Spring Wildcrafting: Willow By The River 2023
- WHEN: May 4, 2023
- TIME: 10:00 am to 3:00 pm
- FEE: $125.00 USD
- INSTRUCTOR: Heather Bruno
- SETTING: In-Person
- LOCATION: Seattle, WA
(details & directions provided after enrollment)
Come celebrate the arrival of Spring in a magical and memorable way! Willow is a powerful symbol of spring, rebirth, and renewal and of hope, resiliency, and strength… It’s time to re-fill our cup from the deep wells of Mother Earth!
You’ll learn more than you thought possible about this amazing plant and spend the day in fresh air harvesting and processing your bounty as you watch the river flow peacefully by.
Willow is gentle yet powerful herb that contains many different natural constituents that work together with our bodies to bring about relief and allow healing to occur. Willow has been used for thousands of years across cultures and has been studied extensively. As always, we’ll discuss the specific phytochemicals found in willow and explore the why and how it is working with your body yo to go beyond simply “this herb is good for this issue.”
Did you know that there are over 90 species of wild willow growing in the Pacific and Inland Northwest? It’s true! In this wildcrafting intensive you will learn where willow grows and how to correctly identify it!
You will also find out the best time of year to harvest, what part of the plant to harvest, and the best methods of preparation to create effective remedies!
Make lovely, effective remedies to enhance your own health and well-being and that of your friends and family!
Willow can be utilized as a tea, syrup, honey, tincture, liniment, and medicinal oil. It does taste a bit bitter, so not everyone will be willing to take it in tea form. We’ll explore ways to make the medicine of willow palatable, and get the medicine to the people in a way in which they will take it. You will have the option to make 2 different remedies. Choices are a tincture, honey, elixir or a skin toner. The benefits of each will be discussed in class. It’s bark peeling time!
It would be a fabulous idea to read CMHS articles on willow for extra information. Willow and Nature’s Pain Relievers before the harvest intensive. As a bonus, we will take time to explore the majestic cottonwood, a cousin to willow that embodies some of the same medicinal qualities as willow, yet stands alone in its own unique medicine.
Willow was my first herb love and a plant that’s had a profound impact on my own health and well-being. I love, love, love this herb and I am excited to share willow’s gifts with you!
This is going to be the best spring willow wildcrafting intensive EVER!
What you’ll need:
- Discover Pass
- Small clippers (Felco)
- A small towel or sheet for processing the bark
- Paring knife and sturdy scissors or kitchen shears for scraping and cutting the bark
- Something to sit on (low-sitting, small/tripod, normal-sized)
- 1 pint of honey (unpasteurized, local honey is best; liquid honey only – not spun)
- 1 pint 80 or 100 proof alcohol-unflavored (vodka or brandy are good choices)
- 1/2-pint witch hazel
- 2 clean half pint jars with lids
- Masking tape or labels and a sharpie pen
- Lunch/water/a thermos of something warm to drink
- Dress for the weather! Bring warm layers (rain gear!) and sturdy shoes!
- My fave boots: Bogs
- Sunblock, hat, umbrella
- hand warmers