Back to All Events

Herbs for Parents


  • The Elderberry 1917 Commonwealth Drive Charlottesville, VA, 22901 United States (map)

Class Recording | $55

Invite herbal medicine into your parenting tool kit.

Join clinical herbalist Natalie Rader for a 2-part class series to learn the basics of herbal medicine for young children.

In the first class, you’ll learn:

  • Which herbs are particularly suited for kiddos. There are so many herbs to choose from, not to mention the forms they come in (tea, extracts, syrups, etc.), and it can be overwhelming to decide which one(s) to choose to support your babes, especially in the moment. Natalie will take the swaths of information on herbalism and children’s health, simplify it, and distill it into clear and straightforward protocols so that you feel prepared and confident when providing herbal care to your children. She’ll review some trusty, time-tested plant allies for children that might become some of your go-to remedies.

  • Dosing and administering tips and tricks: Once you’ve been introduced to some herbs you want to have on hand, you’re next question will be, “How much of this stuff do I give my kid?” Natalie will cover all things dosing, explain the pros and cons of different forms of herbs (teas, extracts, syrups, etc.), and give you some tips to help the medicine go down.

In the second class you will learn:

  • How to build your family home apothecary: building on the foundations of the first class, you’ll get ideas for how to create, organize, and maintain a home herbal apothecary to keep your family well all year long.

  • Natalie will walk you through how to make elderberry syrup (or any herbal syrup) and a basic tincture using dried plant material.

  • How to keep kids well: herbs work best with children who are bolstered by nourishing dietary and lifestyle choices that set them up to thrive. Natalie will cover some non-herbal holistic wellness fundamentals that she’s honed in her last 13 years of parenting.

  • How to help your child cope with symptoms: It’s challenging to witness your child in pain or discomfort. This class will offer some guidance for comforting both yourself and your child when they’re experiencing acute or chronic symptoms.

Meet Your Instructor:

Natalie Rader

Clinical Herbalist, Waldorf School Educator

“My relationship with plants began as a child in the steps of my mother, an avid gardener and in the natural setting of my rural community. This continued while residing in the Rocky Mountains alongside the plants of the alpine landscape and now, in Virginia.

I began my journey with plant medicine while seeking solutions to my own chronic health issues and wanting alternatives to the pharmaceutical model while caring for my son.  

I completed my 3 year study of clinical herbalism at Sacred Plant Traditions with Kat Maier in 2022 having gained a deep understanding of the clinical and energetic aspects of herbalism through the lens of Western Energetic herbalism as well as with knowledge of the principles and practices of Ayurveda and Traditional Chinese medicine, allowing me to work with clients at a constitutional level.  

In addition to working with clients clinically, I work at The Elderberry as an apothecary assistant, tend the apothecary of a Traditional Chinese Medicine practitioner, and assist at harvest time at a local medicinal herb farm. I also work at the Charlottesville Waldorf School with toddler/preschool aged children.   

As a clinical herbalist, it is my goal to help people take control of their own health, build resilience, and feel at home in their bodies.”

Previous
Previous
November 30

Wreath Making Workshop

Next
Next
December 11

Fertility Awareness and Management