Knowledge on how to use medicinal plants has been the cornerstone of our ancestors' survival for centuries. Respecting the traditions and backing them up with science, we have created a museum that pays homage to medicinal plants characteristic to Latvia and the northern regions.
The Nordic Nature Medicine Museum, located in Cēsis castle barn, was created by the Institute for Environmental Solutions (IES).The Institute for Environmental Solutions is a research organization that also specializes in the study of medicinal plants. The institute possesses significant expertise in cultivating medicinal plants, conducting phytochemical analyses, and developing plant-based products.
The main aim of Nordic Nature Medicine Museum is to educate and inspire. The exhibition, featuring more than 40 medicinal plants typical of Latvian and Nordic nature, will enrich the knowledge of those who already know a bit about plants. But for those who are just getting to know the lush world of medicinal plants, the museum will be an exciting journey into a world with a colourful history and a promising future.
Did you know that many medications and dietary supplements that you take for your health and well-being are actually take inspiration or are directly derived from nature? For example, salicylic acid, known as "aspirin" in the drugstore, is naturally found in meadowsweet (Flipendula ulmaris). Plants are like powerful chemical reactors where, as the plant reacts to the natural conditions, countless valuable chemicals are synthesized. As the time has passed, humans have learnt to recognize, evaluate an utilize these compounds – and even to synthesize them artificially.
Medicinal plants still hold many undiscovered secrets. The harsh Northern climatic conditions toughen these plants, and their chemical composition often contains active compounds that could potentially be used, for example, in anti-cancer preparations. By applying ethnobotanical research methods, we can learn how medicinal plants have been used in folk medicine. In turn, investigating these insights with modern scientific capabilities paves the way for sustainable innovations.
Nordic Nature Medicine Museum was created by the Institute for Environmental Solutions in cooperation with the GrassLIFE project, funded by the ES LIFE program.
The museum sincerely thanks Field and Forest Ltd for their valuable contribution through expert knowledge, material support, and ongoing cooperation in establishing and maintaining the museum.
Reach out to us if you wish to visit the museum and explore the exhibition together with a wise guide!
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