HANDS-ON HYDROSOL
Learn the art of botanical distillation
Please note, this event is sold out. Thanks so much for your interest. If you would like to attend a similar event in the future, please send me an email! brw.herbalist @ gmail dot com. Thanks!
You are invited to…
To celebrate the fall equinox, we are hosting a hands-on hydrosol distillation workshop, taught by herbalists Lizzie Swartz, LAc. and Bonnie Rose Weaver.
Join us at Soraluna Acupuncture and Herbs in the Mission District of San Francisco for a very special day of herbal medicine making!
We will be setting up two copper alembic stills in the backyard garden at Soraluna and spending the in-between time of the distillation process dropping in to the medicine behind this delicate (yet powerful) water medicine.
While we are oh-so eager to share our knowledge on hydrosols from the perspectives of Traditional Chinese Medicine and energetic herbalism (respectively), we are most excited about holding space for a small group of city dwellers to learn the art of botanical distillation, hands-on!
Having the chance to do this process can shift the way we work with plants. We hope you will meet us for this special seasonal workshop in the garden.
This offer is for you if...
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You want to better understand the production of essential oils and hydrosols.
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You use rosewater in your face care routine but don’t know how it’s made!
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You are struggling with some acne or skin health and want to learn from herbalists about how to support your largest organ ~ the skin.
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You are curious about deepening your understanding of Traditional Chinese Medicine principles.
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You love aromatherapy and want to better understand how to use scent-medicine in your routines from cleaning house to spa-day.
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You enjoy hands-on medicine making, especially in groups.
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You want to engage with a local herbal community in the San Francisco Bay Area.
You will leave with...
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Two, 2 oz bottles of locally grown, freshly made hydrosol
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A deeper understanding of aromatherapy and flower medicine
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A primer on skin health from a TCM perspective
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The basics of how a hydrosol is made and how you can make them at home
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The somatic experience and satisfying hard work of crafting a hydrosol from leaf to water.
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Place-based connection to plants and herb people in SF!
What to Expect
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A four hour workshop at Soraluna’s Herb Garden in the Mission District of San Francisco (we are planning a couple breaks!)
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During the workshop we will have a variety of alternating hands-on workshop and short lectures, including the topics of
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What is a hydrosol and how are they used
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How to set up a copper alembic still
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Face and hair care with hydrosols from a TCM perspective
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Materia medica of the two plants we are distilling
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Chill herb garden time 🌸
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Best practices for medicine making
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Time for questions and community connections
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A follow-up email of local and online herbal medicine making resources for next steps.
About the Herbalists
Lizzie Swartz L.Ac., the mastermind behind Soraluna Acupuncture and Herbs, is a licensed herbalist and acupuncturist. Lizzie holds a master's degree from the American College of Traditional Chinese Medicine and has worked in health and wellness since 2013. Lizzie is a hard-core lover of flowers, the intoxication of scents, open-hearted people and Mario Kart.
Bonnie Rose Weaver is an energetic herbalist, educator and artist from San Francisco, CA. Their practice of herbalism is rooted in community accessibility and includes clinical, outdoor and group consultations. Bonnie Rose is often found eating breakfast, admiring flowers and riding a bike.
The Deets
When
Sunday September 22nd, 2024
Time
1-5pm, PT
Location
Soraluna Acupuncture and Herbs
2529 24th Street
San Francisco, CA 94110
Pay-from-the-heart Pricing
Dahlia $50 (sold out)
Rose $75 (sold out)
Peony $100 (sold out)
FAQs
What is a hydrosol?
A hydrosol is a water-based scent extract made from fresh plants. You may know “rosewater,” which is the hydrosol of rose. The process to make a hydrosol is via distillation, the same way we make essential oils. Often people think of hydrosols as the “byproduct” of essential oils, however hydrosols are the greater volume that is extracted. You can make hydrosols at home and also in community with the right equipment. Which is what we will be doing in this hands-on workshop!
Can my kid join the workshop?
This workshop is best for people who can sustain their attention for up to 45 minutes. For this reason, we welcome adults and teens with a genuine interest in the process and ask all other folks to join us for another offering. See Bonnie Rose’s upcoming events calendar here.
Is Soraluna ADA accessible?
The indoor space of Soraluna is ADA accessible, however the garden where we will make the hydrosols, unfortunately is not.
I’m scent-sensitive, would this workshop be ok for me?
It certainly depends on you and your scent-sensitivities. We will be working with all-natural plant scents. For people who have trouble with synthetic scents, we don’t expect any issues for you. Hydrosols are more gentle when it comes to scent, so no heavy-handed smells will be generated in the workshop. Definitely reach out if you have any other questions here.
Do I need to bring anything?
Not really, if you’re someone who likes to take notes you can bring a small notebook or plan a place to take notes on your phone or other device.
And we are in SF after all, so its usually wise to pack an extra layer, wear sunblock and have a sun hat (or beanie, or both!) in your bag just in case (from an herbalists perspective :P)
