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health & home
Wildcrafting w/Jim McDonald Series:
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The very best way to obtain knowledge about Herbalism is by apprenticing to a gifted and experienced master. Now you can get a taste of that apprenticeship experience by joining us for a series of seasonal plant walks. Herbalist Jim Mcdonald will be leading participants around the fields and woods surrounding the Michigan Folk School to explore the medicinal virtues, identification, folklore and preparation of many of the common spring "weeds," wildflowers and trees we pass by every day. The information presented will be both specific and practical, based on Jim's years of experience in gathering, preparing, and using herbal remedies, and provide a basis for participants to incorporate what they have learned into usable skills with which to maintain and restore health.
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Course Fee: $40 - Supply Fee: $0 Location: Folk School Campus
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Buds, Bark & Branches
While many plant people spend late winter eagerly awaiting the first sprouts of spring, there is indeed an abundance of medicine residing in the buds, barks and branches that at first glance may seem so bare.
Possible Plant Studies: white pine, black cherry, sassafras, & barberry.
Midsummer Medicines
The summer sun draws forth the medicinal virtues of many plants that grow and blossom in field and thicket.
Possible Plant Studies: st. john's wort, yarrow, mullein, bee balm
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Vernal Virtues
From April into May when sleeping flora begin to burst from the ground, plant people and herbfolk sowing seeds and harvesting these vital foods and medicines.
Possible Plant Studies: dandelion, violet, cleavers, & plantain
Wild Roots and Fall Foliage
Autumn is the season of harvest, and the last opportunity to gather wild herbs before they are buried under winter snow.
Possible Plant Studies: burdock, yellow dock, valerian, elecampane
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Wildcrafting Medicine Workshop
As a follow up to Jim McDonald’s medical plant walk at the Michigan Folk School*, this class will lead you through the steps of how to harvest and prepare plants for medicine. Participants will have the opportunity to review and discuss the plants and medicinal preparations featured on Jim’s plant walk. You will receive samples of herbal infusions and tinctures. Additionally, you will go home with instructions for how to repeat the processes at home.
Course Fee: $45 - Supply Fee: $15 Location: MFS Campus
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Herbal First Aid Kits
Learn how to create an Herbal First Aid Kit from wild and cultivated medicinal plants. You will learn how to identify, harvest, cultivate and process medicinal plants. Learn how to make natural medicines for burns, bug bites, cuts and scrapes, muscle aches, and more. You will gain the knowledge and confidence of being able to help yourself and others in times of need. Each participant will have a strong start on their first aid kit by making their own time honored recipes.
Course Fee: $55 - Supply Fee: $20 Location: MFS Campus
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Herbs for Coughs, Colds and Flu
In this hands-on class you will learn how to treat and prevent some common respiratory viruses, coughs and flu with locally grown and common kitchen herbs. Participants will learn medicinal properties and how to use several effective herbs. By the end of the class will have made several herbal remedies to keep you and your family healthy throughout the winter season.
Course Fee: $55 - Supply Fee: $20 Location: MFS Campus
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Making Healing Creams, Salves & Lip Balm
Wellness is not just about what we put into our bodies, it is also about what we put onto our bodies. While many people today avoid skincare products with synthetic ingredients, there is a growing crowd of people who have given up searching the ingredient labels in stores and have decided to make their own high-quality healthy skin care product. This course use bio-mimicry or nature as our teacher. Together we will focus on a handful of healing herbs that can be easily found or grown in your garden. You will learn how to infuse oils with herbs and how to blend these oils to create healing salves, creams and lip balm. Upon leaving this class, you will be empowered to repeat the process on your own for years to come.
Course Fee: $55 - Supply Fee: $20 Location: MFS Campus
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Soap Making Workshop: Introduction
Learn how to formulate your own recipes, properly use and store lye, how to mix lye and water, oils for soap-making, goat milk, fragrance oils versus essential oils, super-fatting, additives and exfoliants, coloring, molding and curing. You will take home recipes, a list of sources for supplies and equipment, as well as a bar of soap you will make during the class.
Course Fee: $55 - Supply Fee: $20 Location: MFS Campus
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Soap Making Workshop: Color, Texture & Swirls
This beginner-to-intermediate class explores the different types of soap-making colorants and textures. You will learn how to locate natural colorants and incorporate them into your soap, dry and wet mixing techniques and explore texturizing soap. You will take home new recipes, a list of sources for colorants and equipment, and a bar of soap we will make during class.
Course Fee: $55 - Supply Fee: $20 Location: MFS Campus
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Soap Making Workshop: Essential Oils & Aromatherapy
Take your knowledge of soap making even further with an exploration of essential oils. Essential oils are natural aromatic compounds found in the seeds, bark, stems, roots, flowers, and other parts of plants. They are known for their powerful aromas and have been used throughout history for medicinal and therapeutic benefits. We will explore the uses of essential oils, including relaxation and sleep, stress relief, green cleaning, muscle tension and pain, and, of course, skin care. In the class, you'll learn about essential oil safety, how essential oils are produced, and common methods of use. We will explore the intensity of fragrance and Hedonic tone assessment as each of us mix our own unique perfume bouquet to take home.
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