This class focuses on the multiple forms that digestive disorders can take, and how to manage them with nutrition and herbal medicine. We will discuss gut dysbiosis and its causes, and the many highly effective traditional solutions. We will particularly focus on Chrohn’s disease, ulcerative colititis, GERD, and celiac disease.

In the face of deep poverty and great challenges, compassion, determination and friendship has lead to over 100,000 individuals having access to clean water in Guinea, West Africa. Learn about Motherland Rhythm Community’s ongoing BioSand Water (BSF) filter initiative which is transforming lives in West Africa. BSFs are based on traditional slow sand filters removing pathogens and suspended solids from water.

Explore the health benefits and effects of Bitters! Beyond improving digestion, this constituent has actions in the respiratory tract, reproductive tract, immune health, and more. Dive into the world of bitters and the plants that contain them. This workshop will include a discussion of the health effects of bitters and how to harness the healing properties in everyday life, as well as a tasting of herbal bitters.

The Hypothalamic-Pituitary-Adrenal axis, which controls our stress response and hormone levels like cortisol, influences brain function and gut health. When this system is overstressed, it can disrupt our gut bacteria, leading to issues like brain fog, anxiety, and depression. Explore how adaptogens and nourishing food support this system to restore balance and promote healing.

Learn about particular herbs and foods that enhance digestion and best deliver herbs deep into bodily tissues. When digestion is improved, nutrient absorption is as well. These herbs can be used on their own or combined with other herbs to improve digestibility. We'll cover common Eastern and Western herbs and learn how to combine them in different concoctions for digestive wellness for women and the whole family.

The paradigm of liver cleansing has changed dramatically as our understanding of liver function has expanded. We will demystify Phase 1 and Phase 2 detoxification, discuss why supporting and nourishing the liver may be a better approach than liver cleansing, and explore herbal and mushroom allies that can nurture our hardest working organ.

We will discuss and explore four species of functional mushrooms and review basic immune system functioning and the role the microbiome plays in immune health. Identify mechanisms of action within the body, as well as discover potential mushroom allies for immune health (and more). Finally, we will discuss beneficial herbs and nutraceuticals that may complement functional mushrooms in a formula.

We have long known that beneficial bacteria promote gut and overall immune health. Mounting evidence is now suggesting that fungi also play a crucial role. In this workshop, we will take a deep dive into the microorganisms. We will discuss approaches to enhancing gut and immune health, dealing with health issues related to the mycobiome, and strategies for encouraging our funga allies four our overall health.

In this highly informative session, we will explore the relationship between inflammation, disease, and oral health; and more importantly, discuss strategies for squelching the smoldering fire within.