Herbal Remedies for the Cold & Flu Season: A class in Seattle

Cold and flu season is looming upon us. 

Are you prepared? 

The goal of this class is to give you the resources and abilities to effectively address many cold and flu symptoms. We will briefly cover prevention and then dive in to look at the most effective herbal treatments for colds and the flu.

Register by clicking here.

During our time together we'll discuss… 

• specific herbal remedies for common symptoms: sore throat, fevers, aches and pains, coughs, congestion and more
• energetic patterns (e.g. Is this a cold fever or a hot fever and which herbs to use for both)
• the most effective dosing strategies for children to adults 
• many different kinds of herbal preparations (from syrups to teas to tinctures to oxymels to steams)
• when you should seek professional medical help

Come to class prepared to take receive lots of information and take lots of notes! You'll also be able to taste many of the herbal preparations we discuss. 

Extensive digital handouts are included with the class. 

Details

When: Friday, October 5th from 6:30 - 8:30pm

Cost: $30

Where: Dandelion Botanical Company in Ballard  (Seattle, WA)

Class size is limited - please register as soon as possible by visiting this link.  

If you would like to be notified about future classes by Rosalee in the Seattle area - 

Please sign up in the form below.

What others are saying about classes with Rosalee... 

 I love the consistency in your teachings starting with the foundation and building from there.  I find when I read others' posts, I'm starting to have an idea of what you'll say.  I think of it like, "what would Rosalee say".  Thanks for teaching not only how to care for acute situations but more importantly how to build in habits to care for ourselves everyday. 

-Victoria B

Hi Rosalee - Just wanted to thank you for your professional presentation at Dandelion . I hope to attend further presentations of this caliber. 

G.Z.

Thank you, Rosalee, for all the wise and caring advice you've given to every one of us in need.  You have always been there to guide and share your knowledge with us.  I will always remember you as my first herbal teacher.
Blessings forever, 

Karen


I wanted to tell you how much I appreciate your e-book on the nourishing herbal  infusions!   We have been drinking them daily and especially like the oatstraw and nettle!  We already eat a very healthy diet, and just feel more nourished since  including the infusions and have also noticed increased energy. 
Blessings, R. B.


Rosalee, Your encouragement and council has comforted so many who are in need. You are an energetic and enthusiastic herbalist who has inspired many including myself. Best wishes on your continued success. 

-N. Vickery

I just felt inspired to let you know how much I appreciate your dedication, your growing awareness and knowledge, your communication skills, empathy and incredible thoughtful suggestions and direction you share.  I also resonate with your apparent respect for life and lifestyle choices.  Really feel you are such a gem.  

T.S.

Tincturing Bee Balm ~ A photo essay

Bee balm has been flowering in my garden for the past month. As its common name implies, bees flock to the bush, leaving it vibrating with their bzzzz bzzzz bzzzz. 

I love using bee balm (Monarda fistulosa) as medicine. It grows abundantly and it is super effective for a plethora of ailments. In the past month I've given it infused into honey for someone with a sore throat. I've given it to someone as a wash for dandruff and I've used it myself as a mouth wash. Not to mention all the teas I've enjoyed with it as well. 

You can read more about using bee balm as medicine here. 

Bee balm is so beautiful and is such an important part of my garden's eco-system that harvesting it leaves a hole where it once bloomed.

This year I took photos of the harvest and tincture process - to celebrate bee balm and keep it in my heart a bit longer. 

Here is bee balm growing wild in Montana. We had almost arrived at the Montana Herb Gathering when I saw it growing in the fields nearby. I screamed (yes screamed) for my husband to stop the car and I jumped out to get a closer look. (Yes, he is used to my antics by now). 

I took a bite and yes, it is quite spicy!!! 

I've often read that garden grown bee balm is not as spicy as the wild, and perhaps this is true to some extent. But when I tasted the wild growing bee balm my first thought was, "Wow, it's as spicy as garden bee balm!" 

And just in case you think I am biased - I have another story. 

I recently gave some bee balm to one of Xavier's apprentices, Morgan. I did warn him that it was spicy. About five minutes later I asked him what he thought of the bee balm. He replied, "It's hot! My tongue is still numb!" 

So yeah, in my experience garden grown can be just as hot, yummy and useful as the wild grown. Supposedly bee balm grows wild a few hours from where I live, but I haven't found it yet. Hopefully one day. Until then I enjoy it growing readily in my garden. This year the bush was probably 2 meters in diameter and taller than myself! 

Okay, here is my tincture photo essay! 

preparing the supplies

 I tincture the leaves and flowers, but not the stems. So the first step is stripping the leaves and flowers from the stems. 

I chop it up really well. 

Then fill a quart jar with the well chopped herb. I then weigh it in grams. 

This batch was 180 grams. 

 I originally measured out 360 mLs of everclear (95%), but it didn't come close to cover the herbs, even if I packed them in. So I added another 180 mls and that did the trick. So my final product will be 1:3 ratio at 95%. 

 I had lots of bee balm this year. Some of it I've infused into honey and the rest are hanging to dry. 

Do you use bee balm? I'd love to hear how! Leave me comments below! 

Fall Weekend Retreat - Yoga and Herbs!

Fall Retreat

Body & Mind Cleanse Weekend

at Skalitude Retreat, Methow Valley, WA

November 2nd-4th

Do you want to stay healthy this winter season? 

Are you looking for rest and relaxation to recover from the busy summer months? 

Prepare for winter with a weekend of nourishing food, herbs and yogic presence. 

This weekend's retreat will use food as medicine by preparing simple ayurvedic recipes and herbal teas to nourish and strengthen your body. 

Yoga classes will offer an asana and pranayama practice and there will be ample time for the sauna and silence. 

Support body and mind as we move into the season of slowing down and inward focus! 

The retreat will be led by

Maureen Collins has been studying yoga and the mind-body-spirit connection for the past 12 years.  She has training in vinyasa, yin, and kundalini yoga and is also a graduate of the Barbara Brennan School of Healing, a four-year program in the study of energy healing and personal transformation.  

She teaches from the perspective that Acceptance is the bridge between Awareness and Non-judgment and that knowing Thy Self fosters understanding and healing.   

Rosalee de la Forȇt is a clinical herbalist and Structural Medicine Specialist and is the author of dozens of articles and several ebooks on herbal healing. You can read more about Rosalee here. 

Schedule

Friday night ~ Restore

Arrive at 5:00
5:30 - 6:30 Grounding yoga practice
7:00 - 8:00 Dinner
8:00 - 9:00 Opening circle; introductions, intentions

Saturday ~ Rejuvenate

8:00 - 8:45 Awakening yoga practice 
9:00 - 9:45 Breakfast 
9:45 - 10:30 Free time (outside time encouraged) 
10:30 - 12:30 Deepening yoga practice
12:30 - 2:00 Lunch 
2:00 - 3:30 Herbal discussion: Supporting the immune system naturally
3:30 - 5:30 Free time, sauna
6:00 - 7:00 Dinner 
7:30 - 9:00 Personal Time, sauna

Sunday ~ Radiate

8:00 - 8:45 Awakening yoga practice 
9:00 - 9:45 Breakfast 
9:45 - 10:00 Free time 
10:00 - 11:00 Herbal discussion: How to use our food as medicine
11:00 - 12:00 Completion yoga practice

12:30 - 1:30 Lunch 

1:30 - 2:00 Closing circle

All meals will be eaten in silence, and silence will be encouraged in common areas. 
Participation in meal prep and clean up is part of the weekend experience.

The retreat is hosted by the

Skalitude Retreat Center  

in the Methow Valley

 

Registration
We are joyfully offering this weekend at an exceptionally low price in order to serve those who need this retreat. Space is limited to 11 participants - register early to ensure your spot. 

When: November 2nd -4th, 2012

Registration: $215 by October 19th, $240 after 

Register by sending a check to 

Skalitude Retreat

PO Box 74

Carlton, WA 98814 

more info: www.skalitude.com, 509-997-1032

Chokecherry Jelly Recipe

We are swimming in chokecherries this year! The large dark drupes of berries are weighing down the trees and just begging to be picked. Our local variety is Prunus virginiana, and it can be used for both food and medicine. The bark can be used as a powerful cough sedative - especially useful for those dry spasmodic coughs. My friend Kiva Rose uses an alcohol tincture of the fresh flowers as a relaxing nervine. 

Chokecherries especially shine as food. If you've ever popped one into your mouth you'll have an immediate understanding of astringency. The astringent sensation is that dry mouth feel you get if you eat a too ripe banana or drink a strong brew of black tea. 

You'll notice they are called CHOKEcherries not TASTYcherries or CAN'TWAITTOEATTHEMcherries. But, they do have some sweetness to them. The trick for making them more palatable is to harvest them when they are super dark - almost purple in color. The bright red chokecherries aren't quite ripe enough and will have a much more astringent taste.

In the past we have preserved chokecherries in a variety of ways. My husband likes the more primitive method of pounding the berries and drying them into cakes. You can read more about that at his blog by clicking here. 

A couple of years ago we also made chokecherry wine which was a big hit! 

This year we made chokecherry infused vinegar as well - but I haven't tried it yet so I can't comment on the taste. 

I've also made chokecherry jelly before, but this year we decided to make lots and lots (gift spoiler alert for friends and family!) and also to use the Pomona Universal Pectin, which is a low sugar pectin. 

We LOVE the results! Tart, tangy and oh so delicious! 

Recipe for 12 jars of Choke Cherry Jelly

8 and a half pounds of berries

7 cups water

1/2 cup lemon juice

2.5 cups sugar

9.5 teaspoons of pectin

9.5 calcium water

Bring the berries and water to a boil and then lower to a simmer. 

Continue to simmer for fifteen minutes while crushing the berries with a berry masher, potato masher or large spoon. 

After fifteen minutes of mashing, strain the berries through a jelly bag using a large wooden spoon to squeeze out the juice. 

This gave us roughly 9 and a 1/2 cups of juice

Next, add 1/2 cup of lemon juice to the berry juice. 

And then add the calcium water to the juice. (Follow the directions on the Pomona box).  

In a separate bowl mix the pectin and sugar. (Note we did use honey for one batch but it never set up. Perhaps we didn’t use enough honey. Now we have delicious chokecherry and honey syrup!)

Next, bring the juice to a boil and add the sugar mixture. 

Stir the mixture vigorously for a couple of minutes. 

Turn off the heat and put into sterilized jars and proceed with a 10 minute water bath.

Have you made chokecherry jelly or other chokecherry treats? I'd love to hear about your chokecherry delights! Let me know in the comments below!