​By Stefanie Rudolph (blogging at www.lifeinplants.com , where a longer version of this first appeared)

​The publication by Natural England last month, of 'Good practice in social prescribing for mental health: the role of nature-based interventions' will be of particular interest to anyone working in mental health care.
 
We include a link to the publication and to an earlier Natural England report 'A review of nature-based interventions for mental health care' upon which the new research was built.
 
http://publications.naturalengland.org.uk/publication/5134438692814848
 
http://publications.naturalengland.org.uk/publication/4513819616346112 

Self-help healthcare in the seventeenth-century: new book

What sort of household medicine was available in seventeenth-century England? A newly published book draws on original archives to show the extent of self-help used by families and explores their favourite medicinal remedies, some purchased and others made up from recipes...

An independent report, commissioned by the National Gardens Scheme, on the benefits of gardens and gardening for health.

This book is written & edited by two friends & colleagues with whom I write & publish in the US. - Landscape Architect, Daniel Winterbottom and Occupational Therapist, Amy Wagenfeld. The exciting possibilities of trans-disciplinary creative endeavor drive our collaborations. That same spirit created the thoughtful insight behind the text of this book, whose premise is that responsive and intentional design should arise from a comprehensive ‘briefing’ process in which all ‘actors’ and ‘stakeholders’ voices are heard and responded.

Michael Westley of Westley Design Ltd reviews...

Published in Allergy Today, 2016

Shenagh Hume has over 20 years’ experience as a registered nurse specialising in asthma and allergy.  Shenagh is also a graduate in Garden Design from Capel Manor and now uses her unique experience to advise on allergies in gardens and public places.  Her article Pollen: Friend or Foe discusses the part played by pollen in the increase of allergy, especially in urban areas.

​For those who suffer from allergies, the prospect of spending a sunny afternoon in the garden can be far from pleasurable. As the factsheet produced by Allergy UK advises, while allergies cannot be cured, there are many ways to reduce symptoms and to avoid the triggers.

Further information can be found on the Allergy UK website.