Spring Herbalism Workshop: Medicine of Place for Spring in the Sky Islands with Carla Vargas-Frank of Yerba Nomadica

Saturday, April 6, 9am-1pm
At the Borderlands Restoration Native Plant Nursery
$40, materials included
Nobody will be turned away for lack of funds
Contact horticulture@borderlandsrestoration.org to RSVP and to inquire about details and sliding-scale options

In this class we will look specifically at what spring in the desert brings forth; the shifts, the blooms, the bursts of new energy and how those environmental changes affect our physical and energetic bodies. The practice of herbal medicine is a study of relationships between plants, people, and environments. What are our bodies telling us about our mental, emotional, physical needs? What are the plants telling us about their uses? How can the anticipation of seasonal patterns help us to keep our balance throughout the year? In this class we will approach these questions (and hopefully inspire new ones) by focusing on the following areas of exploration:

+ Medicine of Place: Sustainability and the healing potential of engaging with our environment. We will discuss and demonstrate the process and potency of flower & environmental essences.
+ Herbal Bitters & Intro to Taste as Teacher: We can read about herbal constituents in books, but we can also deduce a great number of medicinal actions and value from our highly accessible sense of taste. What are the five main flavors and what can they tell us about a plant’s therapeutic potential? *Emphasis on the seasonal relevance of bitters. We will also be making an herbal bitters in class for home use.
+ Spring Ailments: The old herbal adage goes that the medicine you need is growing around you. Don’t curse the flowers for your seasonal suffering! Often the cause is also the remedy. Herbal allies for southern Arizona allergies.
+ Native Medicinals for Home Gardens: We will highlight a few popular native plant remedies who deserve protection in the wild and a spot in your yard.

Carla Vargas-Frank is the herbalist behind Yerba Nomadica and has been in immersed in the study and practice of herbal medicine for over a decade. Born and raised in the Sonoran desert, it was the familial lineage of the use of botanical medicines from Arizona's diverse bioregions that first inspired her to pursue a greater understanding of the interaction between plants, place and people. Carla studied formally with Nicole Telkes of Wildflower School of Botanical Medicine in Austin, TX as well as Karyn Sanders and Sarah Holmes of Blue Otter School of Energetic Herbalism in Fort Jones, CA and informally with many other influential instructors, not least of all the plants themselves. Currently she is in private practice, teaches, and is a a co-founder of Nepantla Healing Arts Community in Tucson, Arizona. (www.yerbanomadica.com)

"I view my work with the herbs as an extension of my activism towards environmental, social, and health justice"
-Carla Vargas-Frank