Gardener keen on weeds

7:41pm Monday 19th May 2008

WHILE most gardeners are doing everything they can to rid their garden of weeds, one man is trying his best to keep them.

In fact Gerrard Alexander positively promotes the presence of what most green fingered horticulturalists consider a nuisance.

For he is a keen herbalist, and believes the leaves of plants such as dandelions and stinging nettles have hidden properties which can boost health and cure illnesses and ailments.

The 78-year-old, is urging people to make them into teas and potions, rather than throw them away.

Mr Alexander, of Sweetloves Lane, Sharples, said: "Over the years I have treated many people with natural medicines that have been extracted from plants and flowers, which are herbs, common garden plants or weeds.

"People just aren't aware of all the health-giving produce that's in their own garden. Not only can they cure minor ailments they can also help with serious medical conditions, and best of all they're readily available and free."

Mr Alexander qualified in 1960 as a consultant medical herbalist after studying at the National Institute of Herbalists in Birmingham, which no longer exists, and set up his own practice at the Knowsley Private Clinic in Bury.

Even though he has now retired, he still regularly helps people - and animals - with his natural remedies.

Mr Alexander, whose wife, Myra, died from kidney failure and pneumonia four years ago, helped heal a gaping wound on a horse with a cream made from comfrey and callendula, both common garden plants, in 2003.

A year later he developed an miracle insect repellent using arnica, St John's wort and lavender.

He says drying the leaves of a number of plants - including dandelions, nettles, comfrey, colt's foot, chickweed and feverfew - then brewing them, can create healthy teas.

The mixtures can also be cooled to make a refreshing cold drink.