Bastyr University is pleased to announce its participation in the seventh annual National HerbDay on Saturday, May 5, 2012. This nationwide celebration features a series of independently produced educational events to raise public awareness about the significance of herbs in our daily lives and the many way herbs can be used safely and creatively for health, beauty care and culinary enjoyment.
The annual event was conceived of in 2006 by the HerbDay Coalition, a group of five national nonprofits: the American Botanical Council, American Herbalists Guild, American Herbal Pharmacopoeia, American Herbal Products Association and United Plant Savers. This year, nationwide activities will occur at botanical gardens, universities, retail stores and parks throughout the United States. Activities are produced by host venues in cities nationwide and include hands-on workshops, author talks, lectures and classes, cooking demonstrations, gardening programs and more.
Locally, Bastyr University will be offering five days of unique activities open to the public, all to be held at the University’s campus in Kenmore, Wash.
The following presentations are FREE, held on the Bastyr University campus:
Nick Culpeper was a 17th century English botanist, herbalist, physician and astrologer. He had a fascinating and unique approach to understanding plants and diseases from an astrological yet scientific point of view. Culpeper's success as an herbalist made him particularly critical of the Royal College of Physicians, and coinciding with the abolishment of the Censorship Law, compelled him to publish numerous books on herbal medicine, medical practice, diagnosing disease, midwifery, politics and more. Come hear about his controversial life and get to know a few of his favorite plants.
Jenn Dazey, ND, RH (AHG), is a core faculty member in the Department of Botanical Medicine at Bastyr University and a practicing naturopathic physician. Admittedly a pleomorphist by hobby, she loves to study the roots of naturopathic medicine from all sorts of controversial, historical perspectives.
We will go back in time to the early days of the formation of America as a country and talk about the people and the plants that influenced the culture of Appalachia as well as the practice of Western Herbalism as we know it today. We will highlight a few plants native to the Southern Appalachian area and how they were used in the 1700-1800s and contrast to how they are used today.
Sheila Kingsbury, ND, RH (AHG), is a 2003 graduate of Bastyr University’s Doctor of Naturopathic Medicine program and has been in clinical practice in Kirkland, Washington, since 2003. In her clinical practice she focuses on pediatrics and women’s health. She is the chair of the Department of Botanical Medicine at Bastyr University and an associate professor, teaching courses in pediatrics, lactation, botanical medicine and the history and traditions of herbal medicine. She focuses on Western and Ayurvedic herbal traditions and homeopathy in her clinical experiences and in her teaching. She is committed to the education and mentorship of herbalists from a variety of backgrounds and has provided herbal internships for her students since 2005.
Percy Julian, PhD (1899-1975), was one of the first African-Americans granted a PhD (in chemistry in his case). He worked in the area of plant chemistry and pharmacognosy. He was instrumental in the commercialization of creating human hormones from plant precursor compounds from soy and wild yam. Despite suffering severe discrimination, he always kept fighting and moving ahead in his life and career. He was the second African-American elected to the National Academy of Sciences. Come learn more about this amazing scientist.
Eric Yarnell, ND, RH (AHG), is a core faculty member in the Department of Botanical Medicine at Bastyr University. He co-owns Heron Botanicals and has authored many botanical medicine books and articles. He maintains a naturopathic medicine practice with a special interest in men’s health.
Celebrate HerbDay at the Bastyr Herb Garden. Come explore a variety of old world plants used by mystic herbalist Hildegard von Bingen. Tour is limited to 20 people, rain or shine. Please dress appropriately. RSVP by emailing mmilligan[at]bastyr[dot]edu or calling (425) 602-3287.
Michele Milligan is the assistant supervisor of the Bastyr Medicinal Herb Garden and a candidate for the University's Bachelor of Science with a Major in Herbal Sciences degree. She is passionate about the historical usages of medicinal plants, as well as research and direct communication with the plant world.
The following workshop requires a $5-$10 entrance fee and advance registration. Contact Chrissy Atkins in the Botanical Medicine office by emailing catkins[at]bastyr[dot]edu or calling (425) 602-3287 to register.
The Greeks knew the medicinal benefit of their local plants and of the menstruum used to extract the medicinal properties from the plants when making herbal preparations. They relied on honey and vinegar preparations to treat a number of ailments. This is due in part to the strong medicinal properties inherent in both honey and vinegar. In this interactive workshop, we will discuss the healing properties of honey and vinegar while observing how to make these ancient remedies for home use. You will then have the opportunity to make your own herbally infused honey and/or vinegar to take home with you ($5 for one preparation, $10 for both).
Crystal Hamby is a graduate from the Bachelor of Science with a Major in Herbal Sciences program at Bastyr University, and an adjunct faculty member for the Department of Botanical Medicine. She is also an herbal consultant, specializing in women's reproductive health and adrenal support.
Bastyr University is located in Kenmore, at 14500 Juanita Drive N.E., adjacent to St. Edward State Park. For more information as well as map and directions, call (425) 602-3287. Bastyr’s renowned award-winning dining commons will be open until 6 p.m. weekdays and until 2 p.m. weekends for those wishing to purchase an excellent meal in conjunction with any of the events. General information on HerbDay including national events, educational materials and more is available at www.herbday.org.
About Bastyr University
Bastyr University, located near Seattle, Washington, is internationally recognized as a pioneer in natural medicine. As the largest accredited university for natural health arts and sciences in the U.S., Bastyr offers more than 17 degree and certificate programs in fields such as naturopathic medicine, acupuncture & Oriental medicine, and whole-food nutrition. Founded in 1978, the University now includes a leading-edge research facility (the Bastyr University Research Institute) and outstanding clinical training at Bastyr Center for Natural Health. The University’s second campus, Bastyr University California, opened in San Diego, California, in fall 2012, becoming the state’s first and only accredited school of naturopathic medicine.
