Weekend Intensive Classes 2025

The Lymph and the Extracellular Matrix, Guasha, and Biofilms

Dates: Saturday -Sunday June 21 & 22, 2025
Time: Saturday, 10:00 am - 5:00 pm; Sunday, 10:00 am - 4:30 pm
Instructors: Caroline Gagnon

The lymphatic system is undervalued by both doctors and herbalists. In this intensive, we will look at the energetic, emotional and physiological effects of the lymph and the extracellular matrix and understand the subtleties of the different lymphatic herbs and the role they play in the treatment of diseases and dysfunctions. We will look at how the lymph affects our body’s general terrain and constitution, our brain and reproductive functioning. We will also dedicate time to really understanding lymphedema, develop tools to educate clients, and, most importantly, explore why it is imperative to treat it to prevent irreversible situations from arising.

Guasha:

This practical and efficient tool is easy to learn and use – so much so that it will soon become an essential part of your First Aid kit! Similar to cupping but much easier to perform, Gua Sha has been used in many parts of Asia for millennia – including China, Korea and Vietnam. Using simple tools every herbalist has – a Mason jar lid and a little oil - we will explore the common ailments Gua Sha is so effective at treating such as colds, body aches and stiffness, as well as lymphatic and other kinds of congestion. Come learn how Gua Sha can be a complementary tool for your practice and an incredible home remedy.

Biofilms in Chronic Infections:

What do plaque, Lyme disease, recurrent urinary tract infections, candidiasis and cystic fibrosis and pneumonia have in common? These are all infections linked to biofilms. In addition to explaining why these pathologies generally prove very difficult to eliminate, the fact that they are linked to biofilms informs us about the processes that make them recurrent... that is to say chronic! In this class we will explore different protocols to assist you in the treatments of those hard to treat chronic infections!

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Sympathetic Excess States & Energetic Considerations of Adaptogens and Nervines - Fine Tuning the Nervous System with Nervines, Adaptogens and Tonics

Dates: Saturday -Sunday August 16-17, 2025
Time: Saturday, 10:00 am - 5:00 pm; Sunday, 10:00 am - 4:30 pm
Instructors: jim mcdonald
Location: 168 Lincoln Rd Lincoln, MA

Stress is one of the largest contributors to illness, depleting our bodies of the energy needed to maintain health, digest our food, fight off infection, and keep us happy & smiling. All too many of us feel like we’re swimming upstream or in a constant state of “fight or flight”, even if we’re just standing in our kitchen. Fortunately, there are a myriad assortment of herbs not only known to offer a calming influence, but which can also act in a nervine tonic/tropho-restorative manner upon the nervous system as well.

Join herbalist jim mcdonald in a discussion of the herbs and behaviors that will support us through times of stress and strain, whether it be due to acute trauma or just trying to keep up with the unsustainable pace of life that surrounds us. We’ll look at a number of herbs that can support us through hard times, emphasizing their energetic virtues and how plants can help specific manifestations of stress, from overwhelm to outbursts to heartache.

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Amazonian and Western Herbal Plants and Their Healing Properties

Dates: Saturday -Sunday September 6-7, 2025
Time: Saturday, 10:00 am - 5:00 pm; Sunday, 10:00 am - 4:30 pm
Instructors: Michael Friedman and Rocio Alarcon
Location: 168 Lincoln Rd Lincoln, MA

A Weekend with the Master Plants Cacao, Ayahuasca, Tobacco, Poke, Lily of the Valley and others

The primary focus of this workshop is preventive medicine, emphasizing the use of Amazonian plants to promote long-term health and resilience. In cases where conditions become adverse, more intensive treatments are used with species classified as polyvalent, meaning they possess versatile healing properties and can address multiple conditions within the human body.

The conditions chosen for discussion are particularly relevant to modern lifestyles, especially in so-called First World societies. Many of these ailments have become chronic concerns, necessitating natural and holistic approaches to treatment:

Diabetes – Regulation of blood sugar levels and metabolic support.
Circulatory Health – Enhancement of blood flow and cardiovascular function.
Inflammation – Reduction of chronic inflammatory responses.
Immune System Support – Strengthening the body's natural defenses.
Cancer Support – Exploration of traditional approaches to cellular health.
Infection Management – Natural antimicrobial and antiviral solutions.
Skin Problems – Addressing allergies, eczema, and other dermatological issues.
Emotional Fatigue – Alleviation of stress, anxiety, and mental exhaustion.
Senescence & Autophagy – Understanding aging processes and cellular renewal.
Glymphatic System – Exploring its role in brain detoxification and neurological health.

This workshop is an invitation to explore the deep wisdom embedded in Amazonian and Western plant medicine. By understanding and integrating these powerful botanicals into our lives, we can foster greater physical, emotional, and spiritual well-being. Join us on this journey to reconnect with the healing gifts of the Amazon and the broader world of herbal medicine, embracing a holistic approach to health and vitality.

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