Herbalism

In days gone by, it was common practice for people living in wild places to tend the land which provided them with food, medicine, and shelter. It was a daily exchange of life between human and the natural world. In this introductory series, we will explore the natural world and discover ways to more fully engage with her as she moves through each of the four seasons. In each class we will: create an outdoor (temporary) medicine wheel in order to deepen our understanding of the cyclical nature of all life: plants, people, animal/insect. We will also engage with/forage the plants which are available to us as we seasonally and learn how to transform what they have to offer into something we can use, aka beneficial preparations. This class will be balanced with time outdoors for Wild Tending and indoors for hands-on practice of preparation techniques and extraction methods. Each class stands on it's own. Together they create a synergy of seasonal attunement aligning your wild nature with the natural world around you.

Dates/Times

• Saturday, December 13, 2025 – 1:00 pm to 4:00 pm

Instructor: Margo Mullein

Member Tuition: $65.00
Non-Member Tuition: $80.00

Material Fee: $35.00 Included in fee shown on checkout page

Location: AFS, 51 Main Street, Lake Luzerne, NY

Special Notes: Please let us know ahead of time if you have any allergies.

The senses are noticing yet another turn in the wheel of the year as we approach the Autumnal Equinox. The plant world is alive with the invitation to harvest what we can before the seasonal shift takes the plant energy down into the earth. We'll connect with nature and what she's offering us at this time of the year, while engaging in the traditional practice of wildcrafting plants before they are lost to frost. We will discuss what nature is mirroring to us during the season of fall, as we begin our own process of "being prepared". We will harvest and then take our bounty into the classroom for making preparations using traditional herbal practices. In this make and take experience, you can expect to go home with two herbal preparations based on what is alive, at peak, and available for harvest. While it's impossible to predict "who" will be available for us to work with, what I can share is that in past fall classes we've made: Plant Infused Honey, Herbal Exfoliation Scrubs, Herbal Infused Vinegars, Syrups. Please inform us ahead of time if you have any allergies.

Dates/Times

• Friday, September 18, 2026 – 1:00 pm to 4:00 pm

Instructor: Margo Mullein

Member Tuition: $70.00
Non-Member Tuition: $85.00

Material Fee: $35.00 Included in fee shown on checkout page

Location: AFS, 51 Main Street, Lake Luzerne, NY

Special Notes: Please inform us ahead of time if you have any allergies.

As the wheel of the year turns, the delicate greens emerge. The plants of spring allow us to "lighten-up" from the comfort foods of winter. Let's connect with nature and what she's offering us at this time of the year, while engaging in the traditional practice of wildcrafting greens for the purpose of nourishing our bodies in and out. In this course we will discuss the Celtic festival of Beltain as well as the essence & traits of spring. Reflecting how these show up in our personal lives. We'll harvest and then take our bounty into the classroom for making preparations in harmony with what our bodies are yearning for. In this make and take experience, you can expect to go home with two herbal preparations based on what is alive, at peak, and available for harvest. While it's impossible to predict "who" will be available for us to work with, what I can share is that in past spring classes we've made: Wild Plant Pesto, Violet flower butter, Plant infused Oil for topical use, Salad Dressings. Please inform us ahead of time if you have any allergies.

Dates/Times

• Friday, May 1, 2026 – 1:00 pm to 4:00 pm

Instructor: Margo Mullein

Member Tuition: $70.00
Non-Member Tuition: $85.00

Material Fee: $35.00 Included in fee shown on checkout page

Location: AFS, 51 Main Street, Lake Luzerne, NY

Special Notes: Please inform us ahead of time if you have any allergies.

The wheel of the year turns again, and the heat is on! The plants of summer invite us to tap into the full potential of opening the abundance within our heart through working with our hands. Let's connect with nature and what she's offering us at this time of the year, while engaging in the traditional practice of wildcrafting plants at peak for the purpose of caring for our bodies in and out. In this course we will discuss the Celtic festival of Lughnasadh, as well as the essence & traits of this season. We will harvest and then take our bounty into the classroom for making preparations using traditional herbal practices. In this make and take experience, you can expect to go home with two herbal preparations based on what is alive, at peak, and available for harvest. While it's impossible to predict "who" will be available for us to work with, what I can share is that in past summer classes we've made: Wild Plant Medicinal Infusions, On the Spot Plant Poultices, Plant infused Oil to treat skin irritations, Salve for bug bites and stings. Please inform us ahead of time if you have any allergies.

Dates/Times

• Friday, July 31, 2026 – 1:00 pm to 4:00 pm

Instructor: Margo Mullein

Member Tuition: $70.00
Non-Member Tuition: $85.00

Material Fee: $35.00 Included in fee shown on checkout page

Location: AFS, 51 Main Street, Lake Luzerne, NY

Special Notes: Please inform us ahead of time if you have any allergies.

As the Winter Solstice nears, a blanket of silence covers the natural world. Each turning of the year's wheel inspires us to pause, listen, observe & learn. So, let's attune ourselves to what Winter is offering. We will take a look at the energy of the plant world while connecting the dots to the many ways in which human and animal respond in kind. In this class we will head outdoors to harvest in the wild and take what we receive back into the classroom. Based on what's in our baskets, we'll use traditional extraction method practices to get the beneficial compounds out of the plants and into our bodies. In this make and take experience, you can expect to go home with two herbal preparations based on supporting our wellness needs as we enter into the dark and cold months to come. In this class we will be seeking to harvest plants which support the upper respiratory system, as well as working with other plants that increase heat, chi and nourishment. While it's impossible to predict "who" will be available for us to work with, what I can share is that in past winter classes we've made: Tinctures, Herbal Electuaries, Warming/Circulatory Support Infusions, Methods for working with Dried plant material, Herbal Infused Chocolate Truffles. Please inform us ahead of time if you have any allergies.

Dates/Times

• Sunday, December 13, 2026 – 1:00 pm to 4:00 pm

Instructor: Margo Mullein

Member Tuition: $70.00
Non-Member Tuition: $85.00

Material Fee: $35.00 Included in fee shown on checkout page

Location: AFS, 51 Main Street, Lake Luzerne, NY

Special Notes: Please inform us ahead of time if you have any allergies.