Blazing Star Herbal School

Back to School Newsletter: Seasonal Specials, News, Recipes and a giveaway!

The last night I awoke in the middle of the night smelling Fall in the air... and reminding myself all that must be harvested before the night time frost turns green to brown! The day times are still beautiful, so so gloriously warm...I can't help to wonder whether the colorful flowering plants know that their days are numbered! It has been a great growing season here in the gardens. Ten apprentices and myself have filled our medicine cabinets with tinctures, creams, elixirs, syrups and vinegars! The pantry shelves are filling with canned goods, medicines and winter treats! and there is still more to be made, old favorites and new ideas to be experimented with. 

Talking apprentices, next years programs are filling so if you are interested, now is the time to have your place secured. We will be offering two apprenticeships a beginner/intermediate and an advanced program. You can read all about them following the links below and if you are curious about what we get up to check of the apprentice blog here!

Beginner/ Intermediate Apprenticeship 2013

Advanced Apprenticeship 2013

 

Fall is also a time of tremendous allergies. Are you drinking your Nettles? One of my favorite sweet treats and x-allergy treatments is Goldenrod/Tulsi Honey! Just loosely fill a jar with tulsi tops (leaf and flowers- no stem) and goldenrod flowers (just before they are on full bloom) then pour honey into the jar stirring all the time. If your honey is not pourable put jar of honey in boiling water for a few moments until it loosens up and then pour over the goldenrod and tulsi flowers. Let sit for 2 weeks and then take a teaspoon per day. It is best of the honey is local to your area...the closer to you it is produced the better! and raw of course! and don't forget to drink your nettle infusion!

We have a  Back to School Seasonal Specials for you. Our Family Winter Health Empowerment Package returns.

It includes:

 4oz Echinacea

4 oz Elderberry C Syrup

1 oz of Boneset Tincture

1 oz of Elecampane Tincture

1oz of Calendula/Sage Tincture

Winter Warming Bath Salts

1 oz of Thyme Elixir

Winter Medicine Instruction Booklet

 

and course 1 of the 

Do-it-Yourself Herbalism Series   ...practical, thrify and fun! 

                                                          Course 1: Optimum Winters Health 

Topics Include:

Immune System Overview

No Fear Flu

Building Immunuity

Cooking for Winters Health

Understanding Anti-Virals and Anti-Bacterials

Medicine Chest of Winter Recipes

Supplies Lists

  4 weeks of Reading, Assignments, and Medicine Making

 

For a total of $175 (that saves you $75 ! deal or what!!)

Options

October Special! Combo $175.00 USD Family Winter Health Package $99.00 USD Optimum Winters Health Course $150.00 USD

                                                                            

 Now for the giveaway! We have been busy concocting incenses! I am giving away one oz of my favorite new raw incence. I cannot stop burning it! Smells of holy woodlands around the world! Great for space clearing! 

White Sage Leaf (grown here),Calamus Root (locally harvested), Copal Resin, Frankinsence Resin, Pine Resin (locally harvested), Eastern Cedar leaf (locally harvested) Juniper Berries (locally harvested), Tangerine Leaf, Ground by hand in mortar and pestle. 

 

All you have to do to enter the giveaway is subscribe to this blog or become a facebook follower and let us know, by leaving a comment below! 

And here is a link to our FB page Blazing Star on Facebook

 

Happy Fall Everyone!

 

Name These Plants - A Competition for Past and Present Apprentices

The winner  will be the first to correctly name all 16 plants (in order) and

will receive a 2 oz bottle of raw cocoa rose elixir

 

The fine print:

In order to enter you must be

1. A past or present apprentice at Blazing Star Herbal School

2. A follower of this blog and/or like us on Facebook

Here is the link Blazing Star Herbal School

3. If no apprentice has correctly named the plant by July 10th the competition will be open to everyone who likes us on FB!

Blazing Star Herbal School Fall Happenings Newsletter!

Please click on each page to read the full size version!

 

Good publicity!

Here is an article that was in the Recorder last week....

 

Two Opportunities for the Advanced Herbal Student

Advanced Herbal Apprenticeship 2010

Monday Evenings 5:45-9pm

Begins May 17th- Feb 2011

 

 

Abbreviated course outline:

Detailed study of the Endocrine system 

Detailed study of the Reproductive system (Mother, Maiden, Crone) 

Detailed study of the Immune system 

Detailed study of the Digestive system 

Detailed study of the Respiratory system 

Detailed study of the Muscular/Skeletal system 

Herbal Pediatrics 

The study of each system will include: 

Integration of Traditional & Western Medicine 

Medical Terminology 

Herbal Actions 

Classification of Medicinal Plants 

Plant Pharmacology 

Materia Medica 

Formulation & Preparation of Herbal Medicines 

Sources of Herbal Information 

Herbal Selection Criteria/Interactions 

Live Case Studies

Course fee $1500 (deposit of $250 and monthly payment of $125

Please email for an application for if you are interested. This class is intended for students who wish to continue their Herbal Education. A pre-requisite of beginner herbal apprenticeship is required. 

____________________________________________________________________________________

**New**

 Mentorship for Advanced Distance Students

(* this program can be begun at the beginning of any month starting March 2010)

 

This program is organized in 3 month cycles. The fee for three months (1 cycle) of mentorship is $400. If you sign up for 9 months (3 cycles) your reduced fee will be $1000.

This program is intended for students who have completed an accredited program in Herbal Studies who are beginning to think about beginning a practice or a business in Herbal Medicine. 

Once accepted a student will be sent a detailed questionnaire that will allow me to outline their course for the cycle. It will include relevant readings, assignments, materia medica and cases. Assignments and course work will be emailed weekly.

Please email for an application form

BOOK STORE

This time of year students often ask which books I recommend for the apprenticeships, here is a sampling of my favorite herbal books......

Beginner/Intermediate Apprenticeship 2010

 

Beginner/ Intermediate Apprenticeship 2010

* Now taking applications*

apprentice (uh pren' tis), n., v., -ticed, -tic*ing.-n.

1. a beginner, a learner who is bound by contract/agreement to work for another for a specific amount of time in return for gaining practical experience and instruction in a trade or art.
2. one who is committed to working with a small group of people, over an extended period of time, delving deeply into the heart of herbal knowledge.

ABOUT THE APPRENTICESHIP PROGRAM

Immerse your heart & soul in the exhilarating world of herbs! The seasonal cycles here are exceptional. Winter is sparkling white, roots are waiting deep below the earth. In Spring, new shoots poke up from the earth, the lilacs & forsythia bloom; we begin work in the garden. Summer is abundant with fresh herbs, weeds, vegetables & bright fragrant flowers. We are busy planting, harvesting, wildcrafting. The Fall brings us pumpkins & roots to harvest, herbs to dry, wreaths of sage & lavender. Learn by immersing yourself in the green world of plants, reclaiming your ancient roots. Apprenticeships are designed to focus on your particular areas of interest and to support & empower the Wise Woman/Man that you are. Whenever you choose to apprentice here, you will find open hearts, enthusiasm & a bountiful way of life.

10 month program Beginner Week-Day Apprenticeship 
with tony(a) lemos

Begins Tuesday, April 20, 2010 - February 2011
Every Tuesday, 9:45am - 4pm for beginner and intermediate students
Cost: $1750, deposit $250
Partial Workstudy option, Monthly Payment Plan 

Course of Study Includes:

Herbal Preparation
Study of the Organ Systems
Medicinal/Botanical Terminology
Wild Foods Preparation
Developing Diagnostic Skills
History of Western Herbalism
Determining Herb Quality
Chronic Ailments
Herbal Tonics & Supplements
Herb Gardening
Herbal Spring Tonics
Herbal Formulation
Ethical Wildcrafting
Herbal First Aid
Herbal Bibliography
Herbs for Children Herbs for
Women’s Health Care
Intro to TCM
Flower Essences
Natural Cosmetics & Skin Care
Herbal Business Practices
Herbal Field Trips
Herbal Projects
Doctrine of Signatures
Plant Culture & Cultivation
Earth Ceremony
Herbal Case Histories
Creating an Herbarium
Herb ID Walks
Intro to Ayurvedic Medicine

Calling Apprentices.....

Blazing Star Herbal School

2010

Open House

 

 

Saturday Jan 16

10am-1pm

at Blazing Star herbal School in Ashfield MA

For potential apprentices and past apprentices. 

Come enjoy some hot beverages and cookies. 

Please call for directions!

A Tuesday apprenticeship in photos

Week 9, Tuesday June 24, Dark and Wet

Self Heal Prunella vulgaris Breaking it down.......

Laminaceae (mint) Family

Other names: Prunella, All-Heal, Hook-Heal, Self Heal, Slough-Heal, Brunella, Heart of the Earth, Blue Curls, Carpenter-weed, Common Selfheal, Consolida Minor, Lance Selfheal, Sicklewort, Woundwort, Xia Ku Cao Dragonhead, Hercules' Woundwort, Hook-Heal, Xia Ku Cao

Prunella Vulgaris is found just about anywhere.....growing in waste ground, grassland, woodland edges, usually on basic and neutral soils. 

Taste: mineral salt, mild bitter
Energy: Cool and Dry

Prunella Vulgaris is an edible and medicinal herb, she can be used in salads, soups, stews, or boiled as a pot herb. 

Over the centuries she has been used as medicine, on just about every continent in the world, and for just about every ailment known to man, Prunella is something of a panacea. This last line makes the apprentices and many herb students crazy. I hear them all saying "how will be ever learn the best way to use this herb? How can Self Heal be good for sooooo many things. Most apprentices over the year find it easier to use herbs that have fewer and more specific uses such as Boneset. Again and again I urge them not to give up on these herbs that seem to be used for everything. The best way to learn is to just slowly familiarize your self with the herb: collect information, draw the herb, sit with the herb, try every recipe you can find, if it is an edible eat it raw, eat it cooked.....keep a journal.

Western Classificationa: alterative, antibacterial, anti viral, antipyretic, antiseptic, antispasmodic, anti-oxidant, astringent, carminative, diuretic, febrifuge, hypotensive, nutritive, stomachic, styptic, tonic, vermifuge and vulnerary. (It is really important to familiarize yourself with these terms, hint hint)

Prunella is an astringent herb that has been used extensively in the healing of internal and external wounds. There is a simple use that everyone can try! 

Plant Constituents are Betulinic-acid, D-Camphor, Delphinidin, Hyperoside, Manganese, Oleanolic-acid, Rosmarinic-acid (more than in rosemary!!) , Rutin, Ursolic-acid, and Tannins. (It is worth noting this info though in the beginning it really does not mean a lot unless you are a chemistry buff)

Prunella is taken internally as a medicinal tea in the treatment of fevers, diarrhea, sore mouth and throat, internal bleeding, and weaknesses of the liver and heart. Prunella is thought to be effective in treating Grave's disease and has also been used as an immune system booster. Clinical analysis shows it to have an antibacterial action, inhibiting the growth of pseudomonas iatragenic hospital infections) , Bacillus typhi, E. coli, Salmonella, Mycobacterium tuberculi, which supports its use as an alternative medicine internally and externally as an antibiotic and for hard to heal wounds and diseases. It has also shown promise in research for cancer, AIDS, diabetes, and more recently the Herpes Virus. The research done for herpes shows that salves made with Prunella are useful in stopping outbreaks.

Simple ways to start using Prunella:

Gather flowering tops, and dry in small bunches for later herb use. Store in cool, dry, dark, place for best shelf life. Alternatively you can tincture it fresh. 

A cold water infusion of the freshly chopped or dried and powdered leaves is a very tasty and refreshing beverage.

A weak infusion of the plant is an excellent medicinal eye wash for sties and pinkeye. 

Medicinal tea or infusion: Add 1 oz. dried or fresh herb to a pint of boiling water, steep till cool, take in ½ cup doses, sweetened with honey, as a general immune strengthener. Can be used to help recover strength after illness. 


If you are interested in furthering your study of individual plants our Materia Medica class will be starting up again in September. Just email me and I will put you on the list.


Please be aware that this information is provided is meant to supplement the care provided by your physician. It is neither intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice.