COMMUNITY MEDICINE MAKING DAYS
​Community Medicine Making Days are inter-generational events that build community, create an excess of medicine, and provide participants with skills and knowledge to create herbal remedies at home. Events are held seasonally, with the craft and herbs aligning to what is happening in nature and our bodies. Each event has a set project or herb skill, but what we end up creating depends upon who attends and what they bring.
Who Can Attend?
Everyone! These events are designed for the whole community-- young, old, and in between. Experienced herblists and first-time medicine makers. There is space for everyone!
How does it work?
Each Medicine Making Day focuses on different herbal preparations, plants, and knowledge. These choices are made based on the seasons and the community's collective needs. The event's focus and projects will be announced in advance. If you are new to that skill, please arrive at the start for an orientation to the skill, science, and magic behind the offering. From there, participants choose what to create, often working collaboratively.
So, it's a workshop?
Community Medicine Making Days are different than traditional herbalism workshops. Instead of one teacher facilitating a group of "students", these events are designed with community-building and collaboration in mind. CMMD's acknowledge that we all have experience with plants and our bodies, both personally and ancestrally, and aims to create a space where that is valued and shared. Each event is different depending on who is there and what is brought. There will be space to learn about the plants and herbcrafting skills in detail from experienced herblists.
How much does it cost?
These are exchange-based events with no set cost to attend. Participants are asked to bring something to contribute. RSVPing to each event is crucial so that you receive the list of suggested materials.
Holding events in this way is an intentional choice to resist the commodification of care in our society. Inspired by the work and lives of Rosemary Freenie Harding, Robin Wall Kimmerer, Becky Chambers, and Anne Dunlap, we believe that process for creating medicine is as important at the outcome. Participants are asked to bring an ingredient or supply as an offering to the space. In return, they leave with handmade medicine, new experiences and knowledge, and deeper community connections. We hope you will join us!
Two jars filled with herbs and spices, covered with brown parchment paper and sealed with green and red rubber bands. They are labeled"Fire Cider".
A group of children and adults gather around an island in a kitchen, using their hands to rip apart pine needles and place them into buckets.
Two jars filled with herbs and spices, covered with brown parchment paper and sealed with green and red rubber bands. They are labeled"Fire Cider".