August, Tue 15; from 1:30-3:30 –

Mystery tea tasting

Our first series of herbal workshops will start with an intuitive exploration of medicinal plants. Taste is a powerful sensorial method to connect to and understand the medicinal actions of plants. Through a guided meditative tasting, you’ll explore how the mystery plant’s medicinal properties work in your body, connecting to the medicine it offers you. We will share our experiences with the plants and discuss our findings with the historical and modern uses of these plants.

August, Tue 29; from 1:30-3:30  – Lemon balm cordial

The end of the Summer is a time of bounty, we harvest our herbs for drying and processing, we collect the seeds for the future. It is a time of great joy and hope before we slowly surrender to a more slow-paced grounding Autumn. It is a time for celebration so we will explore the sweetness of cordials with lemon balm as it “causeth the mind and heart to become merry…” Nicholas Culpeper. You will leave with your cordial to continue to celebrate at home the Summer’s gifts with your friends and family.

September, Tues 29; from 1:30-3:30 – Fire cider vinegar

Autumn is sneaking up on us bringing forward its vibrant and warm colours. The crispness of the air contrasts with the ripeness and mellowness of the soft berries, bursting with vitamins, antioxidants, minerals and nutrients. It is a great time to harness those immune boosting botanicals to ease the shifting of season and prepare us for the Winter slumber. As with Spring, the transition seasons can feel uncomfortable but we will come together and prepare herbal medicinal vinegars with foraged and aromatic plants to extract and condense the medicinal actions needed to sustain and nourish our immune vitality for the cold months. You will leave with your bottled vinegar preparation and knowing the plants are great allies against the cold and flu season.

September, Tue 26; 1:30-3:30 – Elderberry, hawthorn and blackberry rob

Just as the falling leaves expose more of a tree, emotions may feel stronger and raw. Grief and melancholy may surface and sweet medicine is one of the ways to convoy our metaphoric shedding, our letting go. We will be making a rob and a syrup to nourish our precious sap, moving our energy deeper into our roots and Winter. I will bring foraged berries, rich in vitamins, immune boosting and heart strengthening properties. You will leave with a bottle of your rob to take home to allow for a deep and nourishing rest and replenishment of your reserves.

October, Tue 10; 1:30-3:30 – Garlic and sage fermented honey

As autumn is a time of transition, we tend to fall sick often or be prone to lingering colds. We will gather in the kitchen to transform hedgerow fruit and berries into delectable kitchen remedies. We will also explore warming spices from our kitchen cabinets to make honey concoctions that will ward off those bugs. You will come home with your delicacies and the tool sets to make more for family and friends.

October, Tue 24; 1:30-3:30 – Winter Culinary oil

Autumn is at its heart now, you may feel called to rest and give yourself some space and silence. Unfortunately, the pace and fullness of modern life usually robs us of that time. Therefore, we will continue to study the plants of our kitchen pharmacy to support our immune strength. Colds, sore throats, congested nose, etc. are common ailments of Autumn/Winter, we will learn ways to defend ourselves against these. You will leave with your garlic and sage (or other botanicals) fermented honey. It will be another empowering remedy that can easily be prepared throughout the cold seasons.

November, Tue 07; 1:30-3:30 –Winter spiced lip balm

We’re slowly but surely entering the hibernal quiescence of Winter. This workshop will be a great opportunity to learn about the classic Winter spices and their medicinal properties and uses. Cold weather and lack of hydration can make our lips crack so you will learn to make a Winter-spiced lip balm to moisten and heal these wounds. This is a good time to prepare for the festive Winter holidays. A time for giving, sharing and celebrating the return of the light. As usual, you will leave with your own preparation to bring home to pamper yourself or a loved one.

November, Tue 28; 1:30-3:30 – Winter spiced chai honey

For the last workshop of the year, we will continue to explore the warming and digestive plants that we cherish in Winter. We will craft a Winter-spiced chai honey that you will be able to take home. The aim is to create medicinal remedies that nourish and heal. Making is as important as the taking. You get to put your love and intention in the medicine, improving its potency. It brings real glimmers to your life, bringing moments of awe and joys and inviting moments of calm. Why not invite your friends and family over to formulate the preparations together this festive holiday. Why not try different medicinal blends? Make it your own family tradition! Obviously, these remedies would also be lovely home-made sweet gifts for family and friends.