Making Herbal Remedies, Tinctures, and Salves – Two-Day Intensive Workshop
This immersive, two-day hands-on workshop equips participants with foundational knowledge and practical skills in preparing herbal remedies using natural ingredients. Participants will learn to craft infusions, tinctures, salves, and other basic preparations using common medicinal herbs. Designed for homesteaders, herbal enthusiasts, and beginners interested in holistic living, this workshop emphasizes safe, effective, and sustainable herbal practices.
• Duration: 2 Days (8 hours each, 16 hours total)
• Format: Classroom learning, demonstrations, and hands-on preparation
• Target Audience: Beginners to intermediate learners in herbalism, natural health, and self-reliance
Day 1: Foundations of Herbal Medicine & Liquid Preparations
·9:00–9:30 AM — Welcome & Introduction
• Focus Areas: Overview, goals, safety, and herbal ethics.
• Format: Discussion
• Learning Outcomes: Understand workshop structure, safety protocols, and sustainable herb use.
9:30–10:30 AM — Session 1: Introduction to Herbal Remedies
• Focus Areas: History of herbal medicine, plant anatomy, identifying medicinal parts (roots, leaves, flowers, seeds).
• Format: Lecture + Demo
• Learning Outcomes: Recognize common medicinal herbs and understand their properties.
10:30–11:30 AM — Session 2: Tools, Equipment & Ingredient Basics
• Focus Areas: Overview of jars, scales, strainers, oils, beeswax, alcohols, and solvents.
• Format: Demo
• Learning Outcomes: Identify and use key tools and ingredients safely.
11:30–12:30 PM — Session 3: Herbal Infusions & Decoctions
• Focus Areas: Teas, infusions, and boiled decoctions using different plant parts.
• Format: Hands-On
• Learning Outcomes: Prepare herbal infusions and decoctions correctly.
12:30–1:15 PM — Lunch Break
• Focus Areas: Herbal tea tasting and discussion.
• Format: Discussion
• Learning Outcomes: Reflect on herbal uses in daily wellness.
1:15–2:30 PM — Session 4: Herbal Tinctures
• Focus Areas: Alcohol and glycerin tinctures, ratios, extraction methods, labeling, and dosage.
• Format: Demo + Practice
• Learning Outcomes: Create and bottle herbal tinctures using different solvents.
2:30–3:30 PM — Session 5: Safety, Storage, & Dosage
• Focus Areas: Shelf life, proper labeling, dosage tracking, and legal considerations.
• Format: Discussion
• Learning Outcomes: Apply safety and storage best practices for herbal remedies.
3:30–4:45 PM — Session 6: Hands-On: Create Your Own Tincture
• Focus Areas: Participants prepare and bottle an individual tincture blend.
• Format: Hands-On
• Learning Outcomes: Demonstrate correct tincture-making technique.
4:45–5:00 PM — Wrap-Up & Q&A
• Focus Areas: Review and preview of Day 2.
• Format: Discussion
• Learning Outcomes: Summarize Day 1 and prepare for next steps.
Day 2: Salves, Poultices & Advanced Herbal Remedies
9:00–9:30 AM — Welcome & Recap
• Focus Areas: Review of Day 1, discussion of tincture results.
• Format: Discussion
• Learning Outcomes: Reinforce herbal preparation skills and safety concepts.
9:30–10:30 AM — Session 1: Herbal Oils & Salve Foundations
• Focus Areas: Creating infused oils using heat and time; base ingredients (oils, beeswax).
• Format: Demo
• Learning Outcomes: Prepare herbal oil infusions for topical use.
10:30–12:00 PM — Session 2: Crafting Salves & Ointments
• Focus Areas: Melting, blending, thickening, adding essential oils; storage and labeling.
• Format: Hands-On
• Learning Outcomes: Create a basic herbal salve and ointment.
12:00–12:45 PM — Lunch Break
• Focus Areas: Herbal tasting: teas, infused oils, and salves.
• Format: Discussion
• Learning Outcomes: Share sensory and practical experiences.
12:45–2:00 PM — Session 3: Poultices & Compresses
• Focus Areas: Preparation and application techniques for healing.
• Format: Demo + Practice
• Learning Outcomes: Apply herbal poultices and compresses safely.
2:00–3:15 PM — Session 4: Advanced Preparations
• Focus Areas: Herbal syrups and elixirs (optional advanced activity).
• Format: Demo
• Learning Outcomes: Understand methods for crafting herbal syrups.
3:15–4:15 PM — Session 5: Creating a Home Herbal Medicine Cabinet
• Focus Areas: Labeling, organizing, and maintaining herbal preparations.
• Format: Discussion + Demo
• Learning Outcomes: Assemble a personal herbal toolkit.
4:15–4:45 PM — Session 6: Showcase & Review
• Focus Areas: Participants present their tinctures, salves, and oils.
• Format: Review
• Learning Outcomes: Demonstrate practical understanding of herbal preparations.
4:45–5:00 PM — Wrap Up
• Focus Areas: Final reflection and certificate presentation.
• Format: Discussion
• Learning Outcomes: Complete workshop and celebrate achievement.
Materials Provided
• Herbal remedy preparation guides and ratio charts
• Recipe cards for tinctures, salves, and oils
• Labels and bottles for take-home creations
• Safety handouts and ingredient reference sheets
Participants Should Bring
• Notebook and pen
• Apron
• Gloves
• Small box or tote to carry home products
Assessment
• Practical Assessment: Participants demonstrate safe, effective herbal preparation.
• Knowledge Review: Informal Q&A at end of Day 2.
Recommended Reading
• The Herbal Medicine-Maker’s Handbook — James Green
• Rosemary Gladstar’s Herbal Recipes for Vibrant Health — Rosemary Gladstar
Follow-Up Support
• Private Online Forum: Continued support and networking with participants.
• Monthly Virtual Q&A