Lemon Balm, Lemongrass, and Lemon Verbena: A Trilogy in Latin American Folk Herbalism

Mimi will share narratives of healing experiences in Mexico, Central America and South America as we explore the trilogy of Lemongrass (Limoncillo), Lemon Verbena (Cedron) and Lemon Balm (Torinjil) and their importance in Latin American Folk Herbalism. We will discuss the meaningful sacred synergy of these aromatic plants and explore the history of a healing tradition as a system emergence of 3 cultures. The class also unravels the cultural trauma experience by exploring the concepts of "Susto" and Soul loss as well as "Envidia" and their relation to the trauma induced by colonialism and an imposition of a male dominant religion. The class will discuss the use of sacred oils, baths, altars, teas, incense and sweeps and will also elaborate on a materia medica of each herb.

Presenter Bio:

Mimi holds a graduate degree in Herbal Medicine and is a Registered Herbalist. She recently earned a Certificate of Non-Profit Management at Duke University. She has worked as the Executive Director of the American Herbalists Guild for seven years. Prior to this she helped to coordinate the efforts of the former Appalachian Center for Ethnobotanical Studies and taught Ethnobotany at Frostburg State University. Mimi has worked as a clinical herbalist and has mentored hundreds of students of clinical herbalism and apothecary management.