Mercian Herb Group was set up by two members of the Herb Society in 2007.

Debs Cook, is a council member of the Herb Society and also their webmistress and librarian, she has written a Herb of the Month article for Grow Your Own a kitchen garden magazine and also written for the Guardian on the subject of herbs. She runs a successful online business selling primarily dried herbs and essential oils and is a keen amateur photographer of herbs and flowers. She loves growing and using herbs in the kitchen, and has over 60 different herbs growing in her own small garden. Debs also has a website dedicated to herbs, Herbal Haven, where you'll find articles shes written, information pages and some of her digital herb photos.

Sarah Head B Soc Sci, Dip SFT, MNFSH who has been studying the medicinal uses of herbs for the past thirteen years, growing over 80 different varieties in her two herb gardens. She runs Springfield Sanctuary where she holds workshops and open days dedicated to herbs and their many uses. Sarah has also written articles for 'Herbs' the quarterly journal of the Herb Society.

In 2008 MHG became a Herb Society affliated group or Local Group and Jenny Jones Dip Phyt. FNIMH, joined Debs and Sarah. Jenny is practicing medical herbalist and a fellow of the National Institute of Medical Herbalists, she is also a Council Member of the Herb Society and has a passion for herbs, she has a large garden at her home were she grows a variety of herbs. Find out a little more about Jenny at her website Jenny Jones.

On October 13th 2008, MHG had their inaugural meeting and the committee was elected. These are:-

Chairperson - Debs Cook
Secretary - Jenny Jones
Treasurer - Sam Peckett


Why Mercian Herb Group? Mercia was one of the kingdoms of Anglo-Saxon Great Britain. It was centred on the valley of the River Trent and its tributaries in the region now known as the English Midlands. As the founder members both live in different areas of the Midlands it seemed fitting. Add to that the historical use of herbs that dates back to that time and beyond and you have your answer. The word wort that you find in so many herbs such as Mugwort, Lungwort, Pile Wort and St John's Wort has its name in Anglo-Saxon roots it stems from werad which meant branch or root. The branches in our logo are Mildland Hawthorn (Crataegus laevigata) a wonderful healing tree herb that is steeped in folklore as well as having some fine medicinal uses.