Study Herbs, Ayurveda & Wellness in Santa Cruz
Upcoming Events & Workshops
Introduction to Herbalism & Medicine Making
In this practical and fun class at the Santa Cruz Permaculture Farm, participants will learn how to source, make, and use a wide range of herbal medicines. We’ll build your home apothecary by making tinctures, syrups, oils, salves, lotions, pastilles and much more. We’ll introduce herbal actions such as Adaptogens, Calmatives/Sedatives, Immunostimulants, tonics and Harmonizers that can be grown in our gardens or sourced locally.
We’ll also discuss the crucial role diet and nutrition play in promoting our vitality, immunity, and resilience to stress. Whether you’re interested in herbal medicine and want to begin your journey or are just looking for natural ways to support your energy and nervous system, relax more, and sleep better, all within a supportive community of practice, this class will teach you an abundance of tools that you will use for decades to come.
Spring-Summer 2025 Dates
Basics – April 19-20, 2025
Digestive System & Kitchen Herbalism – May, 17-18, 2025
Wild Foods Weekend – June 21-22, 2025
Nervous System + Botany – July 19-20, 2025
Immune & Common Ailments – August 16-17, 2025
The Integumentary System & Topical Applications – September 20-21, 2025
Handcrafted Herbalism
Making herbal products is not only simple and affordable, but most importantly it’s fun! This dynamic hands-on course will provide you with the necessary skills to become confident in traditional herbal practices. Our time together will be divided into discussion and herbal creation.
As we dive into the art of herbalism you will learn extraction methods to make a wide variety of herbal remedies such as decoctions, infusions, tinctures, salves, lotions, herbal oils, ghee, syrups, and throat sprays. During our first class, you will start the hands-on lab with tinctures and herbal oils. This slow extraction process will take place over the course of the 21 days between classes as you monitor your herbal remedies. When you return the following month we will strain our herbal remedies and convert the tinctures and herbal oils into syrups, throat sprays, salves and lotions.
You will have products to take home, formulation worksheets, and the knowledge necessary to expand on your own. Discussion topics will include formulation, dosages, and healing properties of herbs. This class is geared towards all levels, no prior experience is necessary. The goal is to help you learn how to select good quality herbs and produce high quality herbal products for common health ailments to improve your wellness, and for friends and family as well!
Class size is limited, so register early!
2 Saturdays:
- Sat. Aug. 23rd, 10-3 pm
- Sat. Sept. 13th, 10-3 pm
Cabrillo College Campus
$195
Wise Women’s Healthy Aging: Personalized Program for Your Aging Needs
Did you know that certain herbs, foods and activities balance your hormones to increase longevity, slow the aging process, promote memory, improve sleep and bring back a feeling of youthfulness?
Learn what foods to include in your diet to restore vitality, and which ones to avoid! Discover a daily routine that can help increase your energy, reduce your stress, and help you sleep better at night.
Find culinary herbs and spices to promote digestion, balance hormones and restore the mind and body. During class you will create a personalized program to address your specific needs.
Sat. Oct. 4th 10-1 pm
Cabrillo College Campus
$75
Botanical Culinary & Mixology Bliss
Discover the world of botanicals and how they can elevate your culinary and beverage creations and enhance food and drink recipes. Learn to incorporate fresh herbs, edible flowers, and aromatic plants into savory dishes and vibrant, flavorful drinks. You will harness the power of herbs as you dive into their health benefits when used in cooking and mixology as you craft delicious herbal-infused salt, vinegar, syrup and refreshing bitters.
Whether you're a seasoned home cook, an aspiring mixologist, or someone just starting to explore the world of herbs, this class will provide you with practical skills, recipes, and inspiration to incorporate herbs into your everyday kitchen and bar. This immersive experience will transform your cooking and drinking habits with the power of plants!
You will leave with 1 oz of blackberry sage vinegar, lemon ginger honey, and herbal infused bitters, and 2 oz of herbal infused salt, all in glass jars.
Sat. Nov. 1st, 10-1 pm
Cabrillo College Campus
$112
Herbal Holiday Gift Making (ages 15 and older)
Create your own holiday magic with decadent, fragrant, handmade creations made with love and care. Learn how to make herbal gifts for the entire family that will have them begging you to make more year after year!
You will go home with ten luscious lip balms, five healing salves, and five rich body butters. Be sure to bring your lunch and wear comfy clothes that you can get messy in!
Dec. 6th 10-4 pm
Cabrillo College Campus
$118