White and Woolly

Winter arrived with a bang this year! One day I was out in the garden tending to my late-season greens and the next day I was shoveling out from under a dense, icy quilt of snow. It�s always a wonder to witness the transfiguration of the landscape into a shining white winterland.

My body complains terribly about the forced schedule imposed on it by my work; the hibernation instinct is so strong and yet must be suppressed by duty. I prod myself along with dense winter food, nourishing soups and hot cups of tea. I am lured by the lights hung all over town to drive the dark away.

We�re all in this together here in the north country�whether we embrace it or insulate ourselves from it, we all feel it. The darkness hovers over the face of the deep and we hold fast to any reflection of the Light to sustain us in the long months ahead as we await the slow, sure spring. By faith and not by sight.

But, oh, the silence when I take an hour or two to hike away from busytown and enter into the holy deep of winter. Beauty takes hold of me whether it be the jewels of the night sky, the frosted silhouette of a pine tree against the piercing blue or rose-colored sunsets that bless the passing of the day.

May beauty triumph over the depression and drudgery that lurk in the shadows of this time of the year. As poet Sara Teasdale wrote long ago, �Look for a lovely thing and you will find it. It won�t be far�.it is never far�.�

The depth of darkness to which you can descend and still live is an exact measure of the height to which you can aspire to reach.�

CRHI Update

As I launch into my third year as director of the Coulee Region Herbal Institute, it is heart-warming to stand back and admire the progress we�ve made in achieving our humble goals. The annual meeting in November was well-attended and a real sign of progress, interest and motivation.

In September we piggy-backed on the Minnesota Mycological Society�s �MycoBlitz� event. People who attended commented across the board on being overwhelmed with the info, experts and fungi samples to explore there. In October, we readied ourselves for winter ailments by chopping roots, peeling barks, and transforming a witch�s brew of local herbs into a yummy wild chokecherry-flavored cough syrup.

At the annual meeting in November, we put together our 2008 calendar of classes and events, included in this issue of the newsletter. We also discussed various business-related matters. Meeting minutes were sent to all CRHI members and are available on request to any other interested parties.

It was decided at the meeting that all membership renewals are due in January and good through Dec 31. This will help to avoid the hassle of keeping track of memberships by month and sending out reminders through the year. Membership still stands at 25$.

It was also decided that our quarterly newsletter will only be mailed hard-copy to members with the exception of special requests. This will save significantly on printing and postage costs, our biggest expense. We can then channel the funds saved in other directions.

The good news is that the newsletters will still be available for viewing---online! Online, you say? Yes! CRHI is just days away from having our own website up and running! The website will include a cover page, describing what we are about, our yearly calendar of classes and events, a regional calendar of classes and events (updated monthly), a directory of herb and wild food educators in the upper Midwest, and an archive of our newsletter. The monthly (or so) e-mail updates will continue to be sent out with a link to updated calendar pages and newsletters as they come out.

Our website address will be: www.couleeregionherbalinstitute.org Look us up in early January!

The website is meant to be a networking tool for educators and for people looking for information on classes and events to learn more about herbs and wild foods. I will be looking for educators interested in being featured on the directory page to submit a bio, photo and contact information.

Our winter classes from Jan-March will all be held at the People�s Food Co-op in LaCrosse. Check out the new calendar to see what we�re offering! Some classes will be geared towards beginners upon request, but there�s always something for everyone. Bring a friend! Let�s make this our best season yet!

Meet the Herbalist: Gabrielle Daniels

Interview by Linda Conroy of Moonwise Herbs

It was such a pleasure to meet Gabrielle Daniels at two herbal
gatherings offered in Vernon County this past year. I immediately appreciated her enthusiasm for the plant world and wanted to know more about how she became interested in herbs. Since we were not able to meet in person I put together a list of questions for Gabrielle to answer for this interview. I invited her to share about her herbal journey, so that we can all learn and get to know her better. If you have a chance to spend time with Gabrielle I am sure her enthusiasm will rub off on you as well!

Linda: You are fairly new to Viroqua. What inspired you to relocate?

Gabrielle: I first came to this area years ago as my husband Pete and I were looking at possible places to relocate from Milwaukee. We loved this area and actually came back when we attended the organic farming conference in LaCrosse. We ended up moving to Washington Island and lived on the Island or in Door Country for 11 years. Through a twist of fate, some Door County acquaintances re-introduced us to this area and suggested we might like the Waldorf School in Viroqua. We came here a couple of years ago and then moved here in December of '06. So far, so GOOD. We love it!

Linda: Tell us about what first inspired your interest in herbs and herbalism?

Gabrielle: As I think happens to many of us, someone we love experiences health troubles which can't be resolved by conventional medical approaches and it leads us to seek answers. When my husband Pete's health deteriorated and the asthma he's had most of his life got worse and worse, I stepped in. My lifelong love of nature and green things growing led me quite naturally to find what herbal nutrition might do for him. The change in his health (and mine!) over the years is remarkable. And my love of herbs and the natural world grows and grows.

Linda: You have shared that you were formally trained in the field of herbalism. Can you share a little about your training?

Gabrielle: I started educating myself about herbs and gardening through books and friends. When the doctors' only answers to Pete's troubles were more drugs, different drugs, multiple drugs - well, that wasn't acceptable to us. There was no talk of CAUSE or CURE. So I read a biography of the herbalist Dr. John Christopher and was struck by the logic of it all. It made perfect sense to me that the body has an inherent ability to heal itself. Plus, I respected Dr. Christopher's decision not to patent the herbal formulas he developed. I looked into Dr. Christopher's School of Natural Healing correspondence program. After checking it out and comparing it to other programs, I decided to pursue the School's Master Herbalist certification. I went through a two year course of study, using books, videos, audiotapes, and workbooks; I was tested several times and turned in various papers and other assignments; I chose a thesis herb (dandelion) and turned in a lengthy thesis paper. At the end of successfully going through all this, I was ready to attend the 8 day intensive seminar in Utah. I took my nursing one-year-old and my mother-in-law and passed the seminar and the final all day test with very good marks and was on my way as a Master Herbalist.

Linda: How do you continue to learn about plants?

Gabrielle: My absolute favorite way to learn is very different than my formal coursework training; I love to learn from people. The more walks I can take and the more knowledgeable people I can to talk with, the happier I'll be. I continue to read a lot also, but nothing replaces that human-to-human connection.

Linda: Do you have an herb that you most enjoy working with?

Gabrielle: There are so many wonderful ones that this is a tough one to answer. I enjoy red raspberry leaf, nettles, and oatstraw. I have a soft spot in my heart for dandelion, too. And I love comfrey and marshmallow. I'm especially interested in learning more about local wild herbs.

Linda: What herbs do you use in your daily life and how do you use them?

Gabrielle: I prefer most herbs in a tea form but I do use herbs in many ways. I drink red raspberry tea often, sometimes with nettles and oatstraw or comfrey. I make a garlic syrup that I use frequently in the colder months and I enjoy adding cayenne tincture to teas and other hot drinks.

Linda: What is your approach to herbalism/your philosophy?

Gabrielle: I believe fully that, given the building blocks it needs (nutrients), the body will inherently move toward wellness. Our bodies want to be in balance and I am passionate about helping people discover how to help their bodies achieve and maintain balance.

Linda: How do you work in the community as an herbalist?

Gabrielle: I moved here intending mostly to help my own family recover balance and health, and to discover my position in this new community. In the course of helping Pete, people began to hear about my work and calling me to learn more. I've been privileged to help many people here, learn a bit more about herbs and nutrition through one on-one consultation and guiding them through some healing regimes.

Linda: What suggestions would you offer budding herbalists?

Gabrielle: Find a good mentor and stick with her (or him)!

Fever: Herbal Treatment Options

Even though, spring is just around the corner and the cold and flu season is winding down, I felt it was important to discuss one of the most common reasons for a visit to a healthcare provider, fevers. One of the most common symptoms, fever often sends scores of paranoid patients to see their health care provider every year. While fever can be a serious event, a better understanding of the role fever plays in illness and with some basic guidelines for care, fever can become a common illnesses best ally.

In Medicines of the Earth, 2005 Proceedings, Jill Stansbury, ND gives a wonderful over view of the role of fever. Historically, heat was seen as a vital force in our bodies. To suppress this was akin to death or coldness. Many felt a fever was present to stimulate the vital forces of the body. Stansbury discusses the various reasons for fever such as �infections, collegen-vascular disease, neoplasms, metabolic disorders, hematological diseases such as sickle cell anemia, drug and immune reactions, chemical poisonings or central nervous system disease that affects the regulatory mechanism of the body� (Medicines of the Earth, 116). Fever will respond differently depending on which one of the many reasons is the cause, the age of the patient and their overall general health. For the sake of discussion, I will limit the focus of this article to fevers related to infections, specific to children.

The body�s natural response to an infective agent is to send a large amount of white blood cells to fight the organism or agent. While a complex cascade of reactions follow that include the work of macrophages, monocytes, eosinophils and neutrophils, simply stated, as the various white blood cells work they produce heat. As the infective agent breaks down, it will also produce heat. This heat is what we call fever. When fever becomes an issue for most patients is when it gets too high. So what is �too high?� For a working parent who cannot keep their child home losing valuable work time, 99 degrees is too high. For most school nurses, 100 degrees is too high to stay in school. In addition, for parents with children in general, 101 seems to be the magic number as anything higher than that can cause a seizure. In reality, while febrile seizures are frightening, they are rarely life threatening. There are always exceptions but some common sense treatments and careful observation can make all the difference.

The key to treating fevers in children is to understand normal verses abnormal. If the child is playing, eating and drinking, a fever of 100 degrees is OK. However, if they are not playful and not drinking fluids, 100 degrees is not OK. Children have a much higher body mass than adults and they will lose fluids very quickly through their skin. This is especially true for babies. In general, the younger the child the less likely they are to tolerate a fever. The greatest danger then becomes dehydration, not seizures. So how do you treat a fever? Be sure you are obtaining the most accurate temperature. Children 5 and under should have rectal temperatures. 5-6 or 7 can take an auxiliary temperature and older than that can have oral temperatures. RECTAL is the most accurate and is the best guide. Below is a list of my favorite treatments. My goal is rapid, aggressive and early intervention. The sooner you act, the sooner you will see improvement.

1. Work with the body. At the first sign of illness, whether it is a runny nose, cough, congestion or fever, I have children take a bath. Start tepid and increase the heat. The warmth will stimulate the immune system and sooth muscle aches. As soon as they get out of the tub, dry them and wrap them in cotton. Cotton absorbs body moisture. Flannel is my favorite!

2. Start pushing fluids! Help the body flush out the toxins it is breaking down. I like chamomile, elderflower or Echinacea teas. They calm and boost the immune system. You can also use ginger, peppermint or yarrow tea but children do not always like the stronger flavor of these teas. I also like warm vegetable broths, again trying to turn up the heat in the body while not dehydrating. Avoid any caffeine or sweet drinks. Caffeine dehydrates and sweet feeds an infection. Water is best and lots of it! Children especially like tea with honey another great immune booster.

3. Next, I add tinctures to combat the infection. I like elderflower or Echinacea. I usually mix these with warm orange or apple juice for flavor.

4. When temperatures reach the 101 range, it is time to switch to cooler fluids. I like frozen juice pops mixed with some chamomile tea. I have met few children who will not eat a popsicle even at their sickest moments. You can also apply cold compresses in the arm pits, neck and groin.

5. If the child is becoming lethargic, glassy eyed, dry mucus membranes, no urination and not taking even tablespoons of fluid, it is time to get aggressive. Rosemary Gladstar recommends catnip enemas. This is not always easy for parents but can be effective.

6. Finally, if all else fails you can use an over the counter fever reducer such as Tylenol or Motrin. Aspirin, and that includes any herbs with salicylates, is not recommended due to the incidence of Reye�s Syndrome in children. Weight specific doses of acetaminophen/Tylenol or Motin/ibuprofen can be very effective. Ask a pharmacist for specific recommendations.

In summary, while a fever may be uncomfortable, remember it is part of the body�s natural defense system. Fever is trying to help rid the body of an infection. Working with this process, using appropriate herbs and fluids can make any fever manageable.

Lora Krall is a longtime member of Coulee Region Herbal Institute. She works as an RN in Winona, MN and is actively studying traditional forms of medicine. She is especially interested in food as medicine and applying the art of herbalism to cancer and heart disease situtations.

Essentials for the Winter Medicine Cabinet

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Open up the door to your medicine cabinet, take a look inside. Are you ready for this winter? Remember last year? How quickly you forgot about the intense earache in the middle of the night, the dreaded cold that lingered on for four weeks or the uncontrollable cough that had you barking through the most important business meeting of the year?

It seems that Murphy's Law is true--"If anything can go wrong, it will" and at the worst possible time in the winter--if you have not considered prevention medicine. I have noticed that it is human nature to wait until the last minute to prepare for 'expected emergencies' such as common colds, ailments or other injuries. Many situations can be avoided or better dealt with via advanced planning. Prevention and natural medicine are perfect practices to planning ahead and being better equipped to take care of ourselves and families.

Before winter storms blow and the next virus heads your direction, consider taking some of these simple steps of adding basic natural remedies to your medicine cabinet rather than dashing out to the 24-hour drugstore in the middle of the night. 'Better to be prepared' is my motto. You and your family will feel greater physical comfort and emotional security when some of your healthcare needs are addressed in advance.

When I present natural medicine classes or workshops I am often asked what I prefer to have on hand for my family and myself. Here are some of my favorite common herbs and supplements. These are the ones that I would not go without through a Wisconsin winter. Try starting with them. Be well this winter!

Echinacea & Astragalus

Optimal herbal combination for bacterial & viral infection plus immune system boost. Use as a tea, herbal tincture or capsules.

Goldenseal

Strong natural anti-biotic & anti-viral (plant is at risk, so use sparingly). Available in powder, tincture or capsules.

Garlic

Versatile natural anti-biotic & anti-viral among other supportive properties. Eat raw, cooked or buy in capsule form.

Elderberry Cough Syrup

Along with other throat & lung herbsthis soothes better than most. Buy over-the-counter in health food stores or make your own. Terrific for colds and flus, too!

Wild Cherry Bark or Slippery Elm Throat Lozenges

Reduces inflammation & coughing. Available in most health food stores.

Yarrow, Elderflower, Mint

Fever reducing herb tea. Blend these herbs into a tea infusion.

Breath Easy or Lung Tea

Blend of demulcent, expectorant & anti-inflammatory herbs to support the entire respiratory system. Purchase an organic blend in boxed form or create your own.

Vitamin C with Roseships

Support your immunity throughout the winter with regular doses. Available in many chewable or other forms.

Essential Oils of Tea Tree,Eucalyptus & Bergamot

Tea Tree is a strong anti-microbial, antiviral & anti-fungal. Combine this with these respiratory system oils to fight winter infections. Use in an aromatic inhalation or vaporizer.

Note:Essential oils are available in 1/3 or 1 ounce at health food shops. Buy organic all natural oils-not synthetic)

The information in this article is educational in nature. Remember that you may need the individualized care of your healthcare practitioner before using any natural products.

Gigi Stafne is an instructor, writer, Naturopath and Master Herbalist specializing in clinical natural medicine and cross cultural medicine. To inquire about her courses, publications or eco tour business Adventure Botanica contact: 715.967.2300 fireweed@citizens-tel.net

Into the woods:

Wildcrafting and Wilderness Experience

Produced by David LaZuzerne of Green Earth Studio in Middleton, Wisconsin.

Time 1hr 44minutes

Into the Woods is a brand new DVD featuring CRHI founder Jessie Conaway, herbalist and experiential educator. Jessie takes you into the woods and out into her backyard to teach about herbal medicine.

Topics include trip planning, wildcrafting tips, herbal traditions, backyard wildcrafting, and herb preparation.

Herbs discussed are agrimony, balsam fir, blueberry, burdock, chaga, elder, goldthread, hazelnut, horsetail, mullein, partridgeberry, sarsaparilla, usnea, white oak, white pine, wintergreen and yarrow.

DVD is available through the Viroqua Food Co-op, People�s Food Co-op or directly from Jessie at (608) 790-7425 or herbsareeverywhere@hotmail.com

See also www.HerbTVonline.com

DVDs are 15$ each. Check it out!

*LACROSSE AREA*

Coulee Region Herbal Institute

2007 Classes & Events

Classes and events are typically (but not always!) held on the third Sunday of each month. Classes and events are free for members and cost 5$ for non-members. Some classes may request a nominal fee for cost of materials. Check details for location and contact number.

January 20 Herbal Basics: Where to Start w/Gabrielle Daniels

People�s Food Co-op, LaCrosse 3:30-5:30

Master Herbalist Gabrielle Daniels will be offering a class on the ABCs of herbs as an entry point for people interested in learning about herbs and herbalism. She will cover basic herbal preps, good starter books and a general overview of herbalism. For more info call Gabrielle 637-2315.

February 17 Herbal Teas with Rose Barlow

People�s Food Co-op, LaCrosse 3:30-5:30

There�s a whole lot more to making good, effective herbal teas than just brewing a tea bag in some hot water! Rose Barlow will take you on a tour of the world of herbal teas, including infusions, decoctions, herbal iced teas & lemonades, roasted root coffees & chai and more. Sampling, recipes and hands-on activity. Call Rose at 637-3074 for details.

March 16 Medicinal Plants of the Sierra Nevadas w/Jessie Conaway

People�s Food Co-op, LaCrosse 3:30-5:30

Jessie Conaway will be sharing with us some gold nuggets from her recent trip to California by presenting a slide show on medicinal herbs that grow in the Sierra Nevadas. Herbal snacks and beverages will be provided. Need more info? Call Jessie at 786-4425.

*DULUTH AREA*

Giving Ground Wilderness Herbal Retreat Center

Superior National Forest, Brimson, MN (60 miles north of Duluth)

Pam Thompson 1-888-276-1336

January 19-21: Stone Soup! Kitchen medicine: culinary herbs as medicines
January 25-27: Boreal Forest Winter Medicine

In the "dead" of winter there are more plants available for making medicines than you might expect!
February 9-11: Chocolate as Medicine!

February 15-17: Beginning Herbology, with a focus on wild weed medicine of historic and Native American knowledge
www.givingground.com

*MADISON AREA*

Mystical Medicine - A Conservatory Exhibit

Olbrich Botanical Gardens

September 6, 2007 � January 5, 2008

The Mystical Medicine exhibit in the tropical Bolz Conservatory will explore the traditional native uses and beliefs surrounding several rainforest psychoactive plants that affect the brain and mental processes through the work of several famous ethnobotanists.

For more information, call 608-246-4550.

www.olbrich.org

*SHEBOYGAN AREA*

Moonwise Herbs w/Linda Conroy

Simple Living Series

2008 Traditional Food and Herbs Program

Wednesday evenings 6:00-9:00pm

January 9th,16th, 23rd, 30^th and February 6^th and 13th, 2008

$125-175 sliding scale

This 3 week series will offer participants the opportunity to learn and enhance a variety of time honored skills. Whether you are new to these skills or have been exploring them in depth you will discover tips and techniques that will inspire your creativity in these traditional arts. We will make cheese, fermented foods and beverages, herbal soap and handcrafted herbal wares. You will learn to cook with herbs as well as wild and whole foods and make soap for your own use. Participants will leave with a notebook of recipes, cultures for making cheese and fermented foods at home as well as herbal soap that we craft together. There will be lots of samples for inspiration and fun!!

To register contact Linda @ rosemarygoddess@moonwiseherbs.com or call 920-457-9290

Herbs for Family Health: The Wise Woman Way

A Day of Inspiration!

Saturday January 26^th, 2008 10-3

The wise woman tradition invites us to promote health by incorporating herbs and whole foods into our daily life. Participants will be treated to tips from Linda's years of experience incorporating herbs and wild edibles into her daily life as well as a wild and whole food lunch.

Cost $35 includes a community wild foods lunch

Quaker Meeting House 3224 N. Gordon Place Milwaukee, WI

Please contact Jess to register or with questions: 414-372-9632

Wild Eats: A Whole and Wild Food Dining Adventure

Eat whole and wild foods in community

From the Pantry-Sunday Brunch February 10, 2008 (1-4pm)

($20-30 contribution appreciated)

For reservations or more information 920-457-9290 or rosemarygoddess@moonwiseherbs.com

www.moonwiseherbs.com

*EAU CLAIRE*

The Center for Healing Arts Herb and Eco School is currently accepting applications & registrations for the 2008 Master Herbalism certification program.

The course Includes:

� 400 hours of direct herbalism instruction including dosage, preparations, taxonomy and contraindications & clinical practice

� 200 hours of basic support sciences such as nutrition and anatomy

� 400 hours of Materia Medica studies & assignments

� 70 hours in the field learning the basics of botany and plant identification

� 40 hours on the history of herbalism

� 20 hours of basic business training & professional ethics

� CPR/First Aid certification (to be completed off site)

This course meets and in some areas exceeds the educational guidelines put forth by professional botanical medicine organizations in the US and internationally. For more information or to register, please contact:

Gigi Stafne, MH, ND, Director

Phone: 715-967-2300 email: fireweed@citizens-tel.net

*MINNEAPOLIS/ST.PAUL*

Herbal Healing through the Seasons of a Woman�s Life
A Unique Series of Classes w/Lise Wolff and Erin Piorier

Thursday Evenings: Jan 10-April 3 7-9:30PM 200$
Join us this winter as we explore the deep inner workings of the female body. In this practical and fun class we will look at the rhythms of the female system and the many herbs used to soothe and heal women�s health concerns throughout the stages of our lives.
Participants will sample many herbal preparations and learn how to effectively employ these gentle yet powerful healing agents for themselves, their mothers and daughters or in their healing practices.
Call Lise (612) 819-9946 or Erin (612)508-0584 with questions.

Intermediate Herbalism Class � Winter, 2008

Matthew Wood

Sunnyfield Herb Farm, Maple Plain, Mn

Sunday afternoons, 1-5 pm; two classes a month

Jan 26, Fe10, 24, Mar 2, 9, Apr 6, 27, May 4, 25, June 22.

This is our basic class on the organ systems, tissue states, and appropriate remedies. It is based on the concept of matching medicinal plants to specific tissue states (excitation, tension, atrophy, relaxation, stagnation, depression) or energetics (hot, cold, damp, dry, hypertension, hypotension), organ affinities, and specific indications, so that herbal work can be more exact for each client. Matthew Wood has been practicing for over twenty five years, is the author of four books on herbalism, and an internationally known teacher and author.

Cost: $250. Down Payment, $50 to hold a spot. Class limited to 14. 763-972-7225 greenmedic@copper.net

Three Seasons of Herbal Wisdom
Lise Wolff, various locations
Herbal Wisdom is designed to teach students to view the plant world through the herbalist�s lens. Practical and very hands-on, this course gives students the opportunity to incorporate herbs into their everyday lives. Hands-on experiences include plant walks for identification; ethical wildcrafting; herbal preparations, including herbal oils, ointments and tinctures; wild food foraging and cooking; herbal first aid; flower essence preparation and uses; and herbal care for common conditions such as colds and allergies. Students will collect and prepare a nearly complete herbal pharmacy for home use. Those interested in herbal practice will find the instruction in diagnostics and case history taking invaluable. A certificate will be awarded upon completion of the program.
Two sections will be held. Students may sign up for either the Saturday or Sunday class section. Classes are every third weekend from 9:00 AM - 4:30 PM on the following dates:

February 16/17, March 8/9, March 29/30, April 19/20, May 10/11, May 24/25, June 14/15, July 5/6, July 26/27, August 16/17, September 6/7, September 27/28, October 18/19, November 8/9, November 29/30, December 20/21

Price: $1,240 for the series; $1,190 if paid in full by February 16/17.
Lise Wolff has studied herbalism for eighteen years, with herbalists from Susun Weed to Matthew Wood with whom she apprenticed in 1995. She is a professional member of The American Herbalist Guild and is currently pursuing her MSc in Scotland. Lise�s primary focus is on the most prolific plants available commonly called weeds, that insistently volunteer their nutrition and healing powers everywhere we walk.

For more info: 612-819-9946 lisewolff@yahoo.com

North Country Herbalist Guild

This group is open to all herbalists. You do not need to be a professional herbalist with paying clients to attend the group, but you do need to have some background in herbal studies and be actively working with people using herbs. At the group we will:

Bring our cases, get feedback and ideas for clients or people you are working on
Practice our diagnostic skills, especially tongue and pulse and facial indications
Possibly work on another for clinical practice.

Newcomers are welcome--don't be shy. And as always, experienced practitioners are welcome to come and share their knowledge and experience.

Location: 2812 - 30th Ave S, Minneapolis
Contact Erin Piorier: 651-290-7622, epiorier@mninter.net

www.nchg.org

Calendar items are also sent out via a monthly (or so) e-mail

list. If you are not currently on the list and would like to

receive our monthly e-mail calendar of herb and wild food

related classes and events please send your e-mail address

to dandeliongold22@hotmail.com and I�ll get you hooked up

right away!

Coulee Region Herbal Institute

2008 Classes & Events

Classes and events are typically held on the third Sunday of each month. Classes and events are free for members and cost 5$ for non-members. Some classes may request a nominal fee for cost of materials. Check details for location and contact number.

January 20 Herbal Basics: Where to Start with Gabrielle Daniels

People�s Food Co-op, LaCrosse 3:30-5:30

February 17 Herbal Teas with Rose Barlow

People�s Food Co-op, LaCrosse 3:30-5:30

March 16 Wildflowers of the Sierra Nevadas with Jessie Conaway

People�s Food Co-op, LaCrosse 3:30-5:30

Jessie Conaway will be sharing with us some gold nuggets from her recent trip to California --a slide show on the wildflowers and magnificent trees of the Sierra Nevada. Herbal snacks and beverages will be provided. Need more info? Call Jessie at 790-7425.

April 20 Spring Harvest: 5 Herb Intensive at Morning Star Herbs

Westby, Wisconsin (20 minutes south of LaCrosse) 3:30-5:30

Join us for our first outdoor class of the year as we focus in depth on five extremely common, easily identified, nourishing and useful springtime herbs: Dandelion, Burdock, Nettles, Chickweed and Violets. You�ll be amazed at how talented each one of these herbs are, both as food and as medicine! For directions to Morning Star Herb Farm and any questions you might have, call Carol Willis at 634-3640

May 18 Paddles and Petals with Jessie Conaway, MS, Outdoor Educator

10:00-4:00

Launch a kayak in Perrot Park near Trempealeau Mountain and explore the medicinal plants of the wetland and floodplain forests with Jessie Conaway & Carol Jacobs. Beginners are welcome--instruction on kayaking basics in the morning; paddling and herb walk in the afternoon. There is a $20.00 equipment rental fee for a kayak and paddling gear.

Limited space. RSVP to Jessie at 608-790-7425, or send a deposit of $10 to:

J. Conaway, W5225 Quackenbush Rd., West Salem, WI, 54669.

Coulee Region Herbal Institute

2008 Classes & Events

June 22 St. John�s Bonfire

Faith Anacker�s land, Westby WI (20 minutes south of LaCrosse) 3:30-whenever

Coulee Region Herbal Institute will be celebrating the full sun of high summer with a potluck, drumming, bonfire and sauna. The event will include a workshop on making herbal oils, an herb walk to identify summer herbs with an emphasis on those useful for herbal-infused oils, especially the venerable St. Johnswort blossoms. Please bring small jars, olive oil, a potluck dish, a drum and a towel. For directions or more info, call Faith at 634-6019.

July 20 2^nd Annual Herbal Share Gathering & Wild Food Potluck

Johanna O�Tigham Homestead, Viola, WI

The Herbal Share Gathering is an opportunity for herbalists of the region as well as folks interested in learning more about herbs to network, to share our visions and ideas for an herbal community and future events, and to share good food, fellowship and fun together. More information and details forthcoming.

August No CRHI class in August

September 21 Mushroom Identification Walk

Site and details to be announced

The autumn rains bring a rich variety of mushrooms to the forest floor. We�ll be taking a walk in the LaCrosse area to learn to identify and deepen our appreciation for the magical, mysterious world of mushrooms. More information forthcoming.

October 19 Herbs and Cancer with Mitch Cholewa

People�s Food Co-op, LaCrosse 3:30-5:30

While herbal medicine may not offer miracle cures for cancer patients, it can be of immense value in offering comfort, relief and nutritional support for the myriad side-effects and symptoms of cancer and its various treatment options. Mitch Cholewa has worked for many years on the cancer ward at Fransciscan Skemp and has a wealth of experience and knowledge in this realm. Join us for a discussion on the valueable but often misunderstood role of herbs in treating cancer.

November 16 Herbal Cordials and CRHI Annual Meeting

People�s Food Co-op, LaCrosse 3:30-5:30

We will hold our annual meeting to brainstorm a calendar of events for 2009 and discuss any other CRHI business that needs discussing. We�ll also have our ever popular Herbal Cordials presentation with herbalist Carol Jacobs of Winona. There will be a small fee for use of the co-op classroom.

December--No Meeting Happy Holidays!!