foundations for winter wellness...
an herbal immune primer

an IN PERSON OR ONLINE SERIES offered
Thursday evenings in february & march
in farmington, michigan

People are always interested in learning to use herbs to ease the discomfort (and sometimes abject woe) that comes along with colds, the flu, and other viruses that make the rounds in winter months. One of most important considerations is to learn this information in advance (it's a heck of a lot harder to formulate a plan of action when you and/or your household is in the middle of sick). To this end, herbalist jim mcdonald is offering a series of evening classes on the holistic use of herbs for colds, flus, fevers, coughs, congestion and supporting the body's natural defenses.  Extensive handouts are included.
 

This is a part of a series of classes that are attendable both in person or online.  Yep, if you live far away, lack a means of transportation, or have a sleeping cat on your lap you just don't have the heart to move, you'll be able to log in online and attend the class under the comfort of your own cat.  Cool, huh?

That being the case:  I teach best when I have people in front of me making facial expressions to convey understanding, confusion, and hopefully a few "ah ha!"s, so if you can make it out in person, please do come (incentive discounts are involved!).  You'll be rewarded with not only my deep appreciation, but you'll actually get to taste a bunch of stuff.  Why would you pass that opportunity up?

dates & details...

holistic perspectives in fever
Thursday, February 6th, 2020

from 6:00-8:30pm EST
Most people are surprised to discover that the conventional medical opinion on treating fever is actually quite similar to the holistic: fever aids the immune process, fights the infection, and usually doesn't need to be lowered using medicines. However, despite this stated philosophy, in practice the exact opposite is usually recommended in doctors offices and at hospitals. We'll explore the fever response, and how herbs have traditionally been used to support this process, with special attention given to understanding which herbs to choose for a given individual and situation.

strengthening the castle: building core immunity
Thursday, February  13th, 2020

from 6:00-8:30pm EST
While perhaps the most popular and sought after herbal preparations are those that "fight colds and flus" and kill germs, viruses, bacteria, and the like, the first question we should ask with regards to immunity is "How strong is my immune system ~before~ an infection?" Numerous factors, from inadequate nutrition to lack of exercise to ongoing stress can weaken immune functions and responses, and in such cases, using herbal antimicrobials is only compensating for deficiency. We'll talk about lifestyle changes, important nutrients and immune tonics to strengthen core immune function.

defending the castle: stimulating peripheral immunity
Thursday, February  20th, 2020

from 6:00-8:30pm EST
A number of herbs have been shown to stimulate immune defenses, but they are commonly used and recommended "shotgun style": just mix them all together and hope that one of them works with what you've got; it's also not uncommon that they're taken in forms of dosages less likely to be effective. In most cases, individual herbs have specific niches in which they excel in, and in some cases, situations they're not especially appropriate in. jim will talk about herbal antibacterials, antivirals, immune stimulants and explain how to tell which herbs to use when.

hack, sputter wheeze... herbs to help you cough
Thursday, February  27th, 2020

from 6:00-8:30pm EST
Though many people associate coughing with sickness, it is actually an important part of your body's fight against sickness. Additionally, it's one of the best indicators to tell you how your body is doing. Whether a cough is dry, damp, spasmodic, hot or cold (yep, coughs can be hot or cold) can indicate larger patterns in the body and help us know which herbs to choose to help us cough more effectively, so that coughing resolves because we don't need to anymore, as opposed to stopping because we suppressed it. We'll talk about teas, tinctures, syrups, steams and (even) smokes...

oh, my head... herbs for upper respiratory woe
Thursday, March  5th, 2020

from 6:00-8:30pm EST
Allergies, upper respiratory infections and chronic inflammation of the sinuses are common maladies that many people struggle with. While most conventional treatment involve antibiotics and suppressive drugs, many common herbs can effectively restore health and tone to the sinuses and ease discomfort in addition to fighting both bacterial and frequently overlooked fungal infections. Herbalist jim mcdonald will elaborate on how to use an energetic approach to choose among these plants, and discuss other therapies that can give relief to sinu-suffering.

location...

Click HERE for directions to Farmington Co-Work; the address is 32729 Grand River Ave, Farmington, MI 48336, but the link provided shows exactly where we'll be.  There is street parking available, as well as a public lot just east of the venue and a parking lot directly across the street.

to sign up...

***FOR THE IN PERSON class in Farmington, Michigan...
Please either use the PayPal link below or contact me about sending a check. 
 

Register via PayPal... $175 for the 5 class series*

← REMEMBER THIS LINK IS TO ATTEND *IN PERSON*

You can also bring payment the day of the class.  Please note that space is limited; early registration ensures a spot.  Also, as a special bonus: because jim really teaches best in front of people, in person students get an incentivizing discount for showing up so he doesn't have to sit and talk to an empty room (which is hard for an extroverted social person). 
* The online replay of the class is not included in the discounted price for in person students.  For those who wish to access this, a coupon code to do so will be available after the class.

***FOR THE ONLINE class wherever you happen to be...
Please sign up via Podia using this link (payment and sign in info there).

Register via Podia... $225 for the 5 class series*
  ← REMEMBER THIS LINK IS TO ATTEND *ONLINE*

* this price includes the live stream of the class and the online replay.  

jim mcdonald has been practicing the art of herbcraft for over 25 years, and offers a knowledge of herbalism that blends western folk and indigenous views of healing with the Vitalist traditions of 19th century western herbalism. He has taught classes and workshops throughout Great Lakes bioregion and the US, hosts the website www.herbcraft.org and is currently writing (alternately) "A Great Lakes Herbal" and "Foundational Herbcraft". jim is a community herbalist, a manic wildcrafter and medicine maker, and has been an ardent student of the most learned teachers of herbcraft... the plants themselves.