Wildcrafting w/Jim McDonald: Midsummer Medicines

One of the oldest professions in the civilized world is the collection and preparation of wild plants for use as medicine, special foods, or home remedies. Ancient as this skill is it is far from outdated. The very best way to obtain this knowledge is by apprenticing yourself to a practicing wildcrafter and following him around all you can. Join us for a very special seasonal plant walk, discussion, and gathering of some traditional wild medicinals. Herbalist Jim Mcdonald will be leading participants around the fields and woods surrounding the Michigan Folk School to explore the medicinal virtues, identification, folklore and preparation of many of the common "weeds" and wildflowers we pass by every day. The information presented will be both specific and practical, based on Jim's twenty-one years of experience in gathering, preparing, and using herbal remedies, and provide a basis for participants to incorporate what they have learned into usable skills with which to maintain and restore health.

The summer sun draws forth the medicinal virtues of many plants that grow and blossom in field and thicket.​ Possible Plant Studies: st. john's wort, yarrow, mullein, bee balm