Events 2017

Look who’s talking at Richters!

Join us for our FREE seminars at Richters. For directions and map, click here.
Watch our 2016 presentations here!

FEB 26 THE MODERN HERBAL HOME HEALER

With Herbalist Marianne Beacon of Elderberry Clinic

If you are unsure about using herbs for healing, maybe because information is often confusing and contradictory, professional herbalist Marianne Beacon will show you how to confidently use herbs safely and effectively to keep your family healthy. Marianne is a registered professional herbalist, Reiki practitioner and teacher, and is owner of the Elderberry Clinic in Peterborough, Ontario, where she practices. Marianne is also president of the Ontario Herbalists Association. She has been training in the healing arts since 1994 and has a diploma in clinical herbal medicine, as well as over 2000 apprenticeship hours alongside traditional and professional herbalists and midwives.  Her focus is a Western Herbalist approach using whole plant medicine and flower essences. 2-3pm

MAR 5 HEALING SALVES

With Diane Tait, Registered Herbalist and Owner of Greenwood Botanicals

Salves, ointments and balms help soothe scrapes, burns, itches, stings, bruises, etc. Diane Tait discusses how to make these healing salves using herbs from the garden. She covers what oils to use and how to use beeswax to turn the oils into salves. Diane is a registered herbalist operating a practice on her farm in Pickering, Ontario, under the banner of Greenwood Botanicals. She teaches a beginner course in herbal remedies, a hands on seven day course taught on her farm. She studied at Dominion Herbal College and is a professional member of the Ontario Herbalists Association.
View the Recorded Presentation
Please note: the scheduled speaker, Barbara Allen, was unable to present this topic due to a family emergency. We are deeply grateful to Diane Tait for filling in at the last moment.

MAR 12 HEALING HERBS FOR OUR BOVINE AND EQUINE FRIENDS

With Dr. Michelle Landry, Founder of Holland Street Veterinary Services

Using plants to heal sick farm animals goes back a long time in veterinary medicine. Dr. Michelle Landry will provide an overview of important herbs for animals and how to use them to keep our farm friends healthy. Michelle has her own practice, Holland Street Veterinary Services, in Bradford, Ontario, where she employs a variety of alternate therapies including Traditional Chinese Medicine, homotoxicology, Western herbs, nutrition, reiki and animal communication. She is also a certified veterinary acupuncturist, and currently is studying for a Masters degree in veterinary herbal medicine at the College of Veterinary Integrative Therapies. 2-3pm

MAR 19 HERBAL ADAPTOGENS FOR OUR STRESS FILLED LIVES

With John Redden, Medical Herbalist and Founder of Viriditas Herbal Products

Herbal adaptogens have been used since ancient times as tonics or energizers. But now there is more focus on using them for stress, fatigue and food cravings. Herbalist John Redden will discuss how these herbs rejuvenate our adrenal glands, feed our endocrine system, and reduce our cravings for carbs and stimulants. John is a highly respected Medical Herbalist with over 30 years of experience growing and wildcrafting herbs and manufacturing herbal medicines. He is an active member of the Ontario Herbalists Association (OHA), and co-founded the A Celebration of Herbs festival that ran for many years in Toronto. He also served as the editor of The Canadian Journal of Herbalism. His studies in the U.S., Scotland, and Canada culminated in the founding of Viriditas Herbal Products. 2-3pm

MAR 26 SURRENDER TO SUCCULENTS

With Paul Zammit, Nancy Eaton Director of Horticulture, Toronto Botanical Garden.

Succulents are extremely easy to care for, and are so very appealing. They come in just about every colour, size, shape and texture. Some succulents such as aloe vera are among the most useful healing herbs. And succulents are a great way to introduce kids to caring for plants -- and maybe even herbs! Horticulturist Paul Zammit will share his tips on how to grow and creatively use succulents in your garden and in containers. Paul is the Nancy Eaton Director of Horticulture at the Toronto Botanical Garden. An energetic and passionate speaker and plant advocate, he has appeared on television, radio, and in print. Last summer Paul had a weekly gardening column on the CBC Radio show Here and Now. 2-3pm

APR 2 FORAGING WILD FOODS FOR A FABULOUS FEAST

With Karen Stephenson, Master Naturalist and Wild Food Educator

One person’s weed is another person’s delicacy. Some of the most nutritious foods our planet has to offer are often dismissed as weeds. Wild food expert Karen Stephenson reveals how to use these plants as foods you never thought could taste so good. Karen is a wild food educator passionate about proper nutrition, eating healthy and companion gardening with weeds. She is also proprietor of Edible Wild Food and publisher of Wild Edible of the Month magazine. She is a sought after speaker, having spoken to groups such as the International Herbal Association and at events such as Ontario Nature’s Foraging Week in Thunder Bay. 2-3pm

APR 9 TASTY HERBS AND EDIBLE FLOWERS FOR SMALL SPACES

With Sara Katz, Garden Designer and Owner of Wild at Heart Design

On terra firma or high in the sky in a penthouse apartment, everyone can have a colourful planter or two of tasty herbs and edible flowers. Sara Katz will show how to choose the right container, prepare the soil, and plant herbs in the smallest of spaces. Sara, owner of Wild at Heart Design, is an accomplished garden designer and educator who has been designing, planting and writing about gardens since 2000. She has designed residential gardens throughout Toronto, from large-scale projects to postage-stamp-size backyards, small balconies to large roof top gardens and green roofs. Sara’s own organically managed city garden is designed for year-round colour and celebrates the movement and texture of foliage, grasses, shrubs and flower bulbs. Her articles have appeared in numerous publications, including Garden Making, Canadian Living and Trellis. 2-3pm

APR 23 MIXOLOGY, CRAFTING HERBAL COCKTAILS & MOCKTAILS

With Laura Gilmour of Wild Muskoka Botanicals

Mixology expert Laura Gilmour will show how to mix fun drinks using herbs, spices, and easy to find wild ingredients. Learn to make unique syrups, infusions, and bitters to add to cocktails and mocktails. Get lots of creative tips for your next party! Laura is the owner of Wild Muskoka Botanicals, a small wild foods and herbal education business based in the north Muskoka-Algonquin region of Ontario. She is passionate about working directly with plants from wild spaces, and exploring new and exciting ways to introduce people to wild flavors through culinary products and cocktail ingredients. She has 10 years experience teaching ecology, wild foods, basic herbal medicine skills, and primitive living skills, and is always expanding her herbal knowledge, culinary skills and mixology. 2-3pm

Herb Day April 30, 2017 Coriander Herb of the Year
Celebrate Herb Day with an afternoon in praise of Cilantro, a.k.a. Coriander, the Herb of the Year for 2017.

APR 30 CILANTRO SECRETS REVEALED!

With Sonia Day, Author, Gardener and Painter

Cultivated since the Hanging Gardens of Babylon, coriander or cilantro is essential in Mexican, Indian, Middle Eastern and Southeast Asian food. Sonia Day, once a confirmed “hater” of cilantro, now finds this herb indispensable in her kitchen, and she enthusiastically shares her tips on how to grow, harvest, and use it. Sonia writes a feisty gardening column called The Real Dirt in the Toronto Star, appearing Fridays in the Life section. She’s the author of eight books, including the best-seller, Incredible Edibles: 43 Fun Things to Grow in the City which includes a chapter about cilantro. When she has time, she also paints. Visit her website for more information about her writing and painting. 2-3pm

Check out our feature article on this year’s Herb of the Year, Cilantro, Mimics and Memes.

SEP 10 GPS THE ROAD TO DIGESTIVE HEALTH

With Katalin Brown, Certified Nutritional Therapy Practitioner and Certified GAPS Practitioner

Growing up on Hungarian homemade soups, stews and broths made with fermented meats and vegetables, Katalin Brown has lived the “real food” movement from birth. For her, the digestive system is the river of life, and eating the right foods is the key to keeping it healthy. Katalin has been a paediatric dental hygienist for the past 30 years, and more recently a certified nutritional therapy practitioner and a certified GAPS practitioner. She has been working with digestive disorders since 1998. For more information about Katalin Brown and GAPS healing system, visit Katalin’s website, GAPS Diet Ontario. 2-3pm

SEP 17 HARVEST AND PRESERVE YOUR HERBAL BOUNTY FOR THE WINTER

With Koidu Sulev, Richters Herbs

As fall approaches it is the time to save the luscious herbs in the garden for future use. Herb expert Koidu Sulev will discuss how to harvest, dry, and properly store herbs, and will demonstrate various techniques from hanging and drying herbs to freezing them. Koidu grew up in Sweden where her interest in herbs started when she was a young child. She studied pharmaceutical training at the Royal Pharmaceutical Institute in Stockholm, where she gained extensive knowledge of the use of herbs for medical preparations. Koidu has been featured in newspapers, on the radio and TV. She tends her large garden north of Uxbridge, Ontario where she grows many common and not so common herbs and plants. 2-3pm

SEP 24 HERBS OF QUIET POWER

With Sarah Feiner, Registered Massage Therapist and Clinical Aromatherapist

Understanding the subtle messages spoken by plants deepens our connections with the earth. Sarah brings the spiritual teachings of the plants into practical everyday use, and shows how plant energetics and aromatherapy can improve our physical and emotional well-being. Sarah is a registered massage therapist and clinical aromatherapist practising in the Greater Toronto area. She has studied the chemistry and therapeutics of aromatherapy which she incorporates into her massage therapy practice. She enjoys plant photography, bodywork, teaching and is a student of traditional Western herbalism. 2-3pm

OCT 1 USING AND UNDERSTANDING ESSENTIAL & INFUSED OILS

With Dr. Jennifer Corey, ND, and Registered Massage Therapist

Many of us lead busy, stressful lives, and have children or elders that need help to calm their minds. Essential oils can help cope with everyday stresses. Learn about the many essential oils and how to apply them for relaxation, mood, concentration and sleep. Jennifer is a naturopathic doctor, registered massage therapist, and registered acupuncturist practicing at Balanced Living, in Markham, Ontario. As a naturopathic doctor she has specific additional training in pediatrics, fertility, and environmental medicine. Her passion is patient education and helping them create a healthy balance in their lives. 2-3pm

OCT 15 BEAT THE BLAHS AND GROW HERBS INDOORS IN WINTER

With Koidu Sulev of Richters Herbs

Create a lush herb garden indoors for fresh herbs all winter. You will learn which herbs to bring in from your garden, how to repot them, and how to acclimatize them to survive the winter indoors. Koidu grew up in Sweden where her childhood interest in herbs was fully encouraged by two elderly aunts who were themselves well versed in herbal knowledge. Her studies led her to the Royal Pharmaceutical Institute in Stockholm where she gained extensive knowledge regarding medical preparations using herbs. Koidu has been featured in newspapers, on the radio and TV. An employee at Richters Herbs for more than 15 years, Koidu tends her large garden north of Uxbridge, Ontario where she grows many common and not so common herbs and plants. 2-3pm

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