HerbShop

Thanks for your interest in Limb and Leaf HerbShop! I’m Megan Clinch, a writer + baby wrangler by day, research nerd & kitchen chemist by night, who embraces leisurely paced activities: slow food, handmaking, thrifting, finding out where trite phrases originated. The blog exists because this business is an extension of our family's life together. Four years ago as a new mama running out all of the gifted teas & lotions, many aspects of natural, whole-body care felt elitist & pricey. The library & a YouTube video weren't enough to help me find raw, healing, plant-based ingredients that were affordable to make myself. 

Herbs were once the medicine of the people. Their natural beauty & virtue have fallen out of common practice in the home, as it takes time, trial & error to understand & make use of herbs as food & medicine. From the kitchens around RVA each month, I now facilitate herbal DIY workshops & offer small batch herbal body care after the traditions of domestic medicine, repurposing containers whenever possible. Low tech kitchen techniques ease the ache in my heart to take natural resources & make products that please the senses, nourish the body & serve everyday life. I would like to share some simple, natural solutions & resources to let people see if it works for their families.

Within HerbShop, we learn & practice hands-on methods for making herb infused oils, medicinal syrups & tinctures to help protect against & recover from common infections. Starting with an overview of herb properties, we examine different extraction methods while learning when they can be best applied. The remainder of the class is devoted to preparing a balm or syrup, ending with a Q&A session and talking the pros & cons of ordering herbs in bulk. Our structure is a lab rather than lecture, working with our hands & revolutionizing one medicine cabinet at a time while having lots of fun!

All materials are provided. Each student leaves with 4 oz of syrup or carrier oils, a sample of salve or balm, my book lists & online resources... It’s taken me years to learn where to find the best ingredients at affordable prices & what works for sensitive skin ailing ears, throats & noses. I’m just sharing the love!

Date/Time: varies by month
Location: RVA (email for street address)
Cost: $35 (includes all materials)

At this point, I'm doing HerbShop sign-up & local orders via the Square marketplace for pickup at Handmade Fairs or at monthly HerbShop locations. Unopened/unused products may be exchanged with 14 days. Empty, used bottles & tins may be returned for a "refill" discount on the next item ordered.