Siskiyou Mountain herbalist offers courses
From our weekly issue dated February 17, 2010
Herbalist Debbie Lukas will offer several classes this spring to share knowledge about medicinal plants that can be found in and around the Illinois Valley area.
Beginning Thursday, March 11, there will be a 10-week “Beginning Herbal Pharmacy“ class from 9 a.m. to noon. It will introduce herbal preparation techniques such as infusing oils, making salve, tinctures, syrups, and poultices, encapsulating powders and the fine art of making herbal tea.
Students will bring home samples they prepare.
A shorter version of these techniques is offered during two “Pharmacy Intensives,“ on Saturday, March 20 and Saturday, May 8 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. “Learn to Make Lotion and Cream“ is offered on May 22. Pre-registration is required.
Three rain-or-shine Spring Herb Walks will be held to introduce attendees to the vast array of wild and domestic medicinal plants that grow in the Siskiyou Region. The first two will be held at Illinois River Forks State Park on Saturday, March 27 and Saturday, April 24, from 10 a.m. to noon.
The third, on May 22, will examine herbs that can be grown in a garden, as demonstrated by the home of Siskiyou Mountain Herbs, the Frog Farm, 9044 Takilma Road (9 miles southeast of Cave Junction), also from 10 a.m. to noon.
During the herb walks the class will discuss identifying characteristics, habitat, parts used, collection techniques, preparation and uses of herbal plants. As the season changes, different herbs will be viewed, as well as the different stages of growth of the same plants.
The cost is $5 to $15 per walk. Pre-registration is not necessary, though some supplies are recommended.
Lukas will discuss “Family Care: Herbs for Daily Health“ on Tuesdays, March 16 through May 25, from 10 a.m. through 12:30 p.m. This class will examine how the body works, the signs and symptoms of common diseases, helpful herbal preparations, and important times to consult a doctor.
Lukas will emphasize prevention, practical self-care and care for family members with lectures, demonstrations, illustrations, and question-and-answer forum. A class syllabus is available for daily topics.
And there will be two six-week long “Playing with the Herbal Fairies“ programs for children aged 8 to 18, on Thursdays from April 15 to May 20, from 3 to 4:30 p.m. or 4:45 to 6:15 p.m. Students will learn to identify herbs, plant, tend and transplant herbs, make an herbal oil and salve, make a poultice, cook with herbs and make sun tea. An outline is available.
Fees are offered on a sliding-scale to make classes more accessible to low-income people. Phone for details. Aside from the herb walks, all classes will be held at Siskiyou Mountain Herbs, Frog Farm.
Lukas has been studying and preparing herbs for more than 20 years. She completed three years of clinical herbal studies at Dominion Herbal College in Vancouver BC, with more than 400 supervised clinical hours.
She teaches a weekly herbal pharmacy apprenticeship program and facilitates a constitutional herbalism study group. She is also available for personal consultations.
For more information, phone 541-592-3386, email sisqdeb@gmail.com or visit www.siskiyouherbs.com.
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