HERBAL MEDICINE WEEKEND WORKSHOPS 2010
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Who is this program for?
The Herbal Medicine Weekend Workshops are designed for people who
are passionate about natural medicine
are passionate about plants
want to empower themselves with knowledge about self care
want to be able to help their friends and family with simple health challenges
want to rely less on the medical system
What is taught over the 5 weekends
Botany and plant identification
Learn to recognize your medicines – and to recognize the poisonous herbs – so that you can safely pick in the wild.
plant evolution and taxonomy
botanical features of root, stem, leaf, flower and fruit
using a plant key
family characteristics
Harvesting and processing herbs
Careful harvesting ensures long term sustainability of the plant. Careful processing ensures a high quality medicine.
wild crafting in the forest
harvesting techniques for barks, roots, leaves, flowers and fruits
processing techniques for barks, roots, leaves, flowers and fruits
drying and storing botanicals
Pharmacognosy (plant chemistry)
Knowing how the plants exert their therapeutic actions allows us to better understand how to use them in clinical practice.
overview of plant metabolism
introduction to holistic phytochemistry – mucilage and polysaccharides, phenolics (tannins, salicylates, flavonoids, anthraquinones), bitters, volatile oils, saponins
Materia medica and clinical applications
The core of the program. Taught through a series of monograph reviews as well as through discussions and question – answer sessions, we will consider in detail how the herbs do their work and how to use them effectively and safely.
clinical applications of herbs within body systems
detailed review of one key, feature herb each month
formulating strategies and treatment planning
dosing, contra-indications and safety concerns
Pharmacy and medicine making
Make and take home a wide variety of remedies for different ailments and build your own first aid kit.
water extractions – infusions, decoctions
solvent extractions – oils, tinctures
syrups
emulsions
steams
plasters and poultices
the herbal first aid kit
Plant attunement and plant appreciation
Using a seven step process to study plants first described by Goethe in the 1700’s.
Introduction to Goethe’s botany: consideration of ‘the Archetypal plant’ and the plant as a living, changing being.
Leaf, flower and fruit as related stages in plant development – transformation of the leaf organ into the flower and further to fruit and seed formation, with an associated second expansion of the petal, contraction of stamens and pistils and a third expansion in fruit and contraction as seed.
Demonstrating the above making visual leaf sequences by lining up leaves from a plant according to the order they appear on the stem.
Exploring differences and similarities of the above by looking at leaf sequences of the same species growing in different environments.
The pictorial expression of the plant through the flower and the higher formative principle affecting the leaf organs. The flower as the clearest expression of the character of a species or a family i.e. the ‘gesture’ of the plant.
Looking at common themes specific to different plant families: number association with respect to number of petals, compound leaf or number of leaves to complete a 360° spiral rotation around the stem e.g. 5 in Rose family.
Observing processes with respect to movement looking at the different levels: root, stem. Leaf. Flower. Fruit and Seed. Comparison to human morphology.
Seven stage process to interpret the gesture of a plant: exact sensory perception exact sensorial imagination, inspiration, intuition, imprinting, growing and reproduction.
Using different artistic media as expression of plant qualities e.g. drawing, painting, drama, sculpture, voice etc.
Use of range of physical media for making pharmacy preparations e.g. water, alcohol, glycerine, cream, oil, ointment, poultice, liniment, compress etc.
How is the program structured?
Workshops are held once a month from February through June. Classes will be a mixture of hands on (medicine making) and lecture style. There will be an extensive manual of handouts and written materials. Most medicine making supplies are also included.
Classes will run
Friday 6.30 pm – 9 pm herbal pharmacy and medicine making
Saturday 9.30 am – 6 pm lecture
Sunday 9.30 am – 3 pm lecture
We will provide a delicious, home cooked lunch on Saturday and Sunday and a dinner on Saturday night.
Dates and topics
February 26 / 27 / 28
water based remedies:
mucilage, tannins, anthraquinones
infusions, decoctions, soaks, compresses, gargles
March 19 / 20 / 21
solvent based remedies
alkaloids, saponins and steroids
tinctures, vinegars, honeys
April 17 / 18 / 19
aromatherapy and essential oils in practice
steams, emulsions
May 14 / 15 / 16
formulating and dosing – prescribing principles
safety and toxicology
June 25 / 26 / 27
plant attunement exercises – intensive 2 ½ day study of one plant in all it’s aspects, spiritual and scientific, holistic and phyto-chemical.
Cost per single weekend $350.00 plus GST
Non-refundable deposit of $100 due 2 weeks before class commences, and balance due on first day.