This course aims to focus on the safe and effective use of medicinal plants for the female reproductive system in the period from first menstruation to menopause.
We will begin a journey that will take us on a journey through the hormonal changes that occur during lunar and personal life cycles and how plants can assist us in these processes.
This course is the result of a collaboration involving nutritionists, midwives, doulas, yoga instructors and herbalists. The group of trainers are an international group of women who are all currently living in Portugal.
The course will be online and taught in both English and Portuguese, with 10 pre-recorded classes + 2 live, online sessions of Q&A.
We hope you can join us for this extraordinary opportunity to build a connection with the plants and plant people of Portugal.
Plants that you will build deep relationships with during this course:
Pelargonium graveolens – Ros
Salvia spp. – Sage – Sálvia
Urtica dioica – Nettle – Urti
Asparagus racemosus – Shatava
Achillea millefolium – Yarrow – Milefól
Rubus idaeus – Red Raspberry
Leonurus cardíaca – Motherwort – Algripalma
Artemisia vulgaris – Mugwort – Artemisa
Vitex agnus-castus – Chaste t
Calendula officinale- Calendula- Calêndu
Melissa officinalis – Lemon balm – Cidreira
Withania somnifera – Ashwagandha
And many more!
Who is this course for?
Although the focus of this course is female health, all genders are welcome.
What will you learn?
We will discover how plants can be our allies in the treatment of:
- premenstrual syndrome (PMS)
- amenorrhoea
- desmenorrhoea
- symptoms associated with menopause
- fertility
- lactation support
- vaginal and urinary problems
- hormonal imbalances
This will be a good opportunity to gain some knowledge in herbal medicine so that you can provide some support to yourself and the community around you.
Topics
1. Hormone overview and introduction to the course
1.
Hormone overview and introduction to the course
19th August 2023
With Olivia Fite
The opening session will be led by Olivia Fite and will focus on preparing you to get the most out of this broad and deep course.
We will give an introduction to human reproductive hormones and medicinal plants which will play important roles in the upcoming sessions.
2. Menstruation, PMS and early reproductive years support
2.
Menstruation, PMS and early reproductive years support
26th August 2023
With Daisy Mae
In this class, we will look at the world of menstruation and how herbal therapeutics can support and balance our cycles.
Easy symptoms such as pain and congestion, breast tenderness, fatigue and mood swings. We will explore herbs such as Vitex agnus-castus, Pelargonium graveolens, and Artemisia vulgaris. These herbs and others we will discuss help us connect with our vibrant true voice.
All working to keep reproductive health strong and in balance.
3. Herbal Support for Sexual and Urinary Health
3.
Herbal Support for Sexual and Urinary Health
2nd September 2023
With Olivia Fite
Urinary and vaginal problems, such as urinary tract infections and yeast infections, are extremely common.
By getting caught in cycles of chronic imbalance, life can quickly become devoid of joy.
Fortunately for us, herbal remedies are very effective in treating these conditions, offering us an opportunity to not only feel better about our bodies, but also become more empowered in the process.
Herbs such as Achillea millefolium, Calendula officinalis, and Melissa officinalis.
4. Sourcing and processing a Herbal apothecary
4.
Sourcing and processing a Herbal apothecary
9th September 2023
With Rita Roquette
In this module is shared an understanding of the importance of the relationship with the place of origin of medicinal plants used for medicine making.
Rita shows you how plants are harvested following the Foragers Ethics of connection with the cycles of the Cosmos, Earth and Plants, exemplifying how to dry and extract their medicinal potential through various methods of infusing medicinal constituents in various mediums.
Q&A Session
1st session – Questions and answers
12th September 2023, 19h-20h (pt time)
With Olivia Fite
5. Fertility enhancement - Fertility Awareness Method
5.
Fertility enhancement
Fertility Awareness Method
16th September 2023
With Olivia Fite
This session will focus on fertility rhythms. With this understanding of your own inner lunar cycle, you can choose to increase or decrease your chances of getting pregnant, while also deepening your intuitive connection to nature.
Asparagus racemosus (Shatavari root), Paeonia lactiflora (white peony root), and Daucus carota (Queen Anne’s Lace), among others, will be explored.
6. Pregnancy and Birth Support - Making a Birthing Plant Box
6.
Pregnancy and Birth Support – Making a Birthing Plant Box
23rd September 2023
With Maureen Robertson
First pregnancies can be particularly scary, not to mention the unknowns of the actual birth.
Support for morning sickness, pregnancy nausea and hormonal changes in the first trimester can be very reassuring, as can friendly advice for all the weird and wonderful experiences that can occur during pregnancy.
We will walk through a tried and tested Herbal Birth Box that has been used by students, patients and designed by me for my 3 home births.
Nettle dioica (Nettle), Rubus ideus (Raspberry), and Leonaurus cardiac (Algripalma) feature prominently in this session.
7. Breastfeeding & Postpartum
7.
Breastfeeding & Postpartum
30th September 2023
With Rita Rosa
The postpartum and breastfeeding phase is very special and important in the life of mother and baby and if lived with all the support and comfort it reflects in a safe relationship and happy memories.
With the help of the plants, in their various formats and both from the inside out and vice versa, we can allow the body to integrate all the changes from a place of love, healing and vitality.
From feeding, through perineum care to the challenges of breastfeeding – the plants rescue and empower body, mind and spirit to motherhood in alignment with our most authentic and full version.
From sitz baths to infusions, balms and nourishing recipes – the tribe of essentials you shouldn’t miss!
8. Between motherhood and the menopause
8.
Between motherhood and the menopause
7th October 2023
With Tamara Hiller
Entering middle age can be a time of recovery. Fatigue, digestive problems, anxiety, migraines, insomnia to autoimmune conditions are some of the issues that can prevent us from enjoying this rich phase of life.
Stress and motherhood can lead to immune/endocrine dysfunction and deplete our nutrient reserves.
Herbs to the rescue! We will learn about adaptogens, nutrient tonics, and nutritious infusions such as Withania somnifera (ashwagandha), Rhodiola rosea, Astragalus membranaceus, and Centella asiatica.
9. Menopause
9.
Herbal Allies for Menopause
14th October 2023
With Fernanda Botelho
In this module, we will approach menopause from various cultural perspectives.
This time can be very challenging physically with irregular cycles of heavy bleeding, hot flashes, night sweats, and vaginal dryness.
Emotionally, it can have a big impact on the whole family.
Join me in exploring the plants that are our great allies, such as Trifolium pratense (red clover), Salvia officinalis (sage), and Oenothera biennis (evening primrose). We will focus on how they can become our best friends and make this important journey a time of great inner adjustment.
10. Rituals for Life Cycles
10.
Rituals for life cycles
21st October 2023
With Satya Kaur
Rituals punctuate life and change our chemistry. Living by the clock and powered by electricity, time passes, we grow old without using the maturation and enrichment that cycles provide.
Times of menarche, sexual activity, pregnancy terminations, childbirth, surgeries, and menopause are all opportune times to practice rituals that help us heal and grow in wisdom and love.
Q&A Session
2nd session – Questions and answers
26th October 2023, 19h-20h (pt time)
With Fernanda Botelho
Trainers
Olivia June Fite
Clinical Herbalist
Olivia has been dedicated to acquiring and sharing the wisdom of plant medicine as folk medicine for 10 years. She holds a Masters in Western Herbalism from the University of Maryland University of Integrative Health (USA). In 2012 she founded O’Herbals, a private practice in Baltimore, MD, where she served as
clinical herbalist and nutritionist for hundreds of individuals.
For the past 2 years (in Portugal) she has been studying local medicinal plants, raising 2 young children and trying to learn Portuguese. As well as creating herbal programming for Quinta do Rajo, Olivia offers mentoring and herbal consultations. You can get a taste of her work via Instagram @Olivia_Oherbals
Fernanda Botelho is Portugal’s best known Herbalist. While living in London, Fernanda acquired herbal training from Christopher Hedley and later at the Scottish School. After returning to Portugal and for the last 25 years, Fernanda has worked as an herbalist, including much writing, photography and teaching about medicinal plants. Fernanda Botelho is the author of three children’s books on medicinal plants and several books for adults, including “Plants and health”, “A handful of healing plants”, “My herbarium of medicinal plants”, and annual herbal diaries/journals for the last ten years. She has been interviewed for many radio and TV programmes in Portugal and is always busy speaking on behalf of Mother Earth.
Satya is Portuguese and has lived most of her life in London. She is co-founder and director of the International School of Karam Kriya (UK) and the Quinta do Rajo Ashram (Portugal). She was a midwife for 9 years and now shares her knowledge of 40 years of yoga and 9 years as an obstetrician through “The Mother’s Journey” training. She has been training Kundalini Yoga instructors since 2001.
Satya allied with the Red Tent movement in 2012 and has been leading women’s circles ever since, mainly in Europe. Her commitment to herbalism and permaculture has grown in the last 5 years.
Daisy Mae is a Clinical Herbalist based in the Algarve, Portugal.
Her life has always been about understanding the Wisdom of the natural world and our connection within it. She qualified as a clinical herbalist in 2004 and has been working in clinical practice full time and giving training ever since.
Daisy is the founder of Ceratonia Gardens which is a healing and educational centre in the Algarve.
Maureen Robertson began her training in Medical Herbalism 30 years ago and has been involved in Herbal Practice and Education ever since. She co-founded the Scottish School of Herbal Medicine in 1992 and has helped to qualify over 100 practitioners in Herbalism. During this time she had 3 children, all born at home and advised many patients and students regarding herbal support before, during and after birth. She devised what was affectionately known as Birth Box comprising standard formulas, (which could be adapted for specific individuals), aimed at supporting the most common experiences and challenges that arise during pregnancy, childbirth itself and postpartum.
She runs Melilotus Herb Farm near Lagos, Algarve with her partner and continues to offer herbal consultations, apprenticeships, herbal courses and study circles and online classes, courses and mentoring.
Rita started her journey in Traditional Chinese Medicine and it is what, even today, underpins her work and the search for the cause with a more holistic vision.
Her passion for integrated eating led her to dive into the transformative world of energy food and from there into personal development, natural cosmetics, aromatherapy and Herbalism in the Feminine.
Her mission is to give you tools that combine our ancient wisdom with today’s needs.
Tamara Hiller, grew up in Germany and is a professional midwife living with her family in Barão de São João, Algarve, Portugal. She lived 10 years in Brazil, where she co-founded an eco-community project. She is currently training at the Instituto Internacional Educativo Integrativo with the aim of becoming a Registered Herbalist with the American Herbalists Guild.
Her work and interest focus on women’s health and herbal self-care for chronic conditions. Get in touch via Instagram @herbal.help
Herbalist living in Minho and dedicated to medicinal plants since 2010 focusing on the dissemination of the virtues of spontaneous flora in order to bring it to a place of relevance in people’s daily lives, whether through cooking, laboratory, through art, gardening or in the forest.
Price
Price: €300
To enroll, please go to our online shop or click on the button below.
- It is possible to enrol until the first Q &A session. The recordings and didactic material of the previous modules will be available on the Sutra platform.
- For those who want to do the training a second time, you have a 50% discount (please contact Rita at events@quinta-do-rajo.pt)
Dates
The videos of the respective lessons will be made available, each week, on the following dates:
- 19 August 2023
- 26 August 2023
- 2 September 2023
- 9 September 2023
- 16 September 2023
- 23 September 2023
- 30 September 2023
- 7 October 2023
- 14 October 2023
- 21 October 2023
Question and Answer sessions:
- 12 September 2023
- 26 October 2023
- 19h – 20h (Portugal time)
+ Info
- The classes are pre-recorded.
- All the teaching material relating to the training will be made available on the Sutra platform.
- It is possible to register until the 4th module and the first Q&A session. The recorded classes and didactic material of the previous modules will be made available.
- The 2 Q&A sessions for clarification of doubts, will be live, online, with translation, in the middle and at the end of the training.
- In the Sutra, there is a discussion and sharing chat where you can ask questions and doubts, which will be answered by the teacher of the respective module.
- All the necessary information will be sent to you by email 48 hours before the training.
- The training will be given in Portuguese and English!
- You have access to the course until 3 months after the end of the training, until 31 January 2024, in Sutra.