Welcome to the Boiron Medicinal Garden at
Rodale Institute
Medicinal Garden at
The Boiron Medicinal Garden in partnership with the Rodale Institute is an educational showcase for flowers and herbs used in manufacturing homeopathic medicines. The garden, open to the public starting June 26, is located at institute’s multipurpose 333-acre farm in Kutztown, Pa.
The medicinal garden will feature Arnica montana (Mountain daisy), Calendula officinalis (Garden marigold), Chamomilla (Chamomile), Hypericum perforatum (St. John’s Wort), Ruta gravolens (Rue), Symphytum officinale (Comfry) and many other therapeutic plants found in some of Boiron’s most popular medicines.
Upcoming Events at the Garden
To Be Announced...
Past Events at the Garden
Autumn on the Farm: Garden Tour & Meet Up
Tuesday, September 29, 2015
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Healthy Herbal Traditions II Workshop
Saturday, August 28, 2015
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“Working with Boiron to develop a Medicinal Garden on site at the Rodale Institute is a great partnership."
Christophe Merville, D. Pharm, Director of Education & Pharmacy Development, Boiron USA
Christophe Merville, D. Pharm., is the director of education and pharmacy development at Boiron, world leader in homeopathic medicines. In this position, he creates training programs, both online and in print, for pharmacists and retailers on homeopathic medicines used to treat common health conditions. Before his 20 year career with Boiron, Dr. Merville was a university hospital pharmacist in France’s Loire Valley where he obtained three years of clinical experience. Born in France, Dr. Merville completed his pharmacy doctorate in Nantes in 1985. He is a sought-after expert on homeopathic medicines and its practical uses for consumers as well as medical experts, and a frequent guest on radio programs across the U.S. Dr. Merville has also co-authored several published works and has presented homeopathic topics at scientific meetings.
Jeff Moyer,
Executive Director, Rodale Institute
Jeff Moyer is a world renowned authority in organic agriculture. His expertise includes organic crop production systems with a focus on weed management, cover crops, crop rotations, equipment modification and use, and facilities design. Jeff is perhaps most well-known for conceptualizing and popularizing the No Till Roller Crimper for use in organic agriculture. In 2011, he wrote Organic No-Till Farming, a publication that has become a resource for farmers throughout the world.
Jeff brings a farmer’s perspective and approach to issues in organic agriculture. Over the past four decades at Rodale Institute, Jeff has helped countless farmers make the transition from conventional, chemical-based farming to organic methods.
Maggie Saska,
Plant Production Specialist, Rodale Institute
Maggie’s professional background includes over 15 years of experience in commercial production, university research, and education. She came to Rodale Institute after most recently serving as Executive Director of the Community Farm of Simsbury, an Incubator Farmer Program for emerging farmers. Maggie has a bachelor’s degree in Horticulture from University of Connecticut and a master’s degree in Plant Science from University of Connecticut. She has published several articles and in 2013 received an award from the USDA/Natural Resource and Conservation Service for “Women Inspiring Conservation in Connecticut.” At Rodale Institute, Maggie oversees all horticulture including greenhouse operations, gardens as well as propagation of plants for wholesale, commercial and research use.
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See the Plants
Arnica montana (Leopard's bane)
Arnica montana is a perennial with bright, yellow daisy-like flowers that appears in July and August. It is found in the hills and mountains of northern and central Europe and Siberia. Also known as Mountain tobacco.
Homeopathic uses: Muscle aches, joint pains and bruises*
Calendula officinalis
(Garden marigold)
Calendula is a native to Southern Europe and cultivated widely throughout North America. This flower has bright yellow-orange blossoms.
Homeopathic uses: Scrapes, burns and skin irritations*
Passiflora incarnata
(Passion flower)
Passiflora incarnata is a common perennial wildflower with a vine that climbs and grows rapidly. It can be found in the southern U.S. It is still used in herbal teas as a mild sedative.
Homeopathic use: Insomnia owing to mental fatigue*
Pulsatilla (Wind flower)
This perennial plant is a member of the Ranunculaceae or buttercup family. It grows in clumps on sandy well-drained soil in sunny meadows, pastures and fields.
Homeopathic use: Colds with thick yellow discharge*
Ruta gravolens (Rue)
The common Rue, known as Herb-of-Grace, is an herb with bright yellow flowers and is native to southern Europe. It was used for many conditions but is now considered too toxic in herb form.
Homeopathic uses: Eye strain, sprains, varicose veins and rheumatism*
Hypericum perforatum
(St. John’s Wort)
St. John’s wort is native to Europe but is commonly found in the U.S. and Canada in the dry ground of roadsides, meadows, and woods. As an herb, it is used to relieve mild depression, but must be used with precautions with other drugs or supplements.
Homeopathic use: Acute nerve pain*
Cimicifuga racemosa
(Black cohosh)
Plumes of tiny, star-like white flowers tower up to 8 feet tall over fern-like, dark-green foliage. This is a native to the eastern U.S. Black cohosh is still used in many conditions affecting women, but interacts with other drugs, and might not be safe at higher doses.
Homeopathic uses: Menopause symptoms including hot flashes/flushes, irritability, mood swings and sleep disturbances*
Chamomilla (Chamomile)
This is an annual flowering plant called German chamomile, belonging to the Asteraceae family, and is widespread all over Europe. As an herb, it is used in teas to calm digestive cramps and relieve sleeplessness.
Homeopathic uses: Colic, teething difficulties or toothache, diarrhea, and painful menses
(periods)*
Symphytum officinale (Comfrey)
Symphytum officinale, known as Comfrey or Knitbone, is a common perennial herb that grows wild in parts of the U.S. and is cultivated in much of the world. As an herb, it is not used anymore because of its liver toxicity.
Homeopathic uses: Bone fractures and bone pains*
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Honeybee Conservancy Efforts
The Honeybee Conservancy at Rodale Institute was started in 2012 in response to the major health problems that have devastated the honeybee population in North America. Colony collapse disorder still results in a 30 percent death rate every winter for these valuable pollinators with no answer in sight. The Conservancy promotes healthy beekeeping practices through education and outreach including classes in sustainable beekeeping practices; hive hosting on Rodale’s 333-acre organic farm; and, support for beginners through the network. Boiron currently hosts a hive, housed near its Medicinal Garden, to help support the Institute’s conservancy efforts. More information on the program can be found here.
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