Herbal Medicine Through the Seasons
In this hands-on workshop series led by Clinical Herbalist, Philippa Joly, participants will learn how to identify and harvest wild and garden plants, get to know the healing properties they hold and make a variety of herbal medicines.
Throughout the series, you will create your very own herbal handbook, or "Materia Medica". You will learn how to make teas, tinctures, salves and other herbal preparations, practice ethical harvesting and wildcrafting skills, and take home medicines that can be safely used by friends and family. You will learn various plant characteristics, find out which plants can be used to treat a range of common ailments, get your hands dirty and have fun with other participants.
In each session, you will gain in-depth knowledge about at least one herb, filling in your Materia Medica and creating a list of recipes and medicine-making techniques. By the end of the course, you can expect to be familiar with the healing properties of at least 10 different herbs, know how to identify them and understand what kinds of medicine are best to make from each. We will build on our learning each session.
Classes run one Thursday each month from October, 2024 to July, 2025. Sessions are from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m., and are open to individuals age 14+. Please bring a notebook and pen and wear weather-appropriate clothing. Sessions will be hands-on, with a combination of indoor and outdoor activities. Class time and focus may vary due to weather and seasonal variation.
COURSE OUTLINE
October 24, 2024
Rooting for Health: Meet and learn to harvest local roots to keep your liver healthy and your immune system boosted over winter. Learn to make an herbal tincture. (Meet at LUSH Valley, go to Arden Park to harvest, then go back to the LUSH Valley to process herbs).
November 21, 2024
Salve Making: We will gather for the fun of turning plants we have previously harvested into a healing salve. (LUSH Valley Community Kitchen).
December 12, 2024
Winter Gifts of Wellness: As a group we will learn how to mix a tasty tea blend to give as a winter gift. We will also make a beautiful herbal vinegar. (LUSH Valley Community Kitchen).
January 16, 2025
Making an Herbal Tincture: Get hands-on in the kitchen, learning how to make an herbal tincture with local plants. (LUSH Valley Community Kitchen).
February 17, 2025
The Medicine in your Midst: Get to know some medicinal uses of common items found in your pantry. We will make a healing vinegar. (LUSH Valley Community Kitchen).
March 13, 2025
The Magic of Cottonwood: Come get sticky! We will head out into the spring woods to harvest Cottonwood buds. Carried away by their sweet smell, we will learn about their many medicinal uses. (Share the Harvest Community Garden).
April 14, 2025
Planning your Medicinal Garden: There are many wonderful and simple medicinal plants you can grow in your garden. In this class we will talk about Philippa's favourite medicinals to grow and why. (Share the Harvest Community Garden).
May 15, 2025
A Deep Spring Forage: Let’s get outside into the sweet spring and meet some local plants. We will learn what we can harvest at this time of year and how to turn it into medicine. (Share the Harvest Community Garden).
June 16, 2025
Medicinal Garden Madness: In this busy time of year, there can be so much going on in the garden. Learn to have fewer "weeds" and more medicine. We will harvest and process some common medicinal garden plants. (Share the Harvest Community Garden).
July 16, 2025
The Marvellous Mint Family: There are many strong medicinal plants in the mint family. We will learn about the different mint varieties and how to turn them into medicine. (Share the Harvest Community Garden).
Cost per person: $400 (includes materials).
