Events

Innisfree Farm Open

Innisfree Farm and Botanic Garden 3636 Trent Road Courtenay British Columbia CANADA V9N 9R4, British Columbia, Canada

Located at 3636 Trent Road, Royston, the Innisfree Farm & Botanic Garden will be open from 10am to 4pm on Fridays and Saturdays, from June to September. Vegetarian picnic hampers available on Saturdays (pre-book by Wednesday midnight) by 250 336 8768. They include delicious salads, home-made breads, savoury spreads and house pickles, plus Innisfree’s famous homemade sweet treats, plus refreshing lavender lemonade. Come visit us and explore the 7 acres of themed gardens, the plant nursery and don't forget to check out the Farm Shop. We sell a wide variety of products, including fresh produce, herbal teas, infused oils and apothecary products made with herbs from our gardens.

One day online lecture on Herbal and Nutrition Strategies for Improved Surgical Outcomes

Join Chanchal for a one-day lecture on Herbal and Nutrition Strategies for Improved Surgical outcomes through the National Institute of Medical Herbalism.

This lecture is aimed specifically at practicing medical herbalists and advanced students and will offer an extensive exploration of surgical support.

Open to members and non-members.

Physical Examination and Clinical Skills – Herb Camp

Innisfree Farm and Botanic Garden, Courtenay, BC 3636 Trent Rd, Courtenay, BC V9N 9R4, Canada, Courtenay, British Columbia, Canada

Join two of Canada’s most experienced natural health practitioners – medical herbalist and manual osteopath Katolen Yardley and medical herbalist Chanchal Cabrera – in-person, for a six-day deep dive into the human body and the art of wellness assessment. This 34 hour, dynamic and fast paced theoretical and practical program offers a hands-on approach to physical examinations skills and clinical interviewing. You will emerge with a comprehensive methodology for knowing your patients as well as a better understanding of the processes and presentations of disease. Successful registrants will receive a confirmation email with the event details as well as a coupon code for 20% off of the Case Studies workshop with David Winston.

$600.00

Shinrin Yoku – Forest Bathing

Innisfree Farm and Botanic Garden 3636 Trent Road Courtenay British Columbia CANADA V9N 9R4, British Columbia, Canada

Learn how to manage anxiety, depression, stress, and high blood pressure with this nature immersion practice. Shinrin Yoku comes from Japan and Korea where it is recognized as an effective treatment for many chronic conditions including dysbiosis of the gut and chronic inflammation. Slow and contemplative walking, ‘being’ in Nature, not ‘doing’, bathing in volatile chemicals emitted by trees, breathing deeply to absorb the medicine from the air, this is a sensory experience of receiving healing from Nature. Learn the art of walking mindfully in the forest, walking very slowly, contemplatively, and practicing being present. Without needing to question where you are going or when you will get there, you will be able to allow the mind to drop to a quiet place, to imbibe the aromatic molecules in the air, and receive healing from the forest. Understand the science, experience the healing. Prescribed by doctors for hypertension, depression, anxiety and more, forest walks are useful for all of us for stress management and cultivating inner peace. The lecture and forest walk will describe and explain through modern science and through experience the innate, inherent resonance and connection we feel with and in ‘Nature’. It will use science and clinical […]

International Herb Symposium – June 9-11, 2023 Wheaton College in Norton, MA

The tagline for the herb symposium is “Come for the plants, stay for the party!” for a reason. It’s such an incredible opportunity to come together in honor of the plants and in the spirit of reciprocity to share and learn from one another.

All proceeds will go towards one of my favorite nonprofits United Plant Savers.

Shinrin Yoku – Forest Bathing

Innisfree Farm and Botanic Garden 3636 Trent Road Courtenay British Columbia CANADA V9N 9R4, British Columbia, Canada

Learn how to manage anxiety, depression, stress, and high blood pressure with this nature immersion practice. Shinrin Yoku comes from Japan and Korea where it is recognized as an effective treatment for many chronic conditions including dysbiosis of the gut and chronic inflammation. Slow and contemplative walking, ‘being’ in Nature, not ‘doing’, bathing in volatile chemicals emitted by trees, breathing deeply to absorb the medicine from the air, this is a sensory experience of receiving healing from Nature. Learn the art of walking mindfully in the forest, walking very slowly, contemplatively, and practicing being present. Without needing to question where you are going or when you will get there, you will be able to allow the mind to drop to a quiet place, to imbibe the aromatic molecules in the air, and receive healing from the forest. Understand the science, experience the healing. Prescribed by doctors for hypertension, depression, anxiety and more, forest walks are useful for all of us for stress management and cultivating inner peace. The lecture and forest walk will describe and explain through modern science and through experience the innate, inherent resonance and connection we feel with and in ‘Nature’. It will use science and clinical […]

7 Week Series: Herbal Medicine to help you thrive after a cancer diagnosis

Online

Take a deep-dive into the science of herbal medicine and its potential for cancer prevention. Walk away with herbal remedies and strategies to reduce the risk of cancer… and support whole-system health and resilience for yourself and your loved ones. Blending the wisdom of herbal medicine with the latest research, this online course  to help you understand your diagnosis, navigate treatment options, and enhance your quality of life throughout every stage of your cancer journey. Join us every Wednesday at 5pm from June 28th to August 9th for the live sessions or sign up to receive lifetime access and take it at your own pace. Note: this course follows the first 7 chapters of Chanchal's latest book Holistic Cancer Care  Register Now

Kootenay Herb Gathering – July 7-9, 2023 in Salmo, BC

Salmo Park, BC

This year at the Kootenay Herb Gathering, we are highlighting our relationship to the plants.

Through workshops, demonstrations, and herb walks we are bridging the gap between theoretical learning and direct embodied experience.

Early Bird Tickets now available.

Shinrin Yoku – Forest Bathing

Innisfree Farm and Botanic Garden 3636 Trent Road Courtenay British Columbia CANADA V9N 9R4, British Columbia, Canada

Learn how to manage anxiety, depression, stress, and high blood pressure with this nature immersion practice. Shinrin Yoku comes from Japan and Korea where it is recognized as an effective treatment for many chronic conditions including dysbiosis of the gut and chronic inflammation. Slow and contemplative walking, ‘being’ in Nature, not ‘doing’, bathing in volatile chemicals emitted by trees, breathing deeply to absorb the medicine from the air, this is a sensory experience of receiving healing from Nature. Learn the art of walking mindfully in the forest, walking very slowly, contemplatively, and practicing being present. Without needing to question where you are going or when you will get there, you will be able to allow the mind to drop to a quiet place, to imbibe the aromatic molecules in the air, and receive healing from the forest. Understand the science, experience the healing. Prescribed by doctors for hypertension, depression, anxiety and more, forest walks are useful for all of us for stress management and cultivating inner peace. The lecture and forest walk will describe and explain through modern science and through experience the innate, inherent resonance and connection we feel with and in ‘Nature’. It will use science and clinical […]

Holistic Cancer Care Webinar: SURVIVING & THRIVING AFTER A DIAGNOSIS

Online

'Holistic Cancer Care: SURVIVING AND THRIVING AFTER A DIAGNOSIS' by Chanchal Cabrera. Did you miss this webinar? Purchase a video recording to listen any time Cancer rates are rising everywhere. The average adult in North America or Europe today has a 30 to 50% chance of being diagnosed with cancer in their lifetime. At the same time, more and more people are turning to natural medicine as part of their cancer treatment and management plan. Herbal medicine can be used to significant effect across this whole continuum to support normal metabolic functions. Herbs can promote foundational or constitutional wellness, building resilience and immune functions. Herbs can also help manage symptoms such as skin lesions or neuropathy, among other benefits, and exert direct cytotoxic anti-cancer activities. In this way, herbal medicine plays a key role in the practice of holistic oncology. Some of these approaches require professional guidance from a qualified herbalist, but the patients themselves can do a lot at home. From choosing specific foods for their anti-cancer actions to making your tea blends for managing symptoms of chemo to increasing the benefits of radiotherapy with specific supplements, herbal medicine can be used by all cancer patients to promote wellness […]

Online Menopause Summit – Breast Cancer, Herbal Medicine & Menopause

Online

Chanchal will be speaking about Breast Cancer, Herbal Medicine & Menopause at this menopause summit hosted by the National Institute of Medical Herbalists. This one-day online event features speakers covering a range of topics including nutrition, herbal medicine, cancer support, ethnicity & menopause care, integrative working, and the psychological aspects of menopause.

Free Webinar: Boosting Your Immune Power with Plants

Online

Are you worried about getting sick this winter? Wondering how to resist viral and other infections this season? Join Chanchal for this free webinar on building resilience and optimizing your immune system. Learn simple strategies for staying well and empower yourself for maximum wellness.

Finding Clarity: How to Read and Understand Research Papers as a Herbalist

Online

Learning how to discern quality scientific research is an essential skill for herbalists who want to stay abreast of cutting-edge developments and provide better care. Plant remedies have a long tradition of healing uses. Recently, the scientific community has taken an interest in the efficacy, safety, and constituent profiles of herbal products, creating a wonderful opportunity for herbalists to deepen their understanding of the plants they use for medicine. How do you… 📌 Find, sort, and access appropriate studies? 📌 Assess the value and relevance of specific papers? 📌 Identify red flags that undermine research outcomes? 📌 Balance scientific and traditional resources for clinical applications? 📌 Apply what you have learned to everyday practice? In this webinar, medical herbalist Chanchal Cabrera demonstrates the art of reading scientific papers. Chanchal will highlight red flags that obscure a clear understanding of the research and illustrate how to identify quality science applicable to herbal medicine. In this webinar, you will learn… 🌿 Key hallmarks of “good” science vs “bad” science 🌿 Questions to ask when reviewing research papers 🌿 How to access studies and information 🌿 How to apply research findings in a clinical setting

Building Resilience: The Essential Guide to Holistic Cancer Care

Online

According to the American Cancer Society, a little over 1.9 million new cancer cases are expected to be diagnosed in the US in 2023 with an estimated 609,820 cases resulting in death in the US in 2023. Cancer is expected to surpass cardiovascular disease as the leading cause of death worldwide in the coming years. The likelihood of any one of us developing cancer in our lifetime is over 39%, but there is good news here… A holistic approach to cancer keeps the patient at the center of the equation, bringing a nature-based perspective to the table. It considers all health, social, and interpersonal influences that have a bearing on outcomes, with high regard for the wishes of the individual. Are you interested in proactive preventative medicine to reduce the risk of cancer and to delay its progression? Do you want to know more about how a holistic approach to cancer can collaborate with conventional care for the best possible outcomes? If your answer to any of these questions is yes, then this is the program for you. Building Resilience will show you how holistic cancer protocols work, why they matter, and how to use them safely and effectively. Through […]

Online Canadian Herb Conference

Online

It’s time for the annual online Canadian Herb Conference - with over 30 presenters, 4 days of live and pre-recorded video classes, and the opportunity to chat with and learn from herbalists all over the world, if you want to learn more about herbal medicine you won’t want to miss this! Chanchal will be presenting and you can use her coupon code CC23 to save $25 off of your ticket price

Botanica 2024 Conference

Botanica2024 is the seventh edition of an international and independent conference series that showcases excellence in clinical aromatherapy and related herbal therapeutics. This year's theme is "Citrus: Traditions-Therapeutics-Technology." I am speaking twice at this online conference - “When Life Gives You Lemons… Make Lemonade !” and “Volatile oils in Cancer Care - practical strategies from 35 years of clinical practice”. View the schedule here to see other speakers and topics. Botanica brings together researchers, aromatherapists, herbalists, allied health professionals, aromatic and medicinal plant growers, distillers and suppliers from around the world for three full days of education, trade show, networking and rich collaborations.

Vancouver Island Herb Gathering

Innisfree Farm and Botanic Garden, Courtenay, BC 3636 Trent Rd, Courtenay, BC V9N 9R4, Canada, Courtenay, British Columbia, Canada

The Vancouver Island Herb Gathering is a place where we come together to celebrate plants and people. Hosted at Innisfree Farm & Botanic Garden in the heart of the Comox Valley on Vancouver Island BC, herbal teachers, students and plant lovers from across North America get together every 2 years. We celebrate, we laugh, we learn, and we meditate with plant medicine as our focus, and community as our backbone. Our theme this year is Cultivating Right Livelihood on the Plant Path. Discover the secrets of successful plant people who have built thriving farms, businesses and clinical practices in harmony with nature. Our focus for this year’s Gathering is on the essentials of creating and managing a fulfilling nature-centric life and building a profitable herbal business that positively impacts your community, your environment and yourself. We have 24 wonderful speakers lined up this year. I'll be presenting "Research Skills for Herbalists - finding and interpreting data for clinical practice." Hope to see you there.  

Shinrin Yoku – Forest Bathing

Innisfree Farm and Botanic Garden, Courtenay, BC 3636 Trent Rd, Courtenay, BC V9N 9R4, Canada, Courtenay, British Columbia, Canada

Learn how to manage anxiety, depression, stress, and high blood pressure with this nature immersion practice. Shinrin Yoku comes from Japan and Korea where it is recognized as an effective treatment for many chronic conditions including dysbiosis of the gut and chronic inflammation. Slow and contemplative walking, ‘being’ in Nature, not ‘doing’, bathing in volatile chemicals emitted by trees, breathing deeply to absorb the medicine from the air, this is a sensory experience of receiving healing from Nature. Learn the art of walking mindfully in the forest, walking very slowly, contemplatively, and practicing being present. Without needing to question where you are going or when you will get there, you will be able to allow the mind to drop to a quiet place, to imbibe the aromatic molecules in the air, and receive healing from the forest. Understand the science, experience the healing. Prescribed by doctors for hypertension, depression, anxiety and more, forest walks are useful for all of us for stress management and cultivating inner peace. The lecture and forest walk will describe and explain through modern science and through experience the innate, inherent resonance and connection we feel with and in ‘Nature’. It will use science and clinical […]

$25

Tea Time with your Local Medical Herbalists

Innisfree Farm and Botanic Garden, Courtenay, BC 3636 Trent Rd, Courtenay, BC V9N 9R4, Canada, Courtenay, British Columbia, Canada

Clinical herbalists share their top 3 choices of medicinal plants to grow in your garden. Join us on Saturday, July 13th for an informal tea & talk on the lawn with Innisfree's resident herbalists Chanchal Cabrera and Alina Baker, along with guest herbalist Zhyfhs Millicent. Each herbalist will share their top 3 choices for medicinal herbs to grow in your garden, including harvesting techniques, preparation methods, and the medicinal properties of each. There will be time for Q&A at the end. Free herbal tea will be provided - please BYO mug if possible. RSVP via email to innisfreefarmbc@gmail.com

Free

Energetic Herbalism – Reading the Pattern Language of our Landscapes and our Selves

Do you want to learn how to select herbs based on their energetic properties to create more personalized and effective treatments? Are you seeking to deepen your knowledge of traditional herbal systems and their applications in modern practice? Do you wish to enhance your ability to understand and treat imbalances through the lens of energetic herbalism? Would you like to improve your skills in matching herbs to individual constitutions and conditions? Are you excited to immerse yourself in a weekend dedicated to exploring the dynamic interplay between plants and human energy systems? Join us for a transformative journey into the depths of Energetic Herbalism, where we'll unravel the intricate connections between ourselves and the living world around us. Over the course of two days, we'll delve into the essence of nature's language and its profound implications for our physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual well-being. Emerge with a renewed sense of connection and appreciation for the intricacies of the world around you.   Dates and Times: August 3rd - 4th, 2024 Fees: $275 plus GST   To Register Fill out your registration form (if you've already registered for part one you don't need to do this again!) Purchase tickets    Still […]

Holistic Cancer Care — Helping Yourself with Natural Medicine

Informational talk with author & medical herbalist Chanchal Cabrera, including book reading and Q&A Want to learn ways to resist cancer, manage side effects of cancer treatment, and enhance wellness? Medical herbalist and local author Chanchal Cabrera, MSc., FNIMH, RH(AHG), will share practical strategies about how you can support yourself or a loved one who is undergoing cancer treatment. There are many ways in which herbal medicine and nutrition can support overall health and improve the efficacy of conventional cancer treatments — boosting your immune system, supporting you through chemo treatment, and promoting recovery after surgery. Based on her 35+ years of clinical experience, and 20 years of specializing in holistic oncology, Chanchal Cabrera's new book —Holistic Cancer Care: An Herbal Approach to Reducing Cancer Risk, Helping Patients Thrive during Treatment, and Minimizing Recurrence (Storey Publishing, April 2023) — provides an in-depth guide to using herb-based therapies in conjunction with conventional treatments. This free informational event on August 6th includes: Presentation about key considerations for resisting & treating cancer Reading excerpts from Holistic Cancer Care Q&A time Book signing and opportunity to meet the author All are welcome to attend - please share this event with your friends & family. No RSVP […]

Free

Harness the Healing Power of Trees & Plants: Enjoy Healing Oils, Honeys & Liqueurs for Lifelong Medicinal Crafting

Online

Explore nature’s bounty through the art and science of crafting tree-based and herbal medicinals — known by ancient healers to contain compounds that can treat the whole being — to thrive physically, emotionally, and spiritually. Herbal products are well known as remedies for treating disease and maintaining our health. Most people think of herbs, plants, and flowers when they seek out herbal remedies. But what about trees? According to distinguished medical herbalist Chanchal Cabrera, a specialist in holistic health who emphasizes the importance of empowering people to explore natural healing options, trees are so much more than providers of shade; they are living chemists! What’s so remarkable about trees and their healing properties is their ability to synthesize a vast array of bioactive compounds. They produce substances like tannins, flavonoids, and essential oils that have anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, and antioxidant properties, capable of addressing a multitude of health conditions and issues. For example, the resin from pine trees can be used to treat wounds and respiratory issues, while the leaves of the neem tree have been employed in traditional medicine to combat infections and boost immunity. The character of trees can also have a powerful effect on our health. Their longevity and resilience symbolize endurance and recovery, offering not only […]

Free

Shinrin Yoku (Forest Bathing)

Innisfree Farm and Botanic Garden, Courtenay, BC 3636 Trent Rd, Courtenay, BC V9N 9R4, Canada, Courtenay, British Columbia, Canada

Learn how to manage anxiety, depression, stress, and high blood pressure with this nature immersion practice. Shinrin Yoku comes from Japan and Korea where it is recognized as an effective treatment for many chronic conditions including dysbiosis of the gut and chronic inflammation. Slow and contemplative walking, ‘being’ in Nature, not ‘doing’, bathing in volatile chemicals emitted by trees, breathing deeply to absorb the medicine from the air, this is a sensory experience of receiving healing from Nature. Learn the art of walking mindfully in the forest, walking very slowly, contemplatively, and practicing being present. Without needing to question where you are going or when you will get there, you will be able to allow the mind to drop to a quiet place, to imbibe the aromatic molecules in the air, and receive healing from the forest. Understand the science, experience the healing. Prescribed by doctors for hypertension, depression, anxiety and more, forest walks are useful for all of us for stress management and cultivating inner peace. The lecture and forest walk will describe and explain through modern science and through experience the innate, inherent resonance and connection we feel with and in ‘Nature’. It will use science and clinical […]

$25

The Mystical Healing Power of Trees: Harness Ancient Tree Medicine, Potent Rituals & Therapies for a Healthy Mind, Body & Spirit

Online

Do you love trees?  Want to deepen your understanding of trees and herbal medicines through hands-on experience? In this 7-week online course, learn how to work with tree medicines for: anti-inflammatory relief & pain management (create your own pain liniment) boosting your immune system connecting with the spirit of trees — plant spirit medicine art therapy — using nature as both an inspiration & medium for personal growth and emotional healing improving your well-being with essential oils, teas, etc. - we’ll review which trees to choose, beneficial qualities, dosages & safety considerations Did you know trees can help reduce your stress & enhance wellbeing by releasing phytoncides (compounds that naturally support your immune system)?   There are so many practical applications for personal care in this course - take the time to support your health this season. Registration is open now, until September 10th, 2024.

$349

Materia Medica for Managing Cancer

Online

This online class balances the scientific depth with practical applications, preparing attendees to use these powerful herbs—Artemisia absinthium, Thuja occidentalis, Taxus brevifolia—effectively and safely in their clinical practice. Join Chanchal Cabrera live on Tuesday, 5th November at 7 PM GMT. Learn about: Three Cytotoxic Herbs: Detailed Clinical Materia Medica Review Strategic Use of Botanicals in Cancer Care Prioritizing Treatments: When and how to introduce cytotoxic botanicals in the course of cancer treatment. Complementing Conventional Therapies: Enhancing chemotherapy while ensuring safe integration of herbal remedies. Patient-Centered Approach: Adjusting protocols based on the cancer type, stage, and individual patient factors. Herb-Drug Interactions and Safety Considerations Formulation and Dosing Strategies in Botanical Cancer Care   By the end of the course, participants will: Understand the role of three key cytotoxic herbs in cancer treatment. Comprehend how these herbs work at a pharmacological level, including their active pathways and clinical applications. Be aware of safety concerns, such as dosing, contraindications, and herb-drug interactions. Formulate and implement safe, effective botanical protocols for cancer patients. Maximize positive herb-drug synergies and minimize risks of adverse interactions. Join live or watch the recording. Certificate of completion provided. Register at: https://www.aeoneducation.co.uk/course/managing-cancer

£15