Events

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