The passing down of knowledge is such a treasure.
We are deeply grateful that the following teachers are joining us to share their Wisdom.
(Listed in alphabetical order by first name.)
David Winston, RH(AHG)
David Winston is an Herbalist and Ethnobotanist with 55 years of training in Chinese, Western/Eclectic and Southeastern herbal traditions. He has been in clinical practice for 48 years and is an herbal consultant to physicians, herbalists and researchers throughout the USA, Europe and Canada. David is the founder/director of the Herbal Therapeutics Research Library and the dean of David Winston’s Center for Herbal Studies, a two-year training program in clinical herbal medicine. He is an internationally known lecturer and frequently teaches at medical schools, professional symposia, and herb conferences. He is the president of Herbalist & Alchemist, Inc. a manufacturer that produces herbal products that blend the art and science of the world’s great herbal traditions.
In addition, David is a founding/professional member of the American Herbalist Guild, and he is on the American Botanical Council and the American Herbal Pharmacopoeia Advisory Boards. He was a contributing author to American Herbalism, published in 1992 by Crossings Press, and the American Herbal Pharmacopoeia(AHP), 2000-2018, the author of Saw Palmetto for Men & Women, Storey, 1999 and Herbal Therapeutics, Specific Indications For Herbs & Herbal Formulas, HTRL, 2022(14th edition) and the co-author of Adaptogens:Herbs for Strength, Stamina and Stress Relief, Healing Arts Press, 2007 & 2019 2nd Ed, and Winston and Kuhn’s Herbal Therapy and Supplements; A Scientific and Traditional Approach, Wolters Kluwer/Lippincott, 2008. David has also published hundreds of articles in medical and botanical medicine journals and conference proceedings. He is also a member of the AHPA Expert Advisory Council that created the second edition of the Botanical Safety Handbook, CRC Press, published in 2013 (3rd edition in press).
In 2011 David along with 9 other members of the Botanical Safety Handbook expert advisory committee were recipients of the AHPA Herbal Insights award. In 2013, he received the Natural Products Association Clinicians award and was awarded a fellowship by the Irish Register of Herbalists. In 2018, he was the Mitchell visiting scholar at Bastyr University, in 2019 he was awarded an honorary DSc degree from the National University of Natural Medicine(NUNM) in Portland, OR, in 2023 he was awarded the AHPA Herbal Insight award recognizing his over 50 years of educating people about herbal medicine and in 2024 he was given the American Botanical Council’s “Mark Blumenthal Herbal Community Builder” award.
CLASSES:
ADAPTOGENS, HERBS FOR STRENGTH, STAMINA AND STRESS RELIEF
“In our modern world we live incredibly busy and stress filled lives. Chronic stress and the resultant elevation of stress hormones such as cortisol have been shown to be an initiator and cofactor for much of our chronic degenerative disease. In addition to stress reduction techniques, healthy relationships, a good diet and adequate sleep, another important method for reducing stress and enhancing health is the use of adaptogenic herbs. In this class, we discuss the definition of adaptogens, what is and is not an adaptogen, how these herbs work, the rational and effective clinical use of the different adaptogenic herbs and the unique qualities of each herb. Adaptogens are not a one size fits all therapy. There are stimulating adaptogens, calming adaptogens, warming or cooling adaptogens, nourishing adaptogens and moistening or drying adaptogens. Knowing their unique qualities allows the practitioner to more effectively utilize these herbs and get better clinical results. The appropriate use of these botanicals can improve endocrine, nervous system, immune, reproductive, gastro-intestinal and cardiovascular function and promote increased mental and physical well being.”
Stories of Plants & Magic
“David Winston, RH, DSc, shares stories of his amazing journey of 55 years as an clinical herbalist, ethnobotanist, author & educator. Stories of green magic and miracles, plant lore and legends, successes and failures that hopefully bring a bit of wisdom, humor and hope.”
Jen Frey
Jen Frey is a healer, Earth advocate, and mentor with more than 25 years of experience with Plant essences, energy work, and herbal practices. She is the author of Communicating with Plants: Heart-Based Practices for Connecting with Plant Spirits, the founder of Brigid’s Way, and co-steward of Heart Springs Sanctuary - a living example of how to create a more sustainable future by engaging in co-creative partnership with Nature. Jen has dedicated her life to the spiritual path of plant work.
Classes:
Encountering Dandelion: The Power of Plant Diets (Friday Intensive. Limited seats, pre-registration required.)
“Plant diets or initiations are a special opportunity for us to more easily align with the Plant and Spirit Worlds, accessing information and healing gifts by moving into a deep, intimate relationship with a Plant. Often these Diets are with psychotropic plants; however, our common Plant allies, those who grow around us, also open the doorways. In the workshop, we will experience Dandelion and have a glimpse into the power of Plant Diets. The journey will start with learning how to deepen your connection to Plants by learning sensory communication to commune with Dandelion. Then you will experience the physical, emotional, and spiritual aspects of Dandelion as we immerse ourselves in a variety of forms of the Plant to prepare for meeting the Spirit of Dandelion. Come with an open Heart and bring life questions you are pondering. The guidance and healing you will learn to access from Dandelion will be life changing!”
Introduction to Plant Communication
“In this fun and informative workshop, we will begin to remember how to communicate with the Plants as we once did intuitively. Plant communication enhances our well being, offers solutions, guides us on our soul’s path and helps us deepen our relationship with Nature. As we honor the deep bond between humans and Plants, you’ll learn the key to good communication with all beings(hint: it has to do with the Heart.”
join us for a skills-based class
Classes:
Have you ever wanted to unleash your inner Katniss? Here’s your chance!
This year we’re offering a skills-based class on Sunday morning. This archery session will be led by a certified instructor. Spaces are limited, sign up at check in or in the tea room. (photo cred - arch 360.)
Martha napolitan cownap
Martha Napolitan Cownap has been the lead herb gardener at Camphill Village Kimberton Hills for 8 years, growing herbs biodynamically with the help of adults with special needs. She has loved plants since she was a little kid nibbling on her backyard.
Classes:
Wild Plants of Innabah Plant Walk
“Take a walk on the wild side of Camp Innabah and learn about various wild plants and their uses. Engage all of your senses as we look for plants to help heal your wounds, cheer you up, relieve your poison ivy, cleanse your liver and more! The walk will be about a half mile on uneven ground.”
Matthew Wood ***keynote speaker
Matthew Wood MSc (herbal medicine), has been a practitioner, teacher, and author in the herbal field for 40 years. He believes in the empirical (experience-based) approach to herbalism (including pulse, tongue, facial evaluation) as well as the “wisdom of Nature” approach, which includes the doctrine of signatures and use of correspondence. This summer one of his most outstanding books, A Shamanic Herbal, will be released by Inner Traditions. He lives on Sunnyfield Herb Farm in Wisconsin. Online school and classes: matthewwoodinstituteofherbalism.com
Classes:
Herbs, the Muscular and Skeletal System, Injuries and Aging
“One of the great scourges of contemporary society and medicine is opioid addiction. It is almost like we herbalists can save souls here, not just bodies. Because modern biomedicine has no answers other than prednisone, painkillers, and surgery, the person suffering from muscular and skeletal (M/S) problems, whether from injuries or aging, is backed up against a wall of heroic medicine and addiction. “Pain relief” need not be the goal of the competent herbalist because we have an arsenal of herbs that controls pain, not by suppression, but by return to mobility and health - the FDA does not let us use the word ‘cure.’ In this keynote we will discuss some of these great herbs - Solomon’s Seal and Teasel, which work together on joints, tendons, injuries, and aging. I will mention a third herb which combines them. You’ll have to attend to hear about that. Additionally, Dandelion root to illustrate working with deep inflammation and infection in bone and muscle.”
What is Shamanic Herbalism?
“I’d say that all herbalism is shamanic because it is all based on an attunement to Nature (intuitive, spiritual, imaginary, visionary, experiential, and even rational) and that means an adherence to age old themes and practices indigenous to every culture and ecosystem on the planet. Not only are the plants our healers, but they are our teachers, personifying the mighty lessons of Nature - treatment by contrary and similar, illustrating physiological, psychological, and spiritual principles- -body, soul, and spirit- -and occasionally casting a lesson our way as well. Most of our herbs are shamanic or wisdom-spreading, but some more than others, and we will discuss these special herbs- -both common and uncommon.”
Attending to the Immune System after Covid, Long Covid, and the Vaccines
“At one time I thought I had outsmarted the modern biomedical cabal by avoiding the latest round of vaccinations, but now I realize that we have almost all of us been made sick- -by the virus and the vaccine- -both of which can leave lingering weaknesses, susceptibilities, and recurrent problems. It just so happened that I had been studying and writing a book on the immune system when the clock struck 2020 and I felt the need to understand what was going on- -research on immunity, the virus and vaccines.
After four years, however, I realized that almost everyone I knew had been affected and weakened over those years, including myself. The studies showed the effects were on the immune system, with both viral and vaccine spikes altering and weakening certain pathways- -in addition the respiratory membranes are often affected long term. I needed to know about the immune system for my own health. I needed to understand what several of my teachers said, 35 years ago: “the Bat People attack the Indian People through their genes.” So, in this class we will discuss the two branches of the immune system, innate and adaptive, plus the overlooked thermoregulatory system (hot, cold, damp, dry), and how we can learn to help ourselves in this turbulent time with our herbal friends.”
Sylett strickland
Sylett Strickland is a soapmaker and an herbalist in the Wise Woman Tradition. She specializes in hot process soap-making, as well as crafting lotions, tinctures, oils & vinegars in the folk tradition. Sylett regularly teaches herbalism classes in Delaware, empowering others to help themselves. She also has taught at the Texas Soapmakers Convention and ran a bodycare and soap business from 2009-2013. Sylett has been crafting herbal preparations from ethically foraged and purchased plants since 1990.
Find more about her work at: https://www.theherbanherbalista.com
Classes:
Herbal Formulation: Tinctures, Oils and Vinegars
Join the herban herbalista, Sylett Strickland, in this engaging and fun class! Sylett will be sharing her knowledge with us on several different methods of herbal formulation. She’ll discuss and demonstrate her wise methods of creating botanical tinctures, oils & vinegars as well as sharing sage advice.
Tiffany Robbins
Tiffany Robbins is a clinical herbalist and acupuncturist. Tiffany is trained in Western herbal medicine as well as Ayurvedic and East Asian herbal medicine. She is passionate about teaching herbal medicine. Her love for the green world encompasses natural food preperation, ethnobotany, ethical wildcrafting, fiber arts, herbal medicine making, and natural perfumery.
Tiffany along with two other herbalists founded a community herb school in Philadelphia. She also teaches at herb schools and conferences across the country and does private consulting. She has a small private practice in both Pennsylvania and Maryland. Tiffany is a Penn State Master Gardener and Tree Tender. She is a member of the Pan-African Health Initiative P.A.S.H.I., an organization that teaches menstrual health hygiene and distributes reusable cloth menstrual pad throughout the African Diaspora. Tiffany’s biggest claim to fame is her family. She is happily married with three awesome children and a rambunctious cat named Tomato rounds out the family.
CLASSES:
Do You Resinate With Resins?
“Resins, gums, and waxes - those substances that ooze out of plants have been used in healing for a very long time. How do we use them in our materia medica? Let’s use our organoleptic skills to explore those wonderful plant constituents.”
Tina Sams & Maryanne Schwartz
Sisters Maryanne Schwartz & Tina Sams have been working together in various herbal pursuits for over 30 years, beginning with a herb shop inside the PA Renaissance Faire, then expanding to a shop in the “real world.” There they learned to make soap and developed a popular local newsletter. In 2000, the shop was sold and Maryanne started Lancaster County Soapworks, Etc. She and Tina started The Essential Herbal magazine a year later.
They continue to work together, helping in each other’s businesses. Over the years, Maryanne also became a skilled lampwork glass artist and learned layout and composition for the magazine. Tina has written several books on herbs and can wrap a bar of soap with her eyes closed. Together, they learned distilling, and most recently eco-printing and dyeing with plants.
https://essentialherbal.com
http://www.lancastersoaps.com
Classes:
Natural Incense-Making
“First we’ll demonstrate how to make a loose incense that can be sprinkled over charcoal or a wood fire, and talk about ingredients you might want to use.
Then we will discuss a couple of different ways to make a self-burning cone incense, and the ingredients. We’ll have a batch pre-made so that everyone can form a few cones to take along and savor the Black Walnut experience at home!”