Using Medicinal Herbs at Home workshop

The main aim of this workshop is to give you confidence in using medicinal herbs to treat every day ailments. No prior knowledge is needed; just an open mind and a desire to learn more about herbal medicine and the wonder of Nature. All the workshops I offer are designed to complement each other or to be done independently. All the herbs in this workshop are easily sourced, either growing in the garden or hedgerow, available from my online shop (or other herb suppliers) or already in the kitchen cupboard!

Morning session

We look at 10 herbs in depth and see how they can be used and combined to treat different conditions from anxiety and insomnia to coughs and colds to digestive upsets and basic first aid. You will find out how to make infusions and decoctions and how to blend different herbs together and from this how to use compresses, eyebaths and skin washes.

After a Herbal Tea-tasting, you’ll then make up your own medicinal tea-blends to take home with you.

The key herbs we look at are: Chamomile, Lemon balm, Limeflower, Peppermint, Fennel seed, Sage, Thyme, Yarrow, Elderflower and Calendula. However expect others to make an appearance! I genuinely believe that if you know these herbs well, with a few additions that are found in most kitchens, you can treat most ailments you’ll come across in the home.

Afternoon session

This begins with a herb walk during which you’ll find out about identification and safe harvesting and preservation techniques as well as exploring the folklore, medicinal properties and stories behind the plants and trees growing around you. 

Back in the classroom with a herbal tea, I’ll demonstrate how to make your own home tinctures and then we’ll look at how to make a basic macerated herbal oil that can be used on its own and how we can add essential oils and other ingredients to turn it into a salve or lip balm.

We then hopefully have a short time left to consolidate all that we’ve learned and answer any questions so that you leave full of confidence and brimming with ideas to start making up your own herbal potions at home!

Tea, coffee and herbal teas are provided but please bring your own packed lunch and any other snacks you will need thoughout the day to keep you focused.

Prices including materials:
Scheduled 10-4 workshops £55 per person
NB prices for RHS workshops booked via RHS i.e. part of RHS learning prospectus do vary slightly for RHS members and non-members. Prices will be as advertised in current RHS prospectus/website and no further discounts apply.

Scheduled dates for 2019:
Wednesday 6th February 2019  RHS Harlow Carr, Harrogate  To book call RHS on 020 3176 5830
Sunday 24th February 2019      Ivy house Botanicals, Otley   To book contact Bel on 07775920079 or email below
Thursday 6th June 2019           RHS Harlow Carr, Harrogate  To book call RHS on 020 3176 5830
Sunday 16th June 2019            Ivy house Botanicals, Otley   To book contact Bel on 07775920079 or email below

Group bookings
You can also book this workshop at a date to suit your group, whether that's for work colleagues, social groups, charity organisations or just for a friends get together.

Workshops for group bookings can either run 10am-4pm or I also offer a 10am-1pm programme which is increasingly popular. Both can be held either at your own venue or at Edibles permaculture centre in Slaithwaite, Huddersfield subject to availability.

Group bookings at your own venue are £350 for 10am-4pm workshop or £200 for 10am-1pm workshop plus travel costs. Weekdays only. Further costs apply for hosting your workshop at Edibles and/or weekends. Please contact me to discuss or if funding is an issue and I'll try my best to make it happen for you.

One day workshops tailored to your needs or for larger or multiple groups are also available: please contact me to discuss your ideas.

Scheduled workshops run from January to November. Please see dates below or events calendar. Using medicinal herbs at home workshops are colour-coded blue.

To book your place on a scheduled workshop or discuss group bookings please call 07775 920079 or email me at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. Payment is required at the time of booking.

Location: Scheduled workshops are held at Ivy House Botanicals in Otley, Edibles permaculture centre in Slaithwaite, Huddersfield and at RHS Harlow Carr in Harrogate but please contact me to discuss hosting workshop at your own venue.

To bring: Packed lunch and snacks, notepad and pen, waterproof jacket and comfortable sturdy walking shoes and optional umbrella.

Special notes: If you have any special requirements or disabilities, please let me know in good time so that I can accommodate them in the best possible way for you and the rest of the group.

Booking onto one of my herbal workshops presents the perfect opportunity to spend a few days exploring Yorkshire. From the Peak district and Pennines and the industrial heritage of West Yorkshire to Otley Chevin and Ilkley Moor and then further on to Skipton and Yorkshire Dales for fabulous walking and fresh air or head to the spa town of Harrogate for shopping and RHS Harlow Carr gardens or further North to Fountains Abbey near Ripon.