Winter Herbal Weekend

December 16th - 18th, 2011

In this featured workshop weekend, The Lodge at Woodloch's own Nathaniel Whitmore, Master Herbalist and Shiatsu Practitioner, offers a 3-day series to help you create herbal and holistic harmony with the season. Guests will learn herbal approaches as well as exercises and seasonal spa treatments to nourish vital energy and promote longevity, providing benefits to the back, kidneys, bladder, adrenal glands and reproductive systems in harmony with the season. Sessions can be taken as a series or each class can stand alone individually to provide insight and practical guidance.

Winter Sunset Tea - 4:00pm

Explore how select healing herbal teas can be incorporated to help harmonize the body and mind with the time of year. This introductory session includes an overview of herbal uses in wintertime and herbal remedies for various seasonal ailments. The tea hour will pay tribute to the setting sun and help welcome in the season known for storing energy. (Sunset: 4:29pm)

Holiday Herbs - 5:00pm

Many traditions of the winter holiday season have elements of the botanical world – from evergreens, holly and mistletoe for decoration to the spices that give seasonal desserts and beverages their characteristic flavors to stories of antiquity regarding the use of herbs and incense. Deepen your awareness of the plants that are so much a part of our celebrations in this exploration of the many uses of coniferous trees, spices and other herbs associated with this season.

Creating Herbal and Holistic Harmony with the Winter Season - 11:00am

Explore an introduction of the 5 Chinese elements and other eastern medicine philosophies driving the theory behind creating herbal and holistic harmony with the seasons. This session delves into the energy of winter and its correspondences of the new moon, the direction of north, self-reflection, meditation, rest, sleep, dreams, the back, the kidneys and bladder, reproductive systems, adrenal energy and longevity and explains how harmony with these correspondences will result in better health and wellness throughout this time of year. Discover foods that relate to this philosophy and how they can be incorporated into your diet.

Seasonal Cooking Demonstration - 3:00pm

Executive Chef Peter Schott and Master Herbalist Nathaniel Whitmore will be “cooking up” items that combine foods and herbs that correspond to the winter season and often offer healing qualities. Local and organic foods will be chosen and used for their seasonal benefits along with seeds, beans, nuts and grains for their flavorful and healthy ways.

Staying Healthy in Winter - 11:00am

Herbalist Nathaniel Whitmore leads guests through this 50-minute workshop on how to use herbs to boost immunity and establish health for the season. Nathaniel introduces medicinal herbs for immunity tonics, diaphoretics (surface-relieving herbs), and expectorants (herbs that help to clear the lungs) and establishes different ways to prepare the herbs for maximum benefits. Gain resources, practical advice on herbal remedies and valuable insight as to how herbs can be used to fight colds and flus. Nathaniel specializes in wild edible and medicinal plants, Herbology, and whole food dietetics. Private consultations are also available through Spa Concierge.

Featured Spa Treatment for the Winter Herbal Weekend

Herbal Retreat

Enjoy a warming winter retreat that starts with a gentle customized massage with oils of evergreen, pine & red mandarin to increase circulation and soothe tired muscles. Focus on the kidneys and meridian points help stimulate the internal organs and boost the lymphatic system. A gentle wrap soothes achy joints while a hair and scalp treatment hydrates where it is needed most during this season! A perfect way to relax and recover from the winter weather!
75 minutes $180