In this class we will discuss, from an herbalist perspective, the meaning of plant language which is, in short, the ability to understand how & why a plant manifests the way they do in the world. We can detect this language through taste, touch & smell as well as looking at how the plants shape themselves in response to their environment. Also encoded within these sensory features are clues to their therapeutic uses which can be defined as "the doctrine of signatures," “the art of signs”, "the green tongue” & of course 'plant language'.

For example, Plantain (Plantago major or rugelii ) is a low growing herb with a broad leaf, a skin-like texture & parallel veins resembling a human foot. Many colonial travelers to the Americas put plantain leaves in their shoes for blistered, sore feet. This plant is a widely accepted wound healing herb that grows in nutrient poor, disturbed roadside soils which can also be seen as "wounds" to the earth's surface.

As a way to fully engage this topic we will turn to our herbal ally Goldenrod (Solidago spp.) harvest & prepare a goldenrod which grows in abundance at the Horn Farm Center. We will examine their ideal habitat & discuss their growth cycle. We will then turn to a respectful harvest & preparation of a Goldenrod herbal tincture for each participant to bring home.

Join this class to delve deeper into the multi- sensory wisdom of reading signs & symbols of medicinal plant language. Class will be divided into morning and afternoon sessions with a lunch break from 1-2pm. Students are encouraged to pack a lunch to enjoy during this time.

Led by Alyssa Dennis of Eclipta Herbal (ecliptaherbal.com/)