The Black Bear Herb Garden and Herb School — a creation of medical herbalist Amanda Howe — is opening in Cumberland.
Courses are not academic endeavours; they are intentionally fun and packed with information from Howe's experience of growing plants and treating people with herbs for decades, and are meant for anyone with an interest in plants and using herbs for health.
The Black Bear Herb Garden has more than 80 medicinal plants. It's open to the public with advance booking.
The school has two offerings this fall. The Home Herbalist course is a hands-on experience with a focus on learning safe and effective ways of treating common ailments and seasonal illnesses. It includes classes on medicine making, and on growing an herb garden and wild harvesting herbs so students that can make their own medicines.
The Herbal First Aid Workshop teaches how to create an herbal first aid kit. Students will learn how to use simple remedies for everyday first aid and common mild illnesses around the home.
Courses and workshops start in September. For more information visit www.blackbearherb.com.