Tuesday, April 20, 2010

Join us for the 2010 Botanical Medicine Program - Learn about Herbs at our 30 Acre Catskill Learning Center


We are still accepting students for this years class!

2010 Botanical Medicine Program
For full information please vist us at herbalbear.com


A six weekend intensive program for those interested in a well rounded education in herbal studies. This class is designed to give students a solid foundation in herbalism. Each class we will learn about herbs for the different systems including: the digestive, nervous, cardiac, reproductive, and immune system. Students will learn plant identification, harvesting techniques, medicinal plant preparations and herbal formula development. This class is held in the Northern Catskills on a private 30 acre property. Many of the medicinal plants we study are growing in our gardens or found on our property. Unlike other herbals classes, this class incorporates field work with the plants. You will be able to see, study and harvest medicinal plants throughout the entire growing season. This class is designed for beginning and intermediate herbal students. For a full description of this class - please follow this link

Program Dates

The 2010 Botanical Medicine Program meets for all of the following dates:

Saturday, June 12th - Sunday June 13th, 2010
Saturday July 10th - Sunday July 11th, 2010
Saturday August 14th - Sunday August 15th, 2010
Saturday September 11th - Sunday Sept 12th, 2010
Saturday October 2nd - Sunday October 3rd, 2010
Saturday October 23rd - Sunday October 24th, 2010

Program Cost:

Option 1:
Full Registration. Pay in full: $3150.00.
- or -

Option 2:
Registration with Easy Payment Plan: $3600 in 6 monthly installments by automatic credit card payment. Begin by April 15, 2010.

If you have any specific questions about our programs, please feel free to contact us.

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Thursday, April 15, 2010

Oats - The Gentle Herb for Your Nerves

Oats
(Avena sativa)
By Ursula Basch -
The Herbal Bear School of Botanical Medicine

Fresh milky Oats, the actual Oat seed, is an important and useful remedy in nervous exhaustion. Oats action upon the nervous system, although not strongly sedative, is relaxing and useful in promoting restful sleep.

Often used in combination with Skullcap (Scutellaria lateriflora), Passionflower (Passiflora incarnata) or Valerian (Valeriana officinalis) Oats is an effective treatment in insomnia. The ability of Oats to reduce irritable states generally also makes it an important remedy in the treatment of stress, and oats have been used to help wean people nicotine addictions.
Used topically, oatmeal is an excellent remedy for inflamed, irritated or itchy skin. To be used topically, 2 cups of oatmeal should be placed into a clean knee-high stocking or sock. The filled sock is then tied at the top or secured with a rubber band to contain the Oats. A tub should be run with the hottest water and the Oat filled sock is then tossed into the bath. Allow the bath water to cool to a comfortable temperature - usually 20- 30 minutes. You can then bathe using the sock to sponge the irritated or itchy areas of the skin.

The consumption of Oat bran, the outer casing of the Oat, is believed to lower LDL ("bad") cholesterol, and possibly to reduce the risk of heart disease. In January 1998 decision the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued its final rule allowing a health claim to be made on the labels of foods containing soluble fiber from whole oats (oat bran, oat flour and rolled oats), noting that 3.00 grams of soluble fiber daily from these foods, in conjunction with a diet low in saturated fat, cholesterol, and fat may reduce the risk of heart disease. In order to qualify for the health claim, the whole oat-containing food must provide at least 0.75 grams of soluble fiber per serving. The soluble fiber in whole oats comprises a class of polysaccharides known as beta-D-glucan. Beta-D-glucans, usually referred to as beta-glucans, comprise a class of non-digestible polysaccharides widely found in nature in sources such as grains, barley, yeast, bacteria, algae and mushrooms.
Oats contain more soluble fiber than any other grain, resulting in slower digestion and an extended sensation of fullness. By adding fiber and bulk, oats taken as food can aid in chronic constipation.



Some books on Herbs and Stress Management that may be of of interest:
(All titles below have a link to Amazon.com

Adaptogens: Herbs for Strength, Stamina, and Stress Relief

Herbs for Reducing Stress & Anxiety (Natural Health Handbooks)

Stress & Natural Healing: Herbal Medicines and Natural Therapies

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Friday, March 26, 2010

Cold Process Herbal Soap Making in NYC


Herbal Soap Making

Date & Time: Friday, April 16, 2010; 6:30pm - 8:30pm
Location: West 29th Street, New York, NY 10001
The class is now held on the 7th floor.
Class size is limited to 10 students.

Cost: $95.00
To register for this class visit: http://www.herbalbear.com/hsm160410.html
To see all our classes visit: http://www.herbalbear.com


Study basic techniques for making vegetable based soaps that heal and beautify the skin. This is a hands-on class where each student will actually prepare and make their own batch of soap in class. All aspects of soap making including: oil selection, scenting, coloring, super fatting and trouble shooting will be discussed. Student's will be using the "Cold Process" method of soap making - the use of Sodium hydroxide (Lye) is employed in this process. All students must wear safety equipment during this class. Class size is limited, please register early. Each student must bring their own apron, rubber dishwashing gloves and a pair of safety glasses to the class.

The Herbal Bear School of Botanical Medicine offers classes in herbal studies.
Visit our webiste at: http://www.herbalbear.com
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Wednesday, January 27, 2010

Elderberry - An Herb for Flu Season





Elderberry - An Herb for Flu Season

Elderberry (Sambucus canadensis, Sambucus nigra)
By Ursula Basch
Herbal Bear School of Botanical Medicine

Elderberries have been used as an herbal remedy for centuries. Widely used in North America, Europe, Western Asia, and North Africa, Elderberry is used for its antioxidant activity to boost the immune system, for coughs, colds, flu, bacterial and viral infections. In a placebo-controlled double-blind study, Elderberry was shown to be effective for treating Influenza B.1 with the result that those who took elderberry juice reported less severe symptoms and felt better much faster than those who did not.

A recent study in 2009 2 showed that Elderberry extract inhibited Human Influenza A (H1N1) infection. Flavonoids from the Elderberry extract bind to H1N1 virions and, when bound, block the ability of the viruses to infect host cells.

Elderberries contain organic pigments, tannin, amino acids, carotenoids, flavonoids, sugar, rutin, viburnic acid, vitaman A and B and a large amount of vitamin C. Elderberry anthocyanins enhance immune function by boosting the production of cytokines. Cytokines act as messengers in the immune system to help regulate immune response, helping to defend the body against disease. The anthocyanins found in elderberries possess appreciably more antioxidant capacity than either vitamin E or vitamin C 3.

Elderberries are also mildly laxative, diuretic, and diaphoretic. Flavonoids, including quercetin, are believed to account for the therapeutic actions of the elderberry flowers and berries. According to test tube studies these flavonoids include anthocyanins that are powerful antioxidants and protect cells against damage.

1. J Alt Compl Mod 1995: 1:361-69
2. Phytochemistry. 2009 Jul;70(10):1255-61. Epub 2009 Aug 12.Elderberry flavonoids bind to and prevent H1N1 infection in vitro.
3. Youdim KA, Martin A, Joseph JA. Incorporation of the elderberry anthocyanins by endothelial cells increases protection against oxidative stress.



Making Elderberry Syrup
Makes 1 quart

Make sure the cookware you're using is made of stainless steel. If you use an aluminum or enamel the juice from the elderberries will stain the cookware purple.

Ingedients:
2-pounds elderberries - be sure to remove all woody stems.
4 cups water
2½ cups sugar
1 tsp. freshly-squeezed lemon juice

Method:
1. Place the elderberries in a large, stainelss steel pot with the water. Bring to a boil and then reduce heat to a simer and cook for 15-20 minutes, until tender and soft.

2. Pass through a food mill or a sine mesh strainer and discard the skins.

3. Pour the juice back into the pot, add sugar, and cook at a low boil over moderate heat for 15 minutes, until the syrup has thickened. Add a spritz of lemon juice. Cool completely.

4. Pour into a bottle or jar and store in the refrigerator.

Elderberry Syrup is delicious used over pancakes, waffles or added to plain yogurt.





Upcoming Classes:

The Herbal Bear offers short one day classes on a variety of herbal topics. To view a full description of the class or to register on line for any class please click on the individual class.









The Herbalists Meetup Group
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