Road to Damascus Moment
In 1988 Paul Evers (née Thompson) has his origins in Sydney Australia. He gained his qualifications as a naturopath, a practitioner of herbal medicine, from the mother of Australian traditional medicine, Dorothy Hall, who established the Australian Traditional Medicine Society and who published ‘Dorothy Hall’s Herbal Medicine’ that same year.
During an extended stay in Cape Town, South Africa mid-1990s Paul was asked to help improve the quality of life for terminally ill HIV patients. Whilst Paul was not working as a naturopath, due to his qualifications not being recognized in South Africa at the time, he did volunteer to share his knowledge. The results the team and Paul achieved were significant, and this pushed Paul to continue researching rare and unique therapies and botanical medicine.
Years of learning and research commenced with the objective to unleash the hidden medicinal value of growing plants and trees to the benefit of society.
Paul believes alternative and traditional medical systems can and must enhance the modern science and technologies of medicine available today. He is a long-time advocate of antibiotic restrictions yet is equally a long-time supporter of vaccine therapies.
His unswerving belief is that alternative and traditional medicines must be rigorously researched in order to deliver the best outcomes, especially for almost half the global population who rely on them, whilst at the same time become more integrated in the daily modern medical practices.
With more and more people learning about the health benefits of plants, plants growing close to homes, along roads and in parks, a new and vibrant interest in the cultivation, management and harvesting of these crucial ecosystems can only grow. His books are simply the beginning.
Paul is an advocate. He has the gift to connect his research and understanding of the abundant natural properties of plants to the medicinal needs of people. Stunning photos of the plants surround his conversations.
The methods of processing the roots, bark, leaves or flowers into medicinal extracts, tisanes, essential oils and ointments is remarkably easy. Let it inspire to (re)connect and act.
He writes in a conversational tone to reach the general public, to inspire readers to curiosity and discovery.
Marigold
Marigold
Marigolds have been adopted throughout the world and integrated into the herbal lore and cultures of many nations. In India, it is considered a holy flower and used to garland holy men, statues, and temples. In Ukraine, the flower is a symbol of the nation. In its native range, the flower is associated with death and the departed. As a result, the flower is used almost exclusively for the National Day of the Dead and is commonly planted in cemeteries throughout the Southern Americas. The Aztecs reportedly used the flowers as a dried powder that was blown into the faces of those about to be sacrificed because it was believed to relax them and make the victims more pliant and happier about their impending deaths. If a plant can make you happy about that, then it is definitely a flower to use in depression.
Verbena
Verbena officinalis
Native to Europe this common weed has been used for a millennium, and all manner of spiritual and medicinal properties have been associated with this plant. It has commanded and possessed an important place in the ancient Greek and Roman empires. In Greek mythology, the herb was associated with the Titan Goddess Eos Erigenia, the goddess of the dawn, who rose every morning from her home at the edge of the ocean. The herb was known as ‘Juno’s tears’ in Greece, and in Egypt it is known as ‘Isis tears’. As we can see, the plant has been employed by all cultures throughout Europe and into North Africa. In Christian mythology, the wounds Christ suffered during his crucifixion were staunched by Verbena. It therefore has long been associated with warding off evil spirits, and in the middle ages for warding off witches. Ironically, it is also used in occult preparations such as the Mandragora spell.
Onion
Allium cepa
The humble onion, Allium cepa, has been used throughout history and became pan-global centuries ago. It is believed that the origin of the plant was in Iran, however this is difficult to know for certain due to its long history of use. The ancient Egyptians revered to the plant as it was used in embalming processes, and archaeological studies have shown that onions may have been common in China more than 5000 years ago. The relatives of onions are garlic, shallots, leeks, and chives. What is less known about the humble bulb is its long use as a natural medicine used for all manner of ailments and injuries by many ancient and contemporary cultures.