FRIDAY SESSIONS
Early Morning Session
Early Morning Yoga with Josh Holder
Early Morning Qigong with Leslie Alexander
Early Morning Plant Drawing & Meditation with Kristine Brown
Early Morning Canoeing (self instructed at your own risk)
Session 1
Herbalists and the Law: understanding the current landscape and becoming familiar with what is on the horizon
Guido Masé
There are three components to the practice of herbalism that are currently, or soon will be, under the regulatory oversight of the US government. First, the manufacture of herbal products is governed by GMP regulations, and GMP compliance for small-scale herbalists is now coming into more clear focus. Second, traditional remedies and the intellectual property of traditional cultures need better definition and protections. Third, herbalists as practitioners are likely to become regulated soon, as they have been almost everywhere else in the world. This overview class will outline what we need to know now, explain some solutions for achieving regulatory compliance, and frame some of the key issues for the future.
The Mysterious Power of Flowers - The Value of Flower Essences
Tiffanie Jones ND
Using flower essence is a unique approach to aiding mood. Dr. Edward Bach made it his life's work to develop a new system of medicine using gentle plant approaches. Dr. Jones will discuss the different flower used, how they are prepared, and attributes of the plants that help our mental state.
Introduction to Herbal Medicine
Deborah Lee
Learn how "disease" gradually builds in the body and how to reverse the process according to a naturopathic approach. See, touch and smell common herbal preparations including: dried herbs, capsules, decoctions, infusions, salves, tinctures, syrups, poultices, essential oils and flower essences. Take a study guide home for long term use.
Mastering Bone Broth: Alterations to Support Cancer, MS and Auto-Immune Distress
Renee Crozier Prince
Learn to customize bone broth. The class focuses on altering the energetics and herbs to guide and enhance your bone soup recipes to maximize their effectiveness. Learn to use this vital tool in supporting and enhancing already in pace protocols as well as altering your recipes to directly address the major components of these and many more illnesses.
An Ozark Herbalist: Herbal Life, Love and Lore
Bob Liebert
Bob has lived and worked with Ozark plants for 35 years. The class details his work with Native American medicine people, medicine making and herbal specifics based on eclectic and general herbal energetics.
PLANT WALK:
Medicinal Plant Walk
Frank Norman
This walk will be an exploration of the local flora and habitats--woods, lawns, aquatic and shoreline, and edges--focusing on their identification, medicinal properties, and place in the landscape. Frank will discuss plant ID, family characteristics, what to consider when identifying a plant. Medicinal properties of plants encountered on the walk will be discussed based on personal experience and use by Native Americans and others. Finally, Frank will tie in the concept of 'why plants grow where they grow', pointing out adaptations plants utilize in order to thrive in their environment, how past management (or lack thereof) affects the land, and what you can glean from carefully observing the habitat you are walking in. Active participation is encouraged. Humor and stories are sprinkled into all of Frank's walks.
KID'S CLASS:
Herbal Mandala Sensorium
Mel Kasting
In this kid's class, we will use our senses to create mandalas using fresh and dried herbs, ollecting plants outside if weather allows. Kiddos will leave with a mandala and hopefully a deeper connection to plants.
Session 2
Becoming a Media Savvy Herbalist
Brooke Sackenheim
Engaging media outlets such as newspapers, television or online bloggers can be a boost to your programming and mission, but can feel daunting for beginners. Learn five strategies or working with reporters as well as tips on how to safeguard yourself from bad press and how to market your classes.
Hot & Cold / Deficient & Excess: Understanding the Basics of Energetic Evaluation
Bob Linde
This class will teach the basic understanding of the foundational concepts of energetic evaluation. Although the approach will be based in Chinese medicine thouth, the principles are applicable to Ayurvedic and Western herbal principles as well.
Herbs for Insomnia, Relaxation & Dreams
Joanne Bauman
Having trouble sleeping? Need to relax and unwind? Enhance meditation or dreaming? This class is for you! Many herbs offer natural, non-addictive support to release stress and tension at the end of the day to relieve insomnia, promote sound sleep, and re-establish your natural sleep cycle. We will also explore various non-psychoactive herbs, barks and spices to enhance dreaming and open intuition. Discussion to include tinctures, teas, balms, dream pillows, incense and bath soaks.
Finding Wild Heart of Wholeness: Radical Self Care for Caregivers
Rebekah Dawn
This will be an experiential class centered around taking care of ourselves and finding our own Wild Center. Without this we run the risk of depleting ourselves, especially if we work as community or professional healers and caregivers. We will explore mindfulness in movement (traditionally yoga was employed as a means of opening up the body so that long stretches of meditation could be experienced without discomfort. We will explore very simple physical movements to foster awareness and well being), in stillness and silence (we will discuss the effects of silence on the body and mind and participate in 10 minutes of stillness together), in observing (after mindful movement how do we feel? After the silence, how do things appear?), we will explore sound and chanting, and finally in journaling (drawing or writing a bit of our experience so that we can share with one another and each other). This will be a group experience.
Harvesting and Preserving Herbs
Jess Krueger
Let's explore how to harvest a few common medicinal herbs and ways to preserve them using locally abundant menstrums. Optimal timing to harvest and then how to make them last throughout the winter will be covered. This will include techniques like drying & using locally produced raw materials like honey, apple cider vinegar and animal fats. Practical applications, storage and demonstration will be included.
PLANT WALK:
Feasting in the Forest: A Foraging Foray
Paul Angelini
The course will take participants on a wilderness walk in search of wild edibles. Students will learn the basic of foraging, including the ethics of foraging, the seasonality of wild foods, how to identify said foods and their look-similars, and touch upon some basic recipes folks came make at home using wild foods.
KID'S CLASS:
Herbarium making and Free Play
Celena Chavez
The first part of this session will consist of assembling herbariums for the kids to use in learning to identify plants. As they finish, free play will be offered to explore, play on the playground or just relax.
Friday Evening Soiree
Friday evening will offer up a variety of sessions for your enjoyment. Many hands-on classes with lots of tastings and experiences. Choose what you are in the mood for, whether it be a shamanic journey, food tastings or ceremony, a moonlit plant walk or storytelling. There's something for everyone!
A Taste of Herbs: Listening to Our Senses
Rose Marie Nuffer
In this experiential class we will use our senses to discover the complexity of individual plants. Participants will be given a small taste of an infusion of an individual herb, being told the contraindications of the herb but not revealing the herb itself, and using our senses we will all experience the herb. Then we will talk about what the experienced properties of the herb can tell us about the use of the herb and the herb will be revealed. We will do this with 4-6 herbs. This is a wonderful opportunity to get to know plants better and/or test your plant knowledge.
In the Presence of the Sacred: On Communing with the Divine Through the Natural World
Paul Angelini
This class will be for those who are seeking a deeper connection to the divine as expressed in/through the natural world. Participants will make a journey into the woods as we learn how to turn a simple hike into a means of experiencing the divine as made manifest in the natural world. Participants will also engage in a simple exercise/meditation by connecting with a plant/tree that speaks to them at the moment. After the meditation, we will gather to share our experiences and how the insights we have gained from them.
Storytellin' in the Wood for Kids and Kids at Heart
Colleen Smith
Colleen will lead a group to a place in the woods. Once settled into the wood, she will acknowledge the life givers -- the trees -- and give thanks. Everyone will be encouraged to participate. Colleen will share 1 - 3 storeis from her Ozark ancestral family, to help everyone understand what this place is and how precious the land is. After storytime, Colleen will lead an imagination journey.
Magical Moonlight Plant Walk
Kristine Brown
Let's explore plants in the moonlight! Learn how to identify plants at night and discover how magical a moonlight walk can be. We'll discuss some medicinal and magical uses of each plant we talk about.
Marshmallow Making Demonstration
Amanda Canete
Drop in for a fun old fashioned marshmallow making session! Learn the history of making marshmallows and how easily this well loved campfire confection can be made. Samples for all.
Cacao Ceremony
Laura LagoCacao is a humble medicine , listening to your individual needs. It can be energizing, calming, and balancing. Cacao is the most antioxidant rich food in the world. Unroasted cacao has more antioxidants than blueberries, Goji berries, Acai and green tea . Many of the antioxidants in Cacao are flavonoids. These flavonoids are intimately involved in the prevention of free radical damage. Cacao has a regulating effect on all the body systems.
We will start by enjoying one square of unsweetened cacao from Costa Rico followed by 10 minutes of gentle mediation. Then we will prepare a cup of cacao to enjoy during a short presentation on the benefits of cacao. We will close with a sharing circle of our experience during the cacao meditation.
SATURDAY SESSIONS
Early Morning Session
Early Morning Yoga with Josh Holder
Early Morning Qigong with Leslie Alexander
Early Morning Plant Drawing & Meditation with Kristine Brown
Early Morning Canoeing (self instructed at your own risk)
Session 3
Herb & Drug Interactions
Bob Linde
This class explores drug categories and common adverse events. Issues of quality control and organoleptic testing are all discussed in the approachable class.
Beginning Your Home Remedy Chest
Amanda Canete
In this class, we go over easy general remedies for beginners to get them started prepping their home remedy collection. We go over making tinctures, salves, oils, compresses, poultices, teas, and decoctions. We will talk about specific remedies for things like headaches, aches and pains, bumps and bruises, stomach upset, sleep aids and cold and flu. I demonstrate salve making and give away samples. It would be awesome if we could do this class in a kitchen.
Dosing and Delivery Systems -- Let's Talk!
Leslie Alexander
So many choices -- what to do? In this interactive workshop, we'll share strategies, preparation methods and modes of delivery. Lots to learn, oodles of examples.
Using Herbs, Nutrition and Lifestyle to Address Adrenal Insufficiency
Laura Lago
Overview of the endocrine system and its response to stress, definition of homeostasis and negative feedback loop, definition and application of adaptogen and nervines, local, materia medica and combination formulas for depression, insomnia, anxiety, irritability and panic. Local nervines will be discussed in combination of adaptognic herbs. The partial list is: wild lettuce, black cohosh, valerian, motherwort, chamomile, passionflower, skullcap, blue vervain and damiana.
Critical to Cultivate Plants
Tiffanie Jones ND
Many of our native plants are endangered and in high demand, such as Goldenseal, Black cohosh, American ginseng, etc. Dr Jones will talk about her experience working with these plants at The National Center for the Preservation of Medicinal Herbs in Rutland, OH along with the farms she has seen growing them in the Pacific Northwest. She will discuss the uses of these plants along with other effective alternatives.
PLANT WALK:
Sacred Medicine of the Trees
Renee Crozier Prince
This will be an inspiring tree walk offering a practical and spiritual connection with Celtic tree energy. Discover ancestor tree medicine, guidance and inspiration.
KID'S CLASS:
Tea Tasting Time
Rose Marie Nuffer
Together we will taste sips of children friendly herbs, one simple herb infusion at a time, and discuss how our senses give us information about the tea we are sipping on. Then we will talk about times when we can call on these herbs to help us. We will all give ideas on how we can use these plants in our daily lives and how we can combine them to make a super yummy medicinal tea.
Session 4
Positive Herb & Drug Interactions
Bob Linde
This class takes a unique approach exploring how herb and drugs can work better together.
Ecological and Medicinal Benefits of Invasive Plants
Frank Norman
Invasive plants are getting a bad rap in the scientific community and often by the general public. It is not a simple question of native plant--good and non-native plant--bad as invasive (and other non-native) plants have ecological benefits and medicinal properties for the Earth and its inhabitants. Natural habitat has been destroyed over time in the US leaving millions of acres of cropland, lawns, and other disturbed land, which are quickly colonized by invasive plants as Nature abhors bare ground. The rampant use of herbicide to curb their spread only exacerbates the further degradation of habitat. Frank will delve into this topic discussing the fear of plant invasives, what if anything can or should be done about them, their role in healing the Earth, and how they can be used as medicine.
Going Very Local - Beyond Using Tropical and Imported Herbs
Leslie Williams
Learn to rely less on ginger, cinnamon and black pepper, and more on what is growing outside. Sometimes it takes 2 local herbs to match one imported but Leslie will show just how to make that change.
Effective Herbal Techniques for Animal Care
Renee Crozier Prince
Explore safe, effective herbs and techniques for common animal issues. This class offers students a multi -faceted healing approach for a variety of animals.
The Home Cyder Maker: A How-to on Hard Cider Making
Paul Angelini
This class will be an introductory course on making hard cider, or cider, at home. Students will learn the basics of fermentation, including yeast selection, and will learn about what makes a great cider. Further, students will learn about what types of apples one can use to make cider along with foraging for wild apples. If possible, a demo may take place using fresh juice and a 1 gallon glass jug and other items.
PLANT WALK:
Wild Salad! Foraging the common plants and harvesting their gift of uncommon good health
Rebekah Dawn
One of the most exciting things about herbalism, to me, is the weedy and the overlooked plants that offer such a powerhouse of nutritional benefits. We will walk and identify the common and delicious plants found in many of our lawns and talk about how we can add these wild and wonderful foods to our lives for huge benefit and very little effort.
KID'S CLASS:
Creating Herbal Jewelry
Brooke Sackenheim
Keeping the connection of the plants close to your body can be done easily by creating your own plant jewelry. Using simple salt dough, we will explore the various ways we can adorn ourselves with herbs.
Session 5
Oh, My Head...Herbs for Upper Respiratory Woe
jim mcdonald
Allergies, upper respiratory infections and chronic inflammation of the sinuses are common maladies that many people struggle with. While most conventional treatment involve antibiotics and suppressive drugs, many common herbs can effectively restore health and tone to the sinuses and ease discomfort in addition to fighting both bacterial and frequently overlooked fungal infections. Herbalist jim mcdonald will elaborate on how to use an energetic approach to choose among these plants, and discuss other therapies that can give relief to sinus-suffering.
Prairie Medicine Herbs
Joanne Bauman
For countless generations, Native Americans and Plains settlers have used the plants around them for food and medicine . Share in the lore and medicinal uses of some of my favorite healing plants. My goal is to also increase appreciation for prairie plants at a time when prairies and their biodiversity urgently need protection throughout the region.
Restoring Hope: Growing for the Greater Good
Crystal Stevens
This talk will be a power point covering ecology of the midwest. It will cover the vital importance of restoring habitats and soil by planting native trees, shrubs, flowers and grasses. It will discuss prairie restoration, glade restoration, savanna restoration and more with an emphasis on inter-planting traditional medicines that Native Americans used throughout history in our region, reviving ancient medicine, and providing food and habitat for wildlife and pollinators. It will discuss the vital importance of leaving natural legacies and preserving heritage. It will be a call to action to plant and restore in your own backyard, or to further the mission by planting and restoring more and more each year.
Backyard Herbalism
Kathryn Chapman
Introducing baby steps to incorporating herbs from one's backyard into day to day life, ultimately building a habit using what we have to nourish and treat minor complaints (bug bites, bumps, scratches, etc.)
Advanced Herbal Preparations
Mel Kasting
In this class, we will learn how to make percolations, mushroom double extractions, and a triple extraction. Percolations are useful because you are able to make potent medicine within 48 hours, instead of the traditional 2-6 weeks (or more) for a maceration. Each student will leave with a percolation math cheatsheet, plans for making a perc cone set-up, and a sample preparation.
PLANT WALK:
Native Plant Materia Medica and Therapeutics: A Physiomedical Perspective
Erika Galentin
This will be a native plant walk where Erika focuses on key Thomsonian and Physiomedical uses for native flora. Identification, propagation, clinical use will all be covered.
KID'S CLASS:
Nature's Color Wheel
Samantha JoAnn Stolle
Let's find inspiration in nature together! We will explore the area looking for all of the beautiful color variations and subtle nuances that nature has to offer. Then, working as a team we will create a beautiful and colorful mandala from the natural items we collect.
SUNDAY SESSIONS
Early Morning Session
Early Morning Yoga with Josh Holder
Early Morning Qigong with Leslie Alexander
Early Morning Plant Drawing & Meditation with Kristine Brown
Early Morning Canoeing (self instructed at your own risk)
Session 6
Plantain for the People
jim mcdonald
It's commonly said in herbalism that "It's far better to know a dozen uses for one herb than one use for a dozen herbs", yet, many people still think of herbs in a "take this for that" sense. To remedy this, jim mcdonald will offer in depth information on the far reaching potential of a single common (and under-appreciated) weed: plantain. We'll explore it's deep and vital usage for issues throughout the body, from mosquito bites to leaky gut syndrome. So much more than a "weed", this is a plant that can be a foundational part of one's path to wellness.
Your Internal Landscape: Journey Experiential
Dana Bailey
Your Internal landscape uses the tools of drumming and active imagination to access one's subconscious for the purpose of healing and interacting with one's spirit support. No prior journey skills needed.
Authenticity in Practice
Celena Chavez
We live in a melting pot of multicultural, multiracial and multi-traditional people it shouldn't be any wonder that our healing practices, particularly herbalism, would be any different. This workshop/roundtable touches on some of the history, stories and traditions of herbalism but most importantly it will create a space for us to discuss how we, as midwestern herbalists, can and do maintain authenticity in our herbal practices amidst the melting pot.
Five Transformation Theory: A Holistic Oriental View
Deborah Lee
Hippocrates said “Let food be thy medicine and medicine thy food”. Ancient Orientals explained this connection in what is often called the Five Transformation Theory. Come explore the yin/yang relationship of energy as expressed thru: seasons, colors, flavors, organs systems, emotions and patterns in nature. This ancient system offers an interactive view, helping you see both the big-picture of health and microcosms. Study materials for home use.
Butters, Oils, Waxes & Salves
Jamie Jackson
Explore properties of body butters and oils. How to temper butters and which are best for the face and body. Learn to clean and make wax chips. Create a scalable recipe using percentages. Recreate recipes from an ingredient list, how to create small test batches and automatically reduce inventory using standardized batches. Discover the problems with creams, emulsification and preservatives.
PLANT WALK:
Tree Medicine Walk
Leslie Williams
Tree identification, how to see trees, sustainable harvesting, storage, parts of trees, actions and properties, history and magic.
KID'S CLASS:
Herbs for the Mouth
Leslie Alexander
Wouldn't it be great if we could make oral care exciting? And what might happen if we did? Young people's teeth just might last a lifetime. In this workshop, young people will make products that they enjoy.
Session 7
Cherokee Household Medicine
Dr. Jody Noé
The traditional Cherokee medicine way uses plants, earth, air, water, and fire (heat) along with rituals and prayers to invoke Spirit and Healing. The Keetoowah are traditionalists and practice ancient rituals such as the sacred "Stomp Dance" to this day. In Cherokee medicine many aspects of healing are addressed with the focus on the Spirit of each modality affecting the Spirit of the patient to conjoin with the Great Spirit of the universe. Each modality is looked upon as an independent people, for example the traditional Cherokee name acknowledges 'plant people', 'rock people', etc. The Cherokee Way honors not only the medicine that is used to affect the physical being of people, but the Spirit that is in each and every living thing, that effects us all concurrently.
Grow, Create, Inspire
Crystal Stevens
The simple act of gardening can be a catalyst for positive change, diversity & biodiversity, earth stewardship, and the art of low impact living. Discover ways you can be advocates for the earth in your own communities. Deepen your connection with your community. Connect and collaborate with like minded folks in your town. Learn strategies for educating your community about an array of eco- topics. Host plant walks, foraging expeditions, cooking classes, workshops and more. Inspire others in your community through engaging. Learn basic tools for increasing Eco-awareness and making changes in your community. Be a catalyst for positive change!
Nutritional Values of Some Common Culinary Herbs
Nan Backes
Nutrients and Herbs: "Let your food be your medicine." Each herb is loaded with a variety of minerals and vitamins. Adding herbs to recipes provides more than good flavor; they help us achieve our personal optimal health!
Herbal Concoctions: Cordials, Liqueurs and Homemade Bitters
Stephany Hoffelt
Nourishing infusions, decoctions and broths are the foundation of our healing preparations, but sometimes we want to have a little fun. This class will teach you to make concoctions which can be used to add an herbal flair to any recipe or you can pull out on special occasions. They are fun to make, serve a multitude of purposes and can be made with just about any herbs out there. We will also cover some regional substitutes you can use for traditional spices such as spicebush and angelica seeds. Of course this class would be useless without samples, so plan to have some fun tasting some of the concoctions and couple of recipes made with them.
Topical Application in Herbal Practice: A Lost Art
Linda Conroy
Herbs applied topically are incredibly effective and safe. In this inspiring presentation we will learn to apply herbs for relieving headaches, menstrual cramps, aches, pains and much more will be shared. Participants will learn to incorporate herbs for healing in a bath and/or a foot bath, apply infused oils to the feet for relaxation, creating poultices, compresses and much more!
PLANT WALK:
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KID'S CLASS:
Friend or Foe Herb Walk
Tiffanie Jones
It is important that the next generation learns about the value of the plants around them. Dr Jones has experience teaching children about plants such as poison ivy, plantain, jewelweed, mullein, and others while a staff member for Camp Taum Sauk in Lesterville, MO.