Maryland Native Plant Society Presents Scientific and Traditional Uses of Medicinal Plants

The Western Mountains Chapter of the Maryland Native Plant Society will hold its regular meeting at the Appalachian Laboratory in Frostburg on Tuesday February 16th at 7 pm.  The guest speaker will be Mimi Hernandez, the new coordinator of the Appalachian Center for Ethnobotanical Studies.  Ms. Hernandez will give her PowerPoint presentation called “Bridging the Gap: Scientific and Traditional Uses of Plants”.  Her program will begin immediately following a brief business meeting.  The public is welcome to attend.

During her presentation Ms. Hernandez will discuss ways we can bridge a traditional awareness with a scientific understanding of plant medicine.  She will describe the difference between scientific and traditional evidence and how we can learn to speak the same language.  Ms. Hernandez will highlight examples of traditional applications verses novel scientific uses of plant medicine. 

Mimi Hernandez, MS, RH (AHG) is an herbal educator whose courses balance traditional reverence with scientific understanding. A Professional member of the American Herbalists Guild Mimi received her Masters of Science degree in Herbal Medicine from the Tai Sophia Institute.  With roots in Asheville, NC, Mimi is the founder of the One World Healing Arts Institute and former President of the NC Herb Association.  She also draws upon her rich Latino background & the Granny healers in her life.  

Directions to the program: From I-68 take exit 33 (Braddock Rd & Midlothian Rd exit).  Follow Braddock Road approximately .2 miles to the entrance to the Appalachian Lab on the left side of the road (301 Braddock Road).  There is plenty of parking in front of the building. 

The Maryland Native Plant Society uses education, research, and community service to increase awareness and appreciation of native plants and their habitats leading to their conservation and restoration.  Membership is open to all who are interested in Maryland's native plants and their habitats.  Preserving Maryland's natural heritage, increasing knowledge about native plants, and helping to further the Society's mission are our goals.  MNPS sponsors monthly meetings, workshops, field trips, and an annual fall conference.  For more information, visit www.mdflora.org
 
The Western Mountains Chapter has formed to expand the efforts of MNPS on the Allegheny Plateau and Ridge & Valley physiographic provinces of the central-Appalachians.  Residents of western Maryland, nearby Pennsylvania and West Virginia, and anyone else interested in learning more about and conserving the native plants of this region are invited to join.  For more information call Liz McDowell at 301-895-3686 or visit the chapter web site at www.mdflora.org/chapters.