ABGF

The development of the Adelaide Botanic Garden's new Western Entrance to Frome Road will include an innovative retreat - the Garden of Health - designed to educate visitors and reinforce the relationship between plants and our well-being.

For thousands of years people have used plants to cure disease, fight infection and ease the mind.  Just the very beauty of some plants was thought to strengthen the spirit and lift depression.  In the 21st century 80 per cent of the world's population still rely primarily on natural plant remedies.  Over 50 per cent of Western prescription drugs are derived from chemicals first indentified in plants making the protection of biodiversity, our common medicine chest, even more vital.

Plants are fundamental to our health and well-being and the history of Western medicine has its roots in the establishment of physic or apothecaries gardens in monateries and universities.

Our Garden of Health will provide a restful retreat and through interpretative signage reveal the power of plants to heal body, mind and spirit.  It will also serve as an important community resource supporting people recovering from illness or accidents through social interation, exercise and reflection.  To see how this project may look view the artist's impression providing a pictorial glimpse of the Garden of Health.

'Today even people who don't garden, still want to grow their own herbs or vegetables and feel connected to the earth.  Many botanic gardens around the  world are planting food and herb gardens as part of their collections, but this Garden of Health is easily the most comprehensive, exciting and complex I have seen.  I am extremely excited about the Garden of Health and am looking forward to seeing it come to life.'
Mr Peter Cundall, Ambassador for the Garden of Health.

The southern half of the garden will be devoted to well-being, encouraging contemplation and reflection.  It will include an Orchard of Earthly Delight featuring edible plants essential to our health and representing the diet traditions of a range of cultures including indigenous Australians.

The Garden of Mind's Ease will feature plants used to promote calm and sleep, as well as relieving anxiety and mental illness.  The Tranquil Garden, designed to engage all our senses, will show how gardens can still be beautiful, even in a changing climate.

The northern half of the garden will be devoted to physical health; divided down a central axis, one side assigned to the development of modern Western medicine, the other to non-Western medicines and beliefs (from Africa, the Middle East, China, India, the Americas, Mediaeval Europe and Indigenous Australia).

This garden will prove a valuable intellectual resource, assessing not only the history of plants and medicine but looking to future plagues and diseases, and their plant related cures, as well as other issues associated with plant-based medicine including patenting and biopiracy.

We are seeking support from corporations, individuals, community groups to raise $1.5 million for the exciting Garden of Health initiative.  Please contribute to this unique community resource by making a donation or contacting the Foundation to arrange a presentation of this iconic project to your business or community group.
Phone 08 8222 9347 or info@abgf.org

Thank you for considering The Adelaide Botanic Gardens Foundation.