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skullcap (scutellaria lateriflora)
Yes,
there's a lot of snow.
Yes, class is
still on.
(I'll
be there, at least...)
If you're joining me:
allow extra travel time,
don't rush, *drive safely*.
Herbs for Stress, Strife & Strain
(in Two Acts):
Act I:
Adaptogens
from 11am to 2pm
Act II:
Nervines
from 3pm to 6pm
Saturday,
March 4th, 2023
at Proud
Lake State Recreation Area
in Commerce Township, MI
Stress is both a causative
and aggravating factor in almost all the unpleasant
acute and chronic health conditions people face. High
blood pressure? Stress. Digestive problems? Stress.
Depression? Stress. Anxiety? Stress. Menstrual
problems? Stress. Immune dysfunction? Stress. Food
allergies/intolerances? Stress. No/low libido?
Stress.
Yes, it's absolutely true that stress
isn't the only factor
involved, but the impact of chronic and systemic stress
dysregulates the neuroendocrine system (usually
simplified, problematically and inaccurately, to "the
adrenals") and impacts every other system of the body,
often hindering the body's attempts to respond to and
(hopefully) resolve the issues we're challenged with.
Herbalists have long used plants not just to "calm
people down", but to support, and in the best cases help
to manage and regulate, our neuroendocrine response to
the challenges we face. Join herbalist jim mcdonald
for
a look into how our bodies perceive and react to
stress, and why our responses, unpleasant as they may be,
actually
make sense. In doing so, we'll look into the two
classes of herbs most utilized to help us regulate our
stress response:
Adaptogens.
These are amazing herbs that are deceptively
marketed. They are not "superfoods". They don't "give
you energy". You can't just take ashwagandha and
resolve all your ills. But when used properly, they can
offer their protective and restorative potential to help
sustain you through periods of long term and all to
often inescapable stress. Among the adaptogens
we'll likely cover are ashwagandha, eleuthero, rhodiola,
holy basil/tulsi, reishi and shatavari. We'll be placing special
emphasis on how the energetics of each might indicate or
preclude its use for specific individuals.
Nervines.
These are herbs that tend to have a more immediate
effect for stress that's happening now, though some can
manifest additional virtues with ongoing use. Too often
differentiated by being "weaker" or "stronger" than one
another, nervines are more specifically indicated by the
many different ways we react and respond to stress;
which is to say we'd think of different herbs for
someone responding to stress with anger and frustration
than we would for someone feeling overwhelmed and
withdrawing. We'll dive deeply into this distinction,
helping to find the right nervine (or nervines) for
individual people.
hours & costs...
This day of teaching will be divided into
two independent but complimentary sessions; you can take
one, the other, or both together.
` Adaptogens will be taught from 11am to 2pm
` Nervines will be taught from 3pm to 6pm
Each class is $35 individually, or $60 for both
together. Do note there is limited space, so early
enrollment best ensures your spot.
Though they don't always collect it,
there is a cost for admission to the state park, if you
don't have an annual pass/"Recreation Passport" (a small
capital "P" on
your license plate tab). Day and annual passes can be
purchased "self serve" style at the main park office.
location...
The class will be held at the River Hawk
Annex in
Proud Lake State Recreation Area in
Commerce Township, MI. If you click
this link here you'll find explicit directions
to the exact building we'll be in.
In 1994,
jim mcdonald's life
changed when he drank tea from a wild plant he harvested
from the land he lived upon. Since those first sips of
strange tea, his life in the woods and meadows of
southeast michigan has been centered on the plants &
ecosystems of that land, and how he might share their
virtues to restore wellness with those around him.
jim's approach to herbcraft is deeply rooted in the land
he lives upon, and blends traditional european folk
influences with 19th century eclectic and physiomedical
vitalism, which he conveys with story, experience, humour,
common sense and lore to students, clients, random
passersby and readers of his websites www.herbcraft.org & herbcraft.podia.com.
He's taught classes throughout north america, is one of
the organizers of the Great Lakes Herb Faire and is
currently alternately writing “Foundational Herbcraft”
and “A Great Lakes Herbal”, in addition to articles
for journals and other publications. 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.
to
register...
Use the pulldown
menu on link below to choose one or both classes...
Have questions about classes?
I've got answers to
frequently asked questions
(like times, weather
exceptions and such) here.
Contact jim at (248)
238-8733 or jim@herbcraft.org
(please note that this is not a cell
number and doesn't get texts)
with any questions about
the event...
