Herbal medicine
is the medicine of the people. Knowledge of medicinal plants, including common "weeds", how to identify and
use 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. Open your heart to the plant world
and you will be repaid with more than you can imagine.
2013 Classes and Herb Walks
Class Fee: $30 per 3 hour class which includes all instruction, materials, supplies, and handouts. Fresh
spring water, herbal tea, and snacks are provided.
To Register:
Pre-registration is required for all classes and
herb walks. Send the fee plus a note with your name, address, phone number and email address, and specify which class(es)
or walks you are registering for. Directions and more information will be sent upon receipt of registration. Send check or
money order payable to Hidden Hollow Farm to: Hidden Hollow Farm, RR1 Box 228D, Keyser, WV 26726.
Amazing
Adaptogens
Sun May 19 3:00-6:00 p.m
This class will focus
on the adaptogens, herbs that have a long history of use to enhance coping with physical and
mental stress and maintaining a positive mood and optimal energy and health.
Class will include discussion of historical uses around the world, a demonstration of traditional
Ayurvedic preparations and some fun modern ways to use these amazing plant medicines. Participants
will take home samples.
Backyard Herbalism:An
Introduction to Medicinal Plants
Sun June
9 3:00-6:00 p.m.
Find medicine in your own back yard! The folk tradition of herbalism focuses
on using local plants, often plants that are considered common weeds. Learn to identify medicinal and edible plants and how
to make a few herbal preparations the "wise woman" way. Class will include an herb
walk and discussion of how to develop plant identification skills. Participants will take home samples of a tea blend, a tincture
and an infused oil.
Herbal Energetics:An Organoleptic Approach to Learning Actions &
Energies of Medicinal Plants
Sun July 14
3:00-6:00 p.m.
Herbal
energetics form the foundation of most systems of herbalism practiced around the world. Organoleptic learning
involves using our senses to learn about the energies and actions of herbs and similarities within plant families. It is a fancy name for a simple way to connect with plants using
a deeper awareness. We will discuss and sense aromatics, astringents, demulcents, relaxants, bitters and more. This is a hands-on
experiential class that will get your senses in tune!
Beneficial Uses of Invasive Plants
Sun July 28
3:00-6:00 p.m.
Class will include
discussion of medicinal and food values of invasive plants, and a plant walk to identify invasive
plant species commonly found in our region. Class will also focus on the weedy plants that aren't
necessarily invasive, but might be considered nuisance weeds by those unaware of their value.
Making
Better Herbal Medicines
(prior knowledge of basic herbal medicine-making suggested)
Sun September 8 3:00-6:00
p.m.
Knowledge of the
chemical constituents of plants and the best way to extract them will help you make your herbal medicines even more potent.
We'll look at the world of polysaccharides, polyphenols, alkaloids, tannins,
resins, volatile oils and other constituents, and discuss how scientific knowledge and traditional uses merge. To keep this class from being too science-heavy, we'll take an herb walk to
experience the beauty and wonder of our plant friends that go way beyond their individual constituents. The
whole is much more than the sum of its parts!
Seasonal Herb Walks
Herb walks
are a great way to learn about plants up close and personal. $15 per person with herbal tea and snacks served following the
walk. Stay for an optional mini-class after the walk for an additional $10 materials fee and take home samples of the herbal
products made in class. Advance registration required.
Spring Herb
Walk and Herb Day Celebration
Sat May 4 1:00-5:00 p.m.
Come celebrate Herb Day with a free herb walk,
plant sale, herbal apothecary open house and herbal refreshments. There will be organically grown dried bulk herbs, herbal
soaps, creams, tinctures, tea blends, supplies and herb plants available for purchase. Herb Walk from 2:00-3:30 p.m.
- we'll see what early spring plants are up and growing, and we'll discuss and sample some traditional Appalachian
springtime tonics. Optional mini-class: Making Natural & Botanical Cleaning Products from 4:00-5:00 p.m.
Summer Evening Herb Walk
Sun July 21 5:00-6:30 p.m.
We'll
see what plants are in their prime and discuss proper and sustainable harvesting of wild and cultivated herbs. Enjoy some
herbal snacks and iced herbal tea following the walk. Optional mini-class: Making Herbal-Infused Oils and Salves from
7:00-8:00 p.m.
Autumn Herb Walk & Seed Harvest
Sun Oct 13 1:00-2:30 p.m.
We'll see how the
plants look at this time of year, and will collect seeds ripe for harvest. Optional mini-class: Root Medicine 3:00-4:00
p.m. We'll see and discuss plants whose roots are used for medicine, dig a
few roots for making tinctures and save some for drying. We'll also talk about sustainable growing and harvesting of root
medicines.
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.
Dates: 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 2013 program are: April 20, May
18, June 15, July 13, August 17, September 7 and October 19. (Please note that
at this time the October date is tentative and may need to be changed.)
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 a $35 non-refundable deposit to hold your
place in class. Balance of $360 may be paid in full prior to April 15, or in three payments of $120 each, paid by April
15, May 15, and June 15. 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 Koutras Lay has been studying, growing, and
making herbal medicine for nearly 20 years. She is an herbalist in the folk tradition, one who shares information with her
community on identifying and growing medicinal plants, and preparing and using herbal medicines. She enjoys the never-ending
learning that is inherent in working with herbs, and witnessing the enchantment that occurs between people and plants.
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 teaches classes locally in
WV and MD, and has taught at Sage Mountain. She has had the privilege of learning from many other prominent herbalists, and
acknowledges the plants and the land on which she lives as being her most important teachers. Andrea has a BA degree with
a major in psychology, and has many years of experience working in the mental health field. She has a particular interest
in plant medicines for issues such as anxiety disorders, ADD/ADHD, mild to moderate depression and stress-related conditions.
Andrea has served on the Board of Directors of the West Virginia Herb Association since 2006. She considers it an honor
to pass along what she has learned in order to help others empower themselves to live a more healthy and joyful life.
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.
