TALES FROM A PSYCHIC GARDEN: IN PURSUIT OF HERBAL HAPPINESS

The Devil’s Water, a notorious river in Northumberland, claims its latest victim – a party-pill popper. The tragedy triggers a quest to seek safe herbal highs in the local physic garden. Flora, an intrepid teenager, is instructed by the resident old crone and sets off on shamanic journeys to meet a series of plant spirits. They dish out medical and scientific information about herbs that alter human consciousness. Some are toxic and terrifying, others are the making of safe, mellow herbal highs for the mid-summer festivity that Flora is planning. Other colourful characters add secrets and surprises along her path of discovery about plants, people and other animals in a garden that could well pass for psychic. This magical folklore fantasy includes the low-down on how herbs traditionally used as medicines can also be mildly euphoric or mind-expanding. It highlights which plants are safe or not for enhancing such states. Part of a series designed to inform and entertain on the subject of herbs for health, well-being and happiness, the book is written by professor of neuroscience and curator of Dilston Physic Garden, Elaine Perry, and creative writer and teacher of storytelling, Deborah Court. Like the garden itself, with its dual physic and psychic personalities, the text shape shifts with the vital facts clearly emphasised in italics. While readers are encouraged to absorb parts of the story they like, this does not apply to using the herbs. Vital health warnings about herbal supplements or remedies are part of the theme of this book that explores the use of recreational drugs and will be of interest to young people, their parents and teachers.