Caregiver Support Series
The Caregiver Support Series is a three week series dedicated to caregivers - current, past, and future - inspired by personal experience caring for chronically ill family members. The series will mix radical therapy and herbal practices as tools to process anxiety, stress, and grief often compounded by the caregiving experience. We will be joined by licensed therapist, Dorian Ortega, who will support the group with practical resources and exercises that we can use along our caregiving journeys. Each session will include an herbal exploration, led by Alyssa N. Villegas Rodríguez, focused on herbs to support the nervous, immune and digestive systems. We will end each gathering with a hands-on medicine crafting portion where each participant will create a personalized remedy.
Con Esa Yerba Se Cura | Healing Arts Chicago
The Healing Arts Chicago Summit is BACK for the third year. After incredible summits in 2024 & 2025, we’re returning with our biggest Summit yet – more arts services and deeper conversations on arts and health policy. This year’s keynote conversation will feature the incomparable Tricia Hersey, @thenapministry. Saturday, October 10, 11 am-4 pm, at Malcolm X College. RSVP now via Chi.gov/hacsummit! Learn more about the Summit schedule at Chicago.gov/HealingArts.
Fermentation Station: Pique
Meet me at the Fermentation Station: Pique edition!
A workshop dedicated to the magic of lacto-fermentation.
This workshop is dedicated to pique, a fermented hot pepper sauce from Puerto Rico made with ají caballero. During the workshop, we'll learn the basics of lacto-fermentation, talk about the cultural significance of el ají, and make a botella de pique to take home. Our pique will be made with ajíes sembrados por Doña Carmen y cosechados en nuestro jardín.
El pique de Chicago sí se pica entonce ten cuidao por ahi!
Facilitated by: Alyssa N. Villegas Rodríguez | tallerlaraiz.com
Pomadas pa' to' lo' dias!
Pomadas pa to' lo' dias!
Our August herbal offering is a workshop about salves and their many uses! Pomadas (or salves) are topical ointments made with a mixture of oil (or fat) and beeswax. They are a cornerstone in herbal first aid used to treat cuts, bruises, scrapes, bug bites, and more. In the workshop, we will explore formulation and applications of pomadas.
Pomadas pa' to' lo' dias is a follow-up workshop to June's herbal offering Aceite de Coco, where we explored the spiritual uses of coconut. To ensure continuity, we will revisit the basics of infused oils, their uses, and methods of infusion. To end the workshop, we will collectively craft a pomada using herbs harvested from Casa de Cultura's garden.
FYI: This workshop will be recorded as part of Diaspora Diaries, a multi-media anthropological docuseries exploring the rich tapestry of the Black Diaspora. Privacy and comfortability are the utmost priority; participation in the docuseries is optional! Release forms will be provided on the day of the workshop.
Facilitated by: Alyssa N. Villegas Rodríguez | tallerlaraiz.com
Fermentation Station: Ginger Bug
Meet me at the Fermentation Station!
This workshop is dedicated to the magic of lacto-fermentation. Ginger bugs are a starter culture used to craft homemade, natural sodas. During the workshop, we'll make our own ginger bugs and explore different recipes for herbal drinks that support our bodies during extreme heat.
Facilitated by: Alyssa N. Villegas Rodríguez
Jarabes de Miel
Jarabes de Miel: Remedios Afro-Boricuas for Immune Health is a hands-on workshop that explores the long history of jarabes in traditional Afro-Caribeña herbal medicine. The workshop will delve into the magic of fire cider and herbs commonly used for immune health. Collectively, we will create personalized jarabes utilizing popular caribeño plant material to strengthen and nourish our bodies.
Location: Multicultural Student Affairs at Northwestern University
Amargo
Amargo is a three week class exploring the uses of bitter herbs. Spring brings us an abundance of bitter, astringent herbs that support the body's transition from th e cold dampness of winter into the fiery heat of summer. Bitterness used with intention can help us digest and shed to make space for new.
In the class, we'll focus on a specific bitter herb as we delve into traditional recipes. Amargo will highlight common bitters in the herbal pantheon as well as plants used in Afro-Boricua culinary traditions.
Each week is crafted to flow into one another but are also drop-in friendly. Classes will have an informational section and a hands-on component for active learning.
Facilitated by: Alyssa N. Villegas Rodríguez | tallerlaraiz.com
Back to Basics
Back to Basics is a 3 week series all about the fundamentals of herbalism. Each week we'll explore beginner friendly herbal preparations with easy to find plant material through collective formulation. Everyone will also go home with an individualized concoction to support your personal practice.
Facilitated by: Alyssa N. Villegas Rodríguez
Register: bomberadecorazon.com/classes
Back to basics: 3 week course
Back to Basics is a 3 week series all about the fundamentals of herbalism. Each week we'll explore beginner friendly herbal preparations with easy to find plant material through collective formulation. Everyone will also go home with an individualized concoction to support your personal practice.
Facilitated by: Alyssa N. Villegas Rodríguez
La Botánica Navideña
We’re ushering in the solstice magic with an herbal gift making workshop. Make a handcrafted scrub and infused oil for a special loved one or yourself!
RSVP: https://www.18casadecultura.com/classes/p/botanicanavidena
Casa Ilumina Opening Workshop Series: Immune Health For Unprecedented Times
This workshop is focused on the importance of immune health during periods of extreme stress. We will examine the relationship between stress, our health, and the stream of atrocities of today's world. Collectively, we will explore the magic of oxymels and create personalized recipes made to strengthen and nourish our immune systems.
Spring Rules: Sowing the Seeds of the Revolution
A free writing experience for women and femmes!
Spring Rules: Sowing the Seeds for Revolution is an intimate workshop where we'll harness the equinox energy to embrace and ground our rage as we prepare for the season of heat and sun. Through a mixture of writing exercises and herbal medicine crafting, we'll realign our relationship to the feminine rage, connect to our inner warrior, and bring necessary balance to our energy that is necessary to carry us through the next phases of resistance.
Click here to sign up.