Offered: March 5, 2011
Location: Commonweal Garden
Instructor: Eden Clearbrook

Join Eden Clearbrook, owner of the Garden of Eden Apothecary and Healing Room in Point Reyes Station, for a  joyful, multi-level, daylong adventure in herbal medicine.  Eden will share her passion and experience with working with medicinal herbs, share her techniques for awakening our innate relationship with the natural world, and offer lecture, song, and a hands-on experience to help guide you into the world of herbal healing.

The day will start with a plant walk, where you will be introduced to the “Who’s Who” of local medicinal herbs.  You will learn traditional uses of plants for food and medicine, as well as the essential principles and practice of wildcrafting and gathering herbs in the garden.  Some common garden "weeds" will be discussed in terms of their traditional medicinal uses, and you will have the opportunity to experience them through collecting and tasting them in raw and in prepared tea.  You'll also have the opportunity to observe and collect wild Stinging Nettles, and help prepare them into a wholesome nourishing soup for lunch with other wild spring greens.

The afternoon is devoted to the respectful collection and meticulous preparation of our foraged plants, and turning them into remedies for the home medicine chest.  Choosing biodynamic alcohol as our base, we will make tinctures and transform our plant allies into long-lasting potent medicine to serve our wellness needs throughout the year.   Other plant preservation methods will be discussed and demonstrated, including glycerites (alcohol-free extracts).

Everyone will take home a variety of precious, long-lasting, plant-based remedies made during the class. These carry the precious essence of our day and the ever valuable and necessary, natural, non -toxic and potent Earth-based medicine that so benefits our bodies, minds and hearts.

Course Fees

Class fee: $95 per person, plus $5 materials fee
               $85 per person, plus $5 materials fee, if you register with a friend

Instructor: Eden Jamila Clearbrook

As a child in Paris, France, Eden had her initiatory experience into the herbal world by crossing a large field of Stinging Nettle (!).  Later in her life, she learned how to use Stinging Nettle as an ally in her own healing.  In her own words, "the Great Gaia, disguised as Stinging Nettles, gifted me with Her Immense Love.  Together, they strengthened my desire to live, accompanied me through my journey to the underground and back... and opened me up to greater healing". 

Eden's beloved teachers also include Denny Diamond, Jeanine Parvati Baker, Susan Weed, Juliette de Baraclai Levy, Amanda McQuade Crawford, David Hoffman and the plants themselves. She founded the “Garden of Eden Healing Remedies Collection” of organic healing salves, creams and botanical extracts in 1980. They are used on several continents. In 1997, Eden founded the Garden of Eden Apothecary and Healing Room in Point Reyes Station.  The treasure of herbs, community and healing and have operated it since. 

As a student and practitioner of Sufism and certified energetic healer, Eden also offers Heart Healing sessions and regularly instructs groups of teens and adults in “Emerald Junction Workshops”: a blend of wisdom teachings from Native and Sufi tradition in the Art of Herbalism.  Eden has lived in West Marin for over 35 years and is passionate about sharing her knowledge about the local flora.

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