March arrives, and we are in that erratic season where we can go from t-shirts to snow shovels in a day. Keep those extra emergency layers in the car and enjoy the interesting weather fluctuations. Time to start switching to early spring offerings including spring salad greens, bok choy, peas, artichokes, citrus, radish, and asparagus.

Upcoming Classes!

March – private classes only.

April - classes listed below.

I will be starting to teach in the Herbalism 101 certificate course along with other herbalists that starts on April 8 at the Denver Botanic Gardens. The home apothecary class is part of the program. If you are interested in this fully comprehensive course on herbalism check out Herbalism 101 Certificate Course. At this writing, there are just a few spots left.

Saturday, April 1, Denver Botanic Gardens, 10 am to 1 pm, $85 member, $75 non-member, https://catalog.botanicgardens.org/Selection.aspx?item=4869&sch=239588

Discover the numerous health and taste benefits of your own herb garden. We’ll cover growing, harvesting, and medicinal and culinary uses of seven of the most popular culinary herbs. Learn all the ways to use marjoram, parsley, sage, rosemary, thyme, chives, basil, and more and make an all-purpose garden seasoning blend. For lunch we’ll sample a tapas-tasting plate with a refreshing herbal tea. Take home seasoning sample, herbal tapas lunch, and an extensive handout with recipes and growing instructions included.

Saturday, April 15, Denver Botanic Gardens, 9:30 am to 12:30 pm. $68, $62, member. https://catalog.botanicgardens.org/Selection.aspx?item=4629&sch=241241

Have you always wanted to know how to make your own home medicine chest stocked with effective homemade remedies for you and your family? In this class, discover how to use easy-to-find ingredients from the garden and grocery for everything from colds and flu to digestive upsets, headaches, and skin rashes. From the many uses of apple cider vinegar to tonics, herbal teas, and baths, empower yourself with natural therapies that help restore health and accelerate healing.
Get ready for seasonal nasties and learn the fascinating craft of the home apothecary. Learn to make a virus-fighting elderflower/echinacea syrup, spicy fire cider, a tasty digestive tea, a soothing lip balm, and more. Take-home samples of syrup, tea, and lip balm are included. Class includes an extensive handout with recipes.

Herb of the Month – Rose Hips

Rose hips are the fruits of the rose plant and are full of vitamins and antioxidants. They are quite tasty and one of my favorite snacks as I walk through the winter woods. I pop them in my mouth, break them open and spit out the seeds. You need to be sure that you have hips from unsprayed roses, as roses are frequently drenched with pesticides.

Not only delicious and anti-inflammatory, they are also high in vitamin C, antioxidants, and pectin. My favorite way to have rose hips is in tea or syrup, so delicious and comforting.

Rose Hip/Lavender/and Ginger Root Tea – makes 2 cups
Delicious and soothing this is one of my favorite warming, bedtime teas. Can be served hot or cold.

• 1 tablespoon crushed, dried rose hips
• ½ teaspoon lavender buds
• 1 teaspoon grated fresh ginger root

In a teapot, pour 2 cups boiling water over the above ingredients and let steep for at least 10 minutes.

“Sometimes we can only find our true direction when we let the wind of change carry us.”
— Mimi Novic