Erin Vanhee, LMT, Herbalist

09/15/2025

Save the Date! Saturday October 11 at the amazing Cultus Bay Gardens on South Whidbey Island. Day long Herbal Medicine Making class where we DO IT ALL! Fresh and dried plants- Teas, infusions, decoction, syrup, vinegar and tincture! Wow-ee!

I am excited to offer one last medicine making class for the season- the last one sold out so grab your tickets as soon as you can!

Here's a link to register- www.cultusbaygardens.com

09/11/2025

How do you do Tea?
The simplest way to define the three water based preparations listed here is this: a tea is the least potent of the preparations and is best used for flowers or when wanting a beverage tea. An infusion is closer to medicinal strength and will bring better results than a tea bag, especially when addressing mineral deficiency and/or moving fluids, respiratory symptoms or healing through deep nourishment.
A decoction is the most potent and is traditionally used for the hard parts of plants such as roots, bark, twigs and seed but can also be used when preparing formulas that require longer infusing times.
Making a Beverage Tea
Using dried herbs, place 1-3 teaspoons per cup of hot water into a quart jar or tea pot. It is best to have the plants emerged into the water, moving freely to infuse their constituents into the water with ease. If you use a tea bag or metal enclosed infuser; the plants will not touch the water and your tea will be less
flavorful and less potent. Allow the plants to infuse for 10-15 minutes, strain and enjoy.
To make a tea with fresh plants, place twice the amount of plant material into a pot, cover with cool water, bring to a boil, cover and allow to infuse a minimum of 15 minutes.

Enjoy!

09/11/2025

Over the years, I have integrated formulas, applied compresses liniments, hydrotherapies into my treatments. I gathered on the job training that I couldn't get anywhere else. These were true clinical trials- and I want to share them with you.

I have been practicing this healing art form for over 20 years. When I became a licensed health care provider as a LMT- I found myself going through the motions and staying within the confines of the acceptable application of manual therapy. Within 5 years- I lost my passion for the work. Yes, I was excellent at what I do but the creative spark- the spiritual connection- the LIFE PATH- was not in alignment.

I began using my handcrafted oils in massage sessions. That was the gateway herb- each time I opened the jar the room would fill with the aromatics of roots I dug or barks I stripped or flowers I picked in mountain meadows. I instantly found myself back with the plants, rooted in my practice.

This upcoming 16 hour training program integrates hands on therapies and herbal education. Do you want to bring more spiritual connection to your massage practice? Do you make amazing herbal products but hesitate to apply them due to lack of training? Join us
October 25/26, Arlington School of Massage. No experience necessary. CE's for LMTs

09/09/2025

This Saturday's Herbal Medicine Making Class in Burlington is SOLD OUT! Thanks, everyone>
I'll be on Whidbey Island with a Medicine Making Class in October offered by Cultus Bay Gardens.
I'll share a link when I have one. In the meantime- here is their website- Get on their mailing list so you don't miss it. I began my herb journey just a stones throw away from these gardens back in the late 80's-early 90's. Always a pleasure to return.
Join us.

Home   Cultus Bay Gardens is dedicated to hosting inspiring classes and events that bring people together over a variety of crafts, floral arranging, garden design, wild plant gathering, ornithology, basketry, cooking, drawing, natural dying, painting and more. In our increasingly busy and tech-foc...

09/09/2025

Feeling called to integrate plants in to your healing practice? Join us for the weekend of October 25/26 for a weekend intensive of hands on herbal bodywork.
Open to all- CE's for LMT's.
www.erinvanhee.com/herbal-bodywork-fundamentals-ce-certified

09/08/2025

This is the Last Spot open in the Last Herbal Medicine Making Class for 2025. What are you waiting for?

Grab it! www.erinvanhee.com/herbal-medicine-making

09/08/2025

What is Herbal Bodywork? Herbal Bodywork is the integration of plants into the manual treatment of massage therapy, physical therapy, hydrotherapy treatments for pain, stagnation of fluids and/or emotions and limited range of motion.

How does it differ from hands on therapies with herbs in the treatment room or home healing practice?

Herbal Bodywork enhances the hands on application through the active constituents, yes. Herbal Bodywork also enhances the connection between the the person receiving and the person applying the therapy. Especially when the remedies applied are prepared and applied by someone with a connection to the plants used.
Want to learn more? Join us in October. Two days of plant wisdom, wise bodywork, integrations, science and art of herbal and manual therapeutics.
Designed for bodyworkers, Open to All.
CE's approved with NCBTMB.

www.erinvanhee.com/herbal-bodywork-fundamentals-ce-certified

09/07/2025

Last chance to get in for the September 13 Day Class in Burlington.

What you'll learn:

Herbal Medicine Making using fresh and dried plants
How to infuse plants for tea, infusion, syrup, decoction
What, when, how and why to make and use tinctures
What, when, how and why to infuse medicine plants into vinegar vs. water or alcohol
Safety, ethics

Make and take class, all plants provided, small supply list

When Saturday September 13 from 10:30-4:30
Where
Apothecary Wellness Center, Burlington

Instructor: Erin Vanhee of Trillium Medicine.

Tickets: www.erinvanhee.com/herbal-medicine-making

09/02/2025

FIRE CIDER RECIPE - Because I love you and care about you- Here is your reminder to make a batch of Fire Cider this week.

What is Fire Cider? A time tested and family approved (tasty!) folk remedy to keep your immune system supported, internal temp warm and circulation happy in the cooler days to come.
Typically used as fall and winter tonic, September is a good time to get your Fire Cider started. I recommend making one now to strain in a month and after you’ve strained the first batch, make another. These tonic remedies will go fast in your house as friends and family discover the benefits and the taste.

You can enjoy fire cider as a dressing for salads, sip it as a tonic, take a tablespoon everyday for an immune system boost, or use however feels right for you!

What’s so great about Fire Cider is you get to create the recipe to your tastes. If you cannot tolerate salsas and other hot foods, omit the peppers and soften the heat with orange peel and conifer needles. Love the sinus opening aspects of horseradish? Add as much as you need to get those sinuses open!

These measurements are approximate. Basic rule of thumb for me is to start with a base of 1/3 filled with chopped red onion, a layer of ginger, horseradish, turmeric and then get creative with the remaining ingredients.

Fire Cider Recipe:

You will need:

1 medium organic red onion, chopped

6 - 10 cloves of peeled organic garlic, minced or chopped

1 - 2 organic jalapeno peppers, chopped

Zest and juice from 1 Organic lemon or orange

1/2 cup Organic ginger root, freshly grated

1/2 cup Organic horseradish root, freshly grated

Organic raw unfiltered Apple Cider Vinegar (I use Bragg’s)

1/4-1/2 cup raw, local honey

1 inch freshly grated turmeric or one tablespoon powdered turmeric (optional)

¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper powdered (optional)

Fresh rosemary, thyme, conifer needles (optional)

Elderberries, fresh or frozen, de-stemmed (optional)

Directions

1. Chop ingredients and add to a quart canning jar. Be creative with your roots, fruits, and herbs and

2. Pour the apple cider vinegar until all of the ingredients are covered and the vinegar reaches the jar's top. Use a chopstick to make sure all the ingredients are covered in vinegar and moist.

3. Use a piece of natural parchment paper under the lid to keep the vinegar from touching the metal, or a plastic lid if you have one. Shake well.

4. Store in a dark, cool place for a month, shaking the jar everyday to keep the remedy infusing.

5. After one month, use cheesecloth to strain out the pulp, strain into a clean glass jar.

6. Add honey to taste (start with the smaller amount.) Stir it up to combine.

Let us know how yours turned out! We love hearing from you.

Pro-tip: Some folks grind the ingredients after infusing and dry in in a dehydrator to use as seasoning or in soups and stews.
Try it!
(The only plant I wouldn't recommend for grinding is the elderberries- seeds can be irritating to digestion)

09/02/2025

The wisdom of Goldenrod is to seek out the lingering joys of summer and store them in your roots.
In the winter, Goldenrod roots lie just below the surface, vulnerable yet holding strong from the nourishment of the summer past. Goldenrod is in bloom everywhere right now- it calls to me- Reminding the importance of Soaking in the waning days of summer. These days will carry me through the darker season to come.

Goldenrod is a remedy for winter vulnerabilities. No longer able to glean energy from the sun, we become vulnerable to winter “blues”. Goldenrod strengthens the solar plexus, mistress of intuition and reduces the symptoms of Seasonal Affective Disorder. You can ally with Goldenrod in the form of drop doses and sitting in the sun.

Goldenrod, Solidago canadensis is pain management in living color. Goldenrod is my go- to for overworked muscles, inflammation resulting in pain, and reduced range of motion.

Goldenrod is an ally for trauma and inflammation, accelerating healing of soft tissue concerns quickly and completely. The pungent leaf is harvested before the flower to capture the bitter, warming impressions felt on the stomach. Harvest flowering tips for volatile oils and use as an herbal antihistamine and for allergy relief. Goldenrod roots are stimulating and warming to the kidneys.

Harvesting Goldenrod is similar to other herbaceous perennials. It dies back after its year growth. Once the flower has been pollinated, it 's potency decreases. If you watch the goldenrod closely- you will witness the subtle changes.

09/02/2025

If you want to practice herbal medicine you need the basic tools. How to identify and harvest plants, yes. How to craft them into quality medicine, yes. And how to actually use them....YES!
This is everyday, common herbal medicine- and not everyone had that Aunty to show them these medicine ways.

I have long aspired to witness a healer in every home, community- I believe we are in that time and space in our culture that this is necessary.

This upcoming weekend training in Herbal Bodywork provides that space to use your hands, use the plants and hear how integrating the two can elevate your personal herbal or bodywork practice and may transform how you view your place in the business of herbs, massage therapy or community.

This is offered to anyone with a desire to learn - no herbal or massage experience necessary.

CE's for professional- NCBTMB approved instructor/course.
All the details here:
https://erinvanhee.com/herbal-bodywork-fundamentals-ce-certified

09/02/2025

One spot open for September 13 Saturday Day Class- Hands on, make and take class in Burlington. Tea, infusion, decoction, syrup, salt, vinegar, tincture. Yep- all of it and all in one day.

It doesn't get any better than this and we all can benefit from these simple, easy to do herbal medicine skills. Making herbal medicine is easy- Once you know how.

www.erinvanhee.com/herbal-medicine-making