For hundreds of years, it was believed that if you breathed in a horrible smell, it would cause you to become very unwell. As a protection, people would carry a scented ball called a pomander, which would be held to their nose if they were entering into a smelly area. At this creative workshop learn more about historical and contemporary herbal health and wellness and make your own seasonal pomander to take home with you.
There will also be the opportunity to handle some historic objects, and to learn about Victorian diseases.
All materials will be provided, including fabric, thread, needle, double-stick tape, buttons, etc. We shall also have pestles and mortars as well as a selection of aromatic herbs to choose from to make your perfect egg-shaped pomander.
The workshop will be led by the Old Operating Theatre Museum & Herb Garret as part of the Mediculture Festival.
This 5th edition of the festival is a celebration of health and wellbeing in the heart of London Bridge, running 21-25 March 2023. Browse the full events listing here.
Linking universities, hospitals, museums and more, the London Bridge Medi-Culture District will bring together sites of pivotal importance to science and medicine in the area.
