On Saturday, August 15, 2009, join local herbalist and flower essence practitioner Lupo Passero from 1:00-2:30pm at the The Institute for American Indian Studies in Washington, CT, and learn about the various medicinal roots that grow throughout the Northeast and within the healing garden at IAIS. She will teach about the proper use of root medicine and how to harvest and prepare wild roots for home use in teas, tinctures as well as food.
Traditionally late Summer and early Autumn is just the perfect time of year to talk about Root Medicine. The first light frost is usually the signal for plants to start storing up their energies within their roots helping them survive the long winter.
The task of digging up the roots of herbaceous plants is a simple one if you have properly prepared their growing beds. A hole is dug straight down and to one side of the root while gradually removing soil on the side of the hole toward the root. Simply pull the root sideways out of the hole. This will cause less damage than digging down and then pulling it straight up. Once they have been unearthed, they can be placed in a paper bag, box or basket and then washed gently and carefully. When the roots are completely dry, place them in jars, label them and put them in a cool, dry cupboard until you need them. Fresh roots can be made into a tea, tincture, oil or used in decoctions (boiled in water) and infusions (hot water poured over the plant).
Many familiar plants such as dandelion, comfrey, burdock, plantain and echinacea have medicinal benefits contained within their roots.
Admission to the event is $15 or $12 for IAIS Members. CT Educators may earn 0.1 CEU’s.
