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Well 2012 is here… time for a change! I no longer teach at Universal Class… but here is the good news, I will be creating more courses right here on Authentic Mama! I plan on adding both video and audio. Before I start I would like some of your feedback. Anyone who helps me out will receive FREE access to the first course I create- a $150.00 value! Just leave your answers in the comment below and send me a personal email with your preferred contact email (link in the upper right hand corner of the blog). As soon as the course is created I will send you an email with the course log in instructions.
My course will be centered on home herbalism. My goal is to guide you so you can have the confidence to share your knowledge with your family (and community if you wish), and make medicinal plants and wild foods part of your everyday life.
In case you are wondering if one of my classes is worth your time… here is some feedback from a prior student: “What a difference Herbalist 101, and Angie Goodloe made in my life. 1 and 1/2 years ago I was sitting at my accounting desk, taking herbalist 101 tests during my lunch break. Today, I am an artist and Holistic Practitioner, with knowledge in Herbalism, Folk and Food remedies, Supplements and their benefits, (or not), Wellness Coaching, and I have taken a nutrition course as well. To top it off, I am being Yoga cetified on the 19th of this month and my artwork has started to sell very well. This, I credit to the teaching style and wonderful soul of Angie Goodloe. If I had not taken her class first, I do not think I would have continued my education like I did. Of all the classes I have taken thus far, hands down, Herbalist 101 was the best. Angie truly cares, you are not a number, she wants to hear from you always, and instills a confidence in her students. She reads everything you write in your assignments. It is this quality in her that made me continue to educate myself, confident enough to eventually quit my day job, and do this. You will benefit from just know her. Sincerely, Laura Cantrell”
If you haven’t read some of my prior students comments about my courses you can read them HERE.
I envision a world with a family herbalist in every home.
The questions:
1. What is the single biggest fear you have when it comes to engaging in hands-on work with medicinal herbs or collecting wild plants and foods and using them for yourself, your family, and your community?
2. What is the single biggest frustration you have when it comes to learning how to practice working with medicinal plants and foods at home or with others?
3. What happened as a result of your frustration?
4. What have you tried so far that hasn’t worked (when it comes to learning about how to work with medicinal plants and wild foods- or stepping out to start practicing herbalism in your community)?
5. If you had a magic wand, what would be the ideal solution for you (when it comes to the perfect online learning to help you achieve your goals- more support or mentoring for example… or something else)?
6. What is the single biggest question you have when it comes to practicing home or community herbalism?
7. Are there specific herbal classes you would like me to create with a more narrow focus (for example, herbs for children, herbs for women -postpartum/ pregnancy, Stress/ burnout, first aid etc) Any ideas welcome!
Thank you so much for your time!
*Don’t forget to subscribe for more updates (in the box at the top of the blog with the ‘subscribe/ sign-up’ area).
This offer expires January 31st 2012
{ 27 comments… read them below or add one }
1. What is the single biggest fear you have when it comes to engaging in hands-on work with medicinal herbs or collecting wild plants and foods and using them for yourself, your family, and your community?
…….I think the biggest fear for me is wildcrafting. Am I harvesting them correctly, have I taken enough time to identify that this truly is the plant I’m looking for, etc.
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2. What is the single biggest frustration you have when it comes to learning how to practice working with medicinal plants and foods at home or with others?
……. I really have very few frustrations when working with plants. If I had to give one, I guess it would be the storage of the dried herbs and knowing how long they will “keep” before they start losing their potency.
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3. What happened as a result of your frustration?
….. I tend to keep very few herbs on hand so that I don’t have to worry about wasting them. This also means that when I need something, I either have to go out to the store to pick it up, or I just end up going without and not doing what I know is good for me!
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4. What have you tried so far that hasn’t worked (when it comes to learning about how to work with medicinal plants and wild foods- or stepping out to start practicing herbalism in your community)?
……. I’ve tried to harvest wild plants, but have had a hard time really figuring out the best way to dry them or harvest the parts I really need. I have since gotten a food dehydrator, so I’m hoping that will help!
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5. If you had a magic wand, what would be the ideal solution for you (when it comes to the perfect online learning to help you achieve your goals- more support or mentoring for example… or something else)?
…… I have to say that the student forum when I took your Herbalist 101 class was the best tool! It was easy to post questions and have active discussions with others and with you as an instructor!
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6. What is the single biggest question you have when it comes to practicing home or community herbalism?
…… How do I know that I am getting the right “strength” from my medicinal herbs.
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7. Are there specific herbal classes you would like me to create with a more narrow focus (for example, herbs for children, herbs for women -postpartum/ pregnancy, Stress/ burnout, first aid etc) Any ideas welcome!
…… as a 40 year old mom of teens I would love to see a class geared towards we women heading into perimenopause and menopause. I am not there yet, but in my family it begins in our early to mid 40′s, so it’s not far! I also definitely think that anything regarding stress relief and overall health is a must for any age group!
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Good luck creating and enjoying your new venture! I know you will be awesome with it! I would still be interested in helping out in any way I can in the future!
Blessings and light!
Angela
Miss out?? Nah not this time. I am also plastering this everywhere that would receive with open arms. People crave information. Thank-you for you kindness Angie. A very wonderful New Year to you Also!
Thanks so much Robin! You are doing great work as well! Really amazing … so blessed to know you! A prosperous and amazing new year to you!
Thank you so much for your amazing insight Angela! I am really looking forward to having you in class once again! thanks so much for taking the time to reply – I am really taking this to heart and will infuse it into the course.
Angie what a wonderful plan to give basic instructions to beginners. Living in Houston, TX wildcrafting is a big problem. Where to harvest our medicinal plants; not everyone has a garden nor can grow a variety of medicinals and the open fields are often sprayed with herbicides and other chemicals. so locating true-to-species medicinals is an issue. of course, what to do with them is another question.
Thanks for the feedback Roswitha! I am wondering if growing medicinal herbs in pots would be a good addition to the course as well… and we will be covering uses and practicing with herbs for sure – in fact the core part will be working hands-on with plants
Hi,
Below are my answers to the questions:
1. My biggest fear is in identifying the plants correctly. I cant seem to find good teaching for this to make me feel confident. I am also not sure how to use fresh plants.
I dont know if there is a differnce in how they are used over dried.
2. My biggest frustration when working with plants is how to be sure that they are strong enough when I make the tinctures or teas. Also in how to store properly and dry
properly.
3. Sometimes I feel I may not give enough because I dont know strength of the plants. I have plants growing in my yard but dont know how to cut and dry them or work with
them fresh so I dont bother. They are going to waste each year.
4. I have tried to dry herbs but with little success. so I stopped
5. Video are good for me. Visuals of plants to really get ideas on what they look like when wild crafting.
6. How do I get started practicing in my community. This a goal of mine. I also want to be sure of the strength of the things I make.
7. Herbal classes for strengthening the immune system, also for fibromyalgia or stress would be good. Strengthening the immune system probably the more important
one because this might help the other health issues.
Thanks, Pamela Burback
Thank you so much for your insights & time you put into your replies Pamela! I will be sure and implement them into the course. You will be receiving log in info as soon as the course is ready. Looking forward to working with you! Angie
1. Not only in identification, but I also worry culturally if I am in an alright spot for the stand I find.
2. I think more education in the area of why herbs are important and understanding what an herbalist is. I get the eyes glaze over. LOL. And its really hard to find folks who will drink very nice tea with you and they wrinkle their nose and hold their breath when tasting. Then saying wow this is good.??? So, I guess approaching how to approach and encourage others.
3. What happened as a result of your frustration? I am learning different ways to approach the “Herb” issues. Such as the taboo’s or doctor hater and quacks. Breaking the truth to folks is a long slow and gentle process!
4. ? Uh…ya, try to refrain from talking about the latest herb you are studying and why when at a dinner party!
5. I think support and mentoring is especially important to me. One on One is nice when its possible, love the webinars cause I am a very visual person.
6. Home and close ones, no problem, expanding further into the community is tough because you are not a Naturopath, Physician, Homeopathic, or the like. Ideas on communicating and how to approach this in your community is always a big question in my mind!
7. It’s always wonderful to experience individualized classes for specific needs. Also, subjects such as how to confirm or debunk studies that have everyone very upset over an herb.
Thanks so much Robin, very inspiring! I am really looking forward to connecting in class!
Thank you so much for this opportunity. This is really a wonderful gift. If you have need for any further answers, please feel absolutely free to email me at any time. Thanks again,
maya
1. What is the single biggest fear you have when it comes to engaging in hands-on work with medicinal herbs or collecting wild plants and foods and using them for yourself, your family, and your community?
What if i miss identify a plant and and make someone sick is the single biggest concern I have about collecting my own herbs. I currently collect the ones I have planted or know without a doubt are correct. I would like to engage in collecting herbs more but my fear holds me back.
2. What is the single biggest frustration you have when it comes to learning how to practice working with medicinal plants and foods at home or with others?
Ease of use. Having advil on hand is as easy as white willow bark but the advil requires little effort. The white willow bark requires me to procure it, clean it, tincture it, bottle it. I still use the occasional advil but I am moving further away from them and further towards the herbs.
3. What happened as a result of your frustration? I double, triple, quadruple check every herb. I have herbs shipped to me that I could easily wildcraft. I also eat less wildcrafted foods then i would like. because of the nagging in the back of my brain, what if it’s wrong?
And i take more advil then I should.
4. What have you tried so far that hasn’t worked (when it comes to learning about how to work with medicinal plants and wild foods- or stepping out to start practicing herbalism in your community)? Reading and trying to remember what lamb’s quarters look like. I should be taking a photograph of lamb’s quarters with me when i wild craft. I think it would reduce my fear.
5. If you had a magic wand, what would be the ideal solution for you (when it comes to the perfect online learning to help you achieve your goals- more support or mentoring for example… or something else)? Community and support.
6. What is the single biggest question you have when it comes to practicing home or community herbalism?
Why don’t more people do it?
7. Are there specific herbal classes you would like me to create with a more narrow focus (for example, herbs for children, herbs for women -postpartum/ pregnancy, Stress/ burnout, first aid etc) Any ideas welcome!
Daily use. I would like to learn more about the herbs that were replaced by western medicine and prescription drugs and women’s herbs. What herbs should be used more frequently by women.
1. Not being totally confident in my identification. Being mostly self taught myself I continue to stay in contact with other aspiring herbalists so we can talk and compare.
2. I don’t really feel frustrated. There is so much to learn and experiment with and sometimes I’m just overwhelmed. I need to narrow it down.
3. I tend to stay with using the herbs I am most familiar with most of the time.
4. I’ve been very conservative and most of what I use and make have been successful. I work hard to learn about the herbs I am growing and how to use them. I’m anxious to expand my depth of knowledge.
5. Finding coursework that will inspire and challenge me to push forward and learn more so I can do more.
6. Is what I’m telling people that purchase my products correct. I have a lot of repeat customers and I believe is what I make and sell but I want them to understand the power of herbs and herbal medicine the way I believe.
7. As I approach my late 50′s I would like to know how I can use herbs in the next phase of life. Also, as my children are approaching the decision to have children or not I would like to be able to use herbs in their care of children and themselves.
Thank you for this opportunity. I love following you and I’m looking forward to hearing from you to see where this might go.
1. What is the single biggest fear you have when it comes to engaging in hands-on work with medicinal herbs or collecting wild plants and foods and using them for yourself, your family, and your community?
I would say that my single biggest fear is that I will poison myself, my family, and friends. I know there are some herbs you can’t mix with each other, so I’m scared I might mix the wrong herbs together and poison myself. Also, I don’t know which amounts are safe. Herbs can be safe to consume in certain amounts, but in higher amounts they can be toxic. This really scares me.
2. What is the single biggest frustration you have when it comes to learning how to practice working with medicinal plants and foods at home or with others?
I’ve tried learning about herbal medicine in a distance learning format and online, and the biggest frustration was never really knowing if I did it right. For example, if I’m trying to make some herbal medicine, even if I followed the instructions, questions would come up like “Is this supposed to look like that?” “Did I do something wrong?” It’s really frustrating.
3. What happened as a result of your frustration?
I just stopped doing it.
4. What have you tried so far that hasn’t worked (when it comes to learning about how to work with medicinal plants and wild foods- or stepping out to start practicing herbalism in your community)?
I tried making herbal medicine and that didn’t work, but I think that would only work if I learned it hands on where I can actually have an experienced herbalist look at what I’m doing and give me feedback on what I’m doing wrong, what I’m doing right, how things are supposed to look and smell, how to be able to tell if a remedy you’re doing is kind of “off” somehow, or how to tell if there’s something wrong with it or if it’s gone rancid. This would give me incredible confidence in being able to make herbal remedies.
5. If you had a magic wand, what would be the ideal solution for you (when it comes to the perfect online learning to help you achieve your goals- more support or mentoring for example… or something else)?
If I had a magic wand, I would make it possible to do live hands on learning online where you can show the teacher what you’re doing, ask questions,see everything the teacher is doing and follow along, and this would be all done in real time. Oh, and at the end of class you can access a recording of the class session, so you can go back and review as many times as you want. This would be awesome!!
6. What is the single biggest question you have when it comes to practicing home or community herbalism?
The biggest question I have is regarding dosage. I could have a whole bunch of herbs in my possession, but if I don’t know dosage information then how would I know the dosage I need? For example, if I need to cure a certain ailment or something specific like diabetes, and I would like to make sure that I make an herbal medicine or tea potent enough to actually make a difference in the healing of that ailment/disease, how would I know what the proper dosage would be? This is really important.
7. Are there specific herbal classes you would like me to create with a more narrow focus (for example, herbs for children, herbs for women -postpartum/ pregnancy, Stress/ burnout, first aid etc) Any ideas welcome!
I would definitely love to see “herbs for children”. I would also like to see herbs for specific illnesses, such as “medicinal herbs for cancer”, or how to learn to combine different herbs together to make medicinal teas, tinctures, etc.
Thank you so much maya for taking the time to reply so in depth and thoroughly! I hear your answers and am ready to take this journey with you. We will go over how to get started both out in the field of ID and preparation. Thanks so much and I am really looking forward to seeing you in class!
Hi Kerri, thanks so much for taking the time to answer my questions! I will try to break down the class in simple steps… to help overcome that overwhelming feeling. There will also be plenty of support so we can help to increase our confidence with the plants. Can’t wait to see you in class! And thank you so much for the wonderful compliment.
Thank you so much Marilyn. You have really given me some great ideas, I am planing to have plenty of call in q&a sessions as well as a student forum for the course. I would love the course to be as interactive as possible and my main goal is to instil confidence and practice with the plants. I would also like to go over some basic formulas. The course will definitely be centered on home herbalism so you can be confident practicing for your family.. Thanks again, I am really looking forward to working with you in class!
1 Biggest fear – Misidentification of plants in wildcrafting.
2. Biggest frustration – lack of time. Not being able to do and learn all the things I want too. Probably need to see it broken down into small steps so I can add things in slowly.
3 . I don’t do nearly as much herbal remedies as I would like and am often not nearly as prepared as I want to be. I do some but not nearly as much as I want.
4. Often working with homeopathy has not worked for me. I realize this is about herbs but it is another alternative medicine that I try to incorporate into my remedies. Also using the herbs that I have actually dried.
5. ACcountability so I prioritize learning. Small goals to achieve.
6. Question for home or community use of herbs – working with tinctures – making with consistent results.
7. Herbs for perimenopause and menopause.
thanks so much for your feedback Jennifer- we will be touching on all the items you mentioned. Looking forward to seeing you in class! Angie
Thanks Angie! That would be really great for the class to be interactive. If you have any more questions, I would be more than happy to answer them. Just let me know. Thank you so much for having me in your class. I’m really excited!
Thanks a lot for the opportunity to share this with you. Here are my answers to your questions
1. What is the single biggest fear you have when it comes to engaging in hands-on work with medicinal herbs or collecting wild plants and foods and using them for yourself, your family, and your community?
Not knowing wich herb to use and using the wrong one in the situation i encounter. Also i would like to be able to wildcraft some but im scared to go out and pick herbs in fear of not knowing if i have the right one.
2. What is the single biggest frustration you have when it comes to learning how to practice working with medicinal plants and foods at home or with others?
Struggling to find out the method of administering the herb. Should i use a tincture, tea, salve for the condition i want to treat.
Also not knowing where to go with my questions, or being scared to ask questions to people who know a lot of herbalism.
Another frustration i have is that i would love to talk herbs with someone but in my neighbourhood or maybe even country are not much people with the same interest in herbs as me.
3. What happened as a result of your frustration?
Ive joined herbmentor.com, but even there im scared to post something on the forum as i always think its not imporant enough to ask, or if i just try to find some more information i would probably be able to find the answer myself.
4. What have you tried so far that hasn’t worked (when it comes to learning about how to work with medicinal plants and wild foods- or stepping out to start practicing herbalism in your community)?
Ive tried to start to learn from plant and then remember what to use them for. But so far it seems that for me its better to learn a condition and then learn herbs with that.
5. If you had a magic wand, what would be the ideal solution for you (when it comes to the perfect online learning to help you achieve your goals- more support or mentoring for example… or something else)?
A place for me to share successtories would be great! Also a buddy system would be nice. Even if that person would be living somewhere on the other side of the World.
6. What is the single biggest question you have when it comes to practicing home or community herbalism?
How do i diagnose.
7. Are there specific herbal classes you would like me to create with a more narrow focus (for example, herbs for children, herbs for women –postpartum/ pregnancy, Stress/ burnout, first aid etc) Any ideas welcome!
I dont have children and am not very old yet. However i do have a stressfull life and i would love to know how to feel less stressed and deal with it in a more natural way.
Thank you so much for your feedback Anna! When the class starts you can ask questions of me anytime, I am hoping to make this course as interactive as possible. Green blessings!
Looking forward to your class.
looking forward to having you Kerri!
1. What is the single biggest fear you have when it comes to engaging in hands-on work with medicinal herbs or collecting wild plants and foods and using them for yourself, your family, and your community?
Missing that someone has an allergy to one of the herbs before using it…
2. What is the single biggest frustration you have when it comes to learning how to practice working with medicinal plants and foods at home or with others?
Matching “common names” locally with either scientific/other known names…
3. What happened as a result of your frustration?
I’m more leery in using them…
4. What have you tried so far that hasn’t worked (when it comes to learning about how to work with medicinal plants and wild foods- or stepping out to start practicing herbalism in your community)?
finding information that matches up…ie net vs “home use”…when I’m double checking usages…
5. If you had a magic wand, what would be the ideal solution for you (when it comes to the perfect online learning to help you achieve your goals- more support or mentoring for example… or something else)?
Having someone who could answer my questions…
6. What is the single biggest question you have when it comes to practicing home or community herbalism?
how to determine strengths of the various herbs both individually and compounded/synergistically…
7. Are there specific herbal classes you would like me to create with a more narrow focus (for example, herbs for children, herbs for women -postpartum/ pregnancy, Stress/ burnout, first aid etc)
Not sure…would have to think about this one for a bit more…
thank you for your comments Janette – looking forward to having you in class!
1. What is the single biggest fear you have when it comes to engaging in hands-on work with medicinal herbs or collecting wild plants and foods and using them for yourself, your family, and your community?
- how to ask the right questions to choose the correct herb or herbs – there are so many variables
2. What is the single biggest frustration you have when it comes to learning how to practice working with medicinal plants and foods at home or with others?
3. What happened as a result of your frustration?
- indecision, trepidation and lack of confidence in suggesting herbs
4. What have you tried so far that hasn’t worked (when it comes to learning about how to work with medicinal plants and wild foods- or stepping out to start practicing herbalism in your community)?
- everything I have tried worked but there is so much to learn and know
5. If you had a magic wand, what would be the ideal solution for you (when it comes to the perfect online learning to help you achieve your goals- more support or mentoring for example… or something else)?
- just more information and practice and practical examples to build confidence
6. What is the single biggest question you have when it comes to practicing home or community herbalism?
- how long does it take before you feel more confident in your knowledge
7. Are there specific herbal classes you would like me to create with a more narrow focus (for example, herbs for children, herbs for women -postpartum/ pregnancy, Stress/ burnout, first aid etc) Any ideas welcome!
- keeping up good health with herbs – how they tie into a healthy lifestyle – tonics and teas and bath/body products.
THank you so much Lorna for your answers- I plan on including even more about tonics and good health along with the basics of medicine making. Looking forward to having you in class!
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