UPCOMING EVENTS
Registration for Buds & Blossoms Program is now open
Sunday Morning Tea Ceremonies
with Silvy Franco
Join Silvy for a meditative ceremony to commune with Camelia sinensis. Come for quiet reflection as you sip on several cups of tea following Japanese tradition. Ceremony begins at 9:30 am and goes for an hour. Pre-registration is required.
Suggested Donation: $25
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Community Medicine Making Circles
with Jen Halima
Come create botanical medicine and explore the foundations of herbalism. Build a home apothecary from locally grown herbs. You will make herbal oils, syrups, tea blends, tonics, nourishing treats and more!
6 Classes, next one July 26th
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Intro to Plant Communication ~ Aug 8th
&
Flower Essences 101 ~ Aug 9th
with Teacher, Author, & creator of Brigid’s Way ~ Jen Frey
Intro to Plant Communication
(Aug 8th, 6:30-8:30pm)
When you attend this delightful class, you’ll learn:
~Plants are conscious beings who learn, have memory, and respond to their surroundings, including our emotions.
~Humans and Plants have a deep bond.
~Communicating with Plants is a tool for our individual and collective evolution and healing.
Flower Essences 101
(August 9th, 9 am- Noon)
During this interactive workshop we will:
~Explore the healing gifts of several Essences
~Make an Essence together which you will take home to continue your exploration of Flower Essences.
Dandelion
/in Herb of the Month /by Ashley DavisDandelion (Taraxacum officinale)
Parts Used: Root, leaf, flower
Actions: Diuretic, hepatic, cholagogue, antirheumatic, laxative, tonic bitter
Energetics: Cooling, drying
Indications: All parts of Dandelion have long historical uses but here we will talk about the leaves and the roots. Do keep in mind that many of the qualities of both root and leaf are interchangeable. Starting with the root, there is direct action on the liver and gallbladder. Dandelion aids these organs in their job of detoxifying the body. When there is fluid retention in the body, such as edema, gout or rheumatism, we know the kidneys need support and the diuretic action of Dandelion will assist. In this case we look to Dandelion leaf.
Signs of liver and gallbladder disturbance, such as skin eruptions and skin with a yellowish hue, point to Dandelion root. Keep this in mind for chronic complaints of acne and eczema. Dandelion also contains high amounts of calcium, iron, potassium, phosphorous and vitmains A, B, C and D. This “weed” was, and still is, one of our most popular wild foods with uses ranging from coffee substitute, delicious salad green to being used in brewing beer and wine.
This plant is so resilient and strong it grows up through city sidewalks and survives extreme chemical assault from pristine lawn keepers. It helps us to be more resilient as well. As a bitter, Dandelion aids the digestive system by increasing digestive enzymes and enhancing absorption. In early spring pick your Dandelion greens and eat them in salads. The bitter greens will help detoxify your body from a rich and heavy winter diet. Dandelion is a beloved herbal ally that is often overlooked. Yet it is one of the first herbs we learn to identify as children and one of the most commonly known plants to humans across the world.
Preparation: Chop and eat young roots and leaves in a variety of dishes. Make a decoction of the root by using 2-3 tsp of dried root per 1 cup of water, bring to a boil and then simmer for 10-15 mins, drink freely. Tincture root in 100 P. vodka if fresh or 80 P. brandy if dried, dose is 2.5 – 5 ml, 3x day.
*Dandelion is a diuretic and will increase urination.
You can find Dandelion root in our Carob Cafe and Liver Tonic Tea