Herbalism courses and workshops with the Arctos School

Come and start out the new year with new knowledge! The Arctos School always offers sliding-scale classes for nonprofit workers and other low-income folks.

The Arctos School of Herbal and Botanical Studies http://arctosschool.org Herbalism Workshops, Plant Walks, & Courses Winter 2010

Sustainable Herbalism -with Gradey Proctor Monday, January 18th, 7pm-9pm Join us at Cascadia Wild for this free introductory class. We will discuss and taste many different medicinal plants and talk about medicine making. From the grocery shelf to wildcrafting, we will also explore different ways of sustainably acquiring our own herbs. Location: Cascadia Wild’s office (3945 SE Hawthorne). Cost: Free – donations to Cascadia Wild gladly accepted.

Make Your Own Medicinal Syrup! -with Missy Rohs Saturday, January 23rd, 1pm-2:30pm Want to learn how to make a cough syrup, cold syrup, or other medicinal elixir? In this class, we'll make an Elderberry syrup to fight off colds, and we'll talk about each of the medicinal ingredients. Students will go home with new herbal knowledge, skills to make their own concoction at home, and a rockin' syrup for the next time they get sick. Please bring a clean, dry, 4-oz. jar or bottle. Special low price thanks to People’s! Location: People’s Co-op (3029 SE 21st Ave.). Cost: $10-$20, sliding scale. Registration required – email missy at arctosschool.org.

An Alphabet of Herbs! -with Missy Rohs Thursdays, January 28th-February 24th, 6:45pm-9pm In this five-class program, each evening will be devoted to five different herbs, botanically working our way from A through Z. Detailed Materia Medica sheets on each plant will be provided, describing the medicinal uses as well as the magical aspects of plants. We’ll explore each herb through taste, touch, and smell. Both old local faves and obscure medicinals from outside of our ecosystem will be featured, making this class fun for intermediate herbalists and new herb enthusiasts alike. A wonderful way to get to know our green friends better Location: SE Portland. Cost: $115 for the series (*$95 if paid by Jan. 14th*). One class: $35. Registration required – email missy at arctosschool.org.

Herbalism & Ecosystems: The Apprenticeship Program -with Gradey Proctor & Missy Rohs Ten weekends (120 hours), March through October Our unique course combines study in the field on Saturdays with time in the garden and the kitchen on Sundays. Students will learn the basics of western herbalism and Northwest ecosystems, with plenty of hands-on ethical wildcrafting, medicine-making, and plant identification. Drawing on wise woman traditions, contemporary constitutional herbalism, intensive time spent interacting with the plants, and more, Gradey and Missy provide a strong foundation in herbal healing. Each class is something special, bringing botanical surprises and alchemical wonders. Join us on our 2010 adventure! To interview for the Apprenticeship Program, email info at arctosschool.org or call 503.234.8996.

About our instructors: Gradey Proctor is a botanist who studies the flora and fungi of Oregon's forests and wildcrafts medicinal and edible plants for his community. Missy Rohs is a community herbalist who makes her own sustainably-grown plant medicines and loves the forest with a passion.