Professional Group 'Healing Herbs, Aromatic Herbs and Cosmetic Plants'
The professional group
At the Agricultural Conference 2017 the international professional group of herbs and medicinal plants could be founded at the Goetheanum. It was founded on the initiative of Ola Aukrust, a wide-ranging tea and spice gardener from Norway, and Michaela Spaar, a herbalist and cultural historian from Switzerland.
The aim of this expert group is to perceive and network the various projects and initiatives in the biodynamic cultivation of herbs and medicinal plants as well as their processing. In addition, there should also be sufficient space for the exchange of experiences and the follow-up of research questions. So far, the group has been working in German, English and French. It is hoped that various countries from Europe and overseas will be represented in the group in order to maintain an international exchange.
Aim of the professional group
The aim of this group is to realise and network the various projects and initiatives in the Biodynamic cultivation and processing of herbs and medicinal plants. In addition, there should also be enough space for the exchanging of experiences and the following-up of research questions. So far, the group communicates in German, English and French. The wish is that various countries from Europe and overseas are represented in the group in order to maintain an international exchange.
Collaboration
A collaboration between Hortus Officinarum (Association for Biodynamic Seeds of Medicinal Plants) and the Netzwerk Kräuter (Association for the Promotion of Medicinal, Herb/Spice and Cosmetic Plant Cultivation in Baden-Württemberg, Germany) has already begun.
The composition of the team has changed during the past year. Michaela Spaar already said goodbye a year ago in her last newsletter - for her pioneering work we would like to thank her again quite warmly at this point! In the meantime, the horticultural engineer Bettina Billmann, who has been involved from the beginning, has taken over the coordination of the specialist group together with the two other founding members Ola Aukrust and Michael Straub
Michael Straub
10 years scientist, advisor and teacher for biodynamic fruit growing at the Research Station for Fruit and Wine Growing (LVWO) in Weinsberg (D). 23 years head of medicinal plant cultivation and research & species conservation officer at Weleda AG in Schwäbisch Gmünd (D). Book author and board member of the registered associations Netzwerk Kräuter BW and Hortus officinarum. Currently freelance consultant and scientific project manager.
Recent publications
- Die magischen 11 der heilenden Pflanzen; G&U 2011
- Anthroposohische Pharmazie, Kapitel 7.2; Salumed 2016
- Wissen der Weleda-Gärtner; Weleda/ Ulmer 2019
Michael Straub 10 Jahre Wissenschaftler, Berater und Lehrer für biologisch dynamischen Obstbau an der LVWO Weinsberg und beim Beratungsdienst Ökologischer Obstbau. 23 Jahre Leiter Heilpflanzenanbau und -forschung & Artenschutz-beauftragter bei der Weleda AG in Schwäbisch Gmünd (D). Vorstand Netzwerk Kräuter BW e.V., Vorstand Hortus officinarum e.V., Buchautor. Gegenwärtig freier Berater und wissenschaftlicher Projektleiter. Aktuelle Publikationen: - Die Magischen 11 der heilenden Pflanzen; G&U 2011 - Anthroposohische Pharmazie, Kapitel 7.2; Salumed 2016 - Wissen der Weleda-Gärtner; Weleda/ Ulmer 2019
Bettina Billmann
Interested in medicinal plants since childhood, gardener, horticultural engineer, vocational school teacher and alternative practitioner. Over 10 years of research on organic ornamental plants and organic vegetable production at the Research Institute of Organic Agriculture (FiBL) in Switzerland. Publications
Ola Aukrust
Mountain farmer between the highest mountains in Norway. Focus on herb cultivation, for beauty and usefulness! Trained teacher, study of art history. Natural science study year at the Goetheanum and member of the Representative Circle of Goetheanum for the country of Norway.
- This platform can be used for exchange and getting to know each other, as well as for sharing experiences and knowledge internationally;
- Major motivation: To show diversity and individuality, to enable networking and joint research activities;
- All biodynamic companies working in the field of herb and medicinal plant cultivation can submit their portraits here using this template form. The Section for Agriculture manages the activation on the website;
- The portraits will only be published in the language in which they are submitted;
- With a freely chosen user contribution the organisation costs and the translation can be covered. Thank you very much!
![[Translate to en:]](/fileadmin/_processed_/0/6/csm_K%C3%A4se_Degu_2024_67d710ffb0.jpg "[Translate to en:]")
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