Kitchen Herbalism: Fire Cider
As we kick off our first class of the Herbalista Free School, we thought what better way of kindling this fire than by making a batch of Fire Cider 🔥 We will also share info on starting a Fire Cider Brigade. Class was recorded on February 2, 2022.
Herbal Traditions
The world of Herbalism is vast and varied, a veritable rainbow of traditions. In this class we will explore a few traditions in order to discuss common themes of health and healing. We can then apply these concepts to our work as community herbalists. Class was recorded on February 6, 2022.
Kitchen Herbalism: Spring Health
Living in harmony with the seasons is one of the most important ways we can support our health. And just as the earth awakens from her winter slumbers it’s time to energize and cleanse ourselves. In this class we will explore the energetics of spring– meeting seasonal herbs, sharing recipes and daily practices we can use in our kitchen apothecary. Class was recorded on March 2, 2022.
Herbal Actions and Energetics
Language is a building block of culture and in this class we will explore herbal language used to describe the medical action herbs have on the human body. Understanding categories of herbal actions will allow us to read herbal texts, deepen our understanding of our materia medica, make appropriate choices when we formulate, and can also be helpful when bridging the gap between conventional medicine and herbal medicine.
We will also spend time exploring the qualities of herbs, including energetics and flavors as an additional and exciting layer to understanding how herbs work in the body. Class was recorded on March 6, 2022.
Tincture Making 101: Weight to Volume + Mixing Custom Menstruums
Making your own medicine is one of the most thrilling aspects of herbalism and it is something that can be done in your own kitchen. In this class we will focus on some of the basic aspects of creating herbal extracts known as tinctures, including understanding how to properly prepare them according to the weight to volume method. We will also share how to mix your own custom menstruums, allowing you to maximize the extraction potential. Class was recorded on March 13, 2022.
Herb Cart Crash Course
The Herbalista Herb Cart served the Atlanta streets for 7 years, providing free, herbal care to communities in need. This class offers a crash course on how we ran this unique grassroots program and will cover a wide range of topics– mobile clinic logistics, clinical forms, dispensary considerations, packing lists, safety and sanitation, and oh-so-much more. There will be ample time for Q & A to support folks looking to set up mobile herb clinics of their own. Class was recorded on April 3, 2022.
Crafting a Materia Medica
A “materia medica” is a detailed listing of the remedies used in medicine. For herbalists, our materia medicas are filled with simple and compound plant preparations. While there are many incredible materia medicas already in existence, gifted to us by herbal and medical authors over the centuries, the exercise of crafting your own materia medica is an empowering and enriching experience. Your materia medica will continue to grow with you, becoming a wonderful reflection of your unique herbal journey. Class was recorded on April 6, 2022.
Herbal First Aid
Learning Herbal First Aid empowers us to take care of some of our most basic needs and those of our loved ones. Join Herbalista Lorna for a workshop exploring basic first aid principles; strategies and remedies for common injuries; and how to customize your own first aid kit. Class was recorded on April 24, 2022.
Different Strokes for Different Folks
“Different strokes for different folks” might be the phrase I use most as a practicing herbalist, as a teacher, and hopefully as a compassionate human. Although I believe that what we share is greater than our differences, these differences are very important when it comes to selecting appropriate remedies and creating health plans for folks. Most herbal traditions have created archetypal patterns for recognizing the various ways humans manifest these physical, mental, and spiritual differences. In this class we will touch on concepts such as western constitutional physiology, humoral theory, the 3 doshas of Ayurved, and Chinese 5 phase theory to illustrate ways you can begin to customize your herbal approach.
We will also concepts such as patient centered care and how we can meet people where they are at and help them get to where they want to go… another favorite phrase 💚 Class was recorded on May 4, 2022.
Botany for the Herbalist
There are many ways for an herbalist to deepen their relationship with plants. Botany is one such way. It offers us a language with which we can observe and describe plant characteristics and also a structure through which we can understand the relationships between plants and plant communities. An understanding of basic botany will not only enhance your understanding of herbs, but also assists us in the gathering and preparing of our medicines. This class will cover Breathtaking Botanical Basics, from terminology to practical application. Class was recorded on May 15, 2022.
Hot Glycerite Extraction
As we continue our studies of Herbal Medicine Making and Liquid Extraction, we now turn to Hot Glycerite Extraction, a great option for making effective, alcohol-free tinctures. While Glycerites are not a commonly used form of liquid extract, often considered a “weak” alternative only for children, their importance is finally being recognized. At Herbalista, we specialize in alcohol-free preparations and so have cultivated a wide range of glycerite medicine over the years. Today’s class will focus on the “hot” extraction technique which quickly yields potent and delicious medicine. Class was recorded on May 25, 2022.
Kitchen Herbalism: Summer Health
Living in harmony with the seasons is one of the most important ways we can support our health. And as the summer days grow longer and hotter, we can support our health with cooling, anti-inflammatory and delicious remedies. In this class we will explore the energetics of summer– meeting seasonal herbs, sharing recipes and daily practices we can use in our kitchen apothecary. Class was recorded on June 1, 2022 .
Water Medicine: Tea, Syrup and Hydrotherapy
If there is one time when we feel the importance of water, it’s high summer. Sizzling pavement and parched lips make us grateful for a glass or a dip. But water is more than coolant; water has the power to heal. The water that sustains us and grows our food also washes our wounds, suspends medicine in a cup of tea, soaks away our aches and pains, releases our grief in the form of tears and banishes toxins in the form of sweat. In this class we explore the simple and profound nature of water-based medicine, sharing techniques for making basic infusions and decoctions, herbal syrups, and a brief dive into the world of hydrotherapy. Class was recorded on June 5, 2022.
Making Fresh Plant Tinctures
Oh the controversy! If you’re confused about the “best” way to make a fresh plant tincture, it’s because you’ve waded into a fiercely debated topic in medicine making. In this class we will discuss the various methods and theories for making fresh plant tinctures, empower you to make the choices appropriate to your work as an herbalist, and get you ready for tincturing gorgeous fresh herbs all summer long! Class was recorded on June 15, 2022.
Herbal Foot Care
There’s nothing so hardworking and in need of lovin’ as our feet. When we offer foot care, we have a chance to not only address foot specific ailments, but also to radiate health throughout the body. Foot care can reduce stress, boost immunity, offer pain relief and emotional support. In this class we will discuss the principles of foot care, assessment strategies, and remedies for common ailments. Combining both conventional and herbal therapeutics, this class is all about meeting people where they are at and helping them get to where they want to go! Class was recorded on July 3, 2022.
Creating an HerbCare Station
Herbal medicine is truly a medicine by and for the people! One way to empower folks to use herbs is by setting up HerbCare Stations directly in our communities. These stations are geared towards herbal self-care and dispense simple remedies, often based on kitchen medicine. These mini-health stations offer folks a chance to both heal and to learn. If you are interested in creating an HerbCare Station in your neck of the woods, this is the class for you. Class was recorded on July 6, 2022.
Herbal Basics: Diet and Digestion
The word ‘diet’ comes from the Greek ‘diaita’, meaning ‘a way of life’. When we consider the roots of this word, we realize how incredibly sacred and life affirming eating can be. In this class we will explore simple ways to support our health and vitality through dietary choices. We will also share remedies for common digestive complaints such as constipation, heartburn, diarrhea, gas + bloating, nausea and more. Class was recorded on July 17, 2022.
Urban Foraging
Herbs grow all around us, even in the concrete jungle. In this class we will share basic tips for wildcrafting in urban areas with a focus on foraging safety; working with urban weeds + invasive species; and developing a deeper relationship with your green neighbors. Class was recorded on August 3, 2022.
Herbal Basics: Daily Rhythm, Stress + Sleep
While herbs are powerful tools of health and well-being, as herbalists and holistic health workers, it’s important we also look to the bigger picture of our daily lives. In this class we will explore practical ways to help folks find a healthier daily rhythm (aka dinacharya). We will focus in particular on movement, de-stressing techniques, and improving our sleep. Class was recorded on August 7, 2022.
Kitchen Herbalism: Autumn Health
Living in harmony with the seasons is one of the most important ways we can support our health. As we move into Autumn, we can support our health by building up our immune systems with nourishing and delicious remedies. In this class we will explore the energetics of autumn, meet seasonal herbs, sharing recipes and discover daily practices we can use in our kitchen apothecary. Class was recorded on September 7, 2022.
Oil Medicine: Infused Oils and Salves
Be prepared to lubricate your bodies and minds, as we learn about the benefits of this often misunderstood element. Oils are a life sustaining, protective force and we will discover ways to harness the power of oil to deliver therapeutic herbs to our bodies. This class includes medicine making demonstrations of both herbal oils and salves. We will share some of our favorite oil and salve recipes that we use at clinic and show a couple packaging and labeling tricks while we are at it! Class was recorded on September 18, 2022.
Maintaining a Botanical Dispensary
For close to 20 years, Herbalista has managed a variety of apothecaries and dispensaries, serving sweet, sweet herbal medicine to the community. We make most of our own remedies and do our best to follow a set of guidelines we like to call Good Herbalista Practices (cGHP’s). In this class we take a glimpse inside Herbalista’s Mother Apotheke and share many of the procedures and documentation we have found helpful over the years. Class was recorded on September 25, 2022.
Skin Health + Basic Wound Care
Skin is the largest organ of the body and deserves a little extra love and attention. This class begins with understanding the basics of skin health, including function, anatomy and skin as a means to deliver herbal medicine. We also look at signs of distress and exploring the mechanisms of healing. We share basic wound care techniques and means of working with other common skin conditions such as chilblains and eczema. Class was recorded on October 2, 2022.
Tincture Making: Percolation
This class offers the chance to learn about the advanced skill of percolation, a quick and potent way to create an herbal tincture. In this class, we will demonstrate the process and help you gain a better understanding of when and why you might choose to percolate as opposed to make a tincture via the maceration method. A pretty groovy skill-set that gives one, if I’m honest, a bit of a mad scientist sorta feeling 🙂 Class was recorded on October 5, 2022.
Distillation: Hydrosols and Essential Oils
Hydrosols and Essential Oils are the lovely, aromatic and powerful products of plant distillation. At Herbalista, we work with a copper alquitar still named Stella “the Still” Culpepper. She was named after the Herbalist Nicholas Culpepper who challenged the notion that medical knowledge belonged only to physicians and worked to make herbal knowledge available to the people! In this class, we will demonstrate the art of distillation, exploring the multitude of uses for herbal hydrosols. Then we will take a look at the tradition of aromatherapy and how you can safely and sustainably work with essential oils. This class will be co-taught with Marie-Lies Van Asten of Fleur and Forage ATL. Class was recorded on October 16, 2022.
Kitchen Herbalism: Ginger Candy
Baby it’s cold outside! In this class we demonstrate how to make warm, spicy and delicious Ginger Candies. Ginger is one of our all around favorite herbs that supports our bodies in so many ways and preserving that ginger goodness in the form of candies makes it easy to enjoy and share with friends. (This also makes a great addition to your HerbCare Packs)! Class was filmed on November 2nd, 2022.
Herbal Basics: Heart Medicine
In this class we explore the workings of the heart from the perspective of a community herbalist — emphasizing prevention with a wholistic and pragmatic approach. We will explore its physical role as the center of our cardiovascular system and its place in our emotional journey as humans through a broad lens, sharing kitchen remedies, clinical protocols, and lifestyle tips and techniques. Class was filmed at the Free School on November 6th, 2022.
Making HerbCare Packs
What better way to show folks you care, than to give the gift of herbs? HerbCare Packs are an easy way to share a little bit of healing and some herbal delight in your community. In this class we will share guidance on creating these herbalistic care packages, including pack lists and examples of the many we’ve created over the year, just in time for winter. Class was filmed at the Herbalista Free School on November 9th, 2022.
Kitchen Herbalism: Winter Health
Living in harmony with the seasons is one of the most important ways we can support our health. As we move into Winter, we can support our whole body health with delectable herbs that warm and protect. In this class we will explore the energetics of Winter, meet seasonal herbs, sharing recipes and discover daily practices we can use in our kitchen apothecary. Class was filmed at the Herbalista Free School on December 7th, 2022.
