An two-night campout at the foothills of the Macedon Ranges, focusing on nature-based bioregional herbalism and intermediate/advanced botanical preparations in community.

Over the weekend you will have an opportunity to connect with and harvest plants, learn advanced preparation techniques and make a handful of herbal products and remedies, that you can take home with you.

There are a variety of educational experiences through-out the day, which will include lecture-style sessions with hands-on exercises, DIY herbal remedy making sessions, folk herbalism stories by the campfire and plant exploration in the medicinal herb garden.

Join us under the gaze of the mountains, vast skies overhead, tending to the medicinal garden of our hungry minds, sensory bodies & yearning souls.

Fostering a sense of Belonging, through Plant Connection & Community

Fostering a sense of Belonging, through Plant Connection & Community

About The Remedy Retreat

What Will I learn?

  • Apothecary Toolkit: Equipment & Materials for the home herbalist

  • Solvents & Solubility

  • Overview of different Medicinal Applications;
    Herbal Infused oils & vinegars, ointments/salves, capsules, facial steams, syrups, infused honeys, elixirs, tinctures & creams.

  • When to use certain Herbal Applications

  • Advanced Tincturing: Maceration & Percolation

  • Making Herbal Creams

  • Plant Distillation: Hydrosols & essential oils

  • Herbal Infused Honeys & Elixirs

  • What you need to know to sell Herbal Products

Is this course right for me?

This course is for you if you:

  • Are excited by Herbal Medicine Making!

  • Have been learning Herbalism from lots of books & online courses, and would like to put in practice what you have learnt

  • Have dabbled in making herbal products at home and would like some more guidance

  • Have participated in grassroots or beginner Herbal programs, and would like to take your skills further

  • Care about Ethical and Sustainable Herbalism

  • Would like to learn how to make good-quality Herbal products rooted in herbal constituent chemistry

  • Want a herb course that combines traditional herbalism with scientific efficacy

  • Are a Herbalist or Naturopath that wants to learn how to make high-quality herbal products at home

  • Have participated in The Herbal Apprentice 8 Week Course

Although tailored for those who have participated in The Herbal Apprentice Course or have a background of herbal study in some respect, this program is definitely open to keen beginners and we are happy to support your entry.

What will I receive?

  • Over 5 Herbal Products you will make yourself

  • Detailed Course Reader

  • Apothecary Toolkit starter-pack

  • Advanced Apothecary Handbook: Formulation & Recipes

  • Fully-catered

  • On-site Camping (Tiny house hire & local Air BnB’s also available)

  • Apothecary garden & Dispensary tour

  • Facilitator with over 15yrs experience, with a Permaculture background

  • An opportunity for new friendships & networks

     

What is included in the Remedy Retreat lessons?

  • Friday 28th Feb
    4pm onwards

    6:30pm - Dinner

    7:30pm - Opening Circle

  • 7:30am - Optional plant meditation

    8:30am - Breakfast

    9:30am - Lesson One - Remedy Toolkit, Medicinal Applications, and Solvents & Solubility

    11:00am - Morning Tea

    11:15am - Lesson Two: Garden Tour & Herbal Harvest

    12:45pm - Lunch

    1:45pm - Lesson Three - Advanced Tincturing (Maceration & Percolation)

    3:15pm - Afternoon tea

    3:30pm - Lesson Four: Making Herbal Creams

    5:00pm - Free time / Relax

    6:30pm - Dinner

    7:30pm - Campfire, storytelling, Herbal Folklore

  • 7:30am - Optional movement session

    8:30am - Breakfast

    9:30am - Lesson Five - Plant Distillation & Herbal Honeys

    11:00am - Morning Tea

    11:15am - Lesson Six - Herbal Compliance - what you need to know to sell your products

    12:45pm - Lunch

    1:45pm - Free time / Pack up camp

    3:00pm - Closing circle & Reflections

    4:00pm - Depart

  • Sunday 2nd Mar
    4:00pm

Frequently
Asked
Questions

  • Where and when is the Retreat taking place?
    This year the retreat is taking place Friday 6th - Sunday 8th December 2024, on a farm in the Macedon Ranges. Program details will be emailed closer to the event.

  • Do you offer payment plans?
    Yes. You can create a payment plan through Afterpay on our booking platform.

  • Do you cater for dietary requirements?
    Yes. We can cater for gluten-free and vegan. If you have more nuanced dietary requirements, you may need to bring a few things to supplement, however we will do our best!
    Please note that we will also be serving ethically sourced meat, and BBQing on the campfire.

  • What is your refund policy?
    You are eligible for a full refund 2 weeks prior to course commencement. After this a 50% cancellation fee will incur. Cancellations within 2 days prior to the event will be unreturnable, or we will accept course transfers to a friend, unless you have had significant lifestyle disruptions.

  • When do we arrive?
    Arrival will be between 4pm-7pm Friday 6th (we will save you some dinner if you are late, as long as you let us know!)
    Departure will be 5pm Sunday 8th December.

  • Accessibility:
    Due to the nature of the course, we will be in the garden for some parts of the program, and the farm is not wheelchair accessible (we apologize for this, however we are outside the formal education sector and do not have the adequate funding for this operation at this time).
    If you have any particular needs, please do ask us and we will try our best to accommodate. We do not want our offerings to have accessibilities barriers, and we look forward to learning how we can best tailor our offerings to a range of needs.

  • Do I need a degree in Herbalism to participate?
    No. As long as you have delved into Herbalism, or you are keen to do the pre-reading required, this course is for you. This is more of an in depth course, however we do not want this to be a barrier to your education. If you are keen with not much experience, please let us know and we will give you some resources prior to the course.

  • Does studying at home count?
    Yes. If you have been pouring over books or online courses, or making concoctions at home, this very much counts.

  • Is camping equipment and bedding provided?
    No unfortunately this is not provided. Participants are expected to bring their own tents, mattresses and bedding. A suggested packing list will be emailed to participants 2 weeks before the retreat.

  • Do I have to camp on site if I have other options?
    Onsite camping is free and a lovely part of the retreat experience, but is not essential. If you live close by and would prefer to go home and come back again you would be most welcome to do so.
    There are also plenty of Airbnb's in the lovely Macedon Ranges, which will be accessible by car and are anywhere from 10-30mins away.

  • Is camping the only onsite sleeping option?
    Tiny houses will be available onsite for a rental fee of $250 for the weekend. If you are interested in this option, please get in contact ASAP to book as they are limited to 3 houses.

  • Can I access the retreat via public transport?
    The nearest station is Riddles Creek. We can help coordinate car pooling and v-line service pick-ups and drop offs.

  • Can my children attend?
    We would like to accommodate for parents to learn! And, this course is in-depth and designed to give people a peaceful connection to nature. If we can make this work for everyone we will. If you are a sole parent and wish to attend, we do not want this to be a barrier to your learning - please be in touch and we will see how to best accommodate.

  • Can my pet come?
    Unfortunately not. This is a working farm, and we have too many animals that may be affected.

  • Will there be showers available?
    There will be an outdoor shower available with hot water. This will be available between 5pm-6:30pm before our evening meal

PermaPixie by Symbiotic -098.jpg
PermaPixie by Symbiotic -168.jpg
PermaPixie by Symbiotic -074.jpg
PermaPixie by Symbiotic -091.jpg
PermaPixie by Symbiotic -102.jpg
Students_026.jpg
PermaPixie by Symbiotic -083.jpg
teaching_herbs_062.jpg

Testimonials

  • “I thoroughly enjoyed Taj’s teaching. She creates a wonderfully inclusive and psychologically safe environment. Her ability to break down coursework in an accessible manner is what I appreciated most. Additionally her expertise in her field shines through. I’ll be a returning student to Taj’s course work and teachings”

    Praise for The Herbal Apprentice

  • “I have studied many courses, a bachelor & master degree and during all those years, I have never met a teacher as good as Taj. As a neurodivergent, I feel that Taj made learning a pleasant and fun experience for me and I was looking forward to going there every Saturday!”

    Praise for The Herbal Apprentice

  • “The best part of the course was Taj - hands down the best teacher I have ever met."

    Praise for The Herbal Apprentice

  • “There's too many things.. Taj's style of teaching really made the course so enjoyable and palatable. Getting to be in a space of like minded individuals who are passionate about learning the same thing. Psychically making recipes with herbs that either we foraged for or that were provided. Being outside, seeing the plants and where they grow.”

    Praise for The Herbal Apprentice

  • “I was hoping to get "hands on herbs" time to reconnect me with plants during a very theoretical time in my uni course. It absolutely delivered this.”

    Praise for The Herbal Apprentice

  • “Taj makes the classes enjoyable and her passion makes you look forward to attending every week.”

    Praise for The Herbal Apprentice