Meet ‘Green Witch’ Robin Rose Bennett at medicinal plant walk

Photo Courtesy of Shannon Mulligan
Photo Courtesy of Shannon Mulligan

MAPLEWOOD, NJ — “Green Witch” Robin Rose Bennett, always spellbinding, will once again share her wisdom with Durand-Hedden visitors about the beautiful herbs and the weeds we pull from our gardens. According to Bennett, these plants offer a treasure trove of gifts, providing an abundance of zesty tastes, nutritive value and, perhaps most surprisingly, medicinal benefits. For instance, the common plantain can reduce the itch of a mosquito bite or the pain of a wasp sting; three dandelion leaves provide 20,000 IU of Vitamin A in the form of natural beta-carotene; and sweet blue violet leaves can dissolve breast cysts in the breasts, according to Bennett.

Come learn about these and much more first-hand in an experiential plant walk on Sunday, Sept. 18, from 2 to 3:30 p.m. in Grasmere Park and the herb garden. There, participants will identify, smell, touch and taste these beneficial plants with herbalist and author of “The Gift of Healing Herbs: Plant Medicines and Home Remedies for a Vibrantly Healthy Life,” Robin Rose Bennett.

Durand-Hedden House is located in Grasmere Park at 523 Ridgewood Road in Maplewood. For more information or to arrange group tours, call 973-763-7712. You can also visit www.durandhedden.org.