In this course, you’ll gain a deeper understanding of how our immune system functions, and explore the causes and treatments for common ailments like coughs, colds, and allergies. You’ll also learn to identify plants from the rose family and discover their unique healing properties. As part of the hands-on experience, you’ll create your own natural remedies, including an inhalation, vapour rub, throat decoction, and a soothing gargle spray.

Led by medical herbalist and author Alex Laird, you’ll learn to identify key herbs from plant families such as the Daisy family that are effective against viral, fungal, and bacterial infections. Through hands-on remedy making, you’ll create your own infused oils, ointments, creams, and lotions to build a first-aid kit tailored for skin care. We will explore these herbs in the Garden, smell and taste them, and learn how to transform them into practical treatments.

This course is perfect for anyone interested in the healing properties of plants and foods, health, gardening, the process of growing and eating and transforming plants into simple, effective remedies.

This session is part of a five-part series, though each course can be attended separately, we recommend booking the whole package to get the most out of this series. Book the whole package here for a 15% discount: Living Medicine: Whole Course – Chelsea Physic Garden.

Course Tutor: Alex Laird

Ticket Information:

The fee includes entry to the Garden, lunch in the Physic Garden restaurant, handouts and herbal remedies to take home.

Please let us know any dietary requirements or allergies when booking by filling out the relevant field on the payment page. If you have no specific needs, simply add N/A.

To get the most out of this enriching series, we highly recommend attending all five sessions.

Dates of Living Medicine Courses in 2025:

Living Medicine: Self-Care Basics – Chelsea Physic Garden – Sunday 2 March

Living Medicine: Digestive Discomforts – Chelsea Physic Garden – Sunday 11 May

Living Medicine: Sleep, Anxiety and Fatigue – Chelsea Physic Garden  – Sunday 6 July

Living Medicine: Skin and First Aid – Chelsea Physic Garden  – Sunday 7 September

Living Medicine: Coughs, Cold and Allergies – Chelsea Physic Garden – Sunday 2 November

This event will take place at the Garden and in our Learning Classroom space and will go ahead whatever the weather. You should dress appropriately for the Great British weather. Please bring your own apron if you wish.