Herbs & Plants for Winter Wellness

Location

Waltham Fields Community Farm

Summary

A hands-on exploration of herbs and plant-based medicines used for winter wellness with herbalist, Alex Klein. Including herb-based make-and-take.

Description

Herbs & Plants for Winter Wellness

Saturday November 4, 2023 

1:00 - 3:30 p.m.    $40/per registrant

Prepare for the winter months on the farm with local herbalist and arborist, Alex Klein.

This workshop will explore the many wild plants and harvested herbs in their various forms of preservation from essential oils to dried tinctures.

Learn their values to ease typical winter season ailments and boost the immune system, the best ways to use, and some history of how humans and plants have cared for each other throughout the generations. 

Geared towards adult learning, this workshop includes a guided exploration of herbs, plants and oils along with a make-and-take under Alex's guidence.

Each participant will create a basic, nonalcohol based winter tonic to bring home. 

Weather depending, participants may take a field walk with Alex to search for medicines growing wild on the farm. Please dress for indoor and outdoor explorations by wearing sturdy, closed-toe shoes or boots and a warm, waterproof layer (like a rain coat) for outdoor farm walks. 

A Note From Guest Instructor, Alex Klein.  Hi, I'm Alex Klein and I am an intermediary between people and plants. After beginning my work as a landscaper in Boston and New York, my desire to connect to nature more meaningfully changed my perspective on plants from something mostly aesthetic to something directly useful to me and the people around me. I have since botanized and wildcrafted up and down the East Coast, getting to know well the flora of the region, as well as the historical and modern uses of hundreds of food and medicine plants. Along the way, I trained as a clinical herbalist at the Northeast School of Botanical Medicine and the Ithaca Free Clinic, where I apprenticed under 7Song. My passion for herbal medicine led me to do herbal First Aid, volunteering my time at Asheville Street Feet, a free Foot Clinic for those in need, and at various wilderness gatherings. I currently practice as an herbalist in Boston, striving to use in my practice only plants I have gathered myself or grown in my garden.    

Learn more about Alex and his work HERE

* This program will take place outdoors. Hiking boots or comfortable, waterproof shoes, long socks, and tightly woven pants are recommended for those attending this workshop. Participants will walk the farm and explore some of the woodland border surrounding the paths, through typical woodland understory.  

* Please feel free to bring insect spray. We will provide an essential-oil bug repellant for those who wish to use it on-site. Please apply chemical-based sprays in an open area in the parking lot away from the plants and humans on the farm, or spray before you arrive. 

WFCF remains mindful of COVID and continues to follow the Waltham City COVID Recomendations, Guidelines and Mandates as posted on their website HERE