LIVE-IN INTENSIVE APPRENTICESHIP
During a period of three to four months, students of this intensive course have an opportunity to do an in-depth study of the Puerto Rican tradition of herbal medicine with preparatory experiences in their own homes and later a full week of hands-on experience.
Time & Location
Date and time is TBD
Location is TBD
About the event
During a period of three to four months, students of this intensive course have an opportunity to do an in-depth study of the Puerto Rican tradition of herbal medicine with preparatory experiences in their own homes and later a full week of hands-on experience at María Benedetti’s home (Cayey) and work space (Aguas Buenas) in Puerto Rico. This correspondence and residential course will involve careful reading of Benedetti’s own seminal texts as well as the works of three out of four of her teachers Susun S. Weed (Wise Woman Tradition), Elliot Cowan (Plant Spirit Medicine), Anne Marie Colbin (Food and Healing) and Richard Grossinger (Planet Medicine).
Background reading and frequent, lively exchanges with Benedetti will enable the student to understand specific remedies and the tradition’s place in cultural, environmental, historical and current global contexts, identify over 100 traditional healing plants of Puerto Rico and live and work with María Benedetti in order to create a personalized visual reference of the plants while preparing and enjoying wild super foods, decoctions (teas and nourishing broths), tisanes, infusions, botanical oils, salves, sanitizers, liniments, nutritional fortified vinegars, tinctures in alcohol, poultices and more.
Benedetti will also offer several activities steeped in her animistic approach to the natural world including a meditation designed to offer a direct experience of communication with the spirit of a plant. Studies of technical vocabulary will allow for subsequent research.
Study modules include (but are not limited to):
conceptual analysis of the Puerto Rican tradition of Caribbean green medicine including philosophical and cultural references
specific plants, practices and attitudes characterizing the Puerto Rican tradition as evidenced in oral history and surviving practices (includes spiritual and holistic aspects of the tradition)
deep analysis in concepts of healing ( Colbin, Grossinger, Weed, Cowan)
technical vocabulary and corresponding plants of the Puerto Rican tradition (includes recommended uses, built-in concepts of safety, etc.)
plant identification (photos or pressing) and references: local names, scientific names, English names, botanical family, place of origin
hands-on preparations
one-on-one enquiry and dialogue
This course is designed especially for people of Puerto Rican ancestry living outside of the archipelago but can be adjusted for others. Being somewhat bilingual is extremely helpful but not required.