This virtual course focuses on how plant medicine can be used safely and effectively to support
reproductive health from menses through menopause. Travelling the journey of hormonal changes that occur in one moon cycle as well as one person’s life cycle, we look at how plants can lend a helping hand.
This course is a collaborative offering involving nutritionists, midwives, doulas, yoga instructors and herbalists. The group of facilitators is an international group of women who are all currently living in Portugal.
The course will be taught in both English and Portuguese with live interpretation.
We hope you can join us for this extraordinary opportunity to build a deep connection to the plants and plant people of Portugal.
Plants you will build deep relationships with during this course:
Pelargonium graveolens – Geranium
Salvia spp. – Sage
Urtiga dioica – Nettle
Asparagus racemosus – Shatavari
Achillia millfolium – Yarrow
Rubus ideus – Red Raspberry Leaf
Leonaurus cardíaca – Motherwort
Artemisia vulgaris – Mugwort
Vitex agnus-castus – Chaste berry
Calendula officinale- Calendula
Withania somnifera – Ashwagandha
And many more!
Who is the course for?
The course topics focus on supporting uterine, ovarian and vaginal health but is open to participants all sexes and genders.
What will you learn?
Learn which plant allies are best for working with:
- PMS
- Amenorrhea
- Menopausal symptoms
- Fertility
- Birth control
- Lactation support
- Vaginal & urinary complaints
- General hormonal balance.
This is a perfect opportunity to gain the herbal wisdom that will support you and those in your community for many years to come.
Themes
1. Course introduction / Overview of Plants & Hormones
1.
Course Introduction / Overview of Plants & Hormones
February 6, 2021 | 10h-13h
With Olivia Fite & Fernanda Botelho
The opening session will be led by both Fernanda Botelho and Olivia Fite and will focus on preparing you to get the most out of this broad and deep course.
We will offer an introduction to human reproductive hormones and the medicinal plants that will play key roles in future sessions.
2. Menstruation, Supporting PMS & Early reproductive years
2.
Menstruation, Supporting PMS & Early reproductive years
February 20, 2021 | 10h-13h
With Daisy Mae
In this class, we will look at the world of menstruation and how herbal therapeutics can support and balance our cycles. Ease 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 that we will be discussing help us to connect with our vibrant true voice.
All working to keep reproductive health strong and in balance.
3. Rituals for the Life Cycles
3.
Rituals for the Life Cycles
March 13, 2021 | 10h-13h
With Satya Kaur
Rituals punctuate life and change our chemistry. Living by the clock and powered by electricity, time passes, we age without using the maturation and the enrichment that cycles provide.
Times of menarche, sexual activity, pregnancy interruptions, childbirth, surgeries, and menopause, are all opportune occasions to practice rituals that help us heal and grow in wisdom and in love.
4. Herbal Support for Sexual & Urinary Health
4.
Herbal Support for Sexual & Urinary Health
March 27, 2021 | 10h-13h
With Olivia Fite
Urinary & vaginal troubles, such as urinary tract infections and yeast infections, are extremely common. Getting caught in chronic cycles of imbalance, life can quickly become joyless.
Luckily for us, herbal remedies are very effective at treating these conditions, offering us a chance to not only feel better in our bodies but to become empowered in the process.
Herbs such as Achillea millefolium, Calendula officinalis, and Melissa officinalis.
5. Menses and the Moon – Working with Fertility
5.
Menses and the Moon – Working with Fertility
April 10, 2021 | 10h-13h
With Olivia Fite
This session will focus on the rhythms of fertility. With this understanding of one’s own inner moon cycle, you can choose to increase or decrease your chances of becoming 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 & Birth - Making an Herbal Birth Box
6.
Pregnancy & Birth – Making a Herbal Birth Box
April 24, 2021 | 10h-13h
With Maureen Robertson
First time pregnancy can be particularly daunting, let alone 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 throughout pregnancy.
We will go through a tried and tested Herbal Birth Box which has been used by students, patients and devised by myself for my 3 home births.
Urtiga dioica (Nettle), Rubus ideus (Red Raspberry Leaf), and Leonaurus cardíaca (Motherwort) feature prominently in this session.
7. Pregnancy & Birth – Natural Care Beyond Herbalism
7.
Pregnancy & Birth – Natural Care Beyond Herbalism
May 8, 2021 | 10h-13h
With Carla Silveira
Recognising the physiology of pregnancy, childbirth and postpartum, hormonal dance and the psychological and emotional variations produced, help us to create a wider space of support for women.
In addition to herbalism, we can use a number of other tools that offer natural care: homoeopathy, acunpression, massage, acupuncture, movement, breathing, meditation and others.
The biggest challenge is to understand when to use these resources and when to expect that the body in its immense wisdom and connection with the mind and emotions can process the experience you are experiencing.
8. Breastfeeding & Postpartum Support
8.
Breastfeeding & Postpartum Support
May 22, 2021 | 10h-13h
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 is reflected in a safe relationship with happy memories.
With the help of plants, in their various shapes and from the inside out as well as vice versa, we can allow the body to integrate all the changes from a place of love, healing and vitality.
From feeding, through the care of the perineum to the challenges of breastfeeding – plants rescue and empower body, mind and spirit to stay in line with our most authentic and full version. From seat baths to infusions, balms and nutritious recipes – the tribe of essentials that cannot be missed!
9. In-between Motherhood & Menopause
9.
In-between Motherhood & Menopause
June 5, 2021 | 10h-13h
With Tamara Hiller
Entering midlife can be a time for recovery. Fatigue, digestive issues, anxiety, migraines, insomnia to auto-immune conditions, these are some of the issues that might keep us from enjoying this rich phase of life.
Stress and motherhood can lead to immune / endocrine disfunction and deplete our nutrient stores.
Herbs to the rescue!
We will learn about adaptogens, nutritive tonics, and nourishing infusions, such as Withania somnifera (ashwagandha), Rhodiola rosea, Astragalus membranaceus, and Centella asiatica.
10. Herbal Allies for the Menopausal Years
10.
Herbal Allies for the Menopausal Years
June 19, 2021 | 10h-13h
With Fernanda Botelho
In this module, we will approach menopause from various cultural perspectives.
This time can be very physically challenging with irregular cycles of heavy bleeding, hot flashes, night sweats,
and vaginal dryness. Emotionally, it can have a great 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 tunning.
Trainers
Olivia has been devoted to gaining and sharing the wisdom of plant medicine as the people’s medicine for 10 years. She holds a Master of Science in Western Herbalism from the Maryland University of Integrative Health (USA). In 2012 she founded the OHerbals apothecary, a private practice in Baltimore, MD, where she has served as a clinical herbalist and nutritionist to hundreds of individuals.
For the last 2 years (in Portugal) she has been studying local medicinal plants, raising 2 young kids and trying to learn Portuguese. In addition to creating herbal programming for Quinta do Rajo, Olivia offers herbal mentorships and consults. You can get a taste of her work via Instagram @Olivia_Oherbals
Fernanda Botelho is Portugal’s most well-known Herbal Enthusiast. While living in London, Fernanda’s acquired herbal training from Christopher Hedley and later at the Scottish School. After moving back to Portugal and for the past 25 years, Fernanda work as an herbalist has included much writing, photographing, and teaching about medicinal plants.
Fernanda Botelho has authored three herbal children’s books and several books for adults including “As plantas e a saúde” (Plants and Health), “Uma mão cheia de plantas que curam” (A Handful of Healing Plants) “O meu herbário de plantas medicinais “, and yearly herbal agendas/ journals for the past ten years. She has been interviewed for many radio and televised programming in Portugal and is always busy speaking up for the Mother Earth.
Satya is Portuguese having lived much of her life in London. She is co-founder and headmaster of Karam Kriya International School (United Kingdom) and the Ashram at Quinta do Rajo (Portugal).
She was a midwife for 9 years and currently shares his knowledge of 40 years of yoga and 9 years as a midwife through training “The Mother’s Journey”. She has been training Kundalini Yoga instructors since 2001.
Satya joined the Red Tent movement in 2012 and conducts circles of women since then, especially in Europe. Her commitment to herbalism and permaculture has grown over the last 3-4 years.
www.themothersjourney.co.uk | www.quinta-do-rajo.pt
Daisy Mae Medical 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 medical herbalist in 2004 and has been working as a full-time clinician and facilitator of learning ever since.
Daisy is the founder of Ceratonia Gardens which is a centre for healing and education in the Algarve.
Maureen Robertson began her training in Medical Herbalism 30 years ago and has been involved in Herbal Practice and Herbal Education ever since. She co-founded the Scottish School of Herbal Medicine in 1992 and helped qualify over 100 professional herbalists.
During this time she had 3 children, all born at home and advised many patients and students regarding herbal support before, during and after birthing. She devised what was affectionately known as the 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, the birth 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 on-line classes, courses and mentorship.
Rita began her journey in Traditional Chinese Medicine and is what, even today, supports her work and the search for the cause with a more holistic vision.
Her passion for integrated nutrition has led her to immerse herself in the transformative world of energetic nutrition and from there to personal development, natural cosmetics, aromatherapy and feminine herbalism.
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 has lived for 10 years in Brazil where she co-founded an eco-community project.
She is currently in training at the International Integrative Educational Institute with the goal to become a Registered Herbalist by the American Herbalist’s Guild.
Her work and interest focus on women’s health and herbal self-care for chronic conditions.
Carla has been a doula since 2006. Over the years she has followed with dedication and passion the path of many families who have chosen to receive their babies in a more conscious way, according to their deepest values. She seeks to honour the energy of each woman in this journey of profound transformation that is proposed by pregnancy, childbirth and motherhood. In addition to accompanying as a doula, she has been a doulas trainer since 2012, facilitating group classes in pregnancy and post-partum, birth preparation and individual accompaniment sessions for women and couples. She has been a Rebirthing therapist since 2014.
She is the mother of Maria (2003) and Gabriel (2010). Her first childbirth by caesarean section led her to a profound questioning which brought her to this point. Her second birth, natural, was a gift, a rescue and an inspiration.
Dates
Dates: 2021
February – 6th and 20th
March – 13th and 27th
April – 10th and 24th
May – 8th and 22nd
June – 5th and 19th
Schedule:
- 10h – 13h (Pt Time)
+ Info
Platform:
Classes will be taught by Zoom.
All the information necessary will be sent to you by email 48h before for the training.
*The training will be given in Portuguese and English!