Usually I pick a few dates and herb topics and hope that they will appeal to a wide audience. However, in recent years it has proved increasingly difficult to pick the right dates – with the result that they only suit two or three peoiple while others request the same courses on alternative dates. Add to that a spate of last minute cancellations and planning these courses has proved frustrating.

So if any of the courses below interest you, find a couple of friends who would also like to attend then contact me (penny@herbcourses.co.uk) so that we can we can arrange a suitable date. Once I have a feasible course (three people) I can add the date to the website for anyone else to join.

If you’d like more information or to discuss further then please email me.

Courses are available on the following topics.  Those marked with an asterisk (*) are only available between may and July when there are plenty of herbs in the garden to use.

Combatting stress: herbs for relaxation and tension (full day including lunch £80)

A relaxing day aimed at understanding how our inability to cope with stress can cause many emotional and physical ills included are various  relaxation techniques as well as restorative, tonic and relaxing herbs

Grandmother’s Secrets: traditional ways of using herbs around the house (full day including lunch £80) 

This day looks at some of the traditions and folklore associated with herbs and how they were used for treating common ailments, in flavouring, scenting and other household uses.

*Grow your own medicines (full day including lunch £90)

A day focusing on common medicinal herbs – how to grow, process, and use them to make simple remedies for treating every day ills. At the end of the day you will have at least four herbal remedies or plants to add to your medicine chest.

Herbs for pregnancy and childbirth (half-day including lunch £50) – A short course for those pregnant or  planning to start a family with a review of the herbs that are safe to use to ease various ailments and to take before or during childbirth.

Herbs for women (full day including lunch £80)

A day reviewing various approaches to using herbs for treating women’s ailments drawn from both Eastern and Western healing traditions. We shall also explore some of the more popular herbal remedies for gynaecological problems such as black cohosh, sage, agnus-castus and dang gui.

*Identifying, growing and using herbs (full day including lunch £80)

This course will help you identify useful hedgerow herbs, decide what to cultivate at home and learn about, harvesting, drying, and storing them as well as using them in simple remedies or cookery ingredients. There will be time to explore the garden and – weather permitting – local hedgerows.

*Leechcraft and wort cunning (full day including lunch £80)

A course focussing on some of the traditional remedies and magical beliefs of our ancestors from the Celts and Saxons to the Middle Ages. You can make your own herbal amulet and discover appropriate herbs for key seasonal festivals.

Making herbal remedies (full day including lunch £90)

An opportunity to make your own herbal home remedies kit with a mixture of oils, ointments, balms, creams, teas, tinctures and syrups to combat everyday household ills. A busy practical day which will give you at least four herbal products to take home.

Preparing for winter’s ills (half day including lunch £50 this course is usually held in early October)

A half day looking at traditional remedies for colds, coughs and other winter ills with a focus on herbs with anti-bacterial and anti-viral attributes that can help overcome seasonal infections.

Understanding Chinese medicine (full day including lunch £80)

A course to help anyone who has visited a Chinese practitioner to understand their treatment and therapeutic approach. It looks at the traditional philosophy behind Chinese medicine and the types of herbal remedies used.