Pay It Forward Medicine Making Workshop
October 24th, 2014
Sponsored by Homestead ATL

This past weekend we tried something a little new.  It was part of the ongoing attempt to make community healthcare sustainable.  Because, as we all know, free clinics aren’t really “free.”  They cost money to stock and money to run.  The hope is that if we can get creative about how we do this, that the cost can be minimal and Herbalista Free Clinic can continue serving for a long, long time.

Since we were looking for more community support for the Herbalista Free Clinic, then what better solution than to literally put the community to work, stocking the bus.  At this medicine making workshop (sponsored by Homestead Atlanta) we combined learning with service.  We spent the day learning to make the remedies we use most on the Bus, with particular attention to the needs of the coming winter months.  The supplies fees went towards the herbal ingredients and 7 hours later everyone had acquired new skills and the Bus had new medicines!!

The list of medicines we made is based on what the Bus was currently low on or use the most often.  This time we made Echinacea MPS amplified tincture (an advanced preparation involving percolation and reduction), infused calendula oil, a pain and trauma oil rub, astragalus brandy, fennel glycerite, and a winter health tea blend.  We more than sold out the class!  I can’t tell you how good it felt to see this type of workshop so well received.

Looking forward to many more!

~Herbalista Lorna