January 18, 2020

In this two day weekend intensive, we will learn the basic concepts of Chinese medicine and how that can support how we use western herbs.
Topics:
- yin and yang
- excess and deficiency
- the five major organs
- hot, cold, wind and dampness
- western herbs used in this context

Chinese medicine has been transformative for me in terms of getting actual success with herbs and having a complex system of thought through which to see the body and everything really. Because it is a tradition that has thousands of years of unbroken history and records, it is very precise. If you have studied with me before, you may already be sold, and I hope you can join to get a foundation from this highly effective system of thought.

All levels of herbalist are welcome, including people who have lots of experience using western herbs and have been wanting a new perspective on things to enrich your trade.

Schedule:
Saturday, January 18, 2020: 10am-4pm
Sunday, January 19, 2020: 10am-3:30pm

LOCATION: North Beacon Hill (address on purchase of ticket)
COST: $140 per person for the whole weekend
MAX: 12 students

January 21, 2020

In this two hour class, we will cover four common internal causes of skin issues and herbs to address them. Skin-wise, the main focus of this class will be on breakouts, acne, eczema and, to a lesser extent, rashes. Herbs can be massively helpful to speed healing of and clear up various skin ailments. Skin conditions are always a manifestation of whats going on internally, and understanding the messages they send is liberating and can helps you to address the underlying causes directly, for naturally clearer and healthier skin. We will learn about some of the classic herbs for skin, including burdock, yellow dock, dandelion and violet, but we will also cover some herbs less readily associated with the skin such as American ginseng, white peony and astragalus. Natalie will share herbal recipes appropriate for different situations.

DATE AND TIME: January 21, 2020, 7-9pm
LOCATION: Madrona House Apothecary + Healing Arts 1423 34th Ave Unit C, Seattle, WA 98122
TEACHER: Natalie Hammerquist
MAX STUDENTS: 15

January 29, 2020

When you first start out using and studying herbs, it is overwhelming to start from scratch have no idea whether you're doing it right. I have so many students ask me "Did this tincture go bad?" or say "I think I did something wrong!" This class is a practical crash course in building a home herbal apothecary with all the tips and tricks I wish I had known from the start. I have taken special care to quantify, record and expand upon the curriculum for this class so that you will leave feeling SO ready and competent to fill your house with good quality, effective herbal medicines.

Here are some of the key points that will be covered during class:

- Deciding what to have on hand and some recommendations for basic remedies
- labeling and organization
- what materials to have on hand
- What equipment you need and level of importance (w/ recommendations on brands/ types)
- storing tinctures and other herbal preparations
- drying and storing herbs
- how to deal with herbs you're bringing in from outside
- how do you know if something has gone bad?
- What is the shelf life of ____________?
- tips on making great herbal medicine that works

There was a time that we would have learned these things from an elder, but now most of us must start from scratch and learn by trial and error. I hope that by sharing what I know and creating a community around herbal medicine, we can give each other a leg up and bridge the gap of the essential household information that was lost. In the past (before youtube), sharing stories, tips and tricks is how people have healed their families, learned how to cook and run households, and even how to garden. I believe wholeheartedly that the oral tradition of herbalism is one piece in the puzzle of reconnecting to our roots and the land in a time yearning and ready for that connection.

I sincerely hope you can join us!

DATE: January 29, 2020, 7-9pm
LOCATION: Madrona House Apothecary + Healing Arts 1423 34th Ave Unit C, Seattle, WA 98122
TEACHER: Natalie Hammerquist
MAX STUDENTS: 15

February 22, 2020

Winter is a great time to brush up on all the info you'll need to go out and have a full wildcrafting year. I was inspired to offer this class based on one of the most common questions I get asked: "How do you know when to harvest stuff?" My focus here will be to arm you with the practical details on getting out at the right time, getting the right part of the plant and what to do from there. It may seem silly to do this learning inside, but the truth is that extensive research and learning goes into what I do, a lot of which is inside on the computer or with a nose in a book. What a better time to do that than the dark part of the year when there isn't albizia flowers vying for your attention!

Here's what I have planned:
- harvest times and methods
- plant parts (how to find out what plant part to harvest and when is best to harvest each part)
- habitats
- uses of some of the major medicinal plants of our area.
- resources for identifying and looking up the uses of our local plants
- Some tips on navigating latin names and what information can be gleaned from them.
- your questions

Here are some of the plants we'll learn about: hawthorn, plantain, rose, mugwort, grindelia, elder, horsetail, black cottonwood, mullein, goldenrod, uva ursi, wild carrot, red alder, willow, self heal, dandelion, western red cedar.

You'll receive an extensive handout, which will include a timing chart for the Seattle area.

DATE: February 22, 2020, 10am-4pm (arrive as early as 9:45am)
LOCATION: residence in North Beacon Hill (address TBA)
COST: $70 per person
MAX: 12 students
TEACHER: Natalie Hammerquist

February 25, 2020

In this two hour class, I will be sharing in depth about eight herbs to have on hand for every day family first aid. Well cover how to use them, what form to keep them in, what you can combine them with, dosage and safety. Almost all of the remedies we discuss are also safe for children!  Well be mixing a tea together in class (one of the remedies we learn about!), which everyone will get to take home samples of to kick start your herb collection.

The herbs we will be discussing are: oregon grape, willow bark, passionflower, marshmallow, linden, elderberry, arnica, and calendula. I will also touch upon other herbs to add to these herbs for more effectiveness or specific uses.

This is a perfect class for those interested in using herbs to keep their family and friends healthy and avoid using OTC medicines. When you leave this class, youll be full of ideas to intentionally level up your herb cabinet meet your familys needs.


DATE: February 25, 2020, 7-9pm
LOCATION: Madrona House Apothecary + Healing Arts 1423 34th Ave Unit C, Seattle, WA 98122
TEACHER: Natalie Hammerquist
MAX STUDENTS: 15

February 27, 2020

For the first time ever I am dedicating an entire two hour class to one herb: astragalus root. How is one herb worthy of so much pontification, you may ask? Simply put, astragalus has taught me more lessons about the human body and how herbal medicines work than any other single herb. This class will be about astragalus, yes, but many greater lessons will be uncovered along the way. Experimenting and diving into single herbs is how I have come about most of my herbal education. To me, the story of astragalus tells us why struggle is important, what yin and yang balance really means, why you should listen to traditional wisdom, why dosage matters and why we formulate. Astragalus is so much more than just an immune modulator, and my goal in this class is to thoroughly disambiguate its use.

I will share history, cultivation, scientific research, personal experience, traditional Chinese usage, Western usage, cautions and all the aforementioned lessons that I have learned along the way.

Students of all levels will get something out of this class, though I recommend it particularly to intermediate students and those interested in learning Chinese medicine.


DATE: February 27, 2019, 7-9pm
LOCATION: Madrona House Apothecary + Healing Arts 1423 34th Ave Unit C, Seattle, WA 98122
TEACHER: Natalie Hammerquist
MAX STUDENTS: 15