Welcome to the AHG Calendar of Herbal Events.  If you have an event that you think would be of interest to our members and those who visit this website, send a description and contact information to calendar@americanherbalistsguild.com   

April 2012

April 1 Plant Identification for Herbalists
This class is for the novice plant lover. It will cover the basic system of botanical field identification.  Students will learn how to identify plants by using common characteristics to group plants into families.  Plant keys will be introduced and explained.  This is a perfect class to get started in identifying spring wildflowers in the local area around us. Taught by Autumn Summers. For more information: Ohlone Herbal Center, 1250 Addison St. #113, Berkeley, CA, 510-540-8010, www.ohlonecenter.org

Plant Families April 14th (Saturday Plant Walk)
Plant Family Patterns can greatly aid in demystifying the “green wall” of species around us. Approximately 250,000 species of flowering plants have been named in the world. These species have been grouped into around 15,000 genera and close to 500 flowering plant families. In the temperate world where it annually frosts and or freezes about 200 flowering plant families grow. You will know something significant about the majority of plants that you see in the temperate world if you learn the top 30 families around you. Often it is possible to guess whether a plant is edible, medicinal, or poisonous simply by the family it occupies. However, some exceptions are important to know as well. Come out for a talk and walk at the Atlanta Botanical Gardens where we will delve into the major plant families of the Southern USA. Students will reinforce plant identification skills by observing family patterns such as leaf and flower and fruit types. Uses including edibility, medicinality, craft, wildlife promotion and landscape beauty will be discussed. The phenomenon of exotic invasive plants will also be covered in relation to their family membership. Participants will gain a more holistic understanding of the major plants comprising the Southern US flora and their potential ecological and ethnobotanical applications. This class will serve as a nice prepatory for the online course hosted by Marc Williams at www.botanyeveryday.com 10am-5pm at the Atlanta Botanical Gardens. AHG Members $25 / Non Members $30. 2 Day Discount AHG Members $40 / Non Members: $50. For more information and registration details: www.georgiaherbalistsguild.org

April 15th Exotic Invasives (Sunday in the Classroom) Exotic Invasive plants are one of the greatest threats to biodiversity in the world. However, many exotic invasive are famous medicinals or are used for other functions in their places of origin. Our class will focus holistically on the phenomenon of exotic invasive plants. We will define exotic invasive plants and understand how they have come to be a problem. Subsequently we will reflect on the methods used to control exotic invasives. Many plants listed as exotic invasives have ethnobotanical uses beyond those typically pursued. The harvesting for these uses may be a potential additional strategy in an Integrated Pest Management (IPM) Program for exotic invasive control. A review of the ethnobotanical literature helped underpin the opportunities to use these plants and effectively turn a problem into a resource. An excel spreadsheet was used to determine themes of exotic invasive recognition by various states and also the uses for plants that are listed. We will review this list of plants primarily focusing on uses for medicine. A plant walk will help to center the phenomenon of exotics with a tactile and pragmatically experiential approach.

If you have any questions, and if you are ready to register for this event, please contact Chris Wagoner. Chris Wagoner, GHG Secretary, 706-207-7746, moonflower@boannsbank.com 10am-4pm at the Atlanta Botanical Gardens. AHG Members $25 / Non Members $30. 2 Day Discount AHG Members $40 / Non Members: $50. For more information and registration details: www.georgiaherbalistsguild.org

April 17th Herbs and Foods used to achieve Hormonal Balance for Woman
Sexual Hormones are at the center of many of the major processes that occur in the body, including our mood, our mental clarity and acuity and our weight. Many woman in American suffer from multiple uncomfortable symptoms of hormonal imbalance, such as weight gain, moodiness, memory loss and even hair loss and do not know that the cause is the hormones. Kimberley Wyckham, a Bastyr University graduate, Herbalist, Nutrition Educator and Professionally Trained Cook, will explain the connections between these problems and more and hormone balance and give you simple tools, an understanding of the role our emotions play in our reproductive and emotional and mental health and herbal knowledge to help bring your sexual hormones back into balance. 6:30 to 8:30 PM, Dandelion Botanical, Ballard, WA $30.00 per person Register: http://www.dandelionbotanical.com/classes.html#class193

April 29th Eastern PA Chapter AHG Event Spring plant walk at Ridley Creek State Park, meet at picnic area 9 near horse stables, Sunday, from 1-4 PM, hosted by Jean Gupta

May 2012

May 8 and 15 Spiritual Nutrition Do you have a spiritual practice? Do you study internal cultivation? Do you simply wish to be at peace and have a healthy body? Come to a two part series with Kimberley Wyckham, a Bastyr University graduate, Professional Herbal Practitioner, Nutrition Educator, Professionally Trained Cook and Business Owner, to learn about the diet that has been enjoyed for over eight thousand years by sages, yogis, martial artists and the spiritual aspirants. In this two part series, you will not only learn the ideas and diet of the ancient masters, you will gain knowledge about how to prepare Yogi Spiced Milk, an Indian Lentil Soup with dry roasted cinnamon brown rice, Ginger Lavender Lemonade and Spicy Kidney Bean Curry. The recipes for this class are vegetarian, gluten-free, egg-free and dairy-free. Leave with a new philosophy to govern your dietary choices, recipes to start you off and having tasted and enjoyed the foods prepared for you!
The first class will consist of the concepts and ideas of how our diet affects our minds, emotions and changes, not only our characters. You will go into depth and taste the foods and tastes that are taught, feeling for your self how they effect you. The second class we will show you how to apply the concepts and allow you to discover what the diet is that is best suited to you, your goals and your needs as a spiritual practitioner. You will also learn a number of easy, fun and delicious recipes that can help support you on your spiritual path! Dates: May 8 and 15 (Tuesdays) at 6:30 to 8:30 PM
Class Location: Ba’hai Center, Bellevue, WA through the Institute of Qi Gong and Integrative Medicine. Fee: $75.00 per person, $55.00 for full-time students Register: http://www.iqim.org/integrative-medicine-classes-2/

May 15, 22, and 29 Herbal Cosmetics. For more information: Ohlone Herbal Center, 1250 Addison St. #113, Berkeley, CA, 510-540-8010, www.ohlonecenter.org

May 26 & 27 Planting the Future: at Herb Pharm's Farm in Williams, Oregon

Planting the Future is an incredible opportunity to learn from some of the brightest and most passionate teachers in the medicinal herb world. You'll enjoy indoor and outdoor seminars as well as guided plant walks around Herb Pharm's 85-acre certified organic farm and Botanical Education Garden nestled in Southern Oregon's Siskiyou Mountain range.

If you have any inclination to have a banner ad on your site regarding the event, we would love that exposure, and can come up with artwork to support it. Thank you for your consideration,
Liz Butler Tel:541-846-6262 ext. 139

June 2012

June 5 Herbs and Foods for Increased Energy and a Youthful Vitality
Feel rundown? Feel as though you cannot go through a day without coffee or tea to stay awake or have the energy to complete your daily responsibilities? Feel like you are aging fast and miss the sense of ease and enthusiasm you had about life? Come learn from Kimberley Wyckham, a Bastyr Graduate, Herbalist, Nutrition Educator and Personal Chef the secrets of longevity and how to feel energized from the East. Learn about simple ways to transform your life, feel better and be more productive in your life! Leave with knowledge about herbs and foods used through the ages to support the body and mind. Learn simple lifestyle changes and wisdoms what shift your energy levels, as well as life perspective. Dates: June 5 (Tuesday) at 6:30 to 8:30 PM Location: Dandelion Botanical, Ballard, WA Fee: $25.00 per person Register: http://www.dandelionbotanical.com/classes.html#class193

June 9 (11am to 6pm): HERBSTALK 2012 Come join us during our day-long herb fest and learn how to use herbs in your everyday life for wellness and preventative care. Herbstalk features educational talks given by local herbalists, holistic nutritionists, naturopathic doctors and natural health counselors on a variety of topics geared towards herbal enthusiasts of all ages. Herbstalk also hosts an herbal marketplace showcasing an array of organic herbal goods, teas, essential oils, natural body care products and live herb plants. Cost: $5 suggested donation. For more information: Arts at the Armory, Somerville, MA. 617-453-2070
http://www.herbstalk.org

Saturday, June 9th The Memphis Botanic Garden hosts an Herb Symposium in celebration of the new Herb Garden. This event appeals to everyone from the novice horticulturist to the experienced herb gardener. Featured speakers include Richo Cech, Steven Foster, and Susan Belsinger. Contact Mary Helen Butler at 901-636-4116 or mary.butler@memphistn.gov

Saturday, June 9th & Sunday the 10th We have an amazing opportunity coming up on the weekend of June 9th and 10th: 7Song will be here in Atlanta! Please see the flyer below for all the details. Also, we would greatly appreciate some help in getting the word out for this event. Please print the flyer below and post it in your local venues around Atlanta, or wherever you live, post it to your social networks, and share it with your friends! Thank you in advance.

7Song is a clinical herbalist, botanist, and nature admirer. He is the director and main teacher at the Northeast School of Botanical Medicine in Ithaca, NY. He is also the director of holistic medicine and a practitioner at the Ithaca Free Clinic a mixed modality free clinic offering both holistic and conventional medicine. 7Song specializes in first aid, and he practices his skills at numerous gatherings and events. He is currently writing a book on herbal medicine and first aid. Along with teaching and clinical practice, 7Song spends much of his time botanizing, and photographing plants, insects, reptiles, and whatever else crosses his path.

Saturday, June 9th: First Aid and Emergency Medicine for Herbalists

Plants have long been used as medicines in first aid. This class is designed so that participants may learn and apply first aid techniques using herbal medicines and other tools in a large array of first aid situations, including: various types of injuries, wounds, infections, diarrhea, pain, and trauma. We will focus on about 20 plants that have multiple uses for first aid. There will also be hands-on demonstrations of wrapping wounds as well as other common treatments which can be performed by the class. There will also be a section focusing on "street medic" work, which is geared towards helping out as an herbalist in public protests and civil demonstrations.

Sunday, June 10th: Herbalists and Free Clinics

This class will focus on how herbalists can participate in free clinics and other situations to help make herbal medicine more affordable and accessible. Some of the discussion will focus on how herbalists can integrate with other practitioner’s, donations and the details that are specific to herbalists and herbal medicine. This class is drawn from my 6 ½ years working with the Ithaca Free Clinic as well as setting up and staffing free first aid stations at various events.

If you have any questions, and if you are ready to register for this event, please contact Chris Wagoner. Also, we would welcome the help if any of you are willing to print this flyer and post it in your local communities.

Thank you for being a part of the GHG! Chris Wagoner, GHG Secretary, 706-207-7746 moonflower@boannsbanks.com

June 29 - July 1: First Annual Midwest Women’s Herbal Conference featuring Special Guests Susun Weed And Isla Burgess plus many Midwest herbalists and earth-based speakers, plant walks, topics including herbs for family health, and herbal wisdom the Wise Woman way. More details to come. Please save the date and follow midwestwomensherbal.com for updates.
Centered in the Wise Woman Tradition, the Midwest Women's Herbal Conference provides a gathering space to focus on earth-centered healing, nourishment, and the plants that grow around us. From the ground up, we connect to weave ourselves, our families, and our communities back into the dynamic spiral of health. The conference will be held at The Christine Center, a natural sanctuary in Willard, WI.
For more information, contact: herbwomen@gmail.com / PO Box 166, Sheboygan, WI 53081 / 920-452-HERB (4372)

June 25 – July 2  Essential oils and Skin Care in Provence, France with Mindy Green and Aroma Tours of Australia:  http://www.aroma-tours.com/provence-aromatherapy-retreat.htm

July 2012

July 2, 9, 16, and 30: Introduction to Herbal Medicine - San Francisco
A class for the beginner who wants to bring herbs into their everyday life.  We will explore the many facets of herbs and herbal medicine.  Class will cover basic human physiology and common herbal remedies for each body system.  Students will learn to prepare a number of herbal products, including herbal extracts, salves, lotions, syrups and teas. This class includes an herb walk to a local natural area.
For more information: Ohlone Herbal Center, 1250 Addison St. #113, Berkeley, CA, 510-540-8010, www.ohlonecenter.org

July 2 - 6:  Mediterranean Herbs and Essential Oils in Syros, Greece with Mindy Green and the American College of Health Care Sciences:  http://www.achs.edu/course-desc.aspx?pid=208&id=61

July 6 - 8: Plant/Person Immersion Weekend with Isla Burgess.
Since the beginning of human experience, plants have played a role not only in the provision of  food and medicine but in our deepest spiritual experience and in the development of consciousness. Their form, beauty, enchanting scents, their healing and emotional qualities, have all provided a gateway into the great mystery of nature. Join visiting herbal educator and plant conservationist Isla Burgess for a unique opportunity to connect with this great mystery. The Plant/Person weekend intensive is intended to broaden participants relationship with plants. It will increase a connection with the plants that grow around us and facilitate an opportunity to go deeper into herbal knowledge. This event is open to the beginner herbalist as well as the seasoned professional. We will gather At Wellspring Center in West Bend, WI. For more information see: http://www.moonwiseherbs.com/guest_series.htm or call 920-452-HERB (4372)

July 17-August 7, 2012: 6th Annual Women's Herbal/Earthways Residential Apprenticeship Program
This residential apprenticeship is a unique opportunity for women to hear the call of the wild and to listen to their own deep wisdom. We will connect deeply with ourselves, the earth, herbal green allies and all that is. Women will have the opportunity to experience living close to the earth while incorporating herbs and wild foods into their daily life. We will create a community of that encourages, inspires and challenges each other to look to the mother earth. plant sisters and all that is for deep healing and wisdom. This program is an authentic apprenticeship where participants are offered support on their own personal journey and encouraged, supported and challenged to journey to their depths. For more information see: http://www.moonwiseherbs.com/herbalapprenticeshipresidential.htm

August 2012

August 14th Culinary Herbalism
Enjoy herbs and spices? Curious about how to make your diet both dense in nutrition and have a satisfying and exciting taste? Come join Kimberley Wyckham, a Bastyr University graduate, Herbalist, Nutrition Educator and Personal Chef for an evening class that explores the use of both culinary and medicinal herbs in your diet. Learn about local and wild herbs, powdered herbs, infusions and even exotic spices! Taste the energetic power and satisfying flavors of the medicinal herbs and spices, as well as their power to heal. Take your cooking and diet to a new level! Leave this class with recipes, food and herbal resources and a new food paradigm that has the potential of making a positive shift in your life. Dates: August 14th (Tuesday) at 6:30 to 8:30 PM Location: Ba’hai Center, Bellevue, WA through the Institute of Qi Gong and Integrative Medicine. Fee: $35.00 per person, $25.00 for full-time students. Register: http://www.iqim.org/integrative-medicine-classes-2/

September 24-28 Farm to Pharmacy Intensive with William Siff and David Crow. Propagate, harvest, process, and study the botanical characteristics, medicinal properties and therapeutic uses of 25-30 major herbs growing at Goldthread’s 3.5 acre farm. Participate in daily herb walks, learn specific remedies for common ailments, prepare tinctures, syrups, teas, salves, elixirs, and oils from freshly harvested herbs, distill essential oils and hydrosols over our wood fired still, investigate Chinese, Ayurvedic, and Western herbal theories in daily lectures with William Siff and David Crow.

Tuition: $975. Early payment special: save 10% if paid in full by August 15th. Daily Vegetarian Lunch prepared with organic produce sourced from local farms is included. Certificate awarded upon completion College credit available where applicable. Application & full details available on our website. www.goldthreadapothecary.com Space is limited to 25 participants.

August 8, 15, 22, and 29: Introduction to Herbal Medicine - Berkeley
A class for the beginner who wants to bring herbs into their everyday life.  We will explore the many facets of herbs and herbal medicine.  Class will cover basic human physiology and common herbal remedies for each body system.  Students will learn to prepare a number of herbal products, including herbal extracts, salves, lotions, syrups and teas. This class includes an herb walk to a local natural area.
For more information: Ohlone Herbal Center, 1250 Addison St. #113, Berkeley, CA, 510-540-8010, www.ohlonecenter.org

August 25- 26: Pulse Diagnosis Workshop taught by William Morris. For more information: Ohlone Herbal Center, 1250 Addison St. #113, Berkeley, CA, 510-540-8010, www.ohlonecenter.org

September 2012

San Francisco Class: September 19, 2012 to June 29, 2013. Berkeley Class: September 19, 2012 to June 29, 2013: Herbal Foundations Class
Gain an in-depth understanding of the complex functions and healing nature of more than 300 local plants through theoretical learning, herb gathering and sampling, and medicine making. Half of class time is spent hands on, in nature, with extended trips to local environments such as the Sierras and the Pacific Ocean. This is what distinguishes American herbalism—you learn about the plants in your own body, mind and spirit. You will create your own medicines during every class meeting, learning how to make extracts from multiple solutions, as well as creams and lotions, salves, teas, syrups, honey, oils, vinegars, and suppositories.
This year also involves an in-depth investigation of human physiology to understand the complex interactions among reproductive, endocrine, nervous, skin, muscular, skeletal and digestive systems. Constitutional physiology and the impact of stress are also emphasized. Students examine the cellular system and how fluid is transported throughout the body.Taught by Ohlone Center Staff. For more information: Ohlone Herbal Center, 1250 Addison St. #113, Berkeley, CA, 510-540-8010, www.ohlonecenter.org

September 18, 2012 to June 25, 2013: Herbal Therapeutic Program
This 10 month Therapeutics course is the second of three courses in the Clinical Herbalist Training Program.  The content builds on that of the first course of plant identification and individual plant uses and focuses on advanced therapeutic strategies in assessing treatment.  Students focus on disease processes and subsequent application of their herbal knowledge to treat the underlying condition.  Stimulating and fun, the therapeutic course involves case reviews, research and herbal formulating.  The goal is to give clinicians the well-rounded tools needed for working as professional herbalists. 
At the conclusion of the course, students will have a firm foundation in constitutional diagnosis techniques, ability to evaluate herbal combinations, ability to formulate with confidence, and the beginnings of a clinical handout library.  Students completing the course will be awarded a certificate in Therapeutic Herbalism suitable for framing and placement on their office wall. Taught by Pam Fischer and Faculty. For more information: Ohlone Herbal Center, 1250 Addison St. #113, Berkeley, CA, 510-540-8010, www.ohlonecenter.org (Prerequisite: Herbal Foundations Program)

September 24-28 Farm to Pharmacy Intensive with William Siff and David Crow. Propagate, harvest, process, and study the botanical characteristics, medicinal properties and therapeutic uses of 25-30 major herbs growing at Goldthread’s 3.5 acre farm. Participate in daily herb walks, learn specific remedies for common ailments, prepare tinctures, syrups, teas, salves, elixirs, and oils from freshly harvested herbs, distill essential oils and hydrosols over our wood fired still, investigate Chinese, Ayurvedic, and Western herbal theories in daily lectures with William Siff and David Crow.

Tuition: $975. Early payment special: save 10% if paid in full by August 15th. Daily Vegetarian Lunch prepared with organic produce sourced from local farms is included. Certificate awarded upon completion College credit available where applicable. Application & full details available on our website. www.goldthreadapothecary.com Space is limited to 25 participants.

October 2012

October 5, 6 and 7Margi Flint--reknowned herbalist, teacher, practitioner, author--is coming to Washington! She'll be sharing her in-depth experience and knowledge of reading the health of the body through the face, tongue and nails in a 3-Day Class Intensive in VanZandt, Washington (just 30 minutes east of Bellingham). Come for all three days, or come by the day.

Margi offers invaluable information for experienced practitioners of all healing modalities, and for students of the healing arts of all experience levels. Margi is wonderful, her teaching is accessible to all, and she's excited to come and teach in this incredible place and community!
Make your plans now--this class will fill fast. Early bird registration discount until June 30.

Please contact me with questions and to register. chris@bellysbotanicals.com

October 18-21 AHG Symposium will be held at the Seven Springs Mountain Resort in Seven Springs, PA. Located just an hour east of Pittsburgh, this year's venue offers hiking trails, mountain biking, and other outdoor activities, as well as a beautiful display of fall foliage.
More details coming soon and we hope to see you there! www.7springs.com

October 23: Herbs for Kids
This is a class for the caregivers on the use of herbs for children’s health care. The class will cover disease prevention, how to support the body holistically with herbs, and herbal therapies for common illnesses. We will also discuss alternatives for dealing with chronic problems such as ear infections, allergies, and asthma. Also included is a demonstration on preparation techniques for making herbal products for home use. For more information: Ohlone Herbal Center, 1250 Addison St. #113, Berkeley, CA, 510-540-8010, www.ohlonecenter.org 

November 2012

November 1-2, The AICR Annual Research Conference 2012 on Food, Nutrition, Physical Activity & Cancer, Capital Hilton Hotel, Washington, DC, www.aicr.org/conference
research@aicr.org (800), 843-8114

November 6: Herbs for Colds and Flu (FREE community class)
Learn how to care for yourself and loved ones with herbs during the cold season. We will discuss preventative health care, therapies for common winter illnesses, and how to prepare our own home remedies. Come drink warm tea and prepare for a naturally healthy winter. For more information: Ohlone Herbal Center, 1250 Addison St. #113, Berkeley, CA, 510-540-8010, www.ohlonecenter.org

November 3rd 2012 to October 2013: Clinical Internship Program
In this 400-hour course in clinical herbal studies and treatment strategies, students will begin to work in and learn how to run an herbal clinic.  Students will see clients, make herbal assessments, prepare and formulate herbal products, and evaluate client progress.  The student clinic is a busy facility, servicing up to 125 clients per month.
In addition to gaining clinical hours, students will learn basic record keeping, some business accounting, budgeting, scheduling, advertising and the fundamentals of running a successful practice.  Interns will learn teaching techniques and will teach a workshop or herbal class.
Taught by Pam Fischer. Prerequisite: Completion of Apprenticeship and Therapeutic Programs, or instructor’s consent. For more information: Ohlone Herbal Center, 1250 Addison St. #113, Berkeley, CA, 510-540-8010, www.ohlonecenter.org

December 2012

December 2: Mushroom Identification
Learn to identify and harvest edible and medicinal mushrooms from the local wild area. Class will begin with the basics of mushroom identification, including terminology, identification features, spore prints, family groups, and more. In the afternoon, we’ll head into nearby woods to examine varieties of wild mushrooms. We will also be looking for medicinal and edibles. Following the foray, we will visit the local mushroom fair. Taught by Autumn Summers. For more information: Ohlone Herbal Center, 1250 Addison St. #113, Berkeley, CA, 510-540-8010, www.ohlonecenter.org