The MidAtlantic Women’s Herbal Conference (MAWHC), honoring the age-old wisdom of natural and herbal medicines, takes place September 30 through October 1, at the Kempton Community Center, in Kempton, Pennsylvania. MAWHC, now in its seventh year, welcomes the return of Rosemary Gladstar, an icon in the herbal medicine world and co-founder of Sage Mountain Herbs, in Vermont. Gladstar, author of several books about herbal health, also established United Plant Savers, an organization that raises awareness and secures the longevity of endangered plants. 

The weekend-long conference features many general introductory classes teaching attendees how to use plant medicine in their family lives. “The conference reaches the beginner—somebody that dabbles in plant medicine for their own personal use—as well as health professionals that want to integrate it into their medical practices,” says Charis Lindrooth, chiropractor, herbalist and founder of MAWHC. 

Other featured workshop leaders include Susan Leopold, Ph.D. and executive director of United Plant Savers. Leopold will give the Saturday opening address focused on this year’s conference theme, “Plant Allies”. Donna Bryant Winston, a registered nurse and community herbalist, will lead a popular soap-making class. Clinical herbalist Kate Gilday offers pine needle basket making, and Lindrooth will teach Keeping Your Brain Brilliant, a session on natural care for the brain. The class is an introduction to her six-week online course for people who want to preserve their cognitive powers as they age. 

Attendees can also learn about natural skin care, building an herbal dispensary, aphrodisiac powers of plants, kitchen medicine, garden secrets, fermentation and more. Vendors will be on hand to offer natural products, an array of healthy and vegan foods and a kid’s camp promises a day of play and nature education for children ages 3 through 12. Saturday winds down with a drum circle. On-site camping options are available Friday and Saturday night. 

Lindrooth says the MAWHC has grown since its beginnings, nearly doubling in size. “Our conference is modeled after Rosemary Gladstar’s herbal conference, which celebrates its 30th anniversary this year,” she says. “Ours is a smaller, more intimate version of that.” 

MAWHC is also starting a new event that will include men: “Allies for Plants and People” is scheduled for June 9, 2018, at the Circle of Seasons Waldorf Charter School, in Fogelsville, Pennsylvania. David Winston, internationally acclaimed herbalist, teacher and founder of David Winston’s Center for Herbal Studies and Herbalist & Alchemist Apothecary, will lead the symposium. 

Cost: varies; see website for details. Location: 83 Community Center Dr., Kempton. For more information, call 610-683-9363, email [email protected] or visit WomensHerbal.com.