Wild Things: A Year of Wild Food & Medicine (Year 2)
Wild Things (Year Two) is a continuation of the first year’s course, aimed at deepening our exploration of the wonderful wild herbs growing all around us. It builds on existing knowledge of botany, ecology, foraging and sensory herbalism. Like Year One the classroom sessions are made up of a mixture of theoretical and practical activities, and we will visit a range of new habitats and species on our herb walks including trips to the seashore and the fungal layers of forest & field.
In 2024 there are two options for the course: Online on our platform on Podia, or the ‘Blended’ Option which combines the online course with 4 in person seasonal sessions in the central belt of Scotland.
Course Outcomes:
- Build onto knowledge of plant, algae and fungi species and wider botanical families
- Improve botanical identification skills
- Visit a range of habitats in and around central Scotland to deepen an understanding of the plant communities and ecological niches across various localities
- Reflect on ecological harvesting techniques and connect personal practice to wider social and environmental issues
- Try out recipes and build confidence in remedy making towards a home medicine chest
- Continue to develop and deepen a sensory approach to herbal medicine
- Gain insight into the edible & medicinal properties of common British plants & fungi, with a deeper focus on the properties of chosen favourites
- Deepen your understanding of herbal actions & therapeutics through exemplary case studies for home ailments
Course Prerequisites
This is an intermediate level course which relies on some prior knowledge. Participants will have either attended Wild Things: A Year of Wild Food & Medicine (Year One), or have a foundation knowledge in the following:
- beginner’s botany, taxonomy & principles of ecology
- the basic methods of remedy making such as infusions, decoctions, herbal syrups, ointments, aromatic waters, folk method tinctures and infused vinegars
- edible and medicinal properties of some of our common British plants and their main biochemical constituents
- familiarity with herbal actions
- sustainable harvesting methods, drying & processing herbs
- using a sensory approach to learning about herbs & their actions in the body (or an interest in finding out more about this approach)
Option 1: Online Only
This course consists of 15 fortnightly sessions spanning from March to October to cover a range of seasons. It is delivered through our online course platform Podia. Each fortnight we will release a new session which will alternate between ‘indoor’ theoretical content mixed with practical remedy making skills & sensory herbal tea tastings, and ‘outdoor’ virtual plant & fungi walks exploring the common and abundant plants of that season.
Each session comes with a guided sensory tea tasting – we will post 15 ‘mystery herbs’ out to you at the start of the course to explore with us over the 8 months. The course handbook covers 40 common plant species, and beyond this we will meet many others on our virtual walks.
Option 2: Blended
The Blended course consists of all of the content of the Online Course with the addition of attending 4 seasonal sessions in person in the central belt of Scotland. We are thrilled to have highly regarded author, forager & research herbalist Monica Wilde again who will be running our Spring Seaweeds session in East Lothian, and our Autumn Fungi session in West Lothian. Grass Roots Remedies co-op members will be running seasonal sessions along the theme of roots in Edinburgh and also heathland & trees in Glasgow.
Costs:
Online Only Course: Sliding Scale £375-£700
There are 4 pricing options: £375, £500, £600, £700 and a subsidised price of £250 (limited places available)
Blended Course: an additional £150 on top of your selected price for the online
We offer this course on a sliding scale basis to make it accessible to people on a variety of incomes and situations.We ask that participants truthfully pay what they can afford. We won’t ask for proof of income, but trust you to select what you feel is most appropriate for you and help us to continue our community work in under serviced areas of Edinburgh.
2021 Course Testimonials (Online Course)
Thanks for a wonderful year of exploration and deepening of knowledge that is nourishing, and sustaining. I learned a great deal and look forward to the rhythm of the seasons in fresh ways.
I thoroughly enjoyed this course, various teaching methods. I learned a lot and would like to study more after completing this course. Tutors were very passionate for their subjects and made learning fun and accessible for all.
A lot of care has gone into this course and it is allowed the flow at whatever pace you need it to. Knowledgeable, fun and humble
Herbalism as it should be. Clear, inclusive & a friendly teaching style. A good balance of practical & theoretical. An important emphasis on sustainability, and enjoying connecting to plants and nature.
I feel with every session of Wild Things the bulk of the nature around me is sharpened plant by plant, and now when I look around I see leafy friends everywhere, and I’m excited to get to know each one more as the years unfold.
Wild Things Year 2 met my expectations and beyond. To be part of a friendly, enthusiastic and supportive group in a safe, nurturing and positive space was a real boost this year and I am very grateful for the opportunity to have been able to learn more and from such passionate, knowledgeable folk!
2018 Course Testimonials (Attended Course)
Ally and Soraya are very welcoming and I have always appreciated their interactive and inclusive approach on their courses and workshops about wild plants and herbalism. They present topics in an illustrative way and break them down so everyone can understand them, no matter what your level is. I would like to thank them for facilitating a lovely space for plant lovers as well as sharing their knowledge and skills over the past two years. It was a joy and delight to be part of the journey.
Wild things two has been another brilliant year of learning and discovery, I feel that this course has deepened my connection to and understanding of the environment we live in and have enjoyed meeting new plants and people. The course as well as being practical and hands on has also given me a growing awareness of the health of our bodies, community and environment and how to take ownership of that in an empowering and forward looking way. Ally and Soraya are thoughtful and sensitive teachers with knowledge and insight to share and seem to be enjoying the journey with us as much as all of us enjoying it with them.
I loved it! A really supportive space to work with the plants in real-life, in the world, and with sensitive and skillful facilitation and input. Thank you!
