Past Classes

All classes are taught by Brittany unless otherwise noted.

Ayurveda for the Western Herbalist

Tangled Roots Herbal, Nashua NH

Ayurveda is the unique 5,000-year-old healing tradition of India.  Beyond being a system of medicine and healing, Ayurveda is a way of life – outlining health as a state of individual balance, unique for each of us.  Learn to assess Ayurvedic constitutions (Vata, Pitta, and Kapha) and how to care for each in both balance and dis-ease.  Self-care strategies will include lifestyle, diet and herbal therapeutics including how to apply Ayurvedic energetics to the use of western herbs.  A constitutional framework and knowledge of how to apply herbal energetics is what separates a good herbalist from a great herbalist – learn to bring a level of depth and clarity to your herbal practice that only 5,000 years of wisdom can deliver!  This introductory workshop will be information-packed and tons of FUN – enlightening your personal health and the health and personality of others.

 

Plant Immersion with Schisandra

With Brittany Wood Nickerson and Tony(a) Lemos

Thyme Herbal Classroom and Gardens, Conway MA

Join Brittany and Tony(a) for an afternoon of sensory plant immersion with schisandra. During this session, you will be taught the dynamic process of sensory plant immersion as taught by Isla Burgess based on Participatory Science, a process which has its foundation in the work of Johann Wolfgang von Goethe ( 1749-1832). Plant immersions are also explored using a ‘Jungian Mandala’ template based on the work of C.G. Jung’s four ways of knowing – thinking, feeling, sensing, intuiting.

Plant Immersions offer a different way of seeing that bridges worlds and gives glimpses into other ways of being, or should we say, other being’s ways. During this workshop, we will sensorize* with schisandra – spending the whole workshop with the plant, under the arbor and ripe red berries.

Each participant will leave with a participatory sensory plant profile, and following the session will receive a follow-up email with exercises to deepen your practice well as a more traditional plant profile and some sample recipes.

This session is open to everyone whether novice, practitioner or educator. The dynamic group process will enable you to understand and work with plants at a deeper, vibrational level.

* Sensorize – to fully explore and experience a plant with all our senses

 

Essential Oil Distillation Workshop – Lavender

Thyme Herbal Classroom and Gardens, Conway MA

Despite how wonderful they are, it is easy for essential oils to feel like a highly processed, impersonal form of medicine.  But when we participate in the process of making from start to finish, both the process and the finished product become imbued with a new sense of magic. In fact, last year’s experience distilling sage made me feel that essential oils can contain within them a deeply healing essence of place.

Join us for a magical journey with lavender – we will experience and appreciate the plant’s many gifts as we harvest the flowers and process them into essential oil using a wood-fired still.  Greg Disterhoft of Full Kettle Farm will provide the still and bring us through the process.  Participants will go home with several medicines made with the lavender essential oil.

 

Progress, New Visions

Full Kettle Farm, Sunderland, MA

Capitalism teaches us that progress centers around individual and professional achievement.  Whether we are striving for professional advancement, toward financial goals or feeling pressure to go to college, be in a relationship, or keep our house clean – it is all under the guise of pressure from an achievement based cultural system that measures progress through a linear worldview.  But what if we re-frame progress through a holistic lens that sees movement and advancement in a spiralic framework and prioritizes personal growth, planetary well being, and spiritual alignment?  How would such a shift in belief systems change our cultural worldview?  And how can we utilize such practices professionally, personally and spiritually to create and re-create our lives in ways that are deeply fulfilling and work toward a new vision of progress?

 

Cooking with Herbs for Everyday Health

South Hadley Public Library

Learn how to incorporate common culinary herbs into your everyday diet to support vitality and longevity.  Get a sneak peek at recipes and other inspiration from Recipes from the Herbalist’s Kitchen, Brittany’s upcoming book, which will be available just a few weeks later in mid-June!

 

Stories and Reflections on the Evolution of Thyme Herbal

Full Kettle Farm, Sunderland, MA

Stories are a powerful part of how we learn and grow as well as how we seek inspiration from the world around us.  In this talk, Brittany will share her stories and experiences as an herbalist; how her work and Thyme Herbal have been shaped by her life’s path and the influences of her community.  Brittany will also share her own most cherished forms of self-care and the herbal therapeutics that she relies on to keep balanced in all areas of her life.

 

Personalizing Herbal Medicine Series

3 class Series at Sawmill Herb Farm
Florence, MA

With so much access to information resources about health and herbal medicine, how do we know what is right for us? This series will introduce diverse and meaningful herbal skills designed to help; deepen one’s relationship with herbs, refine and individualize applications of herbal medicine, and connect more deeply with one’s self and intuition – ultimately creating the confidence to sustainably integrate herbs into our everyday lives in a way that is meaningful, effective and sustainable. Classes will include handouts, tastings, and demonstration.

 

The Magic of Aromatics

Aromatic herbs have been used since antiquity to calm the nervous system, ease tension and promote shifts in consciousness. In this class, we will re-discover the ancient practice of aromatherapy and its role in cooking, medicine making, bathing, healing and spiritual connection. Internal and external applications will be discussed and their importance in our day-to-day modern lives.

 

Introduction to Herbal Energetics

A basic understanding of herbal energetics can help you refine your knowledge of herbs and how to apply them to individual people and situations. Individualizing herbal choices is at the heart of what makes holistic healing and herbal medicine effective and unique. In this class, we will learn how to identify basic energetic qualities of herbs (hot, cold, dry, damp) through taste and herbal action and how to use them to bring balance to the body.

Incorporating Herbs in your Daily Routine

A sustainable, holistic, daily routine can address all aspects of our physical, spiritual and emotional well being. Routine can support the health of different body systems and cater to our individual needs for balance, nutrition and more. This class will dive into what the body expects from routine, what aspects are most important and how to individualize your daily routine so that it works for you!

 

Spring Tincture Swap!

Amherst MA

Let us welcome Spring by honoring abundance! In the spirit of a gift economy we would like to invite you to join us for a Spring Tincture Swap. A time to share and trade with others medicine that you have in abundance. This will be a fun and economical way to expand the inventory of your home herbal pharmacy and learn about new ways to use herbal preparations. You may bring single plant extracts/tinctures as well as blends and formulas that you have extra of or no longer need. If you don’t have tinctures to share or trade you may bring other herbal offerings to exchange. All are welcome!

Make sure to BRING LOTS OF EMPTY JARS or tincture bottles for bringing home your new medicine!

 

Annual Spring Plant Swap

Looking to expand your garden? Or maybe you already have too much of a good thing and need to weed out? New to gardening and wondering what to plant and where to get it? Come to the swap! Bring your divisions, starts or seeds to trade or and any other garden extras you’d like to pass on to a new home (like plastic pots, etc.).

We focus on medicinal herbs, but all plants are welcome!

Notes: If you do not have plants to share you are welcome to bring other offerings including dried herbs, medicine, or anything else you think others might be interested in trading for!

 

Everyday Herbs for Stress and Anxiety

Indigo Healing Center, Florence MA

Stress and anxiety have a way of creeping into our lives and can have immediate as well as long term effects on the body, mind and spirit. We will discuss holistic tools for managing stress and anxiety on a daily basis using herbs, foods and breathing exercises and explore how we can build resistance to the controllable and uncontrollable sources of stress in our lives!

Suggested $10 donation. All donations will go toward the Northampton/Amherst Herbal Meetup Group!

 

Fermented Foods for Health, Balance and Sustainability

Just Roots Farm, Greenfield

The health of probiotic flora in the digestive system is important for the absorption of nutrients, immune system function, controlling inflammation, mental/emotional well being and for preventing food allergies and skin conditions. Eating fermented foods is an excellent way to maintain and restore healthy probiotic gut flora. In anticipation of the upcoming growing season, we will learn how to make a variety of different fermented foods from vegetables and some fruits! Since fermentation is a natural means of food storage, these traditional preparation techniques can also help support efforts to eat and enjoy local and regional foods throughout the year.

 

Learn to Make Your Own Winter Health Remedies

Amherst, MA

Winter wellness is about more than just not getting sick, it is about maintaining good energy and vitality throughout the darkest and coldest time of the year. Traditional remedies for the winter season can support immunity, reduce susceptibility to cold and flu and improve energy and vitality. We will spend the afternoon learning about delicious home remedies, simple, effective herbs and accessible preparation techniques – sending you home with tools to practice preventative winter wellness in your everyday life.

Everyone will go home with herbs to use at home – $6 materials fee per family. Kids welcome. This event is in Collaboration with Grow Food Amherst.

 

DIY Herbal Housecleaning!

Acadia Herbals, Northampton MA

Lets get together and talk about expanding our home herbal pharmacy into the world of cleaning. In this class we will talk about how to turn simple, common household ingredients and anti-bacterial/anti-microbial herbs into effective cleaning products. We will cover important cleaning ingredients and specific recipes for bathroom cleaners, mirrors and windows, rugs, laundry, furniture and more. Cleaning products contain many toxic chemicals that we absorb into our body through skin contact and also contact through the mucus membranes of our nose, eyes and lungs. Not to mention after use cleaning supplies then get washed down the drain and enter the water supply. Making your own cleaning products is good for you and the earth and affordable. If you are a pro at making your own cleaners already bring your stories and wisdom to share with us all.

 

Native Woodland Plants

Mt. Skinner State Park, Amherst, MA

The plans are appearing despite the cool weather. Join me for an herb walk on Mt. Skinner – there are many beautiful, at-risk medicinal plants here on this mountain side – it is a great place to look at spring ephemerals, medicinal trees and other woodland habitat plants. We will begin the walk up Skinner together, talking about herbs for an hour or so. Those of you who want to can continue up to the top.

We will meet at the main entrance to Mt. Skinner Park and hike up the road. From Rt. 47 South take a left onto Old Mountain Road. Follow Old Mountain Road until it Ts – and you see parked cars.

 

Medicinal Herbs – Harvesting, Storing and Using

Hadley Garden Center, Hadley, MA

This will be a general introduction to the practice of using medicinal herbs. Designed for gardeners and plant enthusiasts we will start by discussing plants themselves – in the garden and in the wild – how to harvest, process and store them and then how to use them as the base of simple home remedies.

Integrating herbs into your lifestyle can be easy, practical and fun and can provide simple and natural solutions for many common ailments. We will discuss a variety of locally abundant and easy to grown herbs and their medicinal uses in the home pharmacy. We will cover methods for harvesting, drying and storing these herbs and how to use them in simple home remedies.

 

Summer Medicinals

Sawmill Farm Collective, Florence MA

Join us for an herb walk at Sawmill Farm in Florence, to talk about the medicinal and edible plants growing wild and in the fields.  Sawmill Farm Collective has a medicinal herb CSA and lots of exciting plants growing for share holders, don’t miss this chance to see the plants growing and thriving!

 

Herbal Aide Movie Screening & Potluck!

Indigo Massage, Florence MA

Bring a dish to share and join us at 6 for a potluck dinner! Following dinner together we will watch Herbal Aide, a documentary about herbal grass roots healthcare efforts, community applications of herbal medicine and related politics of access and education.

 

About Herbal Aide – Building Community Through Herbalism

Herbal Aide is a non-profit based organization founded to document, inspire and fund grassroots herbal projects/businesses that are working towards creating positive, sustainable social change. The Herbal Aide video documentary features herbalists who are using their passion for plants as a tool to support their community in health and healing and is currently being shown around the country.

 

Honoring Fire Cider – A Celebration of Traditional Herbal Remedies

Northampton, MA

An event to RAISE AWARENESS about the recent trademarking of the traditional remedy Fire Cider and raise money for the Free Fire Cider effort.

Herbalism is a thriving modern system of wholistic healthcare, with deep roots in American folk medicine. Join us for an event celebrating our herbal roots and traditional herbal remedies.

10 – 11:30: Fire Cider Intensive Workshop

With Jade Alicandro-Mace and Brittany Nickerson

In this workshop you will learn:
– To make fire cider,
– To apply the many therapeutic uses of this healthful tonic,
– To use food as medicine in your everyday life.

11:30 – 1: Traditional Remedy Tasting and Recipe Swap!

– Bring your own home-made traditional remedies to share,
– Taste other’s versions,
– Share recipes and get inspired!