PENDER ISLAND, B.C. – Valerian puts Laszlo the cat to sleep, lamb’s ear
can bandage wounds and lemon thyme is a powerful antiseptic.
Chartered herbalist Bruce Burnett grows these plants and more in his
gardens on Pender Island off the British Columbia coast.
He finds his four-acre parcel of land is adequate for producing the 50
herbs he and wife Delaine sell or process into soaps and salves and use
to beautify their Gulf island home.
Bruce, 60, and Delaine, 55, each have children and grandchildren
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off-island, and their nine-year-old tabby Laszlo remains the only one
underfoot here these days.
Lavender thrives atop the Burnetts’ septic field while herbs from
angelica to yarrow to sorrel are liberally sprinkled throughout an
English garden of arbours, raised beds and patio pots.
Delaine operates the Joyful Symmetry shop on site year-round just steps
from fruit trees and herb gardens, selling everything from candles to
clothing to herbal creams.
A smattering of wood-sided buildings in the yard include their home, a
garage and a comfortable office where Bruce works on his writing
projects.
His book, Herb Wise, features gardening tips, recipes, medicinal hints
and herb history and folklore.
The summer and Christmas seasons offer good returns for the Burnetts’
business, but the remainder of the year is slow. They have supplemented
their income with off-island work, weekly local farmers’ markets and a
website to market their products.
Bruce said herb prices fluctuate greatly with supply and demand. The
sales surge for ginseng and echinacea led to prices bottoming out,
while dandelion is the latest hot commodity.
Bruce tried wholesaling their products, but found the costs of shipping
them off the island were too high to make it pay.
“It’s a magical island but it’s tough making a living,” said Bruce, who
has lived on Pender for 17 years, the last nine full-time.
“It’s like farming. You work really hard and you’re under financial
stress.”
Delaine said living here is a lifestyle choice.
“You have to live a very simple life.”
The couple once raised chickens and regularly incorporate what they
grow into their menus and their health care products.
Later this year, the Burnetts will leave Pender for Ladysmith, B.C.,
where they will continue to grow herbs and write.
Reasons for the move include their increasing age, the daily stress of
a small business and the need for “a cash cushion” as they slow down to
their retirement years.
Herbs are a natural fit with Bruce’s long-time interest in nutrition
and drug-free alternatives.
They chose herb growing as a way to make a living when they moved to
the island of 2,000 people.
The island is sprinkled with organic farms, arts, crafts and trades
people and bed and breakfasts.
Much of what’s grown on Pender is sold at weekly farmers markets at the
local community centre from May to October.
The Burnetts say herb production uses a small land base and is largely
maintenance free. They have experienced few pest and fungus problems,
keep wildlife out by fencing their gardens and avoid chemical inputs.
They keep disease-prone plants well-ventilated and spaced to avoid
problems.
Bruce considers himself an experimental cook, seeking out unusual food
combinations such as lavender and blackberries, halibut and pear juice
and tarragon and fennel seed salsa.
“A recipe should be a template that launches you into your own
creativity,” he said.
Bruce studied herbs by correspondence courses and acquired the title of
chartered herbalist, further increasing his knowledge of the use of
medicinal herbs.
He has little regard for conventional drug therapies and prefers
strategies that boost the immune system to maintain good health.
When Delaine was diagnosed with an overactive thyroid three years ago,
she cured it with Chinese medicine such as acupuncture in combination
with herbal therapies.
Bruce said the whole health food industry is admittedly “rife with
charlatans,” but he still believes much can be gained from natural
remedies.
“They may rip you off but they won’t kill you,” he said.
“Pharmaceuticals will if used wrong.”
He advised consumers to become better informed by consulting a doctor
or health professional knowledgeable in herbal medicines.
“You have to take responsibility for your own health and do as much
research as you can.”
