with Earth Day themes by encouraging attendees to reconnect with nature and consider how plants can support well-being.
Parmar, a Burlington-based consulting medical herbalist with a background in functional medicine, led participants through an introduction to herbal medicine, describing it as both an ancient and evolving practice rooted in observing and respecting the natural world. She explained that herbal medicine is highly individualized, noting that remedies are often tailored to the specific needs of the person. She also highlighted that trained herbalists are equipped to understand potential interactions between herbs and pharmaceuticals, reinforcing the importance of informed and safe practice.
Throughout the session, Parmar touched on the historical and cultural roots of plant medicine, including perspectives from Indigenous traditions. When discussing how people historically learned which plants could heal, she explained that in many Indigenous cultures, plants are understood to “speak” to people, offering guidance on their uses through careful observation and relationship with the land.
A key component of the workshop was a guided tea-tasting experience using the Goethean method, a reflective and sensory-based approach that encourages participants to engage deeply with what they are consuming. Attendees were invited to smell, taste, and observe nettle tea while recording their impressions through writing or drawing.
Participants received plant tasting notes and were guided through a series of discussion questions that sparked thoughtful and, at times, creative responses. When asked to describe the aroma, one participant noted that the tea “smells like fresh cut grass,” another noted that it “smelled like hay,” highlighting its connection to the earth. Another question encouraged attendees to personify the plant. One participant described nettle as “a social worker, definitely not a person in power,” suggesting a nurturing and supportive quality.
The discussion also explored practical considerations. One attendee asked whether drinking coffee would affect the benefits of nettle tea. Parmar explained that both coffee and nettle can have drying properties, but noted that any interaction between the two would likely be minimal.
Participants learned that nettle is rich in nutrients, including protein and minerals, and can be steeped for extended periods to maximize its benefits. Parmar also shared that nettle has natural antihistamine properties and can even be used as a fertilizer, demonstrating its versatility both as a remedy and a resource.
As the session progressed, attendees were encouraged to deepen their observations by considering not just taste and smell, but also the broader characteristics of the plant and how it made them feel. This reflective process reinforced one of the workshop’s central messages: that herbal medicine is not only about physical health, but also about building a relationship with the natural world.
The intimate group setting allowed for open dialogue, curiosity, and shared learning, with participants actively engaging in both the scientific and experiential aspects of herbal medicine. By the end of the session, attendees left with a greater understanding of how everyday plants, even those found in their own backyards and kitchens, can play a role in supporting health and wellness.
Through workshops like this, Burlington Public Library continues to create space for community connection and lifelong learning, using Earth Day as a meaningful opportunity to explore sustainable practices and deepen appreciation for the environment.
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