How We Began
Dilston Physic Garden was founded in the early 1990s with a mission to cultivate plants for scientific research. Initially, it welcomed only group and university visits, but in 2005, it opened its gates to the public. By 2007, Dilston Physic Garden had evolved into a registered charity dedicated to education and research. Today, it offers a wealth of experiences for visitors from near and far, as well as enriching the local community.
The following article features excerpts written by the curator of Dilston Physic Garden, Emeritus Professor Elaine Perry.
Explore the journey of Dilston Physic Garden, from the early medical research interests of its curator, Professor Elaine Perry, to its collaborations with local medical herbalists and volunteers, as well as its latest developments with pharmacognosist Dr. Nicolette Perry. The article highlights the garden’s contributions to scientific research, education, and public engagement, along with its diverse range of courses, workshops, and events focused on enhancing health and wellbeing.
Books on the physic garden give more information and include ‘Botanical Brain Balms: Plants For Memory, Mood And Mind‘, ‘Grow Your Own Physic Garden‘, ‘Magical Botanical‘, ‘21 Medicinal Plants For Memory‘ and for children ‘Good Plant Bad Plant‘.
Origins, non traditional and neuroscientific
This physic garden is deeply rooted in science. It was founded by a distinguished neuroscientist, Professor of Neurochemical Pathology at Newcastle University, who dedicated 30 years to researching disorders of the human brain. Her work primarily focused on understanding the mechanisms behind cognitive decline and memory loss associated with age-related neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer’s, as well as neurodevelopmental disorders such as autism. The overarching goal of this research is to discover new treatments for these conditions, driven by the belief that brain and mind disorders are among the most devastating, robbing individuals of reason, clarity of thought, and consciousness itself.
During the 1970s and 80s, original medical research conducted by Perry’s team of neuroscientists and clinicians at Newcastle University led to the development of new drugs for treating Alzheimer’s disease. While most of these drugs are synthetic, one notable exception is galantamine, a compound originally derived from the bulbs of medicinal plants like snowdrop (Galanthus nivalis) and daffodil (Narcissus). This discovery underscores a central theme of a physic garden: every plant cultivated has been used medicinally at some point in history. Interestingly, the ancient Greeks used snowdrop to protect themselves from poisons. Toxic plants like deadly nightshade (Atropa belladonna) disrupt a brain chemical system known as cholinergic, leading to memory loss, hallucinations, and in higher doses unconsciousness. Galantamine, in contrast, enhances the activity of this system, which is impaired in Alzheimer’s, thereby partially restoring brain function. The ancients clearly possessed valuable knowledge about the medicinal properties of plants, that still guide us in our botanicals explorations today!
The creation of this physic garden in the early 1990s was inspired by one particular European medicinal plant. After an unexpected life change, Professor Perry received an invitation from a medical colleague to attend a conference on consciousness in the Yucatan Peninsula, Mexico. The meeting explored the science of consciousness and questioned why so many scientists remain confined by conventional thinking and academic pressures. A year later, three students, including the current director of the physic garden, volunteered for summer work in Perry’s lab. A meditation experience in the Yucatan had sparked the idea of studying medicinal plants historically used to enhance memory. At the time, 15 years ago, when no prescription drugs were available for disorders like Alzheimer’s, and interest in the medicinal properties of plants was growing, the team sought evidence of plants traditionally used for memory and cognitive enhancement. The students harvested medicinal plants from the physic garden and tested their crude extracts for brain bioactivities. To everyone’s surprise, certain plants, such as European sage and Spanish sage (Salvia officinalis and S. lavandulaefolia), and lemon balm (Melissa officinalis), both historically reputed to improve memory and support the brain, demonstrated relevant biological actions in vitro (in lab tests). These plants worked by inhibiting an enzyme that regulates the cholinergic ‘memory’ signal in the brain, acetylcholine. One of the students who made this discovery went on to pursue a PhD in pharmacognosy at King’s College London, studying the effects of European sage on Alzheimer’s disease under the guidance of professors Peter Houghton and Peter Jenner.
The exciting new findings garnered interest among colleagues, particularly at Newcastle University’s Moor Bank Garden. This enthusiasm led to the establishment of the Medicinal Plant Research Centre (MPRC) in Newcastle in 1996, with Professor Elaine Perry as its founding director and now serving as co-director. The centre continues to conduct laboratory studies on plant extracts and research trials involving both healthy volunteers and those with brain diseases, in collaboration with Dilston Physic Garden’s own research initiatives.
The MPRC group has made several notable research discoveries, including identifying cognitive-enhancing effects in controlled trials with healthy volunteers. These trials have shown benefits from sage (Salvia sp.), lemon balm (Melissa officinalis), ginkgo (Ginkgo biloba), ginseng (Panax ginseng), tea (Camellia sinensis) – particularly green tea, rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis), and peppermint (Mentha piperita). Of these, only five species thrive outdoors in Northumberland: melissa and peppermint flourish, while some species of rosemary and sage, like the European broad-leafed variety, and the ginkgo trees, manage to survive the wet winters. Further laboratory studies have demonstrated that some of these plant extracts interact with brain enzymes and receptor molecules related to attention and memory. A controlled clinical trial of melissa aromatherapy in people with Alzheimer’s disease found that this essential oil, when applied in a skin lotion, reduced agitation and increased social interaction and constructive activities.
The goal of such research is to bridge the gap between traditional plant medicine and modern medical practice. Recent papers published by the MPRC group in scientific and medical journals are listed at the end of this article. Alongside a growing number of publications from other research groups, particularly in India, Japan, South Korea, and several Arabian countries, these studies are helping to promote the acceptance of plant medicine among scientists and clinicians in the West. Following the promising results of our 2016 pilot study, which showed that a plant medicine containing sage, rosemary, and melissa boosted memory by over 50% in individuals under 63 years old, we are now awaiting results of a follow-up study (conducted in collaboration with NIMH and AMH medical herbalists, the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, Make My Day Better charity, EcogPro and Ridley Family Trust.
Before all these scientific developments, Professor Perry’s small culinary herb garden in the lower walled area—now known as the Sage Garden—was already in existence. However, after delving into old British herbals like those by Gerard, Culpeper, and the remarkable Mrs. Grieve, it became evident that there were far more medicinal plants for health than for cooking. This discovery made it essential to grow and familiarise oneself with these medicinal plants, and to find space for the hundreds of fascinating species listed in these old herbals and encyclopaedias—many of which now have scientific backing for their effects on mind and body. In the early 1990s, the need for more space to grow medicinal plants for research purposes became just as important as continuing conventional neuroscience research. New land, previously used for sheep grazing, was acquired, and a windbreak of hedgerow medicinal shrubs and trees was planted. Despite the area being exposed to strong prevailing westerly winds—a significant challenge—the herbs seemed to rise up in a united determination. Most of them have since flourished in abundance.
Different areas were quickly established to accommodate all the medicinal plants available from local outlets. A landscape gardener suggested a central avenue as a key feature. This became Bamboo Avenue, which extends from the steps of the original Sage Garden—constructed from stone from the local Slaley quarry—up to the new physic garden. However, the bamboo turned out to be an invasive variety, threatening to overtake the entire garden until, in 2006, it unexpectedly flowered which causes bamboo to die. To everyone’s astonishment, new shoots emerged after a friend, who practices shamanism and communicates with plant spirits, performed a drumming ceremony in the summer of 2007. So much for the scientific method!
A lawn runs alongside Bamboo Avenue, providing open space for croquet and blooming with buttercups in the spring. It offers a ‘feng shui’ respite from the densely planted medicinal collections. In the far corners of the garden, tree structures were planted to provide architectural interest—one for fruit, the other for nuts. Since then, many more medicinal trees have been added throughout the garden, including willow (Salix alba, the classic tree medicine from which aspirin was derived), dogwood (Cornus alba), maple (Acer), eucalyptus, berberis, rowan (Sorbus aucuparia), elder (Sambucus nigra), and viburnum. These trees contribute to the garden’s structure, especially in winter when most medicinal plants retreat. Contrary to expectations, many medicinal plants thrive under the canopy of tree leaves, which may even help reduce water loss as global warming affects Northumberland. However, some pollarding has been necessary, along with leaf removal, as fallen leaves can inhibit the growth of certain plants—acting as a natural antibiotic!
When the garden first opened, it welcomed groups, but a particular open day following an article in The Times attracted a record 300 visitors on a sunny Saturday afternoon. Due to parking limitations, it was decided that group sizes should be kept small, and a top-up car park created, and soon a variety of specialist interest, club, and society groups began visiting by appointment—from medical, science and nursing students to gardening and walking groups.
Around the same time the garden opened, the first qualified practicing medical herbalist in the local area appeared, seemingly as if by magic. He was deeply interested in the concept of a local physic garden and offered incredible support, including running courses on medical herbalism. Over the years, the range of medical herbalists, workshops and courses expanded, all centred on the healing properties of plants, and led to the development of our Foundation in Plant Medicine diploma course.
The need for detailed information about the plants soon became evident—not only to identify each species but also to document their traditional uses and evidence of efficacy based on controlled clinical trials. Alongside the scientific facts about active chemicals and biological mechanisms, this information forms the foundation of this physic garden. An inspired university colleague devised a system to display the common and Latin names of the plants, their traditional medicinal uses, and whether these uses have been validated by ‘gold standard’ trials. These trials, the benchmark for modern medicines, provide essential mechanistic information if the key chemicals and their actions in treating or preventing disease are known. This information was verified by expert botanical groups, two practicing medical herbalists, and two biologists. Sacred and ‘magical’ qualities were also included to uplift and inspire visitors. The signs at Dilston thus blend knowledge from traditional and ethnic sources with modern science and medicine, making them one of the most unique aspects of Dilston Physic Garden compared to other physic gardens in the UK.
In 2007, Northumberland County Council Social Enterprise helped secure a substantial grant from Awards for All, allowing a local sign-maker, in collaboration with the garden team, to design a new style of sign. These signs feature a tilted frame for easy reading and are moveable to accommodate the garden’s needs. Many medicinal plants are travellers or ‘gypsies’ and do not like to stay in one place for long. The different plant collections are thus divided by moveable timbers and tree branches (all sourced from trees growing in the garden), allowing the signs to be relocated as needed to follow the wandering habits of the plants.
As the number of public visitors increased, maintaining the garden became labour-intensive. Two wonderful assistants were recruited who not only cared for the plants with enthusiasm but also brought numerous new ideas for moving the garden forward. They managed to raise funds with the help of Northumberland Council Social Enterprise for much-needed road signs, brochures, and advertising. An artist, Lucy Carty, created an original logo featuring intertwining leaves of European sage—the first plant researched by the MPRC—and one of its key brain-active chemicals, 1,8-cineole.
The garden gradually gained recognition in the area, with visitor numbers doubling each year. Further developments included the introduction of new courses—not only in plant medicine but also in Roman herbal medicine, aromatherapy, flower essences, skin lotions, shamanic plants (‘plants of the gods’), aphrodisiacs, philosophy, art and writing-for-wellbeing and more. The garden is now directed by a member of that original team, with the support of part-time gardeners, a manager and a wonderful team of dedicated volunteers. These individuals contribute so much to the physic garden, not only by tending the plants but also by bringing enthusiasm and countless suggestions for new developments.
Specialist interest collections, such as the Chamomile Lawn, 'Happy', 'Calm', 'Memory', Culinary, ‘Heart and Mind,’ ‘Flower Power’, ‘Opium Den' and 'Time-Space-Zone' are continually expanding. More recently, new areas like the ‘Herb Smudging’, ‘Magic Bean’ and our rewilding wilderness project the ‘Medicinal Meadow,’ have been added. The Spirit Henge, Labyrinth, 'Magic Circle', Meditation Hut and Triangle of Tranquillity pool bring an additional dimension to the garden, extending the concept of healing beyond the physical to encompass the mind and spirit. Creative arts have also been introduced into the physic garden, adding to its unique atmosphere. A replica gate resembling those found at Japanese Shinto shrines, crafted by a local artist, stands at the entrance. Other artistic features include a wind sculpture, bamboo flutes, and various sculptures like the Green Man, the Flying Goddess (made from recycled copper), Whirling Dervish and the Belladonna Witch, St. John’s Wort Demon and Mandrake Spirit —all created by local artisans. These works of art serve as a constant source of fascination for visitor and inspire explorations into the medicinal plants.
Is a physic garden psychic? Not many people are familiar with the term “Physic Garden” or understand its meaning, and the word “psychic” often comes up instead. The two terms are nearly anagrams—just one extra ‘c’ for “psychic,” a word that originally meant ‘of the soul.’ Some people misread the road sign and assume it refers to “psychic,” while others continue to use the term despite corrections. Perhaps they know more about the venture than we do!
There are, as noted, several intriguing ‘cosmic coincidences’ surrounding our physic garden. Its existence and the scientific research on medicinal plants were spurred by a personal transformation experienced by the curator—an experience that was not sought out. Some plants in the garden have exhibited mysterious behaviours. In one corner, we have plants associated with magic, such as those used by witches, werewolves, and shamans. These plants, when consumed in high doses, can induce hallucinations, alter consciousness, and change perceptions. For those who believe in a ‘spirit’ world, these plants might facilitate a mental journey to that realm. Among them is the enchanter’s nightshade (Circaea lutetiana), a vigorous weed historically used by the Greek goddess Circe as a love charm, which explains its name.
Our popular course, ‘Plants of the Gods,’ delves into the shamanic uses of such plants. However, many ‘shamanic herbs’ face challenges from slugs and snails, as if the molluscs were on some sort of ‘trip.’ Consequently, our ‘Opium Den’ collection, featuring Papaver somniferum and other poppy species, struggles to thrive. Preparing for a course on Plants of the Gods, we discovered that sweet flag (Acorus calamus)—a plant used to induce hallucinations—was immune to mollusc damage. Interestingly, the leaves of sweet flag were traditionally used in churches to freshen the floors. Another resilient plant, mugwort (Artemisia vulgaris), known for its sharp and invigorating aroma, was previously undervalued until an ‘astral aspects’ course tutor highlighted its benefits in ‘clearing obstructions’ and ‘opening chakras.’ It was a pleasant surprise to find such a vigorous, mollusc-resistant plant with spiritual properties thriving in our physic garden. The original seedling came from the roadside beyond the bridge over the Devil’s Water. The arrival of Chinese mugwort (Artemisia argyi), used for preparing our Mugwort Tincture in Dream Club studies, remains a mystery.
Another thriving plant in our garden is lemon balm (Melissa officinalis), renowned for its cognitive benefits including attention enhancement, mood calming, stress reduction, and anti-addictive properties. Like mugwort, lemon balm spreads vigorously throughout the garden, untroubled by infection and persistently reaching far corners, as if seeking attention. A clinical trial conducted across several UK centres tested the essential oil of lemon balm against conventional therapy for Alzheimer’s patients. Funded by the UK Alzheimer Society, this research was part of the MPRC activities, with parallel lab work at Durham, King’s College London, and Otago University in New Zealand.
Apart from the intriguing behaviuors of plants, there is an interesting phenomenon in the garden—a ‘light’ spot discovered by a visitor. Located beside the large Thai Buddha and fig tree at the top of Bamboo Avenue, some people report sensing a special light energy in this area. It’s perfectly situated for a seat, which now offers a place to experience this unique sensation. As science advances, with quantum physicists suggesting that matter is essentially energy and alternative healers discussing vibrational energy, the role of light and other forms of energy is gaining more recognition in medical practices. Recent observations, such as water altering its structure to form different ice crystal patterns based on human thought, and water blessed by a monk leading to better seedling development, suggest intriguing possibilities. Since the human body is composed of about 90% water, these findings open new avenues for understanding. Dilston Physic Garden aims to continue exploring such fascinating and enigmatic phenomena. One curious observation made by those working in the garden, as well as other medicinal gardeners, is the after-image of plants that lingers in the mind’s eye long after working with them, such as during weeding. This experience, not typically associated with everyday activities like supermarket shopping, might provoke thoughts of plant spirit communication—a concept commonly found in shamanism.
The Physic Garden strives to adhere to organically managed principles. We carefully weed the hundreds of medicinal plant beds using only hoeing or hand weeding. We do not use insecticides or fungicides on our plant collections. To address issues like black fly infestations on wormwood, one of our volunteers has created a natural extract from rhubarb and other herbs, which has proven effective.
We use natural slug pellets, which, despite their blue color, are made from ferric phosphate and are safe for birds, frogs, and children. While not officially classified as organic, this approach is the closest we can get to organic practices while managing the mollusc population that could otherwise destroy our medicinal plants.
Our pond teems with frogs, and diverse birds, dragonfly, flies, bees, moths and butterflies flutter throughout the garden, which we believe attests to the effectiveness of our approach.
We continuously produce compost, but it is not always sufficient to meet all our needs. Thus, we supplement it with compost from the local council recycling center, though this is not certified organic. Our small collection of medicinal plants for sale comes from the Physic Garden, and the plants used to come from Dilston College, where students with learning disabilities helped prepare them from organically produced herb seeds.
Edited from information by Elaine Perry
