Introductory Herbal and Tincture-making Class

DATES:  Not scheduled yet!  

My Goal is to expand your knowledge of herbs, especially those growing in zone 7b, and widen your view of herbalism. We all start somewhere! I consider it a step forward to take control of personal health!

SURVEY!  Rather than make an all-purpose tincture, I request that all participants fill out a survey, sent to you by email, identifying their top four health concerns.  Detailed information about each recommended herb will arrive by email, and you will choose which herbs you would like to make in class. 

Topics Covered: Ayurvedic history, plant identification, herbal terminology with examples (focusing on energetics, properties, and the result of a synergy), the purpose of supplements, an introduction to tincture formulas, practicing ratio conversions, and tincture-making.

Part 2 Class is an Option:  Anyone who attends the introduction class can return for level two- a further study of herb pairings, delving deeper into properties/energetics, and creating synergies (two or more herbs).

Math!!:  Yes, we will be performing simple computations together before you start to make a tincture by yourself. 

Length of the Class? Classroom topics occupy the first 1.5 to 2 hours of class. Tincture-making usually takes 1.5 hours. I enjoy an intimate classroom environment to provide individualized attention/help, and time to answer questions; therefore, there will be a maximum of ten participants. 

Location: Stokes Cooperative Extension office, located at 700 Main Street, Danbury, NC 27016. I arrive early, at 1 PM, to set up.  (With a minimum of six participants and a maximum of ten, the location can change). 

MATERIALS PROVIDED: Please expect a folder of materials, 25+ pages, including a three-page text resource list, the story of Ayuvedic medicine, a topical carrier (oil)l list, a detailed list of herbal vocabulary, a definition of energetics, useful tincture formulas-practice sheets, and useful recipes—personalized Response/Materials $15 and $5 per herb.

ITEMS TO BRING TO CLASS: notebook (notes), coffee mug, sanitized 32 to 64-ounce wide-mouth Mason jar(s) with lid, one gallon jug of distilled water, vodka- 80 proof (I use Burnettes). If you have a digital kitchen scale and a canning funnel.  Please know that many herbs are “bulky” and may require a 64-ounce jar.  Having the extra space accommodates the movement of the contents.  Shaking is essential to encourage the infusion process. 

STEP ONE: In pre-paying for the class, each participant will receive a four-page document including details about the class, dates upon availability, and a survey.