Blazing Star Herbal School

Still a few spots for 2013::Therapeutic Herbalism Apprenticeship 2013- for advanced intermediate students and beyond

Please join us in 2013 to continue your studies in Herbalism. This program is aimed at the self motivated student who has completed at least a 9 month intensive program in Herbalism and has had some self study experience.

 

 

This program meets on alternate Thursdays from 9:30 until 3:00pm starting on April  18th 2013 and continuing through Feb 2014. Weekly study groups with peers stongly encouraged.

Though there is a lot of lecture time in this program,  plant connection, meditation, creativity  and medicine making still feature strongly! The Self Care and Deep Nourishment theme explored in great detail during the Beginner Apprenticeship will continue to feature strongly as it is my belief that this is the foundation of good health! There will also be a strong focus on deepening our relationship with plants and we will be studying how several indigenous cultures around the world use plants for healing the spirit as well as the body.

illness is seen as a messenger of disconnection rather than a condition. The goal of the traditional shaman is often not to cure a condition but to remove its cause by restoring in the patient the sense of balance, harmony and reconnection to the sacred and the Earth. It is in the Spirit of the traditional Shaman that I offer this work. 

This program is broken down into the following  study modules:

Module 1 

 -Introduction to Clinical Herbalism, Discussion of Resources, Understanding the requirements and format of this course.

 -Plant Pharmacology, discussion of the constituents Alkaloids, Glycosides, lipids, Phenols, Polysaccharides, Tannins, Terpenoids, essential oils, saponins. From this discussion students should be able to learn to extrapolate the common medicinal uses from plants based on its constituents. In this section we will also cover dosing in regards to specific considerations such as pediatric, geriatric, Hepatic, effects of smoking and oral contraceptives.

 -Medicinal Terminology used to describe the medicinal properties of plants.

 -Immunology, Pathologies of the Immune System- Auto-immunity, Bacterial viral infections, CFS, Fever, Cancer, HIV/AIDS, Lymes

-Detailed Materia- Medica and Review: Immuno-stimulant Mushrooms, Echinacea, Astragalus, Poke Root, Berberine Containing Herbs, Wild Indigo, Willow Bark, Red Clover,  Lycii berries, Teasel

 -Intro to Case Taking and Peer Reviews

Module 2

-The Gastro Intestinal System: a brief overview of the system,  Gastro-esophageal reflux disease, Gastric/duodenal ulceration, Gall Bladder dysfunction, Hepatitis, Crohn's, Ulcerative colitis, IBS, Parasites, Constipation/Diarrhea, Hemorrhoids

-Detailed Materia- Medica and Review:: Artichoke, Bitter Orange, Catnip, Chamomile, Peppermint, Fennel, Astringents, Bitters, Anththraquinone Laxatives, Meadow sweet, Licorice, Marshmallow, Slippery Elm, Mugwort, Chamomile, Milk Thistle, Wild Yam, Dandelion Root, Grains

- Foods Politics  &  Nourishing Traditions

- Case Studies, and peer review 

Module 4

The Musculo Skeletal System: Understanding bone, connective tissue cardiac and smooth skeletal muscles, Arthritis (osteo, rheumatoid, gout)

Osteoporosis, Injuries, Fibromyalgia 

-Detailed Materia- Medica and Review:Comfrey, Arnica, The azulene containing plants, Solomon Seal, Black Cohosh, White Poplar,  Essential Oils, Willow Bark, Osmunda

- Case Studies, and peer review

- Integration Clinical Aromatherapy 

Module 4

- The Respiratory System: Asthma, Sinusitis, bronchitis (Chronic, Acute) Hayfever, Allergic Rhinnitis, Occupational Respiratory Disease, Sore Throat, Cough, Colds, Chronic Obstructive airway disease

-Detailed Materia- Medica and Review:- Mullein,  Golden Rod, Coltsfoot, Wild cherry,  Osha, Eucalyptus, Elecampane,  Lobelia, Wild Lettuce, Balm Of Giliad, Grindelia, Sun Dew, Thyme, Elder

- Case Studies, and peer review

- Integration Flower Essence Therapy

Module 5

The Cardiovascular System-Hypertension, Myocardial infarction, Coronary artery disease, Atherosclerosis, Peripheral vascular disease, congestive heart failure

 -Detailed Materia- Medica review: Hawthorne Lily of the Valley, Garlic, Prickly Ash, Dandelion leaf, Ginger, Motherwort, Valarian, Amni Visnaga, Gingko, Gotu Kola, Bilberry

 

 Module 6

 -The Nervous System: Depression & anxiety, Headaches, Migraines Stress, ADHD, Multiple Sclerosis, Neuralgia, Sleep Disorders, Alzheimers

-Detailed Materia- Medica and Review:: Skullcap, Passion Flower, St. John’s Wort, Hops,  Ginseng, California Poppy, Feverfew, Clematis (Virgins Bower) , Kava, Kava, Belladona Containing plants, Indian Pipe,  Jamaican Dogwood, Agrimony, Wood Betony, Blue Vervain,  Linden Blossom

- Case Studies, and peer review 

Module  7

-The Endocrine System: Diabetes, Hypoglycemia, Adrenal Insufficiency, Hypo/Hyper Thyroidism

 -Detailed Materia- Medica and review:Siberian Ginseng, Nettles, Devils club, Seaweeds, Bugleweed, Melissa, Gymnema, Chickweed, Wild Carrot, Ashwaghanda, Blue Flag

 - Creating Treatment Plans (for acute and chronic conditions)

 - Case Studies, and peer review

- Integration Gems and Crystal Therapy

Module 8

-The Integumentary system (Skin): Excema, Psoriasis, Acne, Fungal Infections, Contact dermatitis Burns, Rashes.

-Detailed Materia- Medica and review:-Burdock, Calendula, Blood root, Tea Tree, aloe Vera, plantain, sarsparilla, Self Heal, Ground Ivy, Yellow dock

 -The Urinary System: Kidney Stones, Cystitis/ interstitial cystitis, incontinence, prostatis,

-Detailed Materia- Medica and Review: diuretics and their mode of action, Cranberry, Buchu, Juniper, Gravel Root, Cornsilk, Uva Ursi, Saw Palmetto

- Case Studies, and peer review

Module 9

-Reproductive System: Menstrual Cycle & problems, Polycystic ovary disease, Endometriosis,  Candidiasis, Vaginitis, Pregnancy and possible disorders of, Breast, Uterine, cervical cancer, Fibroids.

-Detailed Materia- Medica and Review:Vitex, Raspberry Leaf, Evening Primrose and other GLA containing oils, Black Haw Cramp Bark, Blue Cohosh,  Yarrow, Partridge Berry, Shepherds Purse, Dong Quai, Lady’s Mantle

- Completion of Case Studies, and peer review

 

*** Pre-requisites for this program are to have completed the beginner apprenticeship at BSHS or an equivalent such program ***

 

 The cost of this program is $1750. A deposit of $250 is necessary to hold your spot. We accept personal checks and payment through paypal. Monthly payment plans.

Therapeutic Herbalism

Deposit$250.00 USD Full Payment$1,750.00 USD Payment after deposit$1,500.00 USD

                                                                          

Late Winter Update. . .

Like you I am ready! Ready to be outside feeling the sun on my skin as I welcome back old green friends and plant new ones! I can't wait! I feel the light changing and as it changes my anticipation grows! To help with this season of waiting I am teaching a few classes locally. 

First up is::

CREATING A WILDCRAFTING CALENDER PLAYSHOP

Wildcrafting is the practice of collecting plant materials from the wild for food, medicine, and craft. In the past this was how people provided for their families. We can continue to provide for our communities by harvesting such goodness as moss, coltsfoot and other medicinals, natural dyes, mushrooms, wildflower seeds, berries, and saps such as maple, pine or birch. Opportunities for wildcrafting are not just found in the countryside, but in suburban as well as urban settings. By wildcrafting we can harvest the bounty of each season and should always approach collecting with respect and thankfulness. In this class we will learn the Art of Ethical Wildcrafting, what to harvest and when and how to process results into nourishing and vital medicine. Then we will hand-craft this information into beautiful calendars that we can refer to for years to come! THIS CLASS IS CO SPONSORED AND HOSTED BY ACADIA HERBALS IN NORTHAMPTON Class will take place at Acadia Herbals 25 Conz St, Northampton, Massachusetts 01060 THURSDAY MARCH 7TH 6:30-9PM $20-25 For more info please email me blazingstarclinic(at)gmail (dot) com   Next up a 2 part class:: Part 1:: Herbal Support for Stress and Inflammation               March 17, 1:30-4 pm. Sliding Scale $20-$40. Part 2::  Greasing Joints and Ligaments: Combining essential oils and herbs in clinical practice for conditions relating to the muscular skeletal system                  March 24th, 1:30-4 pm. Sliding Scale $20-$40.                          CoSponsored and Hosted by Indigo Healing in Florence MA           Class address: Indigo Healing, 45 Main Street, Florence, Massachusetts 01062                                        Come to one or come to both! Stress and inflammation are the two leading causes of disease. I will discuss how stress effects our nervous, endocrine and immune systems and how our inflammatory response works. Next I will profile herbs, foods and lifestyle choices that have a positive effect on our pathologies. In part 2 we will combine aromatherapy and herbs in clinical practice for conditions relating to the muscular skeletal system. We will discuss treatments for joint disease, osteo and rheumatoid arthritis, tension headaches, sciatica, muscular problems as well as Carpal tunnel syndrome and their treatment by combining infused oils, essential oils and tinctures creating unique liniments.    I still have 3 spots in the Advanced Apprenticeship. (Click on advanced apprenticeship for more details)     There will be some "must read articles" posted to the blog soon as well as a few book reviews of some new books I have been reading.

 

Words from the Apprentices About the Apprenticeship

I am very happy to say that as an apprentice I have learned how to identify many new plants and have become better friends with those that I already knew about. I am able to make oils, vinegars, honeys, salves, lotions, medicinal tea infusions, elixers and tinctures. I have learned how to take time to draw and sit with plants, meditate and make mandalas, come up with a health plan for myself that entails a true understanding of the word nourishment! I very enthusiastically recommend this apprenticeship to anyone I know! Anyone who is interested in learning more about identifying plants, using them in self care, and wanting to ensure that their lifestyle as an herbalist is practical and can be applied in daily nourishing ways with themselves and people they know- would benefit greatly from the apprenticeship. I really wish I could take it again next year!

-N. from Northampton

To put my exeperience as an Apprentice is a rather impossible task. I have learned so much, and experienced so much, that to truly do it justice would take several hours. Yet what I can say is that I have learned more about myself, and more about the natural world in this short year, than I ever expected too. My connection to the earth and to myself is so strong as a result of this course, that I shall forever be grateful. I am more intune with my body than I think I have ever been, and my heart is lighter and happier than I can ever remember it being. Tony is a wonderful teacher who is clear, conscise and passionate. My sisters in the practice are each unique and insightful and have brough much joy wisdom and perspective to my new life. My apprenticeship has also evolved my spiritualiy and allowed me to connect better and stronger to my family to my friends, and to my community as a whole. I am def continuing to the second Level, and my intentions are to start my own medicinal farm, and spread the knowledge and healing as my life's work. Blazing Star Earth Ninja's for LIFE!

In Love and Eternal Gratitude -A.from Dalton

My experience as an apprentice at Blazing Star Herbal School has been one of magical awakening and an even deeper appreciation of the plant world. I have taken quite a few herb classes over the years from correspondence courses to a 5 month intensive as well as community college courses and this one is by far THE BEST! The thing I feel most gives this apprenticeship the edge over the rest and sets it apart from all of the classes out there being offered is the true garden and plant based connections. You really can't replace or replicate the garden based experiences of planting, learning, growing and harvesting the plants on your own. Nor can you learn everything from books alone. Also having class every week makes it flow so well versus a one weekend a month type apprenticeship. It is a big committment but one you won't regret! I have never been confident up until now in identifying many plants on my own, but now I am very confident and have learned so much in such a short time. I also have learned how to interact better with naysayers and disbelievers. I can finally hold my own with the most challenging of beliefs and come out feeling like I offered the other person something tangible. If you are contemplating taking the course I urge you to go for it! You will graduate as a competent and confident herbalist and will have many memorable and happy experiences during the duration of the course.

-A from Vermont

 

Our Tuesday class has been the highlight of my week this whole year. Not only have we deepened our connection to the plants in our area (my original goal) we have formed beautiful friendships which will last a lifetime with people and plants we resonate with on a deep level. Tony has helped me reconnect to the world through plants in a way that I understand intuitively and have not felt since childhood. It means so much to me to feel a part of the world again and revel in its beautiful gifts. This apprentice woke me up, brought me back down to Earth, healed my spirit. Totally unexpected. I am overflowing with gratitude.

D. from Shelburne

Distance Learning program profile:

I thought I would take the time today to profile one of the courses in the "DIY Distance Learning series". It is the one that receives the most praise and enthusiasm again and again"  It is also the most recent one so perhaps many of you do not know about it.

 

Creative, Tasty  and Nourishing Medicine Making

for the Beginner Student!

This course is for you if you  are a homesteader or homestead wanna be!, urban dwellers and rural farmers both, crafters who dream of shelves of bottles and jars filled with herbs and potions, alchemy and magic, for the stay at home mom who wants to nourish her family, for the life long student curious to try something new... for anyone that wants add a little colour and creativity to your  kicthen!  Learning to create your own herbal medicines at home is both empowering and eye-opening.  Herbs are magical but preparing and using them doesn't have to be mystical.  These are recipes you will use again and again!

 

Here's what you'll learn: 

-Water Based Preparations (infusions (hot/cold), decoctions, medicinal baths, compresses, formentations, mouthwashes, inhalants)

- Alcohol based preparations (tinctures; maceration,percolation & spagyric methods)

- Oil Based Preparations: Oils, Liniments, Salves, Cremes

- Acetates, Glycerites and honeys

- Understanding interactions of plant phytochemicals to make better medicine

- Recognizing and assessing the quality of dried herbs, Choosing the appropriate form of the remedy

- The importance of effective record keeping

- Terminology and definitions

- Equipment needed for creating herbal preparations

-  Principles of Ethical Harvesting

- Basic Herbal First Aid remedies

- Intro to Food as Medicine, Herbal Nourishment

- Learn to your own body care products

- How to Grow (your own) Medicine!

 

Through out the course you will receive individual mentorship while cultivating plant wisdom and meeting your wise woman within.** You will also receive bonus inspirational material, poetry, meditations, recipes and resources to aid you in your study**Making your own medicines at home adds opportunity for creativity, beauty, nourishment and richness to an ordinary day, more blessings to be thankful for...as  your olfactory senses are stimulated it helps the brain register more happiness! 

 

You can start this 12 module on line program anytime! and work at your own pace though we recommend one module every 2 weeks.

 

Course fee $250

                                                                           

                                                                  FOR MORE INFO PLEASE EMAIL 

 

"I've taken several correspondence courses and non so fun as this one! Once a month I turn my kitchen into a magical herb apothecary and make all kinds of medicines and potions. This course has reminded me stop, breathe and take care of my needs! as a stay at home mom of 3 a lesson I needed to learn. My daily routine now includes teas, meditaion and plant study! This course helped me introduce my family to a healthy lifestyle that we will be living for many years to come! So much gratitude to the plants and our lifelong friends at Blazing Star Herbal School!" Rena from PA

 

These are the ways of our grandmothers, the ancient ones. The joy of life is the give- away. You are the center of your universe. You are the axis, life's matrix, the still point in the ever-moving. The designs of the universe radiate through you. You are god, goddess, unique and whole.  

- Susan Weed 

 

Gift Certificates Available this Holiday Season-

 

Give the gift of Health or Herbal  Education this Holiday Season. 

Gift Certificates available for Beginner/Intermediate Apprenticeships, Advanced Apprenticeship, DIY Distance Learning Programs  including Family Health Program, and 12 Month Journey To Optimum Health, a herbal lifestyle mentoring program! and for Herbal Product for any amount!

 

Just send us an email to set up!

The Solstice Special- 2 for 1

Here we go again! Offering quality herbal education at prices you cannot resist!

Blazing Star Herbal School offers several programs for the long distance student. Whether you are in Europe, India or the next town over you can now study herbalism through us.

Our most popular series is the :

 Do-it-Yourself Herbalism Series

                         ...practical, thrifty and fun! 

These courses are written with the homesteader in mind,  looking to integrate nourishing herbs and herbal medicines into their lifestyle to improve their health and increase their self reliance while connecting with all the land around them has to offer. 

Here's the Solstice Special, 2 of the DIY Correspondance Courses for the price of 1, Summer and Winter! Celebrate the opposite poles, the shortest day and longest day with 4 weeks of seasonal medicines and plant exploration.

 

 

Course 1

Summer Remedies and First Aid

In this hands on medicine making course the focus will be on creating  an at home first aid kit for summer maladies.  We will address the following conditions (and others):

    Topics Include:

            Cuts and scrapes

           Burns (sun and fire)

           Bug bites, (ticks, mosquitoes and bees)

           Muscle aches (Sprains/strains)

           Bleeding and Bruises

           Poison Ivy and Poison Oak rash

           Dehydration (sun poisoning) 

           Seasonal Skin Care      

           Seasonal Allergies(chronic and acute treatment plans)  

      - 4 weeks of Reading, Assignments, and    Medicine Making. 

Course 2

 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.  

                      8 weeks of individualized at-home herbal study 

 

* Both Courses for just $150 * 

Register here

                                                                               

We also accept personal checks and money orders mailed to

Blazing Star Herbal School

Po Box 154, Ashfield MA 01330

                                                                      Happy Solstice to you all!

Early Spring Madness! The 2 for 1 special, 1 week only!

Spring has graced us early this year, the sap has almost stopped running, there are buds on the trees and shoots beginning to poke up......It has been a week of outdoor glory.

To celebrate this I am offering a 2 for 1 special!

"Spring Tonics and Wild Foods"  and  "Summers Remedies and First Aid " 

click here for more details on the courses

8 weeks of individualized at-home herbal study 

* for just $150 * 

                                                                                 

you can sign up through paypal right or send in a check

 

(Offer Ends Tuesday March 20th Spring Equinox)

 

 

 

February Specials! The Complete DIY Herbal Distance Learning Series! Practical, thrifty and fun!

At this time half way between the Winter Solstice and Spring Equinox, a time when we light Candles in honor of Brigid's Day,  Goddess of the sacred hearth flame and the patroness of poets, healers, and crafters.  We seek inspiration, to light the spark of passion.

So for this months Special  I offer to you the luxury of studying herbalism at home affordably and at your own pace. You will save $100! by buying these courses as a bundle!

The complete Series of DIY Herbalism , Practical, thrifty and fun! an adventure into the deep, magical and nourishing world of herbalism.

The courses:

 

Creative, Tasty  and Nourishing Medicine Making for the Beginner Student

 Optimum Winters Health

Spring Tonics and Wild Foods

 Summers Remedies and First Aid

For more info on each course click here!

Save $100! by buying these courses as a bundle!

Buying individually it would cost $700 you can now buy for just $600

Register for this deal below

If you prefer to pay by check just email and we will get back to you!

 

New Class: Creating a Wildcrafting Calendar

Sunday Feb 19th,  2012    ASHFIELD MA       

Wildcrafting is the practice of collecting plant materials from the wild for food, medicine, and craft.  In the past this was how people provided for their families. We can continue to provide for our families by harvesting such goodness as moss, ginseng and other medicinals, natural dyes, mushrooms, wildflower seeds, berries, and saps such as maple, pine or birch. Opportunities for wildcrafting are not just found in the countryside, but in suburban as well as urban settings..

By wildcrafting we can harvest the bounty of each season and should always approach collecting with respect and thankfulness. In this class we will learn the Art of Ethical Wildcrafting, what to harvest and when and how to process results into nourishing and vital medicine. Then we will hand-craft this information into beautiful calendars.

 

Sunday Feb 19th,  2012    10am-2:30pm

Location: ASHFIELD MA          $50

 

                                                                       

You can register using the above paypal button or you can drop us an email 

blazingstarclinic @ gmail (dot) com

and send us a check: BSHS Po Box 154 Ashfield MA 01330

 

New Class: Stocking the At-Home Apothecary

Have you dreamed about a home medicine cabinet stocked with home made remedies for you and your loved ones...

Sunday Feb 5th,  2012   

10am-2:30pm 

Making your own herbal remedies is a cost-effective, creative and empowering way to take control of your health care and helping your community. This class is perfect for the gardener who wants to use what they grow for healing,  the nature lover who yearns to identify and sustainably wildcraft indigenous herbs, and the DIY the crafter with the desire to turn the dried herbs from the farmer’s market into medicine, the mother yearning to take care of her families ailments or even the chronically ill patient who needs a regular supply of remedies.

We will learn how to set up your at home apothecary using your own low tech kitchen lab! We will learn how to use herbal remedies safely, responsibly and effectively for individual and family health care, we will select a handful of herbs that are necessary for “kitchen witchery!” to profile and learn methods of medicine making both simple and some less common methods. 

 Sunday Feb 5th,  2012 

  10am-2:30pm

 $50

         ASHFIELD MA      

                                                                                   

You can register using the above paypal button or you can drop us an email 

blazingstarclinic @ gmail (dot) com

and send us a check: BSHS Po Box 154 Ashfield MA 01330