Learn about the rich history of plants used to clear and purify spaces with aromatic smoke, known as smudging, saining and saging in a variety of cultures. You'll see different types of aromatic plants growing in the garden, watch a demonstration of how to craft a bioregionally appropriate herbal bundle, then craft your own herbal bundle to take home. All materials provided. Herbal iced tea served during class.

MEET YOUR INSTRUCTOR: Local herbalist Meghan Henshaw has spent many years studying the plethora of ways in which medicinal plants are woven into the fabric of everyday life. This has led her all over the United States and abroad to Morocco, England, Mexico, and Italy where she has worn many hats as a field researcher, wildcrafter, herbalist, and educator.

Her medicinal plant studies began with an internship with a large herb company twenty years ago and was followed by formal botanical study at numerous universities, resulting in degrees in herbal science and ethnobotany, the academic study of how people use plants. She currently works as an editor for the American Botanical Council, makes small batch herbal products, provides herbal support to her clients, and teaches locally about medicinal plants.

Meghan is passionate about herbalism being accessible to all and is inspired by the plethora of radical projects and people actively working to decolonize herbalism (and the world) in boldly creative and joyful ways. She is especially interested in social equity and sustainability in the herbal supply chain and endangered medicinal plants found in the Midwest region.

For more information, please check out https://www.ocotilloherbals.com/

COST: $40