Here in Boulder, the weather is cooling, the leaves are changing and the Aspen trees are glowing.

Here at Rebecca's we are excited for the coming holiday season and we are happy to announce that we have three special visiting instructors teaching here this season. Check out Karen DeClerk's Herbal Allies, Brigitte Mars's Sacred Psychoactives and Herbs & Astrology as well as The Art of Soapmaking with Janet Roberts. As always, our herbalists are offering fun, hands-on herbal classes this festive season. Sign up early as these classes fill up quickly!

We want to give a big hurrah and heart felt thank you to Kate Ryan who has been our office manager extraordinaire for the last two years. Kate has taken us through many journeys including, but not limited to, moving the store, creating a new website, and getting us P.A.C.E. certified. She has been an anchor and friend to us all. We are excited for her to embrace her passion of jewelry making, and we wish her well as she rejoins the jewelry industry. Thank you Kate, we love you!

We are happy and excited to introduce our new office manager Alyson Gaioni. She is smart and kind and we are so glad that she has decided to join our team. Alyson, we can't wait to get to know you and to walk down this herbal road with you. Thank you for being here!

Below is our Fall & Holiday Class Schedule. Look for more seasonal classes to come. For full class descriptions and an archive of past classes please check our website at: http://www.rebeccasherbs.com/classes/.

Tuesday, October 6th, 6:30-8:00pm
Instructor: Karen DeClerk, MA, LPC
Cost: $25.00
Karen will share her years of experience working with her Herbal Allies during these challenging times of our lives...more

Thursday, October 8th, 6:30-8:00pm
Tuesday, December 8th, 6:30-8:00pm
* Same class offered twice. Choose best date for you.
Instructor, Faith Goguen, Certified Clinical Herbalist
Cost: $35.00
Give the gift of homemade body butters this holiday season! This is a fun class where you will get to learn about different natural butters including shea, cocoa, and mango butter...more

Wed., Oct 14th, 6:30-7:30pm
Instructor: Ashlee Bodo, Certified Clinical Herbalist
Cost: $25.00
If you've ever looked at the label on a bodycare or cosmetic label and wondered about some of the ingredients, this class is for you! We will discuss some of the beneficial, as well as harmful ingredients commonly used in "natural" products...more

Wednesday, October 28th, 6:30-8:00pm
Instructor, Faith Goguen, Certified Clinical Herbalist
Cost: $25.00
Please join certified herbalist Faith Goguen to learn the basics of flower essences: what they are, how they are made, and how to use them...more

Monday, November 2nd, 6:30-8:00pm
Instructor, Brigitte Mars, AHG
Cost: $25.00
Learn about consciousness expanding plants such as cannabis, psilocibin, peyote, ayahuasca and other substances...more

Wednesday, November 4th, 6:30-8:30pm
Instructor: Janet Roberts
Cost $50.00, plus a $6.00 materials fee
Learn the age old process for creating beautiful, sensual, practical, lovely bars of your own soap...more

Monday, November 16th, 6:30-8:00pm
Instructor: Faith Goguen, Certified Clinical Herbalist
Cost: $35.00
Please join certified herbalist Faith Goguen for a fun demonstration of how to make your own natural lip balms and lip glosses...more

Wed., November 18th, 6:30-7:30pm
Instructor: Ashlee Bodo, Certified Clinical Herbalist
Cost: $25.00
Come and learn practical and effective tips for taking care of your little one naturally...more

Wed., December 2nd, 6:30-8:00pm
Wed., December 16th, 6:30-8:00pm
* Same class offered twice. Choose best date for you.
Ashlee Bodo, Certified Clinical Herbalist & Katie Browning, Certified Herbalist
Cost: $35.00
Celebrate the season! Come learn to create your own handmade herbal gifts for friends and loved ones...more

Thursday, December 10th, 6:30-8:00pm
Instructor, Brigitte Mars, AHG
Cost: $25.00
Throughout history plants, animals, humans and even gemstones have been associated with the heavens. Come explore this ancient art, The Doctrine of Signatures and how we are all connected...more

Each month one of our staff members picks an herb that they are drawn to, and shares some experiences, thoughts, medicinal uses and a bit of traditional lore about their selected plant. As each plant is unique, each Herbalist and point of view is unique. We hope you enjoy this tradition.

By Elizabeth Willis

Parts Used: Aerial parts

Medicinal Properties
Protecting, regulating and healing the digestive tract is often a main goal of herbal formulations. Meadowsweet, known for its ability to help regulate stomach acidity, calm pain and soothe a digestive related headache is a profound helper to have in the medicine cabinet.

A specific remedy for heartburn, Meadowsweet can replace over the counter antacids. It is healing for peptic ulcer, dyspepsia and sourness in the stomach and throat. To ease digestive distress, enjoy the pleasant taste and aroma of a Meadowsweet tea before or after a meal. If you would like, this is an herb that can be easily blended with other digestive herbs for a more rounded tea blend.

Meadowsweet is also an effective anti-inflammatory herb, containing the chemical constituent salicylic acid which was the forerunner in the discovery of Aspirin. Used as a tea or tincture it can support inflammatory pain management, and can also cool fevers in children and adults.

Preparation of a Meadowsweet Tea
For a cup of tea, pour 1 cup of boiled water over approximately 1 tablespoon of dry, loose herb. Steep covered for 15-20min. Strain, drink and enjoy.

Sources:
The Earthwise Herbal: Complete Guide to Old World Medicinal Plants by Matthew Wood

We are offering 10% off the Herb of the Month, Meadowsweet, in bulk as well as Herb Pharm Meadowsweet tincture.

Putumayo CDs are 20% off and as always check out our sale corner for more great offerings!

Review by Ashlee Bodo

As the weather turns cooler, we start thinking of curling up under a blanket with a nice cup of hot herbal tea. Our staff book pick this month helps to celebrate this ritual. Boulder's own Brigitte Mars has written a lovely book complete with lots of yummy tea recipes (like Flower Power, Sore Throat Relief and Bedtime Tea) as well as over 40 plant profiles so you can learn more about the herbs you will use in the recipes. Nourish your body, mind and spirit, one cup at a time!