Herbal Medicine Through the Seasons
In this hands-on herbal workshop series with clinical herbalist Philippa Joly, participants will learn to ID and harvest local wild and garden plants, get to know their healing properties and learn to make medicine from them.
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 medicine that can be safely used by friends and family. You can expect to get your hands dirty, spend time learning about plant characteristics, learn about plants which help a range of common ailments, and have fun with your classmates.
In each class you will learn in depth 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, how to ID them, and what kinds of medicine are best to make from them. Each class will build upon the next.
Classes run once per month from 4:30-6:30pm, and the course is open to individuals age 14+. Please bring a notebook and pen and wear weather-appropriate clothing. All classes will be hands-on, with a combination of indoor and outdoor sessions. 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 Arden Park to harvest then go back to the LUSH Community Kitchen)
November 21, 2024
Salve Making: We will gather for the fun of turning plants we have previously harvested into a healing salve. (LUSH 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 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 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 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).
