osadha natural health, llc

In person & distance classes for individuals or groups

Classes, Plant/Mushroom Walks & More

Class Notification List

Please contact me if you’d like to receive the once monthly “upcoming classes & plant o’ the month” email. Be sure to add marija@osadha.com, as one of your contacts so that the notice don’t land in spam/junk mail.

Backyard Botanical Survey

Want to know what’s growing on your land? Contact me for a leisurely stroll to identify wild edible and medicinal plants and learn how to use them, with a bit of science and folklore thrown in.  $100 for an hour and a half of backyard foraging info you can use. 

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DISCOUNTED TICKETS AVAILABLE FOR 2024 GOOD MEDICINE CONFLUENCE

JULY 10th through 13th! 

Tickets 1/3 off of current rate. Please Contact Me to get yours before they’re gone at the low rate…I only have a few.

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1-on-1 Courses of Study

I take on a limited number of  individual students for a learning experience tailored to your interests.

  • In person or distance via Zoom/Skype.
  • Once weekly to once monthly or something in between
  • $50 per hour
  • There is homework for maximizing your learning. We go over it, but it’s not “graded”. 

    Past students have…

    • Gone into clinical practice
    • Created herbal products for marketing
    • Incorporated herbs into their “main” profession (eg. body work, energy work, etc)
    • Used what they’ve learned to support the health of themselves, family, friends, pets  

    Please contact me for more info or to start planning your personalized timing and plan.

    Ideas on topics

    • Basic concepts in herbalism
    • Materia Medica (meaning, plants/mushrooms/essential oils & their medicinal uses)
    • Plant/mushroom walks – Identification in the field, uses, folklore, science
    • Harvesting, processing, & medicine making
    • Diagnostics – Traditional approaches, constitutional evaluation, reading labs
    • Formulating
    • Herbal energetics – Hot, cold, damp, dry, consolidating, dispersing, etc
    • Clinical case studies – For those who already have 2+ years experience w/ herbalism
    • Reading & interpreting herbal scientific research
    • Herb-drug interactions
    • Herbal safety
    • Aromatic medicine
    • Natural perfumery
    • Interested in something not listed here?  Let me know : )

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    Upcoming Classes & Workshops

    CANCELLATION POLICY:  If you cancel your registration for classes, workshop, or plant/mushroom walk two or more weeks or more prior to the scheduled event, you will receive a 90% refund. If you cancel within two weeks prior to the event, your registration is non-refundable. 

    BIPOC scholarships available for classes offered specifically classes at/through Osadha. 

    Please Contact Me for more info.

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    Spring Wild Foods & Medicine Foraging Class

    Saturday, April 27th, 930-11am, W 2nd Ave, Durango, Colorado. $45 (Cash, check, venmo). $46.35 (paypal, credit card). Please contact me here or call 970-779-3111 to register, arrange payment, and receive class handout. REGISTRATION DEADLINE is Wednesday, April 24th

     

    Gain the knowledge and skills necessary for foraging wild foods and medicines. In this class we’ll focus on what’s available on the Western Slope during the spring, and you’ll get hands-on time in the kitchen learning plant/mushroom processing.  Free outdoor spring plant & mushroom walk for students who attend the class, date and time to be agreed upon in class.

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    Poisonous Plants of the Rocky Mountains

    Live Zoom Class, Wednesday May 1st, 2024, 7-830pm, Mountain Time. $25 (Cash, check, venmo). $26 (paypal, credit card). Please contact me here or call 970-779-3111 to register, arrange payment, and receive class handout. 

     

    The deadliest native plants in North America grow right here in the Rockies.  Learn what they look like, what they contain, and some fascinating folklore. This class is appropriate for those:

    • interested in foraging and wanting to avoid a dangerous mistake

    • like me, with a morbid curiosity about toxic plants 

    • who bring kids or pups out on hikes and want to know what may be toxic along the trail

     

    For those in the Durango area who take the class, there will be a free “show and tell” at my home in the summer, where I’ll have some of the plants on hand. Date and time will be decided upon among us. 

     

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    Poisonous Mushrooms of the Rocky Mountains

    Live Zoom Class, Wednesday June 26th, 2024, 7-830pm, Mountain Time. $25 (Cash, check, venmo). $26 (paypal, credit card). Please contact me here or call 970-779-3111 to register, arrange payment, and receive class handout. 

     

    The Rockies are home to many toxic species of mushroom, some deadly.  Learn about some of the most toxic… what they look like, where they are typically found, and what they contain. Because toxic mushrooms have no obvious “tells” to distinguish them from nontoxic mushrooms, we’ll get into some important steps in general mushroom identification.

     

    For those in the Durango area who take the class, there will be a free “show and tell” at my home in the summer, where I’ll have some of the mushrooms on hand. Date and time will be decided upon among us. 

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    Summer Wild Foods & Medicine Foraging Class

    Saturday, July 20th, 930-11am, W 2nd Ave, Durango, Colorado. $45 (Cash, check, venmo). $46.35 (paypal, credit card). Please contact me here or call 970-779-3111 to register, arrange payment, and receive class handout. REGISTRATION DEADLINE is Wednesday, July 17th

     

    Gain the knowledge and skills necessary for foraging wild foods and medicines. In this class we’ll focus on what’s available on the Western Slope during the spring, and you’ll get hands-on time in the kitchen learning plant/mushroom processing.  Free outdoor summer plant & mushroom walk for students who attend the class, date and time to be agreed upon in class.

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    14th Annual Good Medicine Confluence

    is back in Durango!!

    10th-13th of July, 2024 at Fort Lewis College. I have a few discounted tickets for sale, otherwise you can purchase tickets here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/good-medicine-confluence-2024-tickets-729029766657?aff=oddtdtcreator

     

    The most vibrant, informative, and soul inspiring botanical conference I’ve been to! I’m teaching “Mushrooms for Gut Health” and “Beyond mushroom polysaccharides: A dive into the other magnificent medicinal mushroom molecules”  

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    Medicinal Mushrooms: Grocery Store Foraging

    Saturday, September 7th, 10am-1230pm Mountain Time. Live Zoom Class. Please register here.  

     

    Not everyone is keen on bushwhacking for wild mushrooms or lives in a place where foraging’s even possible. If this describes you, consider foraging for medicinal mushrooms in the produce aisle of your local market. Depending on your luck (and how well stocked the store is) you may encounter Shiitake, Maitake, Oyster, King Trumpets, Enoki, Lion’s Mane, Beech, and even the humble Button Mushroom. Many have a long history of traditional medicinal use, and lab studies reveal all to have interesting chemistry. You can also purchase growing kits online for many of these mushrooms.

    Discover:

    • Traditional & modern uses
    • Tasty recipes – food is medicine
    • How to prepare as medicine
    • There will be an in-class demo on how to make concentrated, powdered extracts that capture nearly all of the mushroom constituents. Extracts will be available for pick up after class in Albuquerque and Durango. (We do not ship.)

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    Autumn Wild Foods & Medicine Foraging Class

    Saturday, September 21th, 930-11am, W 2nd Ave, Durango, Colorado. $45 (Cash, check, venmo). $46.35 (paypal, credit card). Please contact me here or call 970-779-3111 to register, arrange payment, and receive class handout. REGISTRATION DEADLINE is Wednesday, September 18th

     

    Gain the knowledge and skills necessary for foraging wild foods and medicines. In this class we’ll focus on what’s available on the Western Slope during the autumn, and you’ll get hands-on time in the kitchen learning plant/mushroom processing.  Free outdoor autumn plant & mushroom walk for students who attend the class, date and time to be agreed upon in class.

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    Viruses & Botanicals Series

    Live Zoom Classes, Wednesdays 6-8pm Mountain Time in October 2024. 

     

    One class – $30 (cash, check, venmo) or $31 (paypal, credit card)

    Two classes paid in advance – $57 (cash, check, venmo) or $59 (paypal, credit card)

    Three classes paid in advance – $81 (cash, check, venmo) or $84 (paypal, credit card)

    Four classes paid in advance – $104 (cash, check, venmo) or $107 (paypal, credit card)

     

    Please contact me here or call 970-779-3111 to register, arrange payment, and receive class handout.

     

    October 2nd, 2024 – Respiratory viruses

    October 9th – Hepatitis viruses

    October 16th – Herpesviruses – herpes simplex (mouth/genital sores), Epstein Barr (canker sores), varicella-zoster (chicken pox/shingles)

    October 23rd – Human papillomaviruses (warts, cervical lesions)

     

    Before I was an herbalist, I was a virologist and infectious disease fellow. I look forward to combining my virology and botanical medicine experience in this easy-to-understand class series. Each class will include an introduction to the viruses, traditional uses of plants and mushrooms, and what the research science has to say.   

     

    Classes are for educational purposes only and does not supplant the advice of a licensed medical practitioner.

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    Recorded Classes

    Recording link will be sent within 24 hours of payment, unless purchased on weekend or holiday, then it will be sent on the next business day. 

    Herb-Drug Interactions

     

    RECORDING of live, interactive Zoom class.  $30

    On average, in any given month nearly half of the US population uses at least 1 prescription drug (CDC). Approximately 76% of the adult population in the US used at least 1 herbal supplement in 2017 (Choi & Song, 2021). It is difficult to wade through the available information regarding herb-drug interactions for multiple reasons that include bias (folks publishing information on this are often not trained in botanical medicine or phytochemistry), sensationalism (fear-mongering newspaper headlines and clickbait), the growing ingredient complexity of supplements, and polypharmacy (the use of multiple medications concurrently that greatly increases the rate of adverse drug reactions).

     

    This class takes a critical, evidence-base approach at looking at herb-drug interactions. The focus will be on individual herbs, and will include data from critically evaluated case studies, clinical studies, and practitioner experience.  The most likely categories of herbs to interact with medications will be highlighted, as will well-documented interactions. The class is appropriate for multiple types of healthcare provider as well as for folks who take herbs and want to know more about the topic of interactions. 

    Medicinal Plants of the West

    Recordings of live, interactive Zoom classes.  $15.50 per class. 

    Plant ID, medicinal uses, folklore, and science. Attend 1 or all or however many you’d like. Many of the plants are also found elsewhere in North and Central America.

     

    California Poppy & Pine 

    Sagebrush & Wild Rose

    Barberry & Juniper     

    Elder & Oregon Grape                   

     

    After clicking on “Buy Now” button, scroll to gray Credit/Debit button for secure payment. You’re automatically registered as soon as payment goes through.

    Insomnia: An herbalist’s approach

    Class recording available.  $17.50. (When you click “buy now”, scroll to the gray button for secure debit or cc payment)

    Insomnia is an epidemic that significantly impacts the health and quality of life of many millions of people.   Sleep meds often lose effect over time or can become addictive.  They can help get one through a period of sleeplessness but, for many folks, aren’t a long term fix.  Part of the problem is cultural. Here in the west, many of us go through the day at 110 mph then try to come to a screeching stop at night, hoping to be able to simply turn our switch to “off” and fall asleep.  And it can be hard to change that pattern what with jobs, family responsabilities, and such.   Join us to learn some simple approaches to improve your odds of a restful night of sleep.

    Information in this class is not meant to supplant the advice of a licensed healthcare practitioner. 

    Hair Loss: An herbalist’s approach

    Class recording    $17.50   (After clicking on Buy Now Button, scroll down to the secure debit/credit card payment button)

    Hair may start thinning due to nutritional issues, endocrine imbalances, autoimmune attack of the hair follicles, or even from stress.  Join us to learn ways to support a healthy scalp from the inside out and the outside in! 

    Information in this class is not meant to supplant the advice of a licensed healthcare practitioner. 

    Gout: An herbalist’s approach

    Class recording    $17.50   (After clicking on Buy Now Button, scroll down to the secure debit/credit card payment button)

    Gout is an extremely painful condition where excess uric acid in the body coalesces into sharp crystals in various joints, particularly the big toe.  There are certain areas where an herbalist’s approach can kick butt for support, and this is one of them. Yes, it requires keeping an eye out for certain exacerbating foods.  We’ll get into that as well as some great herbal ways to get some relief. 

    Information in this class is not meant to supplant the advice of a licensed healthcare practitioner. 

    Constipation: An herbalist’s approach

    Class recording    $17.50   (After clicking on Buy Now Button, scroll down to the secure debit/credit card payment button)

    Occasional constipation and bloating are common, if annoying. For some folks, they’re chronic. Either way, there are simple supportive steps that can be helpful for the most common causes and in the absence of more serious issues.  Lots of folks have heard of Senna, a laxative plant. Did you know that it, like some classes of drugstore laxatives, can cause laxative-dependence?  They may help in a pinch but are not long term fixes.   Join us to learn ways to do more than simply slap a bandaid on the issue.  We’ll explore simple tips and gentle, supportive herbs to get things going again. 

     

    Information in this class is not meant to supplant the advice of a licensed healthcare practitioner. 

    Fungal Skin Infections: An herbalist’s approach

    Class recording  $15.50   (After clicking on Buy Now Button, scroll down to the secure debit/credit card payment button)

    Fungal skin infections can be a persistent nuisance, whether it’s athlete’s foot, jock itch, dandruff, ringworm, or what have you.  The spray on drug store meds often lack efficacy, while other meds such as ketoconazole can be downright toxic. (Fungal cells have a lot in common with our cells, leading to unwanted effects from some meds targeted at fungi.)            

    Dealing with simple fungal skin infections is one area where an herbal approach can kick butt.  Learn foods that make your body an uninviting habitat and my favorite botanical allies for focused support.                                                                                                                       

    Information in this class is not meant to supplant the advice of a licensed healthcare practitioner. 

    Acid Reflux: An herbalist’s approach

    Class recording  $15.50   (After clicking on Buy Now Button, scroll down to the secure debit/credit card payment button)

    Did you know that too little stomach acid rather than too much is a common reason for acid reflux? Especially when you’re older?

    Reflux can literally and figuratively be a pain. Chronic reflux (GERD) also damages the esophagus and increases the risk of esophageal cancer. Some folks have reflux without even realizing it. A sign of this can be a frequent urge to clear one’s throat.  Join us to learn why reflux happens and some simple tips on how to deal with it.  You will receive a Zoom link the day before class.

    Information in this class is not meant to supplant the advice of a licensed healthcare practitioner.