Current Workshop Descriptions & Dates
Plant Speak: Exploring the Doctrine of Signatures
with Angie Barger, VCIH Graduate
Wednesday June 12, 6-8pm
$10 members/$12 non-members
How did plants communicate their healing strengths to healers before the scientific revolution? In this workshop, we will practice one of the many “ways of old”. Join us to connect physical similarities of specific plants to the body system its actions affect. Practice looking first to the plant and then to the science-based research to confirm your own plant healing communications.
Angie Barger is a graduate of the VCIH Clinical Herbalist Program. She holds a degree in psychology and has 15 years experience as an educator. Her herbal practice, Luna Root Wellness, is built upon the belief that interconnectedness and co-creative relationships support the balance of vibrant, vital health within the whole being.
Garden Plants with Medicinal Interest
with Heather Irvine, VCIH Graduate
Wednesday July 10, 6-8pm
$10 members/$12 non-members
Perhaps you know about the uses of many herbs but you aren’t sure if you would recognize the plants in the garden or know where to start with growing and caring for them. Perhaps you have a perennial garden that harbors some of these plants and you don’t know how to use them. We will cover many of the plants that are popular in the garden and popular for their healing properties, so that herbalists and gardeners both learn how to do something new. A few plants that are more challenging to grow and a few that are easier to grow, but are not yet grown by many in our region, will also be discussed.
Heather Irvine is a VCIH graduate who joined the pilot year of the school after completing both programs at the Northeast School of Botanical Medicine. She conducts her own small herbal product business and currently enjoys working with one of Vermont’s largest gardening and horticultural companies.
Herb Walk in Sabin’s Pasture
with Rebecca Dalgin, VCIH Graduate
Monday July 15, 6-8pm
$10 members/$12 non-members
From VCIH we will walk down to Sabin’s Pasture where medicinal plants abound. Focus will be on learning about plants that are widely distributed throughout our area and simple ways to incorporate their medicinal values into daily life. Participants will be encouraged to develop their own relationships and experiences with these plants as we use all of our senses to learn about our local flora. Responsible and respectful wild-crafting practices will also be discussed. Handouts detailing the plants on our walk will be provided.
Rebecca Dalgin is a graduate of VCIH’s Clinical Herbalist Training program. She owns a clinical herbal practice, Wild Heart Wellness, based in Plainfield, VT. Visit her at wildheartwellness.net.
Understanding Cancer: Chinese Medicine and Western Herbs
with Brendan Kelly, Jade Mountain Wellness
Wednesday August 7, 6-9pm
$15 members/$17 non-members
From several thousand years of development, Chinese medicine has deep-reaching and insightful ways to understand, diagnose and treat disease. Using case studies from his clinical experience, Brendan will discuss the similarities and differences in treating different kinds of cancer, including leukemia (blood cancer) and breast cancer. Diet, lifestyle, western herbs, and the connection between cancer and larger societal and environmental issues will be discussed. Detailed hand-outs will be provided.
Brendan Kelly is an acupuncturist and western and Chinese herbalist practicing full-time at Jade Mountain Wellness in Burlington, VT. He has been integrating the potency of local, western herbs with the deep-reaching traditions of Chinese medicine for the past decade. He is currently on the faculty at Johnson State College in VT and the Academy for Five Element Acupuncture in FL, and also teaches at schools and conferences nationally.
The Energetics of Women’s Bodies: Herbs and the Menstrual Cycle
with Sarah Van Hoy, LAc
Wednesday August 28, 6-8pm
$10 members/$12 non-members
This workshop will offer a peek into how Chinese medicine understands the energetics of women’s bodies and women’s health, with a specific focus on how to treat in harmony with women’s cycles. We’ll look at 10 key herbs and how they might be used in the context of some common patterns of imbalance for women.
Sarah Van Hoy is a practicing therapist, acupuncturist and herbalist with doctoral training as an anthropologist of Chinese medicine. She practices in the field of integrative mental health, with a special interest in supporting women through big life transformations. She’s also a Health Arts and Sciences faculty member in the graduate programs at Goddard College.