This weekend (October 19th through 21st) we will have this season's last Catskill Herbal Apprenticeship.  We gather Friday night for settling in, a pot luck, and some evening (campfire, weather-permitting... or perhaps woodstove inside).  The remaining weekend will be plant walks, medicine-making, and classes on Chinese medicine and Native American medicine, with meals are included with tuition.

Traditionally, springtime is associated with "spring cleaning" - of the house and of the body.  The liver is often a focus point when attempting to remove toxins from the body and clean the blood, and especially in traditional Chinese medicine the liver is associated with spring and the wood element of the five element theory.  Here are some links to articles and references related to Chinese medicine's wood element: 

https://classes.bbg.org/CourseStatus.awp?&course=18WAENATBBW . Walk the wintery grounds of BBG to learn about tree ID. Evergreens are the most prominent trees this time of year, so we’ll focus on them, with a bit on identifying deciduous trees without their leaves, including bark, branch arrangement, and buds. We will also discuss some botany basics as well as touch on medicinal uses and other points of interest.                               Saturday, January 20th . 10 am to 12 pm

Monday, January 22nd – 80 8th Ave. 13th Floor, Room 1302. (Note: Entrance is on 14th St.)
6:30-9:00pm .                 http://arborvitaeny.com/product/meridian-diagnosis-with-nathaniel-whitmore/

​Meridians are channels of energy that make up a network of vessels that transport life-energy throughout the body, harmonizing and nourishing the body.  The 12 bi-lateral, primary meridians (more-or-less associated with the primary organs of Chinese medicine) and the 2 central meridians are usually represented in charts as lines on the body with specific acupoints along them.  These meridians and points are the major focus of acupuncture and shiatsu treatment and are also central to theory and diagnosis in Chinese medicine.   Although meridian diagnosis is well-known in Chinese medicine, including acupuncture and herbal medicine, as well as in shiatsu, qigong, macrobiotics, and martial arts, it is not well-known in the west.  This class introduces meridian diagnosis to American herbalists, naturopaths, and those interested in the holistic way to health.  As a principle theory in Chinese medicine, meridian diagnosis helps us to better understand health imbalances and what foods and herbs are most indicated.  For example, pain, rashes, or other symptoms along certain meridians or at certain points can indicate involvement of particular organs or help us understand the nature of the imbalance (and, therefore, what to do about it).  Additionally, by palpating meridians and points pains can be revealed and certain energetic conditions can be discovered.  Many mysterious diseases can be brought into light with meridian diagnosis, making this valuable theory an essential part of education in herbal and holistic medicine.  

The herbal apprenticeship we had been holding in Milford, PA will not continue in the same form.  I will be holding classes at Worker Bee Community Acupuncture (mostly on Monday evenings and occasionally on a weekend).  I also plan on offering "mini-series" on certain subjects.  Plus, there is the opportunity to learn through helping with CSW harvest.  Apprentices interested in more individualized attention that what I can provide during public classes and work days can submit their materia medica lists for comments. 
Upcoming classes include:  Chinese Herbal Medicine:  Herbs & Formulae on January 15th and Tonic Herbs​ on February 12th.