Join Anima Mundi herbalists Marisa Clementi and Sophie Cozine at our Brooklyn Apothecary for this six-week series exploring the foundations of Herbalism. Deepen your understanding of plants through hands-on medicine making and seasonal practices.

In this weekly gathering we will follow the growing season from Spring to early Summer and dive into the world of herbalism. We’ll begin with the history and origins of various herbal traditions from Traditional Chinese Medicine, Western Herbalism, Ayurveda, to Folk Herbalism; then explore botany and plant identification, herbal energetics, herbs to forage throughout the season, medicine making, and more!

This class is designed for anyone and everyone who wants to learn! No prior knowledge or experience is necessary. Come discover with us!

Classes Include:

Supplemental reading materials and handouts
Custom medicines for you to make and take home using fresh herbs
Herbal recipes

Curriculum:

APRIL 10 Intro to Herbal Medicine + Energetics of Spring: Make a Spring Flower Honey
BONUS CLASS: APRIL 12: Plant Walk in Prospect Park
APRIL 17: Botany 101 + Make a Nettle Oxymel
APRIL 24 Medicine Making: Ingestibles. Make Your Own Glycerite
MAY 1 Floralia / Beltane: Honoring the Changing of the Seasons, Make Your Own Flower Essence
MAY 8 Medicine Making: Topicals. Make Your Own Violet Salve
MAY 15 Harvest Feast + Celebration!

Class Descriptions:

April 10th: Intro to Herbal Medicine, Botany + Plant IdentificationWe will discuss the foundations of herbal medicine from various cultures worldwide, noting their similarities and differences and how ecologies lend themselves to certain types of medicine. We will particularly focus on the concept of herbal energetics. Plus, we will also make our own spring honey with flowers such as wildcrafted Cherry Blossom and Redbud to take home!

April 17: Plant Identification + Botany: Make Your Own Nettle OxymelWe will learn about basic botany and plant identification knowledge, focusing on a few important plant families within herbalism: Rose, Mint, and Aster. We will also be applying that knowledge by making our own Nettle Oxymel with fresh Nettle! A tried and true remedy for spring allergies, cleansing, and more.

April 24: Medicine Making - Ingestibles: Make Your Own Glycerite We will learn about the various methods for extracting herbs to take internally - infusions, tinctures, oxymels, glycerites, cordials and honeys - what the unique benefits are of each and why you might choose one method over another. We will also be making a glycerite to take home customized for your constitution!

May 1: Floralia + Beltane! Celebrating the Blooming Season (Make Your Own Flower Essence)In this class we will discuss traditional celebrations for marking the transition from Spring into Summer, a time of honoring the blossoming of the earth; also a time thought to be a portal into the etheric realm. We will tap into the sensual beauty of flowers, which are especially potent at this time. We’ll craft our own flower essence, capturing the energetic imprint of late spring/early summer.

May 8: Medicine Making: TopicalsWe will discuss methods for extracting herbs in oils and how to use them in recipes for making topical medicines - balms, creams, oils, and serums. We will also discuss which herbs are particularly nourishing to the skin! We will learn about First Aid to prepare for the adventure of summer: remedies for bug bites, scrapes, after-sun care, and more. You will get to make a skin nourishing lymphatic salve to take home using fresh Violet oil.

May 15: Harvest Gathering + CelebrationWe will gather and honor the shifting of seasons by sharing and tasting medicines made over the spring. We will particularly focus on kitchen witchery and food as medicine for enjoying the abundance of the season. Together we will make a Wild pesto and Floral mocktail to share.

When you register for the full course you receive a bonus class, a plant walk in Prospect Park! We will explore the blooming flora and fauna, learning how to use our plant ID skills IRL!

BONUS CLASS

Join in-house herbalists Marisa + Sophie on Saturday April 12, 11am-1pm in Prospect Park for our first Herb Walk! Spring is the time for new growth. Come learn and explore all the medicinal plants that are right here in New York City!

Together we will stroll through the beautiful park to find all the hidden Spring treasures such as Burdock, Mugwort, Hawthorn, Rose, Plantain, and more. Come enjoy the outdoors with us!

Many seasonal Spring herbs provide cleansing benefits for the liver and lymphatic system. We’ll discuss the commonalities between them and how they can each be used medicinally. We’ll also discuss the beauty of flower essences and teach you how to make your own at home.

Spring Herbalism 6 week course