Herbalism as Community Care

*This is a student-led course. Kate Conway will be the student instructor and John Tuxill is the faculty sponsor.

This class will explore basic herbalism and its role in supporting communal well-being. In this peer-led learning group, we will begin by learning some botanical terms, herbalism vocabulary and theory, and plant identification. You’ll have the chance to build relationships with individual plants and transform and combine these plants into something useful and practical for your daily life. We will aim to use plants that are locally accessible, and you will learn simple ways of integrating plant medicine into your daily life.

We will learn primarily from Indigenous herbalism, using Held By the Land: A Guide to Indigenous Plants for Wellness as our class text. We will also draw on scientific literature and the knowledge of local community herbalists. This course will combine discussion, research, and experiential learning to make herbal preparations such as teas, tinctures, and salves. Our class will be based in the Outback Outdoor Classroom, and visit local walkable spots around campus and the community.