Friday, March 23, 2012

Herbal things to do in Seattle (and abouts)



I often get inquiries from people traveling to the Seattle area who are looking for herbal classes, medicinal plant walks and other herbally focused things to do. 

Here is my list of herbal highlights for the Seattle area. If you regularly teach classes in the are or have something else to add to the list please email me and I'll put it on the list. This listing isn't for advertising one time events. 






Gardens

UW Medicinal Herb Garden
If you only do one thing in the Seattle area, make it the UW Herb Medicinal Herb Garden. It contains hundreds of medicinal plants that are clearly labeled. You'll see exotic plants you never thought you's get a chance to see! This activity is best during the growing season. See this link for more information.

Rhodiola: Photo taken at the UW Medicinal Herb Garden


Washington Park Arboretum
This park is a beautiful stroll throughout spring, summer and fall. It boasts over 230 acres filled with plants and trees. You'll also find the Japanese Garden nearby. More information here. 

Bastyr has a beautiful herb garden at their Kirkland campus. Don't miss their reflexology footpath. They also host a nice herb fair in the late spring. 


Eastpointe Native Plant Demonstration Garden 
Part of project of NATIVE (Native Appreciation through Indigenous Vegetation at Eastpointe), this garden uses volunteers to educate the public about native plants and their environmental benefits.
3600 – 136th Pl. SE, Bellevue, (425) 296-6602

King County Master Gardener Foundation 
This website has an extensive listing of gardens, including native plant gardens, found in the area. 


Stores & Apothecaries

Dandelion Botanical Company
Dandelion Botanical Company, located in historic downtown Ballard is a beautiful apothecary with loads of bulk herbs, teas, herbal books and other supplies. I stop in every time I'm in town. They often have wonderful herbal classes on evenings and weekends. 

In Kirkland, WA, this store often hosts herbal classes as well. 

Rainbow Natural Remedies
Located in Capitol Hill, Rainbow Natural Remedies carries bulk herbs and supplements. 

Uwajimaya
Uwajimaya is an Asian specialty foods store and quite the adventure! 

Herbal teachers in the area

Located 13 miles outside of Seattle in Issaquah, Karen Sherwood is an ethnobotanist who frequently teaches weekend plant programs as well as long term apprenticeships. Her seaweed class in the summer is one of my favorites classes! 

Located 1.5 hours north of Seattle, they frequently have herbal class offerings. 

Dandelion Botanical Company hosts a variety of herbal classes. See their listing here

Olympia Free Herbal Clinic
Located in Tacoma (1.5 hours south of Seattle), this incredibly awesome clinic offers occasional classes and their annual Dandelion Seed Conference which happens in the fall.