A morning of herbal chumship... Let's join together to make a fun and practical herbal preparation or two on Mondays! From lip balm to tea blends, salt scrub to pastilles, each Herbal Hour herbal remedy will be easy to make in a one-hour workshop, followed by herbal tea and conversation at the Greenhouse kitchen in downtown Pulaski, TN.
Previous Monday Herbal Hours
Lotion - February 2025 You've dried your herbs, you've mastered herb-infused oils, you've turned them into wonderful healing salves - what is the next preparation to add to your herbal repertoire? Luxurious herbal lotions, of course! In this Herbal Hour, we will discuss and demonstrate the process of turning an herbal salve into lotion, as well as starting the lotion process from scratch. Record your own recipe, take home an herbal lotion sample, and learn the best tips and tricks to begin the process of mastering this challenging, but oh so rewarding, herbal preparation.
Pumpkin Spice... and more - September 2024 'Tis the season... of Pumpkin Spice everything! The craze for this lovely spice blend is in full swing, so it seemed time to join the enthusiasm and make our own Pumpkin Spice blend, and maybe a few other blends along the way. Join us to learn about the history and benefits of a variety of culinary spices, and discover traditional blends from around the world. The Greenhouse tables will be filled with ingredients and recipes - from a scrumptious garam masala, to toasted Chinese five spice, to the autumnal pumpkin spice, and more - for inspiration as you create your perfect spice blend for the new season. Each guest will take home their custom recipe and sample size of their spice blend.
Natural Sodas - July 2024 What better way to enjoy these hot summer days than with a frosty, sparkling herbal soda? Join us to learn about the basics of herbal soda making, from simple syrups, to ginger bugs, to kombucha. We'll discuss how to infuse all the benefits and amazing flavors of your favorite herbs into a scrumptious and healthful summertime treat, and sample a wide variety of herbal sodas together.
Sleep Hygiene - June 2024 One foundational aspect of our health is too often overlooked - sleep! The quality of our sleep can have a tremendous effect on every aspect of our health, from our immune systems to our ability to handle stress. Yet it can be difficult, in the midst of our busy lives, to truly sleep well. So let's gather to learn about sleep hygiene - we'll discuss healthy sleep habits and routines, herbal preparations that support good sleep, and even enjoy a few favorite herbal remedies, from foot soaks to oxymels, that will support a peaceful night's slumber.
Dandelions - April 2024 The bane of gardeners and the delight of herbalists, the cheery dandelion is one of the most familiar herbs there is. So let's learn more about it! Join us at the Greenhouse for a morning of sunny study and celebration of this humbly ubiquitous weed. We'll learn its history and lore, how to preserve and prepare the roots, leaves, and blooms, and make a delicious dandelion remedy to take home.
Herbal Tooth Powder - March 2024 Before commercial toothpastes became popular, tooth powders were common, and though they are a bit of an acquired taste, their advantages are worth it. At the Greenhouse we'll blend a customizable, shelf-stable herbal tooth powder that clean, nourish, and strengthen with amazing herbal ingredients. We'll use a marvelous array of herbs, clays, and essential oils to make a daily tooth powder that is effective and free of harmful chemicals. Do join us!
Shaving Soaps - January 2024 The world of herbal soap-making is one of endless possibilities! Let's gather at the Greenhouse to make a specially crafted herbal soap for shaving. Made with an herb-infused blend of oils, this soap is designed to be extra sudsy, hydrate and nourish the skin, and be wonderfully luxurious. Your soap can be customized to your skin type, and scented with a variety of healing essential oils.
Thieves' Oil - November 2023 Rich with lore and legend, one simple blend of five botanicals has stood the test of time as one of the most popular immune-support herbal blends. Let's discover the fascinating history and many varieties of Thieves' Oil and learn why it is still considered so effective today. The Greenhouse table will be laid with an abundance of essential oils, infused oils, and tinctures, to blend our own version of Thieves' Oil with a twist, just in time for the wintery season.
Chamomile - September 2023 Sometimes a single herb deserves a whole class all to itself - chamomile is just that splendid! This familiar herb grows tenaciously along footpaths, is gentle enough for even the youngest of tea drinkers, and is one of the most soothing and comforting of herbal teas. But don't let its gentleness fool you. Chamomile is a powerful medicinal, it benefits the digestive system, aids sleep, heals wounds, reduces stress, and so much more. At the Greenhouse this Monday we will discover the tranquil world of chamomile and make several remedies with a wide variety of uses. Each guest will make and take home one of these remedies, and of course we'll enjoy a scrumptious cup of chamomile tea together.
Herbal Pastilles - August 2023 Wouldn't it be nice to have an herbal remedy that contained whole herbs instead of extracts, was convenient to store and keep on hand, and tasted delicious? There is! This month we'll be making pastilles, a delightful preparation of herbal powders and honey that can be customized and blended to suit your needs. The Greenhouse table will be filled with recipes, herbal powers, and local honeys - join us to blend the perfect batch of herbal pastilles for you and your family.
Lavender Wands - July 2023 Lavender is a universally beloved herb, and has been for centuries. Historically, the summer blooms of this sweetly-scented herb were preserved in bundles, or wands, which could then be stored in linen closets and clothes drawers to scent the contents and keep moths and bugs away. Come gather at The Greenhouse to learn the art of weaving lavender wands and preserve the beauty and benefits of this summer bounty.
Hand Wipes/Make-up Remover - September 2024 Sometimes it's convenience that drives us to chemical-laden options rather than herbal ones - like when you want to wash your hands before a picnic lunch and you grab a package of wipes, or when you're trying to get stubborn makeup off and end up reaching for pre-packaged remover wipes. This Make-it Monday, we are going to fix that problem! Join us to make easy, herb-infused hand wipes/makeup remover wipes that nourish your skin and have natural antibacterial properties, as an alternative to the commercial option that are packed with harmful chemicals, fragrances, and can damage delicate skin. Select from several recipes and disposable or reusable options to create and take home a batch of herbal wipes that suits your needs.
Beeswax - July 2024 The under-celebrated staple of every herbal healing salve, lotion, and lip balm, this is more than just a solid base ingredient. Beeswax is full of antioxidants, protects the skin, speeds wound healing, and much more. Join us to discover the many benefits of this herbal medicine cabinet staple, share tips on how to use and store it, and make one of three herbal remedies that highlight beeswax.
Herbal Deodorants - June 2024 Tennessee summer is upon us, and with the sunshine and gardening comes a less pleasant aspect of warm weather - the need for deodorant. Commercial deodorants and antiperspirants are filled with chemicals that are quickly absorbed through the skin and very harmful to our health. While there are many more natural commercial alternatives these days, many of these are oil based and can stain our favorite summer dresses, or simply don't work very well. So join us to make the perfect solution - an herbal deodorant that uses common ingredients, can be customized to suit your needs, and actually works! Choose between two tried and true formulas, a spray and a powder, and create your one perfect recipe.
Seed Starts - March 2024 Though there are still frosts in our future, Spring is just around the corner and it's the perfect time to start herbs from seed to ensure an early harvest. So let's gather at the Greenhouse to share garden inspiration, tips, and encouragement, and plan our 2024 herb gardens together! The table will be filled with a wide selection of herb seeds along all the supplies to plant them and create a windowsill greenhouse to get a head start on your summer herb garden.
Herbal Salts - February 2024 We know that the best way to include herbs in our daily life is through our food, so let's add herbs to something that enhances nearly every meal - salt! Come gather at the Greenhouse to make a herb and spice infuse salt blend that supports overall health, aids digestion, and enhances flavor while adding nutrient-dense herbs to your meal. The Greenhouse table will be abundant with a selection of recipes, herbs, and delicious salts, and, of course, joyous friendship and conversation.
Peppers - November 2023 So much more than just a culinary herb, hot peppers contain a host of medicinal benefits - from healing deep wounds, to soothing headaches. There are many varieties of this spectacular herb, and it is as beautiful as it is healthful. Come gather at the Greenhouse to discover the wonder of the hot pepper, learn preservation and storage methods, and make a multi-use hot pepper salve.
Botanical Prints - September 2023 We know that herbs are marvelously medicinal, but they are also so very beautiful. This Monday we'll be capturing the beauty of herbs on a one-of-a-kind set of note cards. The Greenhouse table will be filled with a wilderness of fresh ferns and leaves, and smattering of ink and papers, perfectly set for a merry morning of botanical printing and card making. Each guest will take home a set of four note cards and envelopes, ready to fill with love and goodwill and pop in the post. We'll have a sampling of postage stamps and pens as well, in case you might feel inclined to write a dear friend a note from the Greenhouse.
Herbal Bug Spray - July 2023 It is the height of summer, and along with the long, sunshiny days in the garden comes the pesky problem of bugs. Few things are more frustrating than a hike or a summer's evening on the porch spoiled by swarms of mosquitos and ticks. Herbal oils can be the solution! In this Make-it Monday we'll discuss a variety of herbal bug repellents and make a simple, effective herbal bug spray that will make your next summertime wander through the woods much more pleasant.
Herbal Tonics - June 2023 Herbal tonics might have the unfortunate connotation of tasting unpleasant, but for the herbal tonics we'll be making, nothing could be farther from the truth. A perfect way to incorporate herbs into a daily routine, these tonics can be blended to suit each individual's specific needs, and are simply scrumptious. On the Greenhouse table you will find delicious infused honeys and vinegars, recipes - everything you need to to craft your own daily herbal tonic!
Salt and Sugar Scrubs - May 2023 Join us to make the preparation where luxury spa product meets medicinal remedy! During the summer months, our skin sometimes needs a little extra herbal care. So make a custom blend of nourishing carrier oils and healing essential oils, add salt or sugar to suit your skin, and take home a luxurious and delightful skin care remedy, just in time for summer!
Herbal Household Cleaners - May 2023 It is the season for Spring cleaning! Sadly, many commercial cleaning products fill our homes with harmful chemicals. Join us to make the perfect solution - herb infused products that clean countertops, sparkle windows, and diffuse healing herbal oils into the home. You'll take home an all-purpose cleaning spray and a sampling of favorite recipes.