Holiday Spa Gift Workshop I: Face Care

Where: Gathering Thyme Education Center (next door at 228 Sir Francis Drake Blvd.)

When: Saturday, December 11th--11:00 to 1:00pm

Cost: $45 includes materials, customized products and recipes to bring home.

Surprise your family and friends this year with spa-quality handcrafted gifts they are sure to enjoy! Learn about the beneficial properties of a wide variety of natural ingredients, and put this knowledge to use making your own customized facial care products including an exfoliating facial mask and aromatic skin tonic.

This class is taught by Cheryl Fromholzer, creator of the organic skincare line “North Rose Botanicals” and co-owner of Gathering Thyme. Class size is limited to 10 people. Pre-registration required.

For more information, 
please call Cheryl at 415-298-0793. 

Herb of the Month: Elderberry

This plant, which is a California Native, has long been used as a medicine to keep colds and flus at bay.   The flowers and fruits are both used medicinally. 
Herbalist Matthew Wood calls it one of the "three primal remedies of the European tradition."

He cites that it was once decreed that one should be planted in every yard in the realm of Charlemagne, to be a "medicine cabinet" at hand. 
Elderberry's delicious flavor makes it especially popular as a remedy for children, especially as a syrup. (Those of us with grown-up taste buds may prefer it as a cordial or steeped in wine). 
Elderberry syrup is a time-tested remedy for cold and flu.  Take 1-2 tsps. a day to help ward sickness off, or as much as 1 tsp. every hour during acute periods of illness.

You can get elderberry syrup here at the store, or if you prefer, you can make your own! 

Elderberry Syrup Recipe

1 cup dried elderberries
1 tbl. dried orange peel (optional)
1 tsp. cinnamon chips (optional -- use less if using powder)
1-2 tsps grated fresh ginger (optional)
4 cups filtered water
1/2-1c honey

1.) Place the elderberries, orange peel, cinnamon, ginger, and water in a pot. Bring the whole thing to a boil, reduce the heat, and simmer until the liquid is reduced to one cup.

2.) Smash up the berries in the pan, then straain the mixture through a mesh strainer, reserving both the liquid and the pulp.

3.) Stir the honey into the liquid to form your syrup.  The more honey you use, the better your syrup will keep. 

4.) Bottle and store the syrup the fridge, where it will last a few months.  The leftover pulp can be used in pancakes, waffles, smoothies, etc.
Recipe courtesy of North Rose Botanicals.

Bearways: Ancient ways for Modern Living

Ancestors from all over the northern hemisphere looked to the bear for how to live in sync with the seasons. Today, bear teachings are still relevant and especially important for city dwellers. Awareness and practice of this information is most vital in the fall and winter to ensure year-round health. The focus of this class is to honor our connection with the earth by reviving traditions and remembering ways of living that serve to prepare us for the coming winter.

In this one-day workshop we will learn about why the bear is revered as a teacher, the basics of fermentation, the importance of preparing yourself and your home during the fall, and the tools and materials to take us through the ‘long sleep of winter’. Each session will also include some hands-on play. We will be making kombucha, bath salts, herbal teas, and dream pillows. Please join me for this informative and fun series to help you enter the cave of winter with joy and relief.

When:
Saturday, November 13th from 10:00am – 5:00pm

Cost:
$125 for the Saturday workshop

Where:Gathering Thyme Educational Center
228 Sir Francis Drake Blvd. in San Anselmo, CA

Pre-registration is required. For more information about the class and to register, call 510-524-2482. Please register early, class size is limited.

Bearways is taught by Julia Goerlitz, a life-long student of nature, art, and alternative medicine. She is a practicing homeopath and herbalist and is the owner and creatrix of Herbal Allies’ products. For more information visit http://www.herbalallies.com/

Your Neighborhood Herb Shop Opens October 6th!!

A bountiful selection of freshly-dried organic herbs

_________________________________________

We're busy putting the finishing touches on the store - product on shelves, pricing items and about a bazillion other little things that continually crop up -- but are happy to announce we're offically opening on October 6th. Please stop by, relax and sip a cup of tea and find out what we're all about! 

Locally-owned and staffed by experienced herbalists and healthcare educators, our goal is to empower and educate the community about self care using herbs and other natural remedies.

• Bulk Herbs & Herbal Supplements
• Nutritional Supplements
• Flower Essences & Homeopathy
• Natural and Organic Skincare
• Aromatherapy and Essential Oils
• Fine Teas and Spices
• New and Used Books
• Workshops and Herbal Studies
• Holistic Healthcare Professionals

Mention this blog posting and receive 10% off your first order of non-sale items!

For more information, feel free to give us a call at 415-524-8693.

Blessings from the green world!
-Cheryl Fromholzer and John Malenic, Co-Owners and Community Herbalists

Herbs for the Cold & Flu Season

Learn how to care for yourself and loved ones with herbs during the cold season. We will discuss preventative health care, therapies for common winter illnesses, and how to prepare medicinal teas and syrups. Come learn how to prepare for a naturally healthy winter.

WHEN:  Saturday, October 23rd from 11 to 1pm
WHERE: Gathering Thyme - 228 Sir Francis Drake Blvd., San Anselmo, CA
COST:  $45.00

Space is limited to 8 people. 

Body and Soul Festival Workshop

MAKING HERBAL MEDICINES - PART 1

Many Americans are accustomed to going to the drugstore for their cosmetics and medicines. It was not that long ago that these products and most other necessities of life had to be made in the home. The making and using of simple recipes and remedies today provide an excellent way to save money and at the same time to learn traditional skills that were once common knowledge.

In this hands-on workshop, learn how easy it is to make your own herbal first-aid salve to treat a wide variety of common conditions including cuts, scrapes, bug bites, diaper rash, burns, bumps and bruises. Each participant will leave with their own jar of first-aid salve.

This class is suitable for the whole family including children ages 10 and older... and it's FREE!

Herbal Spa Skincare Workshop

Create your own spa-quality skincare products tailored to your particular skin type

Date: August 21st - 1:00 to 5:00pm

Cost: $60.00 + a $30.00 materials fee.

Location: Gathering Thyme - 228 Sir Francis Drake Blvd., San Anselmo, CA

Learn how to make your own spa-quality skincare products tailored to your particular skin type. In this wildly popular hands-on workshop, you'll learn about the beneficial properties of a wide variety of natural ingredients... and put that knowledge to use making an exfoliating facial mask, nurturing skin tonic and rejuvenating facial serum. To set the mood, we'll begin class with an aromatic herbal facial steam! Handouts will also be included with lots of recipes and ideas for creating your own home skin and spa treatments including massage oils, salt and sugar scrubs, bath tisanes and salts... and much more. Register early - this class always fills!
For more information, contact Cheryl at nrbotanicals@gmail.com or call 415-298-0793

Register: www.northrosebotanicals.com/events.html