Watch past meetings on YouTube at your convenience! Also, subscribe to our channel, and share it with those who you think will enjoy the content as well.
Class Description:
Chef Lachelle and Certified Herbalist Eva have joined forces to create Natural Roots Wellness and the Elixir Kitchen where you can join them to explore the world of plant remedies and nutritional healing. In this session, they will discover what tonics, tinctures and fire ciders are and focus on the herb, rosemary and its many attributes and benefits. Learn about their personal journeys to plant healing as Eva walks us through the preparation of fire cider and rosemary tincture. Chef Lachelle will prepare a seasonal salad with Rosemary’s Fire Vinaigrette, a combination of fire cider and rosemary infused oil curated by Natural Roots Wellness. We will conclude the session with a bonus conversation about natural yoni care and womb health.
Bio for Chef Lachelle Cunningham: Chef Lachelle has been a dynamic force on the Twin Cities’ food scene and is known for cooking globally inspired comfort food that thwarts unhealthy stereotypes and fuses in global flavors. She began her culinary career by launching Chelles’ Kitchen in 2012 and soon became known for her work as the founding Executive Chef of Breaking Bread Cafe (2015) in North Minneapolis, where she received many accolades for her food creativity and social justice work. In 2018, Chef Lachelle began building Healthy Roots Institute, with a mission focused on healing and social justice through food education, culinary arts and entrepreneurship. Through Healthy Roots Institute, Chef Lachelle curates cooking workshops and retreats, teaches culinary arts, food business classes and also provides human resources, menu development and operations consulting to local restaurants and food service establishments. Her greater vision is to grow Healthy Roots Institute for greater capacity to impact people through food, culinary education and entrepreneurship. To learn more about where Chef Lachelle’s vision is headed, you can read this recent article in the Mpls/St. Paul Business Journal and visit the Healthy Roots Institute website.
Lachelle Cunningham
Bio for Eva Nyrie Garrett, Naturopath & Master Herbalist:
Eva Nyrie Garret, a North Minneapolis native, has worked at AT&T for the past 20 years. In 2012, she began working for the nonprofit food justice organization, Appetite for Change, where she assisted in cultivating and managing the northside community gardens, Farmers Market and Community Cooks programs. Working with Appetite for Change helped to deepen Eva’s love for gardening as she became known in her community as Farmer Garrett, providing produce through CSA’s from her own backyard. In becoming an avid gardener, she also grew a deep connection with herbs and in 2020 obtained her Master Herbalist certification and launched her herbal business, Natural Me Apothecary where she creates healing products that cleanse, nurture and treat ailments. In October of 2022 Eva became a certified Naturopath. She will use this certification along with her herbalist certification to further assist communities.
Eva Garret
Come listen to Rachel Banken share her story of the ups, downs, twists, and turns of building and growing her business, Well Rooted Teas. Her talk will also include a tour of The Good Acre where she stores and blends her teas. Come with all your questions about running a small herbal business!
Herbalists and healers, we are excited to bring to you our first pass at a public presentation of an oral history/life story project we have been doing with some regional herbalists and other “plant people” over the last nine months.
We have been slowly working to compile 40+ interviews with people who practice and use plants for health into an online digital database and StoryMap. Using StoryMaps to present overlapping stories of these place-based, plant-based practices, we find this project helps us visualize and explore some of the surprising social overlaps and historical context of the incredible wealth of plant people living in this region (including you!) This presentation will include an overview of the project thus far, a walkthrough of the map in its current stage (and how to access it!), and a discussion of some of what we’ve found. We’d also love to talk with you about your thoughts on this project, as well as whether you’d like to participate as an interviewee, or if you have suggestions of folks we should talk with!
Bio: Hello. My name is Dr. Andrew John Lucking. I am the director of the Minnesota Naturopathic Medicine Clinic. The Minnesota Naturopathic Medicine Clinic is a family service clinic. We offer healthcare committed to recognizing the needs of an individual patient, in which each patient is an active participant on the pathway to optimal health.
I was born in Benson, MN and come from a long history of medical, religious and legal professionals. I am a 1989 graduate of Bastyr University, a four-year medical school in Seattle, WA. Bastyr university is one of four fully accredited universities in the United States offering a doctoral- level program in Naturopathic Medicine. Bastyr is considered the most prestigious of the schools.
In 1982 I graduated from North Dakota School of Pharmacy with a BS degree in health services management and a minor in chemistry. While an undergraduate, I conducted research in a host of subjects including botanical pharmacognosy, environmental and food allergies and the immune system. Upon graduating from NDSU, I began working with Anchorage Neuro-Spinal clinic in Anchorage, Alaska. There, I performed exams, interpreted X-rays, and did massage therapy, all while earning a certificate as a radiographic technician.
With a solid medical and science background, I combine conventional allopathic (M.D.) medicine and chiropractic services (D.C.) with the healing virtues of Naturopathic medicine (N.D.). In addition, I have developed a body of work technique, combining seven different types of massage into a single comprehensive design. I have treated many persons for whom conventional allopathic treatments had not been successful.
I am also the founder of the Minnesota Holistic Center, an organization which provides seminars, lectures, community and adult education and natural health care. In addition, I belong to the Minnesota Naturopathic Association and the American Association of Naturopathic Physicians.
I have appeared numerous times on TV at radio and in print (WCCO, K FAI, Public Access TV and The Southwest Journal, February 1994).
Class Description: We will explore some of the basics of visual diagnostic methods used over the centuries for evaluating health and healing.
Liz Johnson Bio: Herbalism is both an ancient and a modern healing art exploring the inner secrets of herbs and how they work with the body to enhance health.
All around the world herbalism has been practiced for millennia. Many healing traditions have collected empirical knowledge about herbal healing for untold centuries. Studying these traditions and bringing ancient knowledge from around the world together into one practice has been a life long process for me.
Herbalism is also a modern healing art exploring the inner secrets of herbs and how they react to the body and with medications. Using scientific studies to enhance the traditional knowledge of herbalism and using the theoretical models of herb to drug interaction results in a more cautious and safe approach to herbalism.
Blending knowledge from healing traditions and modern research is the heart of my practice—Medicinal Herbalism.
This interactive workshop and discussion will bring you in touch with the intimate relationship between the foods we eat and the emotions we experience hold. We’ll explore insights from the wisdom tradition of Ayurveda as we journey through 6 primary tastes, their representation in the plant world, and their corresponding emotional signatures. We’ll also learn how to work with the tastes in our day-to-day lives to support our emotional well-being.
Patty Hlava,Ph.D.: Dr. Patty Hlava brings over 20 years of experience, study, and practice in the fields of transpersonal psychology and self-actualization. In addition to her 15-year history as a mental health professional and clinical supervisor, she holds certifications as a Meditation Instructor, Ayurveda Wellness Counselor, Yoga Teacher, Reiki practitioner, and Intrinsic Coach.
She holds a Ph.D. in Transpersonal Psychology and is actively engaged in teaching and mentoring master’s and doctorate level students. Dr. Hlava has been involved in research and teaching on the subject of gratitude since 2006. Her research has been published in the International Journal of Transpersonal Psychology and Journal of Humanistic Psychology, as well as in several books.
Description: This informative and wildly inspirational demo will walk you through the basics of making shelf-stable, completely natural, medicinal oils to then turn into your own sumptuous botanical body creams. These creams are so light and pure ~ you could eat them~ and some clients have! Jessie has over a decade of experience of making and selling botanical body care, and is eager to walk you through the process.
Bio: I am a loving, fiery, free-thinking human. Mother of four. Loyal friend and lover. As a small child, I always felt most at home in nature – most children do when left to their own devices. My first herbal experiences that I can remember were in preschool, collecting plants, flowers, stones, and stirring up my concoctions with sticks. I still work very much in that way.
My first herbal ally was Cedar. I spent most of my formative years in the woods of my backyard alone. Imagination running wild. In high school, Environmental Science class, we did a unit on “how to use a plant key,” and I bought my first plant ID book. My herbal medicine journey then spiraled out from there, primarily in learning to identify local edible plants. In the autumn of 2009, I began my studies with Rosemary Gladstar and Sage Mountain. This completely colored my world then and now. I learned the art and science of working with clients, crafting herbal body care products, and the magic of making medicine.
I then began my own herbal product line called “LoveStrong Apothecary,” which later morphed into Herban Vagabond Apothecary. In the fall of 2012, I began apprenticing under previous Medicine Tree owner and acupuncturist, Dina Goodwill. I apprenticed with her up until buying The Medicine Tree Herbal Pharmacy from her in the summer of 2017 until 2021.
In 2014, I began facilitating the Herban Roots Apprenticeship, which is a 6-month foundational herbalism intensive. I have found my calling in this branch of teaching that invites deeper connection with both plants and people. I have studied with and been wildly inspired by herbalists; Jim McDonald, Kiva Rose, Matthew Wood, Stephen Buhner, Lise Wolff and Sajah Popham, to name a few. My personal brand of herbal medicine work is one part community herbalist, two parts medicine maker, a dash of herbal clinician, and a whole lot of love and magic.
If you are interested in working with a grounded and passionate herbalist, having a custom medicinal formulation or body product made, or want to learn more about Flower Folk Apothecary or my Herban Roots Apprenticeship, let’s schedule a consult and connect!
Slow down, de-stress from your daily routine, and deepen your connection to nature. Forest Bathing differs from other nature experiences like hiking or birding; as we slow down with intentionality and engage our senses through guided activities. Give your mind and body time to rest, wander and wonder in nature.
This meeting is in person only, and will be capped at 20 participants. Email nchgbod@gmail.com to reserve a spot.
Description: Join Tony on his herbal farm for a tour and then potluck and pizza!
Learn how Tony grows his herbs for the teas he produces. You can get a glimpse of his farm on his website, Sacred Blossom. Herbalist Jane Hawley Stevens of 4Elements herbal will also be joining us around 6pm.
More info to come and we will try to set up carpooling as well.
Join Tim Clemens, founder of Ironwood Foraging Co. (www.ironwoodforagingco.com), for an Urban Foraging workshop. Rediscover the ancient human narrative of harvesting nutritious and delicious food in connection with the land. We will walk and talk for less than one mile on level terrain. Questions are encouraged as the urban landscape is transformed with abundance.
Bio: Tim Clemens was born and raised in south Minneapolis. Tim founded Ironwood Foraging Co. in 2017 to provide hands-on foraging education to the Minneapolis metro area. He has a degree in Anthropology from the University of Minnesota and a certificate in Environmental Education from Cornell University. He is a Minnesota Master Naturalist, Past President of the Minnesota Mycological Society, and guest lecturer at the University of Minnesota-CLA/Interdisciplinary Art and Social Practice.
Class will be in person only, and capped at 20 participants. Please e-mail us to reserve your spot. NCHGBOD@gmail.com
Flower essence therapy involves the use of subtle, non-material energies in medicinal plants for healing purposes. The energy body of an organism is always expressing itself in more tangible ways of form and behavior that we call the Signature of that being. The signature of a flower or herb draws us towards an understanding of its healing energies. Similarly, a person’s form, behavior and life history, not to mention the more mysterious clues felt through the pulse, form a signature of that person. If you can understand their signature, you are led to what makes them suffer and how to release it. When the energies of plant and person come together harmoniously, healing naturally happens. Learning how to read these signatures is part of the art of using flower essences well.
It’s time to plant! This year add to your pots and landscaping some easily grown medicinal plants that are also wonderful sources of food for our native pollinators. Our population of pollinating insects is rapidly declining for a variety of reasons. Become part of the solution by including pollinator friendly plants in 2022. Your garden can be not only medicinal, but also bee-utiful!
About LuAnn Raadt: She was raised on a farm in southern Minnesota, grew up with a love of plants and growing things. She now happily gathers many of the “weeds” her family once tried to eradicate and uses them in remedies for common physical ailments and imbalances. Trained under Lise Wolff and other local herbalists, this farmer’s daughter particularly enjoys identifying plants, learning their botanical markers, and growing a variety of medicinal herbs that are not readily available or are considered at-risk in the wild. She is also passionate about introducing others to the fascinating world of herbal remedies and teas and teaching them how to make and use remedies for themselves.
Ross Rentea, MD, from the Lili Kolisko Institute will discuss a Goetheanistic View of the Plant World. The concept of metamorphosis was introduced by the German scientist and poet Goethe (19th century) and then greatly expanded by Rudolf Steiner, PhD (20th century). New observations and subsequent experimentations have elucidated more of the practical importance of this discovery for the better understanding of the laws of the organic world as well as for the production of new herbal remedies.
Ross Rentea, MD, has been practicing anthroposophical medicine in Chicago since 1983. He graduated from the Univ. of Chicago Pritzker School of medicine in 1976 and after residency did intensive training in anthroposophical medicine in European anthroposophical hospitals. He is a member of the Anthroposophical Society, the Academy for the Advancement of Medicine and the Physicians Association for Anthroposophic Medicine. He has lectured nationally and internationally, published scientific research articles and published recently (2017) the book “Childhood Illnesses and Immunizations”. He is a co-founder of the True Botanica Company www.truebotanica.com (manufacturer of anthroposophical supplements and remedies) and the Lili Kolisko Institute for Anthroposophical Medicine www.koliskoinstitute.org, dedicated to education of and research in anthroposophical medicine.
The MN SEED Project was created in 2020 to encourage growers to save seeds. In 2021 our project focused on native plants and preserving regionally adapted seeds while creating a local seed economy and community of practice around seed saving skills. Courtney will discuss seed-saving basics you can apply to your garden and share the results of the 2021 project.
About the presenter: When she was a toddler, Courtney Tchida‘s family often found her munching on peas in the garden. It seems she was destined for a career in growing food! With a degree in Environmental Horticulture, a master’s in Agricultural Education, and a certificate in Permaculture Design, Courtney loves teaching others how to grow sustainably and have success (and fun!) in the garden. Her favorite plant? It’s a tie between white Dutch clover (which she calls “magic”) and giant ground cherries (because they taste like passion fruit).
As all of us know, the resources of the Earth are being used by human beings (especially the wealthy consumer nations) at an unsustainable pace. This is as true in the herbal domain as in all others. That was the underlying inspiration for the foundation of United Plant Savers. This lecture offers an overview of the ecological problems and solutions facing the modern herbalist.
While there are important laws governing this field, we never want to forget, at United Plant Savers, that the herbalist should be in right relationship with the plants, in whatever way each person experiences that relationship. We emphasize individual responsibility. That is not possible without an understanding of the problems and solutions––and that means education.
We need to know about wild plants and the communities in which they live, as well as the stresses that herbal and non-herbal users place upon them. For the individual herbalist this can include planting, identifying and supporting plant sanctuaries, sustainable use of wild herbs, understanding the specific guidelines and laws that increasingly govern the field.
About the Presenter
Susan Leopold, PHD is the current Director of United Plant Savers and she is deeply passionate about the At-Risk herbs and how to source plants ethically for small apothecaries, companies and herbalists. She is an advisory board member of the American Botanical Council, a board member of the AHPA Herb Research Foundation, and advisory member of the Sustainable Herbs Program.
Together, we will gently consider the plants which facilitate and further the process of integrating, releasing, and transmuting trauma.
In this often harrowing work, the plants mend us by bringing us back into our bodies and reviving our broken spirits.
In soothing and mending these deep wounds, plants such as wise tulip poplar, shy violet, and unassuming cleavers represent the gentle giants with the wisdom to heal unspeakable hurts.
Together, through gentle story and case study, we will survey the herbal allies which open tightly-closed eyes, soothe battered hearts, mend jagged edges, and accompany us into the darkness to retrieve the light.
Amanda Nicole is a daughter of the Blue Ridge Mountains. She listens to the trees, sits with the land, and gathers medicine messages to share. As an author, poet, teacher, herbalist, mother of six, and Divine Daughter, it is her delight to hold space for others as their eyes and ears open to the Beauty and Medicine that is All Around Us. In 2010, Amanda purposefully began her journey with the plants. She studied herbalism at Green Comfort School of Herbal Medicine with Teresa Boardwine in Rappahannock County, Virginia, was blessed to continue her studies by sitting at the feet of Matthew Wood, and completed an herbal apprenticeship with Ashley Litecky Elenbaas of Sky House Herbs. Deeply grateful for her teachers, Amanda is blessed and held by the spirits of her Choctaw (Chahta) ancestors as she offers the sacred medicine of Spirit and Earth through classes, consultations, ceremony, the written word, and song. Her book, Flowers for a Girl: Plant Medicine & Sexual Trauma, is a poetic telling of her healing journey with the plants as teachers and companions. You can hear the plants speak through Amanda by listening to her podcast, Whispers: Plant Spirit Medicine. Loving books, chocolate, soft beds, warm baths, and the Tulip Poplar tree, Amanda is happiest sitting under a tree, surrounded by wildflowers, dusted with dirt, or immersed in wild water. She invites you to visit her website: www.alchemillas.com
Featuring DIY Herbal Holiday Gift Demos with Betsy Nelson, Marina Povlitzki, and Carolyn Smith.
Natural, handmade gifts are so much fun to make and to give.
Join the guild as we show how to make bitters, herbal salves, and herbal lotion bars.
Join the guild as we show how to make bitters, herbal salves, and herbal lotion bars.
Mushrooms have been used in Chinese Traditional Medicine for over 2000 years. Western science is finally starting to study medicinal mushrooms and their potential for promoting health and healing. Come and learn about these amazing mushrooms, that may become the medicines of the future. We will explore the history of these mushrooms and examine the evidence for their use as immune system enhancers, cancer treatment, memory improvement and more.
Many medicinal mushrooms grow wild in Minnesota. We will discuss how to identify these mushrooms, where to find them, and how to prepare them. The instructor will bring in specimens of some of some medicinal mushrooms for hands-on examination.
Downloads:
Medicinal Mushroom Descriptions
Mushroom Field Guides and References
About Ron
Ron is a past president of the Minnesota Mycological Society, having served four years in that position. He was an editor of the MMS newsletter, “The Toadstool Review.” Ron is an amateur mycologist, who has been studying and enjoying mushrooms for over 25 years. Mushroom cultivation is one of his special interests. Ron was Chair of the Cultivation Committee of the North American Mycological Association. He has given many presentations and workshops on mushrooms at nature centers, museums, schools, and garden clubs. He was a recipient of The Harry and Elsie Knighton Service Award by the North American Mycological Association.
Botany Plant Walk: Herbalism in Eco Restoration
In this plant walk/talk we’ll take a close look at some native prairie plants that grow well in the city and discuss what herbalists should know about native plant communities, including why herbalists are critical to efforts to preserve biodiversity. We’ll also talk about commonly used medicinal plants that are invasive and how to take proper care to keep from spreading invasive plants.
Bio
Sara Nelson took a temporary detour from herbalism to study Conservation Science at the U of M, where she is a master’s student. She has worked as a field botanist for the Minnesota Biological Survey, studied tropical ethnobotany in Costa Rica, created the zine Weeds of Minneapolis, serves as the cacao farmer liaison for Squash Blossom Farm Chocolate, and is the founder of the Corcoran Pollinator Project, a neighborhood group dedicated to creating urban pollinator habitat.
Here are some resources she shared:
Hey Herb Lovers – let’s get together for a picnic.
Wednesday, July 14th for a Guild Picnic.
6:30-8:00 PM
Picnic Area near the Wirth Lake Public Access
3130 Glenwood Ave, Golden Valley, MN 55422
- Wirth Lake Public Access
https://goo.gl/maps/FHzfp4EQUbnNgWaB6
No formal program, just community and nature.
Bring your own everything – chair or blanket; food; beverages; conversation … and let’s have some herbal community time!
This is a great time to catch up with old friends, meet new friends, relax, swap plants, share herbal products, or for show and tell.
Watch the sky and your email for weather updates.
PLEASE NOTE the current MN state guidelines as of 7/12/2021:
People who are not vaccinated, including children, are not required to wear face coverings indoors or outdoors by state executive order, but are at risk for getting and spreading the virus that causes COVID-19. The Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) strongly recommend that anyone who is not fully vaccinated continue to wear face coverings indoors in businesses, public settings, and when around people from other households, as well as outdoors when social distancing cannot be maintained.
Join chef Alan Bergo as he discusses easy ways to weave foraged foods into your daily cooking.
Alan is a chef from Minnesota who’s been cooking since he was in his teens, working his way through kitchens in the Twin Cities. He was sous chef to Lenny Russo at St. Paul’s fabled Heartland restaurant, with it’s daily changing tasting menus sourced from ingredients from 200 miles of Minnesota, Executive chef of The Salt Cellar, and finally, at Midwestern farm to table cornerstone Lucia’s, before it’s closure in 2016.
Now he has his own website, Forager Chef, that gets millions of visitors a year.
What better way to assist healing from acute or chronic pain, than to have a deeper understanding of the mechanism and benefit of pain?
We will explore the pain pathway from the origin at the source, to the recognition in the brain.
We will also discuss self-care, the myriad of methods to interrupt the chronic pain pathway, and how each works including herbal medicines. Indications and contraindications will also be shared
Here is a PDF file on the Physiology of Pain that you can download.
More info coming soon.
About Herb Pharm
They began back in 1979 when their founders, Ed Smith and Sara Katz, set out to make extracts the right way. They set out to make liquid herbal products that were effective and undistorted, to avoid the temptation to manipulate nature, and to do it in ways that made their community and their environment stronger. This mission and their values have propelled Herb Pharm forward ever since.
Description: Stress, distraction, deficiencies, hormones and overly-busy lives can all play a role in lowering libido and decreased functioning. Learn which herbs, foods, fats and essential oils can help keep the mojo flowing. Recipes for cordials and some thoughts on intimacy.
Register in advance for this webinar using this LINK.
After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the webinar.
Margi Flint B. Sc. is a professional member of the American Herbalists Guild~ Herbal Mentor, An Adjunct Professor at Tufts University School of Medicine since 1994, North Shore Community College since 2003 and Mass College of Pharmacy for their Master’s program. She lectures at herbal symposiums as well as medical institutions around the States and lectures internationally. Many area doctors refer clients to the office. Her classes at Earthsong Herbals range from beginner programs to advanced herb and practitioner classes.
More? She continues to practice as a certified Polarity and Reiki Therapist and attends births on occasion. “I just love the human body!”
Laura Shaw Sanden
Kathy Tran
Emily Pearson Ryan
Rachel Zerby
I am Amy Sponaugle. I have been with North Country Herbalist Guild since 2019 and a board member since 2020.
Pam Broekemeier
Judit O’Keeffe
Carolyn Smith
Betsy Nelson – Food Stylist / Herbalist / Chef