Edible and Medicinal Plants
The Valley of the Willamette travels to the Columbia. Apple trees break the concrete, mushrooms come and dissolve from forest park and nettles bite between the houses. Along its shores and beyond we tend to a vast food forest to feeds ourselves. The Cascadia Plant Guild knows that life is more than what we yield for this season, it is sustaining a harvest for 200 years and beyond. Where there is abundance we forage, while leaving behind enough for the robin, the fox, the salmon, or the beaver. Where there is a lack, we tend to it first. Planting, propagating and knowing this care for land may not immediately feed us or our children, instead our gardener's heart nourishes our grandchildren, their children and beyond. Harvesting in these secret places is a rite of passage. You need to earn it. We will not take you immediately out to the forest, marshes and shores that feed the people, but we will give you clues and tools on how to one day find your way there.
Upcoming Medicinal and Edible Plants courses
Fall |
Winter |
Spring |
2009 Edible and Medicinal Plants Schedule
Fall
Preventing Colds: Cedar & Oregon Grape Tincture
You know that echinacea and goldenseal tincture you buy in the store. Why no go with a local varity that is more appropiate for those living in the Pacific Northwest? Western Red Cedar (Thuja plicata) is said to stimulate white blood cell activity, strengthing your immune system. Oregon Grape (Mahonia nervosa) contains berberine and other alkaloids which have been shown to kill a wide range of microbes. During this class, we take a walk and show you how to identify these wild plants. Then you come back and learn to prepare the herbal tinctures for winter wellness.
Ages Adult $45, November 15, 2009 10am-2pm Spaces Left
Winter
Healing Wounds: Plantain Salve
The plantain is a common plant found growing your yard. It can be used to sooth wounds, bug bites and simple rashes. The leaves make a fantastic herbal salve that you can have on hand anytime. During this class, we take a walk and show you how to identify these wild plants. Then you come back and learn to prepare herbal salve.
Ages Adult $45, December 13, 2009 10am-2pm Spaces Left
Shampoo from Native Plants
Would you like to add some body and sheen to your scraggly hairdo? Naturalists aren't normally the best cosmetic consultants but in this class we plan to shake things up a bit. Learn how to make shampoo from common plants in the Pacific Northwest. Not only will we remedy your follicle situation, but you'll learn how to find the best aromatic herbs for a bath.
Ages Adult $45, January 24, 2010 10am-2pm Spaces Left
Healing Teas: Trees of Life
On a walk through the Nature Park, we will observe a variety of edible, medicinal and utilitarian native trees (and shrubs). We examine their unique heritage to the people of the Pacific Northwest: from Native Americans to Lewis and Clark, settlers, foresters, biologists and more. Finally we'll end thed day sipping some nuturing and medicinal winter teas made from our local trees.
Ages Adult $45, February 28, 2010 10am-2pm Spaces Left
Spring
Edible Wild: Spring Greens
What exactly are "spring greens?" Are they vegetables? Salad fixings? In this course we will explore the various kinds of "greens" one might find outdoors in the Springtime. We will focus on native plants with edible and other uses, getting down the basics of wild food usage and study. Come see what nature has to offer.
Follow us