M. Kachi Cassinell

Reconnecting with the Sacredness of Plants

Friday August 13th 6:00 pm - 9:00 pm. Cost: $30.00

This class will be a comparative study of numerous plants used from around the world within a shamanic context with discussions on:

Plant consciousness, the realm of the sacred, and the intelligence of nature
The perception of the shaman and accessing plant intelligence through heart centered perception
The importance of plant songs
Understanding plants and their relationship to the Medicine Wheel.
Specific plants used for healing, ceremony, offerings, protection, power, dreaming, and to enter visionary states of consciousness.
We will cover the botany, distribution, habitat, pharmacology, ceremonial, traditional and common medicinal uses of plants such as: Tobacco, Sage, Devils Club, Peyote, Mugwort, Ayahuasca and many more.....
Sajah Derek Popham holds a degree in herbal sciences from Bastyr University and is owner of Organic Unity, a local spagyric tincture company based off traditional alchemical principles. He is an Herbalist, alchemist, and shamanic practitioner, focusing on Plant Spirit Healing. Sajah seeks to assist people on their path by healing the body, balancing the mind, and mending the heart, to access the Spirit. He can be contacted at ( 206) 753-7101 or Sajah@organicunity.com for private healing consultations.

Contact Dandelion Botanical Co. to register: 206-545-8892 or online at www.dandelionbotanical.com

The Benefits and Joy of Brewing Kombucha

Saturday, August 7th 11 am - 1 pm $ 20.00

Kombucha is a health tonic beverage with a diverse range of benefits for physical health, as well as mental and emotional well being.

This class will cover:
What Kombucha is and where it comes from. How to brew your own Kombucha at home, including secrets on adding  additional herbs, juices and carbonation.
The numerous health benefits for the digestive, immune, musculoskeletal, and nervous systems. Also its use for assisting eczema, psoriasis, IBS, chronic colds and flues, yeast, candida, indigestion and nausea. The importance of probiotics, enzymes and live food nutrition. There will be a Kombucha tasting, and you will also be gifted with a culture of your own so you may start your own brew at home!!

Sajah Derek Popham holds a degree in herbal sciences from Bastyr University and is owner of Organic Unity, a local spagyric tincture company based off traditional alchemical principles. He is an Herbalist, alchemist, and shamanic practitioner, focusing on Plant Spirit Healing. Sajah seeks to assist people on their path by healing the body, balancing the mind, and mending the heart, to access the Spirit. He can be contacted at ( 206) 753-7101 or Sajah@organicunity.com for private healing consultations.

Contact Dandelion Botanical Co. to register: 206-545-8892 or online at www.dandelionbotanical.com

Plant Knowledge Walk with Ryan Drum
Join this outdoor workshop at Discovery Park with Ryan Drum, PhD, AHG, founder of Dominion Herbal College and adjunct faculty at Bastyr University since 1984. Ryan will lead a group into Discovery Park and share his extensive knowledge of plants including edible and medicinal uses.

This 4-hour, hands-on workshop will be held on Saturday, July 17th, from 10am - 2pm.

Anyone who has taken a class with Ryan knows that he is not only an expert wildcrafter but a great teacher of nature and ecology of the northwest. Classes are dynamic, interactive and full of humor.  Please bring a sack lunch, fluids and dress appropriately for the weather.

The fee is $35.  To register, visit www.dandelionbotanical.com or call 206.545.8892.


Ryan Drum, PhD, AHG, has a BSc in Chemical Technology and a PhD in Botany (Phycology) from Iowa State University. While a NATO Scholar, he did postdoctoral studies on Cell Biology using the Electron Microscope and Microcine at the Universities of Bonn, Germany and Leeds, England . For 10 years Dr. Drum taught Botany and related subjects at Universities (UMASS/Amherst,UCLA, WWU). He studied Herbal Medicine with Ella Birzneck, founder of Dominion Herbal College in British Columbia for 12 years, and taught at their summer seminars for 25 years. He has been an adjunct faculty at Bastyr University since 1984, and he lectures at major herbal conferences and herbal schools. He specializes in Seaweed Therapies, Thyroid issues, and Men's Health. Dr. Drum is the author of over 30 scientific papers in peer-reviewed journals, the author of Electron Microscopy of Diatom Cells 1966, Springer Verlag, a 100-Plate Atlas, in print for 20 years, and a contributing author of two chapters in Planting the Future (Gladstar and Hirsch 2001) and a chapter in Fundamentals of Naturopathic Endocrinology, M. Friedman 2005. The proud father of three wonderful children and two fantastic grandchildren, he lives in a rustic little hilltop cabin he built 30 years ago on a remote island, off the grid, without indoor plumbing or refrigeration. Dr. Drum believes in true patient autonomy: the freedom and right to choose one's caregivers independent of their official certification.

Join this outdoor workshop at Discovery Park with Ryan Drum, PhD, AHG, founder of Dominion Herbal College and adjunct faculty at Bastyr University since 1984. Ryan will lead a group into Discovery Park and share his extensive knowledge of plants including edible and medicinal uses.

This 4-hour, hands-on workshop will be held on Saturday, July 17th, from 10am - 2pm.

Anyone who has taken a class with Ryan knows that he is not only an expert wildcrafter but a great teacher as well.  Classes are dynamic, interactive and full of humor.  Please bring a sack lunch, fluids and dress appropriately for the weather.

The fee is $35.  To register, visit www.dandelionbotanical.com or call 206.545.8892.


Ryan Drum, PhD, AHG, has a BSc in Chemical Technology and a PhD in Botany (Phycology) from Iowa State University. While a NATO Scholar, he did postdoctoral studies on Cell Biology using the Electron Microscope and Microcine at the Universities of Bonn, Germany and Leeds, England . For 10 years Dr. Drum taught Botany and related subjects at Universities (UMASS/Amherst,UCLA, WWU). He studied Herbal Medicine with Ella Birzneck, founder of Dominion Herbal College in British Columbia for 12 years, and taught at their summer seminars for 25 years. He has been an adjunct faculty at Bastyr University since 1984, and he lectures at major herbal conferences and herbal schools. He specializes in Seaweed Therapies, Thyroid issues, and Men's Health. Dr. Drum is the author of over 30 scientific papers in peer-reviewed journals, the author of Electron Microscopy of Diatom Cells 1966, Springer Verlag, a 100-Plate Atlas, in print for 20 years, and a contributing author of two chapters in Planting the Future (Gladstar and Hirsch 2001) and a chapter in Fundamentals of Naturopathic Endocrinology, M. Friedman 2005. The proud father of three wonderful children and two fantastic grandchildren, he lives in a rustic little hilltop cabin he built 30 years ago on a remote island, off the grid, without indoor plumbing or refrigeration. Dr. Drum believes in true patient autonomy: the freedom and right to choose one's caregivers independent of their official certification.

Wild Edible Plants
with Arthur Lee Jacobson
Dandelion Botanical, Saturday - March 13, 10:30am-12:00pm, $15

Anyone who spends much time walking outside should consider learning the common wild edible plants, and learning to avoid poisonous ones. Hikers, walkers, and chefs who want to increase their culinary options should attend this class. Think about it: how many wild edibles do you eat? Seafood? Expensive gourmet mushrooms? A few blackberries? The vast majority of our diet is from domesticated plants and animals. Anthropologists studying human nutrition throughout the world, in both present civilizations and prehistoric times, assert that most people today eat relatively more starchy foods and fewer vitamins, enzymes, minerals and proteins. In other words, we fill our bellies easily but don’t nourish our bodies as well as we used to. The development of agriculture went hand in hand with a decline of hunting and gathering subsistence. So, eat some nettles for the sake of principle! The emphasis at this time of year is salad greens, but in this introductory account you will meet 40 wild edible plants, and 6 toxic ones, of the Seattle area. Learn about Candyflower, Daisies, Ferns, Mustard, Oregon Grape, Salal, Vetch, Wild Garlic, etc.

Arthur Lee Jacobson, author of the popular book, “Wild Plants of Greater Seattle” began studying plants when he was 17. He does publishing, writing, consulting, photography, hands-on gardening, and lecturing either via field tours or inside. His plant expertise is rare in that it includes both wild plants and garden plants. His whole life has been about learning and sharing what he has learned about plants. To know him best is to read his writings. Over 300 of his articles and essays are on his website www.ArthurLeeJ.com.  His books are also shown on the website.

register at www.dandelionbotanical.com or call 206-545-8892

Hi, I'm a retailer and weekend days are rough to get off. If it is on a weekend Saturday works better than Sunday. Evenings have been working great but it is going to be getting darker earlier. Hmph. 
Nice to think about it comming sooner than later though - I like the Idea of an August date.
Kachi

Hi, So glad someone said something. I'm missing you all! I think meeting would be great - just to keep the momentum going. I also feel like we need to come up with some kind of balance so that it doesn't feel like Arthur is putting out all of the energy. Maybe passing of a hat to pay for his dinner the night of the meeting. Any ideas. I really appreciate this group and its potential.
Cheers,
Kachi

Hi, You' re right. After looking at some research abstracts on line, it seems that the trees transpire more when there is plenty of ground moisture (flooding is a different story). Stomata on the leaves can open or close in response to the environment. It's not just in response to the crown temperatures but with the soil moisture. When the stomata close the tree is able to transpire more slowly and conserve water.  Also, One study indicated that resin production is greater in trees (Abies grand.) with more vigor. Hmph. So much for an educated guess.

Why do coniferous trees drip more sap when the ground is cleared?  Hello, I don't know for sure. Please if anyone has more information chime in. Here is a educated guess though.

The trees always seem to drip more resins when they are stressed. Not enough moisture. The leaves (needles) transpire more to keep the plant cool. Resins production increases to protect the plant from pathogenic invasion when stressed.  When the ground doesn't have enough mulch the soil dries out quicker the fungal network that extends their root system and improves their immunity is depleted. Read Mycelium Running (Paul Stamets),  the fungal population can have a huge impact on other soil microorganisms, soil fertility, aeration, water holding capacity. The whole ecosystem is just amazing!! Larger woody debris would not have an immediate impact but over time could act like a water sink for draughty times. Does anyone know about the tree physiology?

Elderberries can be quite the laxative, maybe that's what the secret crunchy seed thing was.