Herbal Bodywork Fundamentals: A two-day immersive learning experience from Erin Vanhee, Herbalist, LMT—For anyone who is feeling the call to learn more about their body, their practice, and the healing aspects of plants and plant medicine.

No previous massage or herbal training necessary.

Herbal bodywork infuses massage with the healing energies of the land - plants, stones, and botanicals. Traditional plant medicines are blended in the treatment room, for self-care or community; herb infused warm and cold compresses, poultices, herbal pain relieving salves and body oils are integrated into treatment to soothe, relieve pain and create a general sense of well being.

Take the mystery out of applying herbal oils and plant compresses by learning Erin’s unique methods of massage treatment with demonstration and practice of herbal products made in class. Elevate your botanical offerings with traditional compress bundles and plant placements to release stuck energy or enhance topical herb infused oils. Time is allowed to practice these tools to enhance your herbs and massage practice immediately.

You will take home Herbal Compress bundle samples, herb infused massage oils made in class and knowledge to last a lifetime.

Course Topics:

• Herbal medicine traditions and modern scientific techniques

• Specific herbal remedies for the cervical, thoracic and lumbar regions of the body

• Proper assessment and treatment of injury, inflammatory response, functional tension & pain cycles

• How to prepare mineral-rich herbal infusions to build bone and muscle strength and the therapeutic actions of plants used topically

• Understanding the physiology of pain

• Recognizing treatment differences of acute vs. chronic pain, nerve pain, inflammatory conditions, joint pain, soft tissue injuries, and heartache.

• Identify and address the physical, emotional and sometimes spiritual symptoms of pain.

• Explore the Wisdom of the Bones and how our past may affect our current musculoskeletal experience.

• Methods of Application in Massage Treatment and for self-care: How to safely and effectively apply herbs to the body using water based and oil based remedies.

• How to integrate herbal compresses, oils and liniments into a one hour massage session

• Somatic responses to plants used internally

• Safety, ethics, charting, and dosage

• Class time includes practice applying remedies to reduce inflammation, stop the pain response, and address connective tissue stagnation & “opening the drains” for lymphatic movement.

Class is open to all; 14 CE’s available for Washington State Licensed Massage Therapists. NCBTMB approved instructor.

Dates: Saturday, February 22, 10:00 - 5:00 pm & Sunday, February 23, 2025. 10:00 - 4:00 pm

Location: Apothecary Wellness Center Burlington, WA

Tuition: $395, includes all instruction, all materials used in class*

*This training utilises fresh and dried herbs in class, oils/herbal salves, liniments and essential oils. Students take home herbal product made in class.