From Plant to Medicine - Making Your Own Herbal Medicine

Class Description:

From Plant to Medicine – Making Your Own Herbal Medicine

Join Debbie Boutelier, Community Herbalist and Advanced Master Gardener, as we discover ways to make your current herb garden provide not only aesthetic and culinary benefits, but medicinal benefits as well. This will be an introductory class exploring the reasons for incorporating herbs into a more healthful lifestyle, using herbs you may already have to create medicines, and some of the delivery systems used for medicinal purposes. The participant will leave with the knowledge and ability to make several basic herbal preparations to support a more healthful lifestyle.

Speaker Bio:

A life-long lover of all aspects of gardening and nature, Debbie Boutelier’s interest in herbs and other edibles began in the early 80’s when she planted her first edible garden with vegetables and culinary herbs. Her interest rapidly grew into a vocation spanning the many different aspects of using herbs in everyday life and incorporating organic techniques in everything she grows. As an Air Force wife, she has lived in different areas of the country and broadened her gardening knowledge with each new assignment. Upon moving to Alabama in 1994, Debbie pursued her interest in herbs and gardening on a full-time basis, taking the Alabama Master Gardener course in 1995. She has given over 20,000 hours of volunteer service to the Master Gardener program and received the Advanced Master Gardener designation in 2018. Debbie received the Mary Lou McNabb State Master Gardener of the Year award, the Jean Lee Lifetime Hours award and the Top Hours award in 2021. Her involvement with the Master Gardener program led her into a new career as a County Extension Agent in Autauga County for 8 years. Debbie now teaches nationally and presents seminars and workshops on the many aspects of herbs, sustainable gardening, organic gardening, and other garden related topics. She has studied the medicinal uses of herbs for over 30 years and completed a three year intensive study of the medicinal aspect of herbs at the Appalachian Center of Natural Health and continues her studies with different herbal schools on an ongoing basis. Debbie’s herb passion has led to the creation of her small cottage herb business, Rooted in Thyme Apothecary. Debbie is a Founders Circle member, Rosemary Circle member and past president of the Herb Society of America. Currently, Debbie chairs the GreenBridgesTMCommittee for HSA. She has appeared on local television talk shows and on Troy Public Radio.