Offerings | grounded-medicine

Herb of the Month Club

Chuckanut Center, Bellingham, Washington

First Sunday of each month, 11:00am–1:00pm

Beginning April 5, 2026 - October 4, 2026

A living practice of herbalism, learned one plant at a time

Herbalism is not just something we study—it’s something we live, practice, and build relationship with over time. The Herb of the Month Club is a monthly, in-person gathering designed to slow things down and deepen connection with medicinal plants through direct experience.

Each month, we focus on a single plant with an emphasis on local native species and plants that can be grown in our own gardens.—learning its traditional uses, how to identify it, how it grows, and how it has been worked with across different herbal traditions. Together, we explore Western Herbalism, Ayurveda, traditional uses, and folklore, while staying rooted in practical, everyday application.

Participants receive a seasonal herbal offering each month, which may include an extract, dried herb, oil, seeds, or other plant preparations, along with a detailed digital plant monograph. These monographs serve as a growing personal Materia Medica, offering clear guidance on plant uses, growing and wild harvesting, medicine making, and ways to build an ongoing relationship with each plant.

This is a hands-on, intuitive approach to herbalism—one that values listening, observation, and experience just as much as information. Over time, you’ll begin to build and stock your own home apothecary, supported by knowledge and lived practice you can carry into daily life.

Our monthly meetups offer a supportive space to share experiences, ask questions, and learn from one another. Whether you’re new to herbalism or have been walking this path for years, this circle is designed to meet you where you are.

What’s included

Monthly in-person gathering
Seasonal herbal preparation or plant offering
Digital plant monograph / Materia Medica
Hands-on learning and group discussion
Ongoing support as you build your home apothecary

Some of the plants we may explore together include
Hawthorn
Kapoor Tulsi
Ashwagandha
Parrot’s Beak
Devil’s Club
Nettle

When: First Sunday of each month, 11:00am–1:00pm

Beginning April 5, 2026 - October 4, 2026

Where: Chuckanut Center, Bellingham, Washington

Cost: $65 per month or or $400 if you sign up for all 7 months

You can join up at anytime :-)

Gong Fu Tea Ceremony & Meditation

Location: TBA

Step into a quiet, nourishing space and join me for a slow and soulful journey with tea. Together, we’ll explore the art of Gong Fu tea—an ancient, heartful way of serving and sharing tea that invites us to be fully present.

You’ll have the chance to choose your tea for the ceremony—raw or ripe Pu-erh, or one of several Oolongs—all carefully hand-sourced during my travels through Taiwan and Vietnam. These teas come from farmers and artisans who honor the plant deeply, with an emphasis on organic, pesticide-free practices and traditional processing methods.

This experience is about more than tea. It’s about slowing down, listening, and connecting—to the plant, to ourselves, and to each other.

What to Expect:

A hands-on introduction to Gong Fu tea service
Setting intentions to guide our time together
A shared tea ceremony with multiple rounds of tea
Guided meditation (15–20 minutes) to attune to the energy and spirit of the tea
The soft ring of a bell to return us to the present
Space for conversation, reflection, and more tea
Closing the ceremony with gratitude after about 2 hours

Teas will be available to take home if you feel called to continue your connection.

With over 25 years of experience working with plants and tea, and more than a decade immersed in ceremonial traditions—from the Amazon and Western plant spirit lineages—I bring a rooted, heartfelt presence to this practice. My approach weaves the wisdom of my experiences with the timeless teachings of tea.

Cost: $25 per person

Time: By appointment (groups of 1–6 people)

RSVP: Email jameskeskimaki@gmail.com to reserve your spot

Plant Meditations

Each class invites us to sit with a different plant teacher. Together, we’ll create a space where we can be fully present with the “Plant Spirit” and one another. Each meditation will be unique, flowing with the energy of the plant we’re working with. We begin by taking the plant in tincture form, allowing its essence to imprint upon us. Then, we’ll meditate for about 20-30 minutes, tuning in to what the plant wants to share. Afterward, we’ll gather in a sharing circle to explore our individual impressions and insights.

To “sit” with a plant is to open ourselves to direct learning from the plants themselves. This practice is about connecting with the essence, or spirit, of the plant, and honing the skills to observe and listen deeply to the knowledge it has to offer. The gift of this practice is learning how to receive the intuitive wisdom of the plant world.

Suggested donation: $15

Medicine Making Series

4 classes: 2 hours each

dates and times TBA

In this exciting Medicine Making Series, we will explore and demonstrate the best ways to process herbs into medicine. The series will consist of four consecutive classes, each with a unique theme:

Tinctures: Tinctures are one of the most popular and convenient ways to take herbs. These alcohol-based extracts can last up to 10 years if stored away from intense heat and sunlight. However, tinctures are effective only for plants that are alcohol-soluble, so it's important to verify this before making a tincture. In this class, we’ll explore the differences between fresh and dried plant preparations using various menstruums, styles, and formulations.
Herbal Infused Honeys and Syrups: This week, we’ll focus on delicious and nourishing ways to extract and preserve the beneficial properties of herbs and mushrooms. Honey is an excellent carrier, and syrups are a great option for water-soluble plants, especially for children of all ages. We will explore different methods of making syrups and honeys, each offering its own unique possibilities.
Medicinal Oils, Medicated Salves, Poultices, and Compresses: This class will focus on the topical applications of herbs. We’ll start with herbal oils as a great way to deliver herbs to the skin, hair, and lymphatic system. Oils are a potent herbal carrier and serve as the foundation for making salves.
Tea-Making: Who doesn’t love tea? In this class, we’ll explore various ways to create water extracts from herbs. You’ll learn how to combine herbs for custom tea blends, and experiment with the differences between long infusions, hot and cold decoctions, and simple teas.

Each week, class participants will take home a different medicine we create together, along with notes on how to make these medicines at home.

Ayurvedic Daily Routine:

Introduction to the Lifestyle Practice of “Dinacharya”

Eugene, Oregon

Date and time TBA

Are you ready to transform your daily life and elevate your well-being?

In this immersive 2.5-hour workshop, we will dive into Dinacharya, the Ayurvedic practice of daily routine and lifestyle, designed to balance and rejuvenate the body, mind, and spirit.

Dinacharya, an ancient and time-honored tradition, offers a blueprint for living in harmony with the rhythms of nature. In this class, we’ll guide you through each step of this holistic routine, exploring how these practices have been passed down for centuries and why they continue to impact our lives today.

You will gain practical knowledge and tools to cultivate a routine that aligns with your unique constitution and enhances your vitality. We’ll uncover the transformative benefits of each practice and how it nurtures the body, mind, and spirit, leaving you feeling grounded and empowered.

Here’s a glimpse of what we’ll explore:

Ayurvedic Massage: Learn the art of self-care with Abhyanga, the Ayurvedic oil massage technique, which promotes circulation, detoxification, and mental clarity.

The Impact of Time on Doshas: Understand the Ayurvedic wisdom behind the timing of daily activities and how different times of day can influence the three doshas—Vata, Pitta, and Kapha—shaping your energy and health.

Oil Pulling: Explore this ancient Ayurvedic practice for detoxifying the mouth, improving oral health, and enhancing overall vitality.

The Magic of Triphala: Uncover the secrets of this revered herbal blend, known for its detoxifying, rejuvenating, and digestive benefits.

The Power of Gratitude and Prayer: Learn how to incorporate daily gratitude and spiritual practices that cultivate inner peace, clarity, and a deeper connection to yourself.

Neem Turmeric Balls: Experience the healing benefits of Neem and Turmeric, two potent Ayurvedic herbs known for their detoxifying and immune-boosting properties, and how to make these easy-to-use health-boosting balls.

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