Healing Traditions in Acadiana is a quarterly lecture series with the Lafayette Parish Master Gardeners that serves as an introduction to the general public about the healing traditions of the Cajun and Creole peoples of the area as well as the need to preserve medicinal plants, and the knowledge of their uses. This event is free and open to the public. 

Diane Queen is a traditional herbalist who will be presenting "Natural Beauty and Body Care." She uses plants the way they have been used for thousands of years (in their whole form) in her teas, tinctures, syrups and salves. She has  been growing, teaching, and using herbs for over 25 years and is an energy healer using "Healing Touch". She owned and ran an herb shop and green house in Ohio for 15 years and more recently owned and ran Earth-N-Herbs in Grand Coteau for 5 years. After closing the shop, she is now growing and studying the "energy" of plants and garden techniques. She gives talks to encourage people to start including plants in their diet, healthcare, body care, or just spending time appreciating them. She is trying to bring people "back to nature" and help bring balance into our modern lives. "We are totally dependent on 'nature', and most people view her as the enemy," she says. 

Diane also says she has been "playing with herbs" for over 25 years, but she insists she is still learning from the plants. "I could spend my whole life time studying the plants, but still I will only have scratched the surface of what plants have to teach and tell me." She comes today to share her passion she has with her friends, the plants.

At this lecture, you can learn the beauty and body care secrets our ancestors used, such as homemade skin care products, toothpaste, deodorant and insect repellent. All made without synthetic chemicals, cheaper and healthier for you than the commercial varieties. This lecture is free and open to the public, but donations are appreciated. For more information, contact Jolie Johnson at Vville@BayouVermilionDistrict.org.