Growing up in Georgia, surrounded by lush mountains and vibrant meadows, I was immersed in a world where nature’s remedies were part of everyday life. Now, living in the UK, I often find myself reflecting on those childhood memories of foraging for plants and learning the art of natural medicine from my grandmothers. To them, these remedies were more than just treatments—they were a connection to our ancestors, a language of healing and wisdom passed down through generations.
In our household, my grandmothers’ knowledge of healing plants, fruits, and vegetables was woven into the fabric of family life. They would talk to me about each ingredient as if it were an old friend, explaining its properties and teaching me how to treat it with care. Together, we’d pick St. John’s Wort from the hillsides for burns or anxiety, dry rosehips for immune-boosting teas, and brew quince and rosehip tea to soothe colds and coughs. Another staple in our home was freshly squeezed pomegranate juice, known for improving blood flow and promoting cardiovascular health. Each plant, fruit, and vegetable had its own story and purpose, and each remedy had been tried and trusted over centuries.
I remember how, on cold winter nights, my grandmother would brew a pot of quince and rosehip tea to ease our coughs and colds, the aroma filling our kitchen with comfort and warmth. Rosehips, rich in vitamin C, were known for boosting the immune system, while quince with its natural soothing properties, helped relieve coughs and ease sore throats. We’d often follow this with a glass of freshly squeezed pomegranate juice, packed with antioxidants that helped improve blood flow and nourish the heart. It wasn’t about quick fixes; it was about balance, patience, and respect for the natural process of healing.
In Georgia, this knowledge isn’t confined to apothecaries or shops; it’s shared openly, often passed down through intimate conversations, just as it was shared with me. We’d gather rosehips in autumn, boiling them into a deep red tea rich in vitamin C—our family’s go-to for staying healthy through winter. Quince often found in our orchards, would be harvested and prepared into soothing teas to help with respiratory health. And pomegranates, bursting with juice, were always on hand to improve circulation and strengthen the blood. These rituals weren’t just about health—they were acts of care, ways of living in harmony with the earth.
Now, as a mother raising my own children in the UK, I feel a strong desire to keep this wisdom alive. Amid the bustling pace of life here, I cherish those moments when I can share these remedies with my family. There’s something grounding about preparing quince and rosehip tea for my children when they’re feeling under the weather and offering them freshly squeezed pomegranate juice to support their health. It reminds me of home and brings a sense of Georgia’s mountains and meadows into our lives here.
In my own little way, I am weaving this heritage into our lives, keeping my grandmothers’ knowledge alive. I hope to pass down these traditions to my children so that they, too, will know the beauty of our land and its healing gifts. For me, these practices are more than just remedies—they are a connection to my roots, a way of keeping Georgia close, no matter where in the world I am.
We’d love to hear from you! What natural remedies have you tried and tested? Share your favourites in the comments below – let’s keep the tradition of natural healing alive.
