Description
A practical two-day workshop learning plant medicine and how to create effective, simple first-aid remedies.
We will start with a brief introduction to herbal first-aid and its history. Plants have been used effectively in extreme first-aid situations, including saving many lives in wars through the centuries. So much ancient knowledge of plant medicine has now been proved by modern science. This subject is particularly important for living closer to nature and for being self-reliant in wild places.
Throughout the course we will discuss and practice the improvised, immediate use of plants ‘in the field’ as well as making remedies that can be stored and taken away in the form of a first-aid kit.
After considering sustainable wild harvesting, we will head out on a foraging walk to identify and collect many useful species for their medicinal properties. We will discuss storage and processing techniques. You will work with hot or cold-infused oils to make ointments or healing balms, blend medicinal infusions and make simple tinctures and infused oils to take home with you.
You will prepare inner-barks for drying or decoction, learn about key medicinal fungi and seaweeds and options for wild plasters, dressings and splints. Both days will be busy and hands-on, harvesting and making. By the end of the weekend you should leave with many hand-made, useful first-aid remedies as well as new skills and knowledge to inspire you to make use of the many wild herbs in your local area.
Ben has taught plantlore and foraging for more than two decades. Debs also teaches an abridged version of this course at the Royal Botanical Gardens in Edinburgh where she studied herbal medicine and lectures on ‘Wilderness first-aid’ for the RBGE Diploma in Herbology.
Highlights
Introduction to and history of wilderness first aid
Sustainable harvesting
Medicinal plant ID
Native species and ‘exotics’
Making ointments
Hot and cold infused oils
Medicinal infusions
Plasters, bandaging and splints
Preparation of inner barks for medicine
Fungi and seaweed with first aid applications
Making tinctures
Sampling wild infusions
Wood-fired pizza night
Inclusions
This course is fully catered throughout – we do our best to source food that is wild, local, organic, seasonal and nutritious.
Camping fees are included.
We offer a complimentary pick-up and drop-off service from and to the nearest railway station at set times.
Please bring a few small jars for your own use, we will supply the essentials.
