With the good weather upon us and spring growth now in full swing, there’s no better time to go outside and explore the wonders of the Algarvian countryside.
Each year I’m amazed by the diversity that bursts into life all along the coastline as well as inland, in the forests and wooded areas – there’s so much to see, and so little time in which to do so.
This spring I have been hosting a series of herb walks which aim to celebrate the diversity of the natural world on our doorsteps, as well as help people get to grips with the changing seasons and what that means in terms of the huge variety of medicinal plants available to us.
There are three of these walks left – have a look below for more information of what to expect on a herb walk, and why this one is slightly different to others I’ve done in the past.
I’ll also be hosting two cream-making workshops in May and June using seasonal wildcrafted medicinal oils.
Read on for further details, prices and locations.
Mystery Herb Walks
■ Sunday, April 15, 2pm, Praia das Furnas, Figueira
■ Sunday, May 13, 2pm, forest behind Barão de São João
■ Sunday, June 10, 2pm, location TBC.
These walks are designed as a mini herb course, with each participant taking home a “mystery” seasonal herb to taste, explore and enjoy after the walk.
Instructions are given to make tea from the herb and a group page is set up for everyone to share their experiences, thoughts and feelings. When everyone has had their say, I share a ‘monograph’ of the plant – a document detailing its uses, medicinal properties and recipes for using the herbs at home.
Each month we encounter new herbs as the spring growth kicks into action – these last two walks will be filled with beautiful spring flowers and the heady, earthy scent of the resinous Cistus ladanifer plants that dominate most of the countryside these days.
The walks are informal but informational, not that strenuous and usually lots of fun. You’ll learn about which plants you can use to support your health, how to harvest and prepare them, and which ones to stay away from!
If you’d like to reserve a space, please do so via the website, poppytheherbalist.com
Prices:
■ 1 walk and mystery herb: €20
■ 2 walks and mystery herb: €35
■ 3 walks and mystery herb: €50
Cream-making workshops
■ Saturday, May 5, 2-6pm, Praia da Luz
■ Saturday, June 2, 2-6pm, Praia da Luz
This is the first cream workshop of 2018 and we’re doing things a little differently this year. Instead of the organic, store-bought oils we used last year, I’ve made all my oils using wildcrafted seasonal and local herbs.
The Cistus ladanifer (rock rose or esteva in Portuguese), St John’s Wort, chickweed and chamomile oils were all made using wild herbs, and the calendula came from an organic herb farm in Aljezur.
They all smell truly divine, and each have their own specific cosmetic and medicinal properties. As well as making the creams themselves, we will also talk about how to make infused oils so you can start making your own delicious cosmetics from scratch.
You’ll make and take away three products on the day – an all-purpose healing ointment, a nourishing face cream and a body butter – as well as a booklet of recipes and instructions.
I also sell ready-made face and body creams, so this workshop is just for people who want to learn the art and skill of cream-making themselves. If you would like to try my range of natural cosmetics, just get in touch.
There are only six spaces on these workshops, so please book via the website if you’d like to reserve a space. Price: €40
