Preparing Wild Medicinals
May 3 @ 10:00 am - 2:00 pm
As a follow-up our “Foraging for Wild Edibles” class, we will take a deeper look at the traditional medicinal uses of several of those plants and how to prepare them for use. We will discuss which ailments these plants were historically used to treat, along with common methods for preparing and storing them. We will also cover multiple approaches to plant medicine, with a focus on teas, tinctures, balms and salves.
Participants will have the opportunity to sample infused teas and will leave with several tea bags made from herbs discussed in class for later use. We will demonstrate how to start both oil and alcohol infusions, then finish one that has already been prepared in advance. Together, we will make a salve during the class that students can take with them, and participants should leave feeling confident in their ability to turn plants into shelf-stable useable products.
Preparation methods
• Infusions (Teas): For soft parts (leaves, flowers)
• Decoctions: For hard parts (roots, bark, seeds)
• Tinctures: Highly concentrated alcohol extracts.
• Poultices: Mash fresh or dried herbs into a paste and apply directly to skin.
• Compresses/Washes: Use strong infusions or decoctions applied with cloth for skin issues.
• Infused Oils/Salves/Balms: Steep herbs in oil, then mix with beeswax for topical balms.
Cost for this class is $50 per student
Class will start at 10:00 AM and run until approximately 2:00 PM. There will be periodic breaks but no lunch break, so, you may bring snacks if you wish. Bottled water will be available for free.
Students are asked to bring their own washable cup or mug. All other materials will be provided.