Friday,
May
12th
Friday,
May
19th
Friday,
May
26th
Friday,
June
2nd
Whether you are just getting started in the amazing world of herbal medicine or a seasoned herbalist desiring to go deeper in herbal studies with hands-on field work, the Botanical Primer is an excellent opportunity for a deeply rooted exploration of wild plants, with a focus on ethical harvesting practices, constituents and why knowing them is vital to making effective healing remedies, plant energetics, and the positive impacts plants have on our anatomy and physiology!
Most classes will be in southern Seattle, with one class in Cle Elum area
Spring is a time of renewal and reawakening. Reawaken your passion for medicinal plants and become part of the centuries-old legacy of herbal medicine. Renew your connection with nature to build strong health in every cell of your body!
Whether you are just getting started in the amazing world of herbal medicine or a seasoned herbalist desiring to go deeper in herbal studies with hands-on field work, the Botanical Primer is an excellent opportunity for a deeply rooted exploration of wild plants, with a focus on ethical harvesting practices, constituents and why knowing them is vital to making effective healing remedies, plant energetics, and the positive impacts plants have on our anatomy and physiology!
Students will acquire skills to support their own health and wellness and that of their loved ones by creating and using hand-crafted herbal remedies. There will be many opportunities to sample herbal remedies throughout the course as well as build a well equipped herbal apothecary. It’s transformational!
Getting herbs to the people in ways they will delight in taking them so that healing can occur is a motto here at the Cedar Mountain Herb School. This is a thread that weaves throughout the entire primer!
What we study will depend on what is in season and abundant. In the Spring Primer students may work deeply with, but not be limited to, the following herbs:
- Willow
- Douglas-fir
- Nettle
- Dandelion
- Hawthorn
- Arrowleaf balsamroot
- Wood violet
“We go where the plants grow!” Apprentices will travel to exquisitely beautiful places to commune with nature and each other, harvest plants in their natural habitats, and create medicine in the field. Each weeks’ lessons follow the season and will focus on what is growing in abundance. Learn to listen to the plants and accept the gifts that nature offers as nature’s timing is always perfect!
Before registration, students will be asked to create a Student Account, where each lesson is posted along with a detailed supply list for each week, harvest location and meeting information, where questions can be asked, assignments uploaded, participate in forums, coordinate carpooling, and get tons more herbal info! We do not send out individual course related emails to each student; your Student Area is where all communication happens.
Get ready to meet new herbal friends, both plants and people, and experience for The Best Fridays Ever!
Detailed meeting locations will be provided each week in your apprentice portal.
Classes are held outside-rain or shine-in beautiful fields, forests, and beaches. Each Friday we go to a new and beautiful place to explore the different ecologies and plant communities.
Where we go each week depends on what is abundant and ripe for picking! Some typical places we may travel to for the Spring Primer are the Carnation area, Black Diamond area, up the Snoqualmie River, to Camano Island, a local park, and to the Cle Elum area.
Important details:
Please feel free to contact us with any questions you might have before registering 🌿
WHAT TO BRING:
Tools and Equipment
Bear in mind that students may not need everything every week, but the following are good to have on hand.
- Half pint (8 ounce) and one-pint (16 ounce) wide mouth jars with screw top lids.
- Sharp knife, scissors and cutting board
- Hand clippers (Felco is a good brand)
- Fabric grocery bags or basket
- Camp chair or blanket to sit on
- Water/snacks/lunch
- Notebook and pencil/pen
- Masking tape or stick on labels and sharpie pen
- You may need to have a Discover Pass and a Northwest Forest Pass
Hand washing station and sanitizer for each outing will be supplied.
Remedy Making Ingredients
This list will help you to get an idea of things you might need to have on hand for medicine making. See below for a list of sources. Each week students will be notified in advance what to bring for each particular lesson.
- 1 bottle (750 ml) 151 proof alcohol (unflavored). Vodka or rum.
- 1 bottle (750 ml brandy (80 proof)
- 1 quart olive oil or avocado oil
- 1 quart apple cider vinegar (unpasteurized)
- 1 quart raw, local honey (not creamed)
- 2 ounces food grade vegetable glycerin (optional)
- 16 ounces witch hazel (unscented-for making topical remedies)
- 6 ounces beeswax or shea butter (for making salves)