IN Millcreek Fall 2017 | Page 39

“ The workshops are very hands-on . People don ’ t just come for the lecture — they are cutting , tasting and smelling things .”

If you ’ ve ever taken an herbal supplement for medicinal or wellness purposes , you are among 80 percent of those worldwide who incorporate herbalism into their health care , according to the World Health Organization . Herbalism is the use of plants as a medical or holistic treatment . Uses range from sleep aids to memory enhancers and people are drawn to them for the fewer side effects as well as their healing properties .

The use of plants to treat ailments goes back to the earliest writings in human history . There is one ancient Chinese book dating to 2500 BC that discusses the topic and mentions specific plants , some of which are still used today such as ginseng and camphor .
Some of the most commonly used plants in the U . S . that are taken as herbal supplements are readily available at most drug and grocery stores :
r St . John ’ s Wort is a flowering plant found in the wild and is known for its antidepressant properties . r Echinacea is a perennial plant that is taken to boost the immune system and decrease the length of a cold . r Valerian Root is known to promote better sleep and battle insomnia . r Gingko is taken to improve memory and may even help Alzheimer ’ s symptoms .
Since some herbal supplements can interfere with other medications or have adverse effects , it ’ s important to discuss and disclose any supplements you are taking with your doctor .
Because of its rise in popularity and the increasingly widespread use of plants for healing , Jen Salem , garden volunteer coordinator at the Tom Ridge Environmental Center ( TREC ) and founder of
“ The workshops are very hands-on . People don ’ t just come for the lecture — they are cutting , tasting and smelling things .”
the environmental group Go Native ! Erie , helped bring a series of workshops on herbalism with clinical herbalist and educator Leslie Alexander , PhD , RH ( AHG ) to TREC .
Alexander is an Erie-based medical herbalist and owns Restoration Herbs . She conducts classes and seminars in addition to offering holistic consultation services . After gaining her doctorate and spending several years in research , her interests in gardening and culinary herbs led her to medical herbalism .
The classes that began in late summer continue into the fall with three herb-focused , two-hour sessions with the certified herbalist and give participants a chance for an interactive experience with the plants .
“ The workshops are very hands-on . People don ’ t just come for the lecture — they are cutting , tasting and smelling things . You get really familiar with the herbal medicines you are looking at ,” says Salem .
To register for upcoming Fall Herbalism Classes at the Tom Ridge Environmental Center , visit www . gonativeerie . com and click on Events . n
Maritime Medicinals Sept . 23 , 10 a . m . to noon
Learn about herbal medicine aboard ships and leave with a newfound appreciation for maritime history . Nonrefundable course fee of $ 31 due by Sept . 21 .
Herbal Weed Walk Oct . 14 , 10 a . m . to noon
Taste , touch and smell plants with medicinal properties as you walk the grounds of the Tom Ridge Environmental Center . No registration fee .
Herbal Handmade Gifts Nov . 11 , 10 a . m . to noon
There will be five stations to explore and you can choose what to make and take home . A fun , hands-on workshop . Nonrefundable course fee of $ 36 due by Nov . 9 .
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