Classes
Classes at the 2017 Great Lakes Herb Faire
Click here for the Schedule
We are currently in process of adding some extra classes to accommodate all of the interest in the Faire this year! Wow. We are so thrilled that so many of you are excited to spend a whole weekend with some incredible folks talking about herbs, health and community! Please check back next week for the updated schedule that will have the new classes listed.
Click here for the Schedule
We are currently in process of adding some extra classes to accommodate all of the interest in the Faire this year! Wow. We are so thrilled that so many of you are excited to spend a whole weekend with some incredible folks talking about herbs, health and community! Please check back next week for the updated schedule that will have the new classes listed.
Keynote Speakers
Herbalism for Underserved Communities
Presented by 7Song
7Song will be presenting a talk on how herbal medicine can be brought into underserved communities including integrative free clinics, encampments and other events. We will also look at practicing herbalism as a street medic during protests. This talk will cover the various types of preparations and specific medicinal plants that can be useful in these situations. Some of the discussion will be of a philosophical bent and the rest on practical ways that we as herbalists can be an asset to those around us.
Human Ecology: As Above So Below
Presented by Betzy Bancroft
This ancient phrase--as above, so below—came from the recognition that nature displays the same patterns on all levels. Now that we have tools to see even smaller and larger levels of reality, especially our microbes, we still find this observation completely accurate. Let’s take a look at these patterns, especially the principle of cooperation in nature, and how we can use them to foster better individual and community health.
Herbalism for Underserved Communities
Presented by 7Song
7Song will be presenting a talk on how herbal medicine can be brought into underserved communities including integrative free clinics, encampments and other events. We will also look at practicing herbalism as a street medic during protests. This talk will cover the various types of preparations and specific medicinal plants that can be useful in these situations. Some of the discussion will be of a philosophical bent and the rest on practical ways that we as herbalists can be an asset to those around us.
Human Ecology: As Above So Below
Presented by Betzy Bancroft
This ancient phrase--as above, so below—came from the recognition that nature displays the same patterns on all levels. Now that we have tools to see even smaller and larger levels of reality, especially our microbes, we still find this observation completely accurate. Let’s take a look at these patterns, especially the principle of cooperation in nature, and how we can use them to foster better individual and community health.
INDIVIDUAL CLASSES
Herbal Medicine for Internal and External Infections
Taught by 7Song
This class will focus on practical herbal strategies and treatments for internal and external infections. These include; respiratory and GI infections internally and external skin infections.
Participants will learn which herbal medicines to have on hand, plants that can be gathered and prepared, useful preparations, and learning to differences which plants to use for different types of infections.
Some of the plants that will be covered include; Yarrow, Echinacea, Oregon graperoot, and charcoal.
Beginner-Intermedicate
Making Medicinal Herbal Sauerkrauts
Taught by Katherine Novotny
Come learn how to make your own medicinal sauerkrauts and other fermented foods. We will taste a few of my favorite bubbling tonics and talk about some seasonal, wild-harvested ingredients. This class is hands-on, so get ready to help chop!
Queer & Trans Plant Medicine: Herbal Considerations for Gender & Sexuality Liberation
Taught by cheré suzette bergeron
How can we support queer & trans clients as herbal medicine practitioners? What does it mean to be an herbalist / healer working within your own marginalized community? Come be a part of this lively discussion! We’ll delve into these questions while exploring the magical multiverse of herbal supports for queer & trans liberation. Utilizing a trauma-informed & healing justice framework, we will discuss herbal allies & flower essences for the following: navigating daily microaggressions, supports for those who tuck and/or bind, minimizing unwanted side effects of hormone replacement therapy (HRT), and both preparing for & healing from gender affirmation surgery.
Herbs and Traditional Healing
Adela Nieves
For most of history, indigenous peoples have used herbs in healing ceremonies and as spiritual medicine. In this workshop, we will discuss traditional herbal cleansings – limpias – and folk knowledge of the ancient art of Curanderismo (Mexican Folk Healing). Adela will demonstrate a limpia and offer varied examples of how herbs have been used in parts of Latin America and the Caribbean.
Create Your Home Apothecary from the Land Around You
Taught by Kathleen Raven Wildwood
Safe and effective remedies for indigestion, insomnia, pain, coughs and colds do not need to come from a chain drugstore, nor from expensive supplements made from exotic or endangered plants. Many of the plants that are native or naturalized to this land can be used to create a simple apothecary for home use. Some of them are growing in your yard now, ready for you to make into remedies! Others can be sustainably and ethically wildcrafted or grown. Kathleen will teach you how to replace the products you might buy at a drugstore with simple herbal preparations that you can make for yourself, and how to use them. She will bring samples of herbal preparations to taste and smell.
Beginner/Intermediate
Deepening Plant Knowledge Through Botanical Illustration and Plant Identification
Taught by Kristine Brown
Have you ever looked at plants and wish that you could draw them accurately? Do you wish to have a more intimate relationship with the plants but don’t know how to get started? Do you wish to be more familiar with plant families and their basic medicinal uses? During this workshop, we'll combine sensory observation, drawing, studying the wild weeds around and discussing the medicinal uses of them. You will learn how to meet a plant and gain knowledge about that plant through your senses of sight, taste, touch and smell while using a drawing technique to discover an intimate knowledge of the plant. Deepen your knowledge both intellectually and spiritually with the plants that grow in our environment.
These exercises will encourage you to see the plants on a new level by using your spiritual intuition as well as your mental intellect to examine the plants in a whole new way. Bring a note/sketch book, pen and/or pencil, bottled water and dress for the weather. No drawing experience is necessary, Kristine will give you the necessary skills to be able to draw for this class and beyond.
Local (Non-Alcoholic) Menstruums: Preserving the Harvest
Taught by Jess Kreuger
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.
Herbs for Dreaming, Divination, and Personal Development
Taught by Lottie Spady
Participants will explore the historic uses of herbs as talismans, in ritual and as a pathway to personal growth and development. Using the areas of dream interpretation, free writing, and tarot card reading, participants will try tapping into the intuitive, astrological and energetic value of herbs. We will also discuss medicine making and cycles of the moon. Participants will be encouraged to share their own experiences in these areas as well. We will sample dream elixirs, herbal essences and each participant will take home a small dream pillow.
Flower Essences for Sensitives: understand the different archetypes of the sensitive soul and
learn how flower essences can support and nurture the mind, body, emotions and spirit of those
of a highly empathic or intuitive nature.
Taught by Merri Walters
It seems that many people who have a profound affinity to Nature and the plant world are also
very sensitive or perceptive in ways that make it harder for them to live in the harsher conditions
of the technology oriented modern world where an attuned and receptive sense or psychic life
can leave you feeling destabilized physically, emotionally, mentally or psychically.
In this class we will define “sensitive” and the sensitive experience, we will look into both the
liabilities and the gifts of the sensitive and teach you how to use the power of Nature through
flower essences to create more stability and harmony for both your children and yourself. We
will also clarify how to understand your gifts and how to awaken, support and strengthen their
value so that you can operate from a place of wisdom and power allowing you to manifest the
blessing that you were born to be!
To Perk or Not to Perk – That is the Question
Taught by Leslie Alexander
Welcome to the world of needing a tincture ASAP and having none on hand. Historically, percolation has been a technique that has enabled us to get out of these tight situations. We'll discuss what it means to percolate herbs, how it’s done, advantages and disadvantages. While it is perhaps a preparation technique that every herbalist should come to know … if only for those tight spots it is not the most reliable of techniques (until perfected!) and much can affect a successful flow and the accumulation of tincture. Enter technology and MrButter ~ a machine originally heavily marketed for making fat soluble herbal extracts - but a great tool for any herbalist needing a tincture in under 6 hours. Come and increase your understanding, share your experiences and sample a few preparations.
How to Compose a Herbal Compound from Intake to Prescription
Taught by John Redden
We will create a template that methodically takes the practitioner through the steps of a clinical visit. First we collect the information from the intake form and with the patient generate a plan to get to our therapeutic goals. We describe what is required to go from our beginning point (now) to our end point (therapeutic goal). The descriptions become action categories within body systems. We select herbs using a set of rules or selection criteria from lists (provided) and write them down. From the many herbs listed we will then organize and de-select by simple rules. Once pared down we check our formula to see that it will bring the patient to their desired goal. We do a little math and we have a prescription for health.
Intermediate / Advanced
The Herbal Treatment of Auto-Immune Diseases
Taught by Althea Northage-Orr
With new auto-immune diseases appearing almost yearly, what strategies can we craft as herbalists? This class will focus on herbal and nutritional strategies for dealing with diseases such as lupus, ulcerative colitis and other common auto-immune diseases. We will discuss some of the mainstream treatments and their advantages and disadvantages, and how as practitioners we can work both adjunctively or solely in their treatment.
Fine-tuning the Choice of Nervines in Clinical Treatment
Althea Northage-Orr
This class looks at the personality of specific nervines and how to best match them with specific conditions and constitutional types. We will examine and correlate diverse sources of information such as Homeopathy, Flower Essence research, traditional historical lore, and the viewpoints of Traditional Chinese Medicine. The aim is to aid practitioners in choosing wisely from the many possible nervines in use, and to deepen their understanding of the necessity of matching specific nervines to specific constitutional and psychological types.
Ancient Indigenous Wisdom of Healing: Making the Connection to Plant Wisdom
Taught by Esstin McLeod
Making the Connection to Plant Wisdom: Creating an understanding that Spirituality lives within Mother Earth and defining our connection to health and Plant medicine. The health/healing process can assists with personal wellness restoring balance and personal integrity.
Intermediate
Medicinal Mushrooms
Taught by Chris Wright
This presentation gives an overview of various medicinal mushrooms and their medicinal properties.
Aphrodisiacs & Energetics...
Taught by Jim McDonald
“Aphrodisiac” is a highly problematic term, predominantly because of the popular but mistaken belief that they create "automatic interest" in anyone/everyone who uses them... products advertised with guarantees for amazing results often fail to deliver, or (not infrequently) are found to be adulterated with drugs. Looking at lists of plants deemed “aphrodisiacs”, we see everything from strong, druglike herbs (yohimbe) to culinary spices (ginger) to adaptogens (ashwangandha) and antispasmodics (kava). What gives? Well, just like all other aspects of herbcraft, one person’s turn on can put another person out… in other words, energetics apply here as well. We’ll look at what indications make certain herbs appropriate to certain people, and give you some ideas to ponder with your partner(s).
All levels
An Apple a Day... Apples as Medicine
jim mcdonald
From the old adage "An apple a day keeps the doctor away" to tale of the fruit given by Idunn to sustain the strength of the Norse god(desse)s, the apple has long been seen as a purveyor of health and vitality. While we now mostly think of it as a common fruit, all parts of the trees have been used as medicine to sustain and restore health. jim mcdonald will share the uses of various parts of the apple tree as tea, tincture, syrup, cider & smoke
Herbs and Foods for a Healthy Heart
Betzy Bancroft
Love your heart! Learn about delicious remedies that nourish the heart and support its function, as well as prevent cardiovascular problems. Our lively discussion will range from fats and antioxidants to broken-heart potions, with a bunch of berries in between.
Being a Visual Detective
Taught by Joyce Wardwell
Nails, tongue, facial features, teeth, skin, hair can all provide visual clues to help with understanding of subclinical chronic deficiencies and excess. The information gathered from simply understanding what to look for can be an integral part of developing herbal protocols for building long term chronic health. In this class we will review how to see really see these visual clues and how to use the information to further develop a comprehensive health plan.
Intermediate
Herbal Allies for Coping
Taught by Talitha Johnson
In an effort to address feelings of listlessness and despondency, examining local herbs to help bring the mind, body and spirit back to a state of calm. From an African-centered teaching approach, attendees will engage in an interactive experience and learn how bio-regional herbs can help serve as de-stressors for some of life’s challenging woes.
Healing from the Hive
Taught by Jo Feterle
Jo will share some Historical uses of Honey for medicine and how she uses the gifts of the Honey bees today. She will demonstrate how she makes Herb infused honey and practical uses as well as how she uses honey, propolis and wax in first aid. She will also discuss other honey goodness like a pastes, elixirs, Oxymels, scrubs and balls (pills). She will discuss plants that are beneficial in attracting pollinators and you may even get to make a simple honey scrub or herb infusion to take with you. Pollinators out!!
Heirloom Seed Saving. Fruits, Vegetables, Herbs and Flowers
Ben Cohen
For as long as people have grown their own food they have also practiced seed saving. In this workshop, you will learn how seed saving helps maintain biodiversity and contributes to food security. Seed saving may be more important now than ever before! Ben Cohen from Small House Farm will discuss proper planning, planting and harvesting techniques so you can easily incorporate seed saving into your garden routine. Learn how to save seeds from fruits, vegetables, herbs and flowers. This will be a fast-paced and informative workshop with hands on demonstrations, stories and lots of fun!
The Holistic Herbal Dog
Leslie Williams
Intermediate level but open to all. Dogs respond well to herbal medicine and holistic food protocols. This will be a solid foundation of information and interactive discussion toward safe and affordable herbal work with canines - for daily life and many common issues - plus discussion of when to get professional help. Complete resource lists provided for books and online sources for further study.
Herbal Interactions
Leslie Williams
Everything is connected. We have good sources to look up pharmaceutical- herb possible interactions, but once we point out those we will do the more difficult work of learning how to think as herbalists. We can create the safest and most effective protocols for each individual considering simple chemistry and anatomy, foods, drugs, supplements, health conditions, economy.
intermediate level
Plant Consciousness and Healing
Led by Lynn Abbey Zukowski
The class will cover some of the exploding and exciting new scientific research on plant consciousness. Then we’ll talk about how these green beings have interacted with people since the beginning and how we can still connect with them energetically and spiritually today, and how this can impact disease. There will be a discussion of plant personalities and an experiential “green breath” exercise.
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Herb Walks
Barks, Nuts, Leaves, Roots and Fungi: Great Lakes Tree Medicines
Lisa M. Rose
The trees of the Great Lakes offer so many medicines - from acorns to root barks to leaves to fungi. Join herbalist Lisa Rose in this hands-on, medicine making class to learn new ways to incorporate the gifts of the trees into your apothecary.
The Twisted Tales of Elderberry, Poke, Lobelia & More
Lead by Heather Irvine
Wild Yam, Bugleweed, Skullcap, Prickly Ash, Solomon’s Seal, Goldthread, Spicebush, Sassafras, Ghost Pipe, Elderberry & Viburnums creep around the grounds as well as prominent Poke, Blackberry, Black Cherry, Boneset, Blue Vervain & Joe Pye Weed. If you live here you may not have an appreciation for how special medicinals like Pokeweed popping up around edges of the sandy fields or Wild Yam draping the lakeside understory are. If you don’t live here, it could be your first chance to see Northern Prickly Ash, Bugleweed, Tupelo Blackgum, Skullcap and other plants we were thrilled to see in 2016. As a plant walk leader I like to engage participation while packing enough plants and information about them into our brief time together to reveal something new for just about anybody.
The Wonders of Wayside Weeds
Led by Jim McDonald and Jared Bogdanov-Hanna
Common weedy plants are the foundation of most herbalists’ repertories, and for good reason. We’ll take a deeper look at the specific indications and the surprising and overlooked uses of some of our most beloved medicinal plants.
Ecology and Ethics for Wildcrafters and Foragers
Led by Cali Janae
Using ecological understanding as a framework, this class will discuss the ethical considerations involved in wild harvesting plants. We will discuss ecological principles such as mutualism, commensalism and parasitism and apply them to the relationships that plants have with the other beings that rely on them. This discussion will include humans as an element of the ecological conversation. Discussion will ask questions such as: What is my intended impact while harvesting? How can I harvest sustainably? What is my relationship to this specific plant? How can I harvest in a way that increases biodiversity? Finally we will discuss urban crafting and the human ethics and health involved in growing and gathering plants in a city setting.
Intermediate to Advanced, but essential for beginners to start thinking about these ideas.
Ecological Herb Walk
Led by Betzy Bancroft
Developing a deep understanding of a few common weeds helps us save the native and less common species for special needs. On this walk we’ll include discussion of the abundance or ecological concerns of the herbs we meet, in addition to the medicinal and edible uses. And probably spend a lot of time on a few common weeds . . . .
Herb Walk with a Clinical Focus
Led by 7Song
This walk will focus on the clinical uses of the medicinal plants that grow in southern Michigan. It will include ways to gather and prepare plants as medicine and specific ways in using them clinically. We will also look at the various structures and families of the plant we see. Some of these plants include Pine, Witch hazel, Wild cherry, Blue vervain and Goldenrod.
Saturday and Sunday sunrise classes
Saturday
Plant Practice: Seeing
Linda Conroy
An early morning Plant/Person connection is a great way to begin the day. You will learn a lifelong process that will connect you more deeply with the natural world. Bring a notepad.
Earth Wisdom Yoga
Leigh Ann Phillips-Knope
Breathe with your whole body! Move with your soul! Deepen your connection to the Earth through Yoga postures, meditation and pranayama. Lay your troubles down and join us for an inward healing journey. All bodies, ages, sizes and abilities encouraged to attend. Yoga mats not required, but please bring one if you have it.
Sunday
Plant Practice: Listening
Linda Conroy
An early morning Plant/Person connection is a great way to begin the day. You will learn a lifelong process that will connect you more deeply with the natural world. Bring a notepad.
For Kids Classes click here.
Herb Walks
Barks, Nuts, Leaves, Roots and Fungi: Great Lakes Tree Medicines
Lisa M. Rose
The trees of the Great Lakes offer so many medicines - from acorns to root barks to leaves to fungi. Join herbalist Lisa Rose in this hands-on, medicine making class to learn new ways to incorporate the gifts of the trees into your apothecary.
The Twisted Tales of Elderberry, Poke, Lobelia & More
Lead by Heather Irvine
Wild Yam, Bugleweed, Skullcap, Prickly Ash, Solomon’s Seal, Goldthread, Spicebush, Sassafras, Ghost Pipe, Elderberry & Viburnums creep around the grounds as well as prominent Poke, Blackberry, Black Cherry, Boneset, Blue Vervain & Joe Pye Weed. If you live here you may not have an appreciation for how special medicinals like Pokeweed popping up around edges of the sandy fields or Wild Yam draping the lakeside understory are. If you don’t live here, it could be your first chance to see Northern Prickly Ash, Bugleweed, Tupelo Blackgum, Skullcap and other plants we were thrilled to see in 2016. As a plant walk leader I like to engage participation while packing enough plants and information about them into our brief time together to reveal something new for just about anybody.
The Wonders of Wayside Weeds
Led by Jim McDonald and Jared Bogdanov-Hanna
Common weedy plants are the foundation of most herbalists’ repertories, and for good reason. We’ll take a deeper look at the specific indications and the surprising and overlooked uses of some of our most beloved medicinal plants.
Ecology and Ethics for Wildcrafters and Foragers
Led by Cali Janae
Using ecological understanding as a framework, this class will discuss the ethical considerations involved in wild harvesting plants. We will discuss ecological principles such as mutualism, commensalism and parasitism and apply them to the relationships that plants have with the other beings that rely on them. This discussion will include humans as an element of the ecological conversation. Discussion will ask questions such as: What is my intended impact while harvesting? How can I harvest sustainably? What is my relationship to this specific plant? How can I harvest in a way that increases biodiversity? Finally we will discuss urban crafting and the human ethics and health involved in growing and gathering plants in a city setting.
Intermediate to Advanced, but essential for beginners to start thinking about these ideas.
Ecological Herb Walk
Led by Betzy Bancroft
Developing a deep understanding of a few common weeds helps us save the native and less common species for special needs. On this walk we’ll include discussion of the abundance or ecological concerns of the herbs we meet, in addition to the medicinal and edible uses. And probably spend a lot of time on a few common weeds . . . .
Herb Walk with a Clinical Focus
Led by 7Song
This walk will focus on the clinical uses of the medicinal plants that grow in southern Michigan. It will include ways to gather and prepare plants as medicine and specific ways in using them clinically. We will also look at the various structures and families of the plant we see. Some of these plants include Pine, Witch hazel, Wild cherry, Blue vervain and Goldenrod.
Saturday and Sunday sunrise classes
Saturday
Plant Practice: Seeing
Linda Conroy
An early morning Plant/Person connection is a great way to begin the day. You will learn a lifelong process that will connect you more deeply with the natural world. Bring a notepad.
Earth Wisdom Yoga
Leigh Ann Phillips-Knope
Breathe with your whole body! Move with your soul! Deepen your connection to the Earth through Yoga postures, meditation and pranayama. Lay your troubles down and join us for an inward healing journey. All bodies, ages, sizes and abilities encouraged to attend. Yoga mats not required, but please bring one if you have it.
Sunday
Plant Practice: Listening
Linda Conroy
An early morning Plant/Person connection is a great way to begin the day. You will learn a lifelong process that will connect you more deeply with the natural world. Bring a notepad.
For Kids Classes click here.