Herbal medicine
is the medicine of the people. Learning about medicinal plants, often considered common "weeds", and becoming
skilled in identifying and using them, is a step toward self-sufficiency and taking responsibility for your health
and happiness. Our classes stress the importance of getting to know the plants that grow all
around us.
2017 Classes
I am taking a break from teaching the Foundations of Herbal Medicine program this year. I am dreaming and working
on a new venture and a new way of offering classes. I will post updates and any future classes or events as they are finalized.
I do plan to offer the program in 2018.
2016 Classes
The Backyard Herbalist Series
April 4th, April 25th, May 23rd, June 6th
at Peace of Me 618 N.Mechanic
St. Cumberland, MD
Find medicine in your own backyard! The folk tradition
of herbalism focuses on using local plants, often plants that are considered common "weeds". Stock your family's
herbal apothecary with items made from plants that grow at your back door and all around you. Each class in the series will
include a medicine-making section, and participants will take home samples of herbal preparations made in class. Learn to
make infusions, vinegars, oils and salves, tinctures, and more. Fee is $30 per class which includes handouts and all
supplies. Pre-registration required with check or money order made out to Hidden Hollow Farm and sent to RR1 Box
228D Keyser, WV 26726. Please contact hiddenhollowfarmwv@gmail.com to register or inquire at Peace of Me for more information. Paypal payments are also accepted, please use the email hiddenhollowfarmwv@yahoo.com for Paypal and use the "send funds to friends and family" option.
Monday April 4th 5:00-7:30 pm Backyard Herbalism: An Introduction
to Medicinal Plants
If you're just starting out learning about herbs and plant medicines, a great place to begin is with the plants
growing in your own backyard. The folk tradition of herbalism is centered around local plants, and we'll be discussing
plants that grow all around us, as well as others that are easy to grow in the garden or in containers. Using herbal teas
is a wonderful and simple way to learn about using herbs. The medicine-making section will focus on water-based extracts,
including teas, infusions, decoctions, and syrups. Participants will make a tea blend to take home, and samples of Elderberry
syrup will be available. Resources and recommended book lists, websites, etc. will be shared.
Monday April 25th 5:00-7:30 pm The Kitchen Apothecary - Learn how to use common herbs,
spices, and kitchen ingredients for addressing many health issues. Let your food be your medicine and your kitchen be your
herbal apothecary! Class will include making herbal honeys, vinegars, herb and spice blends, and more with samples to take
home.
Monday May 23rd 5:00-7:30 pm
Herbs for First Aid - Many first aid situations can be addressed at home with knowledge of helpful plants and herbal
preparations that are important to have on hand. Class will cover topical remedies such as poultices, compresses, soaks, and
salves, and will include making oil-based herbal medicines such as infused oils and salves. Participants will make an herbal-infused
oil and everyone will get a sample of infused oil and salve to take home.
Monday June 6th 5:00-7:30 pm Herbs for Family Health - Herbs
can be helpful for many common ailments that can be addressed at home such as colds and flu, seasonal allergies, fever, digestive
upset, etc. The medicine-making portion of class will cover making alcohol-based preparations such as tinctures and elixirs,
and samples will be shared.
Interested in a more in-depth study of herbs? We also
offer a 7 month herbal study program:
Foundations of Herbal Medicine
Program Overview: We will meet one Saturday a month from April through October to enable participants to work with the plants through
three seasons of their growing cycles. Upon completion of course, students will have gained practical skills in identifying,
growing, using, and preparing herbs. A variety of herbal preparations will be made throughout the program providing
the basics for stocking the herbal medicine cabinet. This course is designed for the beginning or intermediate herbal
studies student, and will provide a foundational base for future study of herbs and botanical medicine. Please
note: We must have a minimum of 3 participants in order to offer this course. Deposits and fees will be refunded if
course is canceled.
Program
Description: The course combines hands-on activity with lecture, discussion, and spending time outdoors on herb walks.
Emphasis is placed on getting to know the plants, for they are really our most important teachers. There will be homework
assignments and projects to complete each month, and a final project to be presented in October. Interwoven throughout
the program is the joyful spirit that working with plants brings to all who open their hearts to the journey.
Course curriculum will include: ~~Plant Identification and Field Botany~~Organic Herb Gardening~~Proper Harvesting
Techniques~~Respectful & Sustainable Wildcrafting~~Herbs for Specific Body Systems~~Actions & Energies of Medicinal
Plants~~Herbal Medicine Making & Formulation~~Herbs for Men, Women, & Children~~Developing a Personal 'Materia
Medica'~~Using Local Wild Plants~~Wild Foods~~Herbal History & Traditions~~Introduction to Aromatherapy~~Herbal Bath
& Body Care~~Herbal First Aid~~Native Medicinal Plant Conservation~~Nature Awareness~~and more!!
A detailed class syllabus will be sent prior to our first meeting. Participants
will receive a class folder with resource lists, book lists, recommended articles, websites, and numerous handouts throughout
the course.
2016 Program: Classes meet for 7 Saturdays from April through October and meet from
10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. each day. Dates for the 2016 program are April 23, May
14, June 18, July 16, August 13, September 10, and October 15. Participants should make a commitment to attend all sessions of the course. No refunds are given for
missed classes.
Tuition: Tuition
for the course is $395 and includes all instruction, handouts, materials and supplies for herbal preparations made in class.
Participants will need to purchase their own herbs and supplies for projects made outside of class. Herbal tea
and snacks are provided, participants should bring their own lunch.
Registration information: Pre-registration is required. Please send either the full fee or a $35 non-refundable deposit to hold your place in class
if paying with the payment plan. Balance of $360 may be paid in full prior to April 1, or in three payments of $120
each, paid by April 1, May 1, and June 1. Include a note with your name, address, phone number, and email address.
Directions, detailed class syllabus, and further information will be sent upon receipt of registration. Make check or
money order payable to Hidden Hollow Farm and send to:
Hidden Hollow Farm RR1 Box 228-D Keyser, WV 26726
A few things to note:
*Much of class time is spent outdoors, spending time in the gardens and on herb walks, which may
include moderately hilly terrain. Please contact us if you have mobility issues.
*Class is held rain or shine, bring good walking shoes and rain gear if necessary.
*We are located 1 mile down a dirt road that can have ruts
and potholes and be muddy if we've had rain.
*Participants
who are traveling a distance may arrive on Friday evening or stay Saturday night and camp on our land. Rustic indoor
lodging is available in our cabin classroom (indoor space is limited). Please contact us for details.
About the Instructor
Andrea Lay is a community and family herbalist who
has been studying, growing, and making herbal medicine for over 20 years. Her first formal herbal studies were with
renowned herbalist Rosemary Gladstar, and she is a graduate of Rosemary's Teacher Training Program for Herbalists at Sage
Mountain Herbal Retreat Center in Vermont. She continues to pursue independent herbal studies and attends herbal conferences
yearly. She makes herbal creations and teaches classes on herbal medicine and plant identification at Hidden Hollow Farm,
her home near Keyser, WV, and at other locations around her region.
Andrea can come to your club, group, or organization to speak about herbs, teach a workshop, or lead
an herb walk. Please email for more information and a list of class topics and descriptions.
