Herbs of Spring & bush medicine
Join us with Caymanian Erik Leacock and Katie Beswick, Herbalist and soapmaker of Little Bird Soaps in Stratford-upon-Avon as they share how their experiences of growing up in Cayman have influenced their careers and passion for herbal medicine.
Date: Wednesday 31st March 2021
11:00AM Cayman Time
5:00PM London Time
Zoom
Herbs of Spring & Bush Medicine
Katie Beswick & Erik Leacock
On Wednesday 31st of March 2021, we concluded our first quarter of events themed HEALTH AND WELLBEING with an inspiring talk from Katie Beswick in Stratford-upon-Avon and and Erik Leacock in Cayman.
Katie and Erik are passionate plant lovers and herbalists and are both very knowledgable about plants and their medicinal uses.
We were delighted to facilitate this partnership for speakers on this fascinating topic, with thanks to the Cayman Islands National Trust. It is clear that there is a general keen interest in this topic and became evident that the natural world has so much to offer our health and wellbeing.
Katie, who spent her formative years in the Cayman Islands commented that when she came over to the UK she felt very out of place and missed Cayman very much. She commented that learning about the UK plants using the interest she’d gained in Cayman about Caribbean plants, soon helped her feel more at home and comfortable in the English environment. The more Katie understood her natural surroundings the more she relaxed into the new culture.
Katie told the group about the so-called “weed” – Cleavers – a fascinating plant that assist with the Lymphatic system, a very valuable way to clear and cleanse infection fighting organs. Katie talked us through how to infuse water with the plant to create the best medicine for the Lymphatic system.
Erik talked us through a moving life-changing experience that led him to understanding plants and nature, and the importance of understanding the medicinal value of the natural world. He talked us through the Moranga Plant and all its uses and benefits.
We are so grateful to Katie and Erik for taking the time out to share their passion and knowledge with us and very much look forward to organising more events like this one.
With thanks to all who joined us, including Jeri Bovell, Medical Herbalist who was also able to share her knowledge and experience with the group. Seventeen Cayman Connection Members from Cayman and the UK joined us and we have new ideas for ways to share more connections like these, many thanks to all who attended. If you couldn’t make it, please stay in touch, be sure you are signed up and stay connected!
More information about Katie and Erik is below.
WATCH FULL VIDEO:
In partnership with and thanks to the Cayman Islands National Trust
ABOUT OUR SPEAKERS:
Katie Beswick
Katie Beswick spent her formative years in the Cayman Islands influenced by Caribbean breezes and tropical botanicals. Moving to the UK she carried her love of plants from Cayman and transferred her skills to enjoy English country offerings. Katie talks us through her experience of the natural world and how it inspired her to open “Little Bird Soaps”, sharing us soapmaking, the benefits of herbs and what to look for in the spring.
“I started making soap 12 years ago at home in Stratford on Avon.
Intoxicated by the beautiful scents and fascinated by the nature and benefits of essential oils, and the huge array of skin loving seed oils and butters.. all this goodness going into something really useful, something we use all day – first thing in the morning and last thing at night, I was hooked!
It reignited my fire, the wild woman in me who just loved to create potions and stir a big pot came to life. My workshop is an Aladdin’s cave, full of nature’s beneficial gifts and how exciting it is to gather the new year’s harvests and replenish some of my jars.”
Erik Leacock
Erik Leacock has a passion for herbs and plants in the Cayman Islands, and has also travelled the world to study the positive benefits of different herbs and plants. He done extensive research on Caymanian bush medicines, and is keen to share his knowledge for others to understand more about Cayman’s natural heritage, with thanks to the National Trust.
When exploring plant life in Cayman, Erik works full-time at his family’s business, Brand Source. He is also studying full-time to complete a Bachelor of Science degree in Nutrition at Huntington University of Health Sciences.
“Inspired by a profound life-changing experience about 10 years ago, which was the beginning of my journey of learning about plant medicines. I spent many years working with plant medicines in Latin America; such as in the Yucatan jungle in Mexico, to rainforests in Costa Rica, to the Darién Gap in Panama, to as far South as the Amazon jungle in Peru. Since being back home the past 5 years, I’ve obtained a certificate in Plant-Based Nutrition, an Associate’s Degree in Applied Nutrition and currently finishing my Bachelor’s in Nutrition to become a Nutritionist. As a Caymanian, I believe strongly that learning and sharing knowledge on Caymanian Bush Medicines to be enormously important for our culture and critical for maintaining our traditions.”