Plants as Medicine: Reclaiming the Art of the Home Apothecary

Learn the art of distilling essential oils, alcohols and hydrosols of plants for medicinal use.

A three day workshop exploring the practical and theoretical aspects of creating a personalized apothecary using home grown or wild harvested plants. Working from the perspective of traditional western herbalism we will look at the qualities of medicinal plants, developing our understanding of which plant to use for which condition and why. Looking to the ancient Egyptian, Persian and Greek herbal practices (very similar to Ayurvedic medicine) we  will explore the connection between plants and people and discover the patterns present in nature which guide our knowledge in creating appropriate and personalized herbal preparations. This class is suitable for anyone living where plants grow: the knowledge and experience gained is transferable to any climate or ecosystem.

Beginning with plant study, we will move through creating simple preparations: teas, diffusions, salves and syrups to creating more complicated (and profound) remedies: essential oils, hydrosols, alcohols and spagyrics. Each part of the plant can provide different medicines and is appropriate for different situations and conditions. By knowing the plant first hand we will begin to develop a pattern for understanding how best to use the medicine. Plants do not grow in isolation: we will learn the ideal ways and times to harvest, dry and prepare medicine for the greatest good.

This class is ideal for those:

• who wish to live more in harmony with nature.

• with an interest in using plants holistically and medicinally.

• who wish to explore their landscape and plantscape more intimately.

• who seek to develop their healing practice .

• who wish to treat themselves, their family or their community in a nurturing and wholesome way.

• who are living a plant based life .

• who wish to connect more deeply with themselves and their practices .

Sample Schedule

Day 1:

• 9:00 – 10:00 Brief Introduction and Overview of the Workshop

• 10:00 – 11:00 Plant Study

• 11:00 – 1:00 Plant Patterns in relation to Patterns of Health and Sickness: traditional understandings of herbal medicine

• 1:00 – 2:30 Lunch and Siesta

• 2:30 – 4:30 Practical Preparations: teas, diffusions, salves and syrups

• 4:30-6:00 Patterns of People, Plants and Planets

• 6:30 Dinner

Day 2:

• 9:00 -10:00 Essential oil and Hydrolsols

• 10:00-11:00 Plant Study

• 11:00-1:00 Matching the plant and preparation with the ‘problem’

• 1:00-2:30 Lunch and Siesta

• 2:30-4:30 Alcohol and Tinctures

• 4:30-6:00 Alchemical Aspects of working with Plants, with focus on preparations

• 6:30 Dinner

Day 3:

• 1:00-2:30 Lunch and Siesta

• 6:30 Dinner

• More information forthcoming

instructor

Ancel Mitchell has been making potions and looking for patterns since she can remember. Working with plants and people on a daily basis has honed and simplified her approach to plant medicine and her love for the natural world has taught her patience and observation. She lives in Puerto Viejo, Costa Rica where she practices Cranial Sacral Therapy, teaches Plant Medicine and makes ridiculously good chocolate. 

course start and ARRIVAl dates

The class begins at 9 a.m. May 12.  The night before the class begins, May11, is included in the cost of the class.  

course end and departure dates

The last day of the class is May 14.  The night of May 14 is included in the cost of the class.  

COST

$300 USD
Includes all food, lodging and instruction.  

A $100 deposit will secure your spot in the course.  You can make your deposit with PayPal below or go to our Payment page for more information and options.  

We may have a partial scholarships available for this class.  Please inquire at [email protected].  

LANGUAGE

This class will be taught in English.  

ACCOMMODATIONS

All food and lodging is included in the cost of  the course.   Students will stay in the Ranch bunkhouse with options for upgrades.  We provide high quality mattresses, linens and blankets.  Please see our Accommodations page for more information.  

COURSE PAYMENT

Please see our  Payments page for more information about how to pay.  

CANCELLATION POLICY

Please see our cancellation policy here.

GETTING TO RANCHO MASTATAL

Please see our Directions page for detailed information on how to get to Rancho Mastatal.  

ENROLLMENT

To enroll in the class, please fill out our Online Registration Form.  

questions

For more information about this class and Rancho Mastatal please contact us at [email protected] , call us at +506 2200-0920 or text/WhatsApp us at +506 8539-1404.  You can also follow us at:

 http://ranchomastatal.com/ (sign up for our newsletter at the bottom of this page)
https://www.instagram.com/ranchomastatal/
https://www.facebook.com/ranchomastatal