Ethnobotany Classes

Instructor: Gita Ramsay
Saturdays, 2 pm - 4 pm
$150 for a five-week session

Ethnobotany: the interactions between people and plants
The food and medicinal properties of plants will be discussed in this five-week course, as well as how plants are used in construction, rituals and for ornamentation. The focus will be on local plants and people, and the use of plants around the world. Students will also learn how to make medicinal salve, baskets and other plant-based products. Each class will consist of a lecture and a hands-on activity.

Suggested book: Plants, People and Culture: The Science of Ethnobotany, Balick &Cox
paperback, ISBN 0-7167-6027-4,
$19.95 from publisher: W.H. Freeman, www.whfreeman.com
or Amazon, used only, $17.79 and up

Ethnobotany 2009 Class Schedule & Topics:
Session I: February 14
Food: the rise of agriculture, affect of diet/nutrition on health and local plants used for food. Bring in jars for jam-making from varioius local fruit trees!

Session II: February 21
Medicine: plants as medicine, secondary chemicals, history of drug discovery, local plants with medicinal value. Learn how to make your own medicinal salve!

Session III: February 28
Ornamental Plants: plants used for physical ornaments (i.e. make-up, paint, tattoos), cloth made from plants, necklaces, home gardens. Make beaded necklaces, and recycle paper and other materials into beautiful stationary!

Session IV: March 7
Ritual Plants: shamanistic & hallucinogenic plants, coffee rituals, kava kava. Students will make incense!

Session V: March 14
Construction – plants used to make boats, houses, tools. Learn to make your own Pandanus basket!

To register please call the Ticket Office at 305-235-1668 ext. 233.