Herbal Oils, Lotions and Tallow Class with UVU Community Education

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When I first started learning about herbs, my friend shared with me that Native Americans believed that wherever there was a problem, the remedy for the problem was within reach. If you got a snake bite, the plant to help with that would be within reach. It seemed a little far out, but as time went on, I had experiences where this proved to be true. Maybe the Native Americans were right about the remedy being in close proximity to the problem.

 

My sister and I took our kids on a waterfall hike this summer and ended up inadvertently testing the theory that the remedy to a problem is always within reach. Before we went, we read several reviews of the hike, which warned about stinging nettle on the trail. Despite our cautions and pointing out what the plant looks like, my youngest daughter accidentally touched stinging nettle, and the skin on her hand turned red, swollen, and welted.  The cold water from the river helped a little, but where she touched the stinging nettle looked like she had several bee stings. There wasn't any plantain nearby (a popular plant for insect bites), but there were many young willow trees around the river.  I remembered that willows are cooling and help with pain and swelling. I took some willow leaves and tore them in little pieces. I rubbed the pieces of willow leaves between my hands until they were crushed, then rubbed the bits of willow leaves on my daughter's swollen hand. In a few seconds, the swelling completely subsided and she went back to play in the waterfall with her cousins, with not even a trace of redness left. Two more times that morning, the children accidentally touched stinging nettle, and again we used nearby willow leaves and water to stop the pain and swelling, with immediate results. It was my first time using willow and I was so excited about how well it worked! It was empowering to learn how to effectively care for stinging nettle run ins. Not only is nature beautiful and relaxing for the soul, but it can also help you heal physically! God's provision in nature is truly amazing.

 

If you want to learn more about herbs, I am teaching a class that is a simple introduction to using a few of the most common herbs to make herbal oils. What is great is that they grow near by, they are inexpensive, and they work! They are very accessible and sustainable and some of them are abundant- like willow! After this class, you will look at plants and herbs differently, and feel empowered to start using them.

 

The first class is in Heber at the UVU Wasatch Campus on Thursday, September 25, form 6-9 pm.  The next class is at the Lehi UVU campus on Wednesday, October 8, from  6-9 pm, it is right off the freeway, near Thanksgiving Point. It is the same class just different locations. Here is the LINK to sign up. Once you click on the link, scroll down to "Nature's Touch: Handmade Skin Care."


Here are some samples of what we'll be making:










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