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.

pre-registration required; contact 224-7100 or info@vtherbcenter.org

Learn how to use plants and foods to help when you or your partner encounter sexually transmitted infections, yeast infections, urinary tract infections, prostate issues, and erectile dysfunction, etc. and how to prevent these imbalances. We will cover issues that may affect a man’s mood or libido, the importance of heart connection, and what kinds of plants can help balance him in these areas.  Take sexual health into your own hands!

Andrew Wolf is a serious student of the plants, practicing as an herbalist in both community and clinical settings.  He is a graduate of the Vermont Center for Integrative Herbalism and Wisdom of the Herbs School and runs Green Man Gardening, a landscaping company that focuses on how the health of people and land are intimately linked.

Come to 252 Main Street (on the other side of the parking lot from where we were before) at 6:30 pm for tours of the new building, snacks, tea and a plant sale/swap.

If you would like to bring a plant, or several, please be sure to label your pots and be careful not to bring in any gout weed!!  Herbs, veggies, and perennials are all welcome.  If you would like to bring a plant but can’t make it to the event, feel free to drop plants off at VCIH no earlier than the week of the 31st.  For each plant that you bring to the swap, you will receive a ‘ticket’ that you can exchange for another plant!  If you don’t have any plants to swap, you can purchase as many as you like and support VCIH’s sliding scale community herb clinic.

Join Jerry Angelini of Host Defense® Organic Mushrooms™ as he demystifies mushrooms and explains how they promote better health and overall
wellness and immunity. Jerry has been in the Natural Products Industry for over 15 years with degrees as a Master’s of Science, Licensed Rehabilitation Counselor, and Licensed Massage Therapist.

WIN FREE PRIZES!! Mushroom Samples for all Attendees!!

Please pre-register by contacting VCIH at 224-7100 or info@vtherbcenter.org

Discover how to make your own personal spa! Learn about herbs that can be used to make spa products and how to create a facial scrub and mask, a foot bath and more. Everyone will get a chance to make their own herbal product to bring home with them.

Shona Richter MacDougall is a certified clinical herbalist and avid gardener.  A graduate of the Rocky Mountain Center for Botanical Studies and a certified Bach Flower Practitioner, Shona currently practices at Vermont Center for Integrative Herbalism.

Even with the best intentions, as practitioners and teachers we can inadvertently alienate and limit others, and perpetuate a broken system. In this introductory workshop we will embark upon a courageous conversation, using an adapted version of the Power Chart by Paul Kivel, art supplies, the expertise of our own life stories and the strong presence of our plant allies. This will be a heart-centered and compassionate space in which to look at our own power and privilege. Through self awareness as leaders, we construct safe, engaging and inclusive learning spaces, we build bridges, and we foster trusting relationships that help heal the wounds of colonialism, racism, classism and other forms of oppression. Here’s to creating new social structures that involve the many diverse voices of the 99%.

Sandra Lory is a folk herbalist with Mandala Botanicals, co-organizer of the Barre community gardens, food justice educator at Food Works, and staff at Sage Mountain Herbal Retreat Center. Sandra’s heritage is from India and Slovakia. She trusts in the international and universal language of plants to support justice work, and is starting an Herbalists Without Borders garden project.

Dana L Woodruff is a community herbalist and health educator.  She teaches workshops, offers remedies, and writes about self-care, community health, and social justice through Dandelioness Herbals, and is a member of Migrant Justice.  dandelionessherbals.blogspot.com

Larken will be teaching two workshops at Herbstalk this year:  So You Want to Start a Free Clinic?  and  Heart-ache and Spirit-pain: Differentiating Herbs for Psycho-Spiritual-Emotional Distress

Visit Herbstalk’s website to purchase tickets, see a complete list of workshops, or check out their new blog!

This course explores the value of community and relationship in healing. In the traditions of the curandera, the shaman, the village wise woman, and every other, sitting with and listening to another have always been at the heart of healing. We seem to have forgotten how to intentionally offer our ears, minds and hearts in service to another person and are told that we need to be professionals to do it safely and well.

Together we’ll explore safe and simple practices for developing oneself in becoming a healing presence, focusing on our capacity for personal clarity, openness, and empathy, as well as our listening and communication skills. Concepts of non-judgment, harm reduction, cultural competence and social justice will also be addressed. We’ll employ techniques and theories from many diverse sources including Chinese Medicine, Peer Support, and HeartMath (TM), cultivating the compassionate presence that is innate in each of us.

Discover some of the lesser known and lesser used, but medicinally important plants of Vermont.  Grounded in the deep reaching diagnostic and treatment traditions of Chinese Medicine, Brendan will give in-depth accounts of turkey tail, reishi, bloodroot, wild ginger, and black birch.  Detailed handouts will be provided.

Brendan Kelly is an acupuncturist and western and Chinese herbalist practicing at Jade Mountain Wellness in Burlington, VT. He has been integrating Chinese medicine and western herbs clinically for the past 10 years, and has been studying, teaching and practicing natural medicine for 20 years. He teaches at universities, colleges, schools and conferences nationwide and is on the faculty at Johnson State College in Vermont and the Academy for Five Element Acupuncture in Florida.

Learn how to make herbal tincture with some of our local, abundant spring time plants.  We will cover the simpler’s method of tincture making along with information about harvest and use of these plants. Participants will take home tinctures we prepare.

Rebecca Dalgin is a graduate of VCIH’s Clinical Herbalist Training program. She own’s a clinical herbal practice, Wild Heart Wellness, based in Plainfield, VT.  http://www.wildheartwellness.net/