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 medicinal plants and learn what they do, what parts are used, and how to prepare them, along with history and lore. 

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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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    2023 Plant & Mushroom Walks

     

    Meet our local wild edible/medicinal plants and mushrooms up close and personal.  We’ll nerd out on identification, food/medicinal uses, history, folklore, and more.  I’ll also be pointing out and sharing info on toxic plants and mushrooms that are good to be aware of if you play in the woods with your kids and/or dogs. We’ll be meeting plants at different elevations from 6,500″-10,800″ and see who’s popping up at different times of the growing season.  

     

    The San Juans Range supports an immensely rich diversity of plants and fungi, due to the varied habitats the mountains provide: from the Pinon/Pondy/Juniper belt to high alpine meadows, from sunny rock piles to the dapple shade of an Engelmann spruce forest, from semi-desert to riparian zones.

     

    Space is limited for each walk to keep it more interactive and engaging. If you have questions please Contact me. BIPOC scholarships available for each walk.

     

    SIGN UP EARLY – I’M KEEPING GROUP SIZE SMALL so that you get more out of the walk.  REGISTRATION IS NECESSARY. 

    June 17th, Saturday, 9-11:30am  – La Plata Canyon – FSR 797  limited to 15 people $45 cash/check paid in advance (please contact me for instructions) or $46.32 using the button below. A popular spot for camping, hiking, mountain biking, and winter sports, the La Plata Mountains are home to some of my favorite medicinal plants, and some great conks, too.  The “walk” will be around a mile total, as we will be stopping frequently to geek out on plants and fungi encountered. 

    July 15th, Saturday, 9-11:30am  – Engineer Mountain/Pass Creek Trail limited to 15 people $45 cash/check paid in advance (please contact me for instructions) or $46.32 using the button below. The meadow above the parking lot is absolutely glorious with wildflowers in full bloom in July.  Many are medicinal. Some are potentially deadly. All are gorgeous. The walk will be about 2 miles total…we’ll go a mile up the trail through the meadow and into the woods to see who lives in both places.  A higher elevation meander than the first walk, as we’ll be starting out at 10,640+’ (Coal Bank Pass). 

    July 23rd, Sunday, 9-11:30am  – Upper Elbert Creek TrailLimited to 8 people$55 cash/check paid in advance (please contact me for instructions) or $56.65 using the button below. We’ll be around 10,300′ looking at plants at their peak and when the highest diversity of mushrooms are usually fruiting.  This involves a drive on a dirt road behind Purg that is a bit rocky in spots (my beater Subaru does fine but low clearance vehicles may not).

    August 19th, 9-11:30am  – Andrew’s Lake – limited to 15 people $45 cash/check paid in advance (please contact me for instructions) or $46.32 using the button below. Walk starts at Andrew’s Lake parking lot. We’ll see riparian plants, meadow plants, as well as plants along a short portion of the wooded trail. This is a common place to see mushrooms in the Bolete family, as well as Amanitas. Beginning elevation is 10,750′.  Total meander will be ~ 1 mile. 

    September 12th, 5:30-7:30pm – Junction Creek – limited to 15 people –  $40 cash/check paid in advance (please contact me for instructions) or $41.20 using the button below. Something more or less in town!  This is a great spot and time of year to learn about some of the local native fruits/berries.  Many other plants will still be “at it” as well.  There is a good variety of plants what with the open, sunny area between the parking lot and the first bridge (less than 1/4 mile from parking lot), the creek, and the wooded and shady trail through the canyon.  We will meander about 1/2 mile up the trail. 

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    Upcoming Classes & Workshops

    Medicinal Mushroom Online Classes 

    Live Zoom classes, Wednesday evenings 7-8pm Mountain Time

    $19.25

    June 13th – Mushrooms for heart health

    July 12th – Mushrooms for liver health

    August 16th – Mushrooms for gut health

    September 13th – Mushrooms for immune imbalances

    October 11th – Mushrooms for brain health

     

     

     

     

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    Please register here:  Albuquerque Herbalism

    Natural Perfumery

    Everything you need to know to make your own scents

    Making scent-sational natural perfumes is not as challenging as you may think. In this workshop, you’ll learn all you need to create blends as unique as you are. We’ll explore the following…

    • What’s the difference between essential and infused oils?  Can I combine them?
    • Where do I start in coming up with a blend?
    • How do I create a memorable blend?
    • What do I use for a perfume base?
    • How do I make natural scents last longer?
    • How can I tell the difference between natural and synthetic scents?

    There will be a variety of essential oils to play with along with the other supplies needed for you to make your own liquid blend using easy-to-understand principles.

     

    • Class Date: Saturday September 9, 2023
    • Class Time: 10am – 1pm
    • Cost: $42 (all supplies included)
    • Location: The Source, 1111 Carlisle Blvd. SE
    • Registration is required.

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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.