E-Class Recording: Women Healers Through History

ABOUT ELISABETH: Elisabeth qualified as a herbalist in 1980 and has worked in many areas: from running a herbal medicine student training clinic in London to working with traditional medicine in the Caribbean. She teaches internationally and is the author of several specialist herbal books including Women Healers Through History, A Woman’s Book of Herbs and Traditional Western Herbal Medicine. Visit her website to read her articles, hear radio interviews and read more about her consultations, retreats and workshops.

ABOUT THIS TOPIC: The role of women in medicine has been forgotten, with it only being regarded in the last few decades as normal to see a female doctor. Yet from Ancient times there were female medics, midwives and healers who practiced medicine and wrote key medical texts on gynecology and other aspects of medicine. Many of them were highly-regarded by their male peers. We will look back at topics such as centres of healing, ancient medical schools, pioneering doctors, why midwifery was considered a threatening profession, the central role of herbs in medicine and more. This is full of bright and inspiring women who shone out in the work they chose to do: Mary Seacole, Dr James Barry, Aspasia and so many more. In modern times we tend to think that our form of medicine is the most advanced, yet centuries ago sophisticated levels of medicine and surgery were available, showing what advanced knowledge and skills physicians had then too. We start in the 6th century BCE and come right through to pioneering women-led medical projects happening right now.

In this lively discussion we try to restore the balance a little and bring more recognition to these remarkable women. Get ready to be inspired!