Exploring Plant Medicine

Immerse yourself in the green kingdom

A personal, practical knowledge of healthcare and healing has always been part of the life skills for all Earth Centered people. Come explore Nature's green pharmacy and deepen your own intimate connection with the healing power of plants. Students will learn how to use what is known in botanical jargon, as an identification "key" which lays the foundation for efficient plant identifying skills. Each day we will combine instruction and guidance in medicine making, information for uses of specific medicinal plants, including theory, philosophy and principles of herbal medicine.

Personal experience, hands on learning and practical applications are the core of this class; the creeks, meadows, woods and mountains surrounding Headwaters Outdoor School offer an unparalleled outdoor "classroom" for exploring and learning about plant medicine.

One book is required for this course: A Sierra Nevada Flora by Norman F. 4th edition, 1996, Wilderness Press, ISBN 0-89997-204-7.

Skills Covered:

• PLANT IDENTIFICATION - Develop working knowledge and ability to accurately identify wild growing plants.
• BASIC PRINCIPLES AND APPLICATIONS OF HERBAL MEDICINE - Overview of the medicinally important plants in the environment surrounding HWOS. In depth exploration of five medicinally important plants (one plant each day).
• MAKING PLANT MEDICINES - tincture, Salves, Decoctions, Poultices and other botanical preparations.
• IDENTIFY EDIBLE WILD PLANTS