Adaptogens: Herbs for Strength, Stamina and Stress Relief

Presenter: David Winston

Description: 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 well-being 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, the unique qualities of each herb and how they can improve cognitive function, restore immune and endocrine balance and promote increased mental and physical well being. We will also discuss companion herbs used with adaptogens such as nervines, nootropics and restorative tonics.

​

Earth Medicines: Healing Ways of Clay, Mud, Smudges & Oils

Presenter: Lisa Bedner

Description: Join Medicine Woman and Healer of the Tihanama, Lisa Bedner, for a very special class exploring the traditional healing ways of clay, mud, smudges and oils. Learn the art of grounding from the outside in! This rarely offered class will offer an insight into a unique sector of earth medicines.

​

Foraging 101: Safety, Ethics & Beyond

Presenter: Jesse Akozbek

Description: Foraging is one of the most important skills a person can learn and is an incredibly rewarding way to connect and deepen our relationship with nature. However, at the beginning, it can seem daunting. You might worry about eating the wrong thing or taking too much. For many, these questions keep them from taking the first step. In this class, Jesse will tell you what it means to be a forager. He will show you how to do it safely and responsibly as well as break down the skill into four fundamental components so you’ll know exactly what you need to start your journey!

​

Herbal First Aid with The Green Medic

Presenter: Matthew Wood

Description: There are times when a person must go to the doctor for acute or chronic conditions, but there are many times when we can take care of ourselves and family at home or in the field. Did you know that you can aid the majority of common accidents naturally, with herbs? Many of these herbs are easy to find, growing nearby! In this class, Matthew Wood, The Green Medic, will teach participants which herbs to use for a variety of first aid conditions and how to confidently apply them. And of course, there will be stories and time for questions!

​

Little-Known Medicinal Plants of the Southeastern U.S.

Presenter: David Winston

Description: Many common medicinal plants from the Southeastern U.S were first used by Native Peoples and then adopted by the Thomsonian, Physiomedicalist and Eclectic Physicians. Today we still use Black Cohosh, American Ginseng, Goldenseal and Saw Palmetto. Many people might assume that all of the valuable plants of this region are well known and if they are no longer used, it simply means they are not useful. Nothing could be further from the truth. There are many effective herbal medicines that are still frequently used in southern folk medicine or by Native Tribes or that have been introduced from other parts of the world that are virtually unknown outside of this region.  Shrub Yellow Root, Kudzu, Cross Vine, Cucumber Magnolia, Flowering Dogwood, Saw Brier, Mimosa and Peach leaf are just a few of the amazing medicines we will discuss and learn to use in this detailed class.

​

Medicinal Mushrooms: Fungi-Supported Health & Wellness

Presenter: Michelle Rigling

Description: This workshop will start with an overview of medicinal mushroom basics, such as common medicinal mushrooms identification tips, their medicinal properties, and DIY preparations. Michelle will share some cooking tips and recipes as well. Then we will explore how specific mushrooms can support physical, mental, and emotional wellness. A few topics we will cover include:

• Immune system support 

• Brain health and nootropic mushrooms

• Mushrooms in Alzheimer's research

• Fungi-supported cancer recovery

• Quality, sourcing and dosing 

​

Psychoactive Mushrooms: Sacred Journeys & Mystical Experiences

Presenter: Michelle Rigling

Description: Artifacts and cave paintings suggest that humans have been interacting with mushrooms for spiritual purposes for over 12,000 years. In this workshop we will discuss mushrooms in ritual and ceremony, both past and present. We will look at the differences between certain mushrooms found in rituals (such as Amanita muscaria, Psilocybe cubensis, and specific Ganoderma (Reishi) species) as well as topics like mushroom essences, microdosing, sacred journeys, safety, dosage, and integration. Michelle will share insights from her experiences as a Guide, Trip Sitter, and Integration Counselor as well as review recently published information from clinical trials. There will be time for questions plus information about legal considerations and resources for future learning. 

​

Rocks and Stones in Folk Medicine

Presenter: Phyllis D. Light

Description: Amethyst, Aquamarine, Diamond, Quartz, Tourmaline, Jasper, and Opals are just some of the gemstones in the Southeast. Rocks and stones were often used in folk medicine as healing aids or protection. Some uses were very practical - heated stones placed over areas of cold for example. Other uses were more spiritual such as using petrified wood to protect the healer from taking on the illness of the sick person. Join Phyllis as she discusses a few of the folk uses of stones and rocks based on traditional folk medicine of the Southeast.

​

Scouting, Identifying & Utilizing Medicinal Trees

Presenter: Jesse Akozbek

Description: Trees provide us with a diverse set of medicinal compounds that can be found and gathered year-round. However, for many, distinguishing trees from one another is a difficult task. For others, they are concerned about the sustainability of using trees for medicine. In this class, Jesse is going to make tree identification simple and approachable! He’ll also explain the many ways that trees can be gathered and used sustainably. By the end of the class, you’ll know key details for identifying any tree, plus the history of use of several iconic medicinal trees in the Southeast.

​

The Wild Soul: Weaving Your Unique Mythic Medicine

Presenters: Joanna and Trevor Mann

Description: When living through the feeling sense, our natural curiosities draw us to the wild medicines we need which in turn points us to the medicine we can then offer to the world. Humans co-evolved with natural environments and these systems contain all we need to live in wholeness. By attuning your senses to the wild, you allow yourself to come into relationship with the medicine your being needs for balance. As that medicine brings you into wholeness, you are able to find the unique medicine to offer to the world. In this class we will look at practices that help move us into the feeling sense, look at archetypal patterns, and discuss how these medicines have begun to work with and through us towards greater healing for all.

​

Turmeric & Wild Mountain Mint: Crop Talk with Dr. Mentreddy

Presenter: Dr. Rao Mentreddy

Description: AAMU professor, Dr. Rao Mentreddy, has been researching turmeric for over 15 years. Perceiving a need for robust, adapted turmeric varieties that combine high rhizome yield with high curcumin content, his research team evaluated a wide range of turmeric germplasm obtained from Vietnam and succeeded in developing five varieties for commercial production in Alabama and Georgia. He will be sharing information about these fascinating findings and well as discussing Gold Milk, a medicinal beverage popularly prepared by Indians to control cough, cold, and chest congestion, as well as a few other ailments. In addition, he will be sharing research and personal experiences with Virginia mountain mint (Pyncnanthemuc virginianum), a medicinal mint that grows wild in Alabama!

​

Wild Gardening: Medicine for the Earth

Presenters: Joanna and Trevor Mann

Description: In permaculture style farming we hold the belief that you can't improve on natural systems. Farming that tries to dominate nature is proving itself to be a self-defeating paradigm. Whether you believe nature was intelligently created or has refined itself through millions of years of evolution, there is an intelligence behind the patterns of nature that cannot be outwitted. This is why, in regenerative farming practices, we seek to piggyback off of the intelligence of these natural patterns. In this class, we will look at the permaculture framework, patterns of nature, and regenerative practices that allow your garden to be more than just medicine for your body, but to also nourish the soils of mother earth.

​

Wild Medicine Walk

Presenters: Phyllis D. Light & David Winston

Description: Wander with Phyllis and David and learn to identify medicinal plants, herbs, and trees growing this time of year. We will learn tips on harvesting and making medicine as well as uncommon uses for some of our favorites. Conference herb walks are so much fun and you won't want to miss this one with two of our most experienced herbalists!

​

Wild Weeds for Wild Mucous! Plant Remedies for Allergies & Colds

Presenter: Lisa Bedner (Tihanama Nation)

So you have wild mucous? Is it an allergy? Infection? Cold? Many people in the Southeast have mucous overload. Let's learn what your mucous can tell you.  We'll also discuss which Native and naturalized herbs and weeds can be eaten or made into medicine to prevent and decrease the wild mucous!