Minutes

04/18/06 held at Stacy's home

present: Kay, Niki, Stacey, Katie, Cooper, LuAnn, Lauri, Rob or Rich?, JD?, Joseph, Russ.

As discussed at the previous meeting, we started with the program and followed with business.

Kay talked about her experience with Plant Spirit Medicine and Stacey led us in a meditation. Folks shared their experiences and visions.

Biz: CORRECTION -The gazette article is Due May 30th not April 30th Does that inspire anyone to write it? Let me know.(Niki volunteered.  Thanks, Niki!)

Promotion - Katie is working on updating the guild flyer to be handed out at Earth day festivities, the coop's shindig, and Stacey will have them at the event at the Farmers Market.

We need to talk about tabling at such events. Do we want to do it and if so lets do it. Katie will put announcements of meetings in Duluth News Trib and Reader.

Next Meetings - May, plant exchange at Stacey's.  June, weed potluck at Katie's. We will invite Wild Ones to join us. Katie will contact.

Workshops - No word from Jim McDonald. Katie still has not connected with Matt. Kay says Susun Weed next year.  How about Sam Thayer in Fall?  Luann mentioned Sam's Herbfest in August will be happening and that his book is available.

JD announced a crystal workshop April 28-30 at Yoga Tree featuring a renown expert. Sorry didn't catch his name but there is a flyer at Alternatives if you're interested.  Niki and some others are planning to attend the weekend workshop over by White earth on May 20th?  Russ mentioned the Sam Thayer is doing something around Twig on May 20, 21.

Sorry about some of the vagueness on dates etc.

Missed you folks that didn't make it.

Respectfully submitted, katie

March 21, 2006

Members present were: Kay, Katie, Helga, Niki, Luann, Stacey, Alaena, and we had a guest/prospective member, Rick. We finished around 8:00, which is when we'd originally planned for our meetings to end, with a "socializing" time following, for whoever wanted to stay and socialize. That worked out great for us, who have an hour and a half drive home. We made some cleaning products and tried a few, and people took samples home along with recipes.

Kay tried calling Jim McDonald to find out his fee and what he's hoping to do, but his line was busy. She said she would continue to try to reach him, and she'll send us an e-mail when she is successful in connecting.

Niki mentioned the retreat with Sam Thayer, which she sent to the group last night.

It was decided it's our last meeting at the church. The church has raised the rental fee to $20 per meeting, and Stacey has graciously offered her home for our meeting place in exchange for her dues for the year, so beginning in April we will meet at Stacey's. During warmer months, other members are encouraged to offer their homes for the meetings, so we can tour each others' gardens.

Katie proposed that we start our meeting at 6:30, as we have been, but reverse the order and begin with our speaker/presenter and end with our business meeting. Everyone present voted yes to that motion.  We talked about doing garden planning and a plant spirit energy meditation for April, and blending Signature Scents with essential oils in May.

January 17, 2006

Members present: Joseph, Luann, Niki, Kay, Kelly, Katie, Helga, Alaena, Ted

$600.21 in checking; $25.00 in savings.  Susun Weed is coming to MN in 2007, Kay reported, and we will check into having her come up here to do a workshop, or may check into going to her workshop when we find out details.  Kelly and Kay presented a wonderfully informative "lesson" on barks/trees in our area.  Thanks!

July 19, 2005

Members present:  Luann, Katie, Nancy, Stacey, Niki, Alaena.

Treasurer's report:  Luann reported that we have $624.90 in our checking account.  Sam Thayer's class cost $325.00, and $335.00 was collected from attendees.  John Delvas paid, but didn't attend the workshop.  Discussion evolved around applying his fee toward his 2005 membership.   Every member has paid their 2005 dues. 

Discussion centered around Linden Flower (Basswood or Lime Blossom) and St. John's Wort.  Linden Flower lotion may be helpful for itchy skin.  The sap of the Basswood trunk can be collected and made into a syrup, such as Maple sap.  Sam Thayer used the young leaves of the Basswood tree for salad greens.   Nancy brought Linden Flower tea, and there were samples of Linden Flower and St. John's Wort infused oil, as well as tinctures for everyone to try.

Katie requested a volunteer to write an article for the Garbanzo Gazette, and Niki agreed to do it again this month.  The October/November issue will center on recipes. 

There was discussion on future speakers or workshops, with no definite plans.  It was suggested that we open a Yahoo list for mail, as some members are not receiving the guild mail at diamon-naturals.us.   That will be looked into and decided at a future meeting.  Melody has moved to Colorado now.  We will miss her!

Herb Guild Meeting Minutes from April 19 , 2005

Meeting called to order by Katie.

Treasurer Report submitted by Melody Savings $25.13 & Checking $458.59.

Sam Thayer's class was decided to be $35/weekend nonmembers and $25 for members. Payment required by the May meeting. We can pay him his deposit out of the Guild account, if need be before hand. Folks wanting to pre-register can use the form provided on the internet. Bring to the May meeting.

Bag lunches were suggested, and we agreed to hold the class in Katie's garage.

Topics for the May meeting include a plant exchange. Anything goes!  Folks who do not have plants can donate monies to the guild coffee can, set out for that purpose.

Helga shared her flyer about Herb Fest in Norway, IA Aug 19-21st: for more info www.herbfest2005.com.  Cost for this year's festival is $195; includes delicious food!!  Campsites are available or stay in Cedar Rapids. Several of us tossed around the idea of carpooling, . . .

Helga led us in seed planting. We learned a lot about how to lie the plants in the bed and feeding them Mg through the addition of Epsom Salts in the soil-mix. Placing bags over the top of the plants insures a earlier ripening as it shields them more from the wind.

Thank you!! Helga!1I

A moon in Taurus, is generally a great time to plant. But if you cannot wait plant above ground on the waxing moon, and below ground on the waning moon.

Putting out a can for donations brought $25.25 for the Guild Account.

March 15, 2005

Members present:  Helga, Nancy, Rachel, Katie, Luann, Mark, Ted, Amy, Cheryl, Stacey, Joseph, Alaena.  Guests: Niki Young, Kimber Meister, Mary Jo Gunderson, Mary Ann Starus.

Discussed church rental being raised to $180 per year.  Katie distributed some Garbanzo Gazettes, with Kay's article in it, and asked for a volunteer to do the next article.  Sam Thayer's workshop was set for June 4/5, with a suggested fee of $20 for members and $30 for non-members.  Katie volunteered her home for the workshop, and Alaena suggested that Katie should not pay for the workshop, as she declined any payment for the use of her space.  Next month, Helga will bring plants and seeds and show how to start seeds.  Everyone who has extra baby plants is asked to bring them to have a plant sale to benefit the Guild.  Mary Ann Starus presented a program on Plant Spirit Medicine that was very informative and inspirational.

February 15, 2005
Members present:  Katie, Helga, Alaena, Nancy, Luann, Stacey, Mark, Cheryl, Melody, Joseph; Guests:  Pat, Julie and Karen.

No meeting was held in January, due to inclement weather, although Luann, Melody and Katie got together and had an exchange.  Some products were brought to this meeting to exchange, also.  Katie facilitated the meeting; Melody presented the treasurer's report:  We had a beginning balance in  January of $325.59.  She paid the church rental fee for the year as well as the post office box rental, leaving a balance of $187.59.  We have $25.10 in our savings account.  Members agreed to serve as officers for the year 2005:  Katie, Chairman; Melody, Treasurer; Alaena & Cheryl, Co-Secretaries.  Programs:  Nancy, Luann and Katie.  We discussed topics for the upcoming months:  Mary Starus will speak on her studies with Plant Spirit Medicine in March.  The topic for April will be Starting Seeds, with a baby plant sale to earn money for the Guild.  We will have a plant swap in May, again possibly a plant sale as a fund-raiser.  nettles and Dandelion will be the herb topics we will study at our June meeting.  We plan to host another workshop with Matthew Wood in late June, and Sam Thayer, a naturopathic pharmacist, will be contacted to speak at an upcoming meeting or to present a workshop.

Michele Gordon presented an excellent program on Native American herbs, focusing on a cleansing ritual.  Five medicines are traditionally used for cleansing.  Tobacco is often used as a thank offering when asking for anything or before gathering.  Red Willow roasted in the oven may also be used, with other herbs added as the person chooses, such as Lemongrass or Osha.  Honoring in this manner creates a full circle of energy.  When cleansing your "lodge", it is often done at the time of the full moon.  A cleanse may be performed with a death, birth, sadness, grief.  Saging cleanses the energy.  Alcohol or drugs require cleansing.  Cleansing honors the house.  Tobacco is first.  A cleansing shell is used to burn the herbs.  Start in the east, on the lowest level, cleansing around the room.  East is the Ojibwa beginning.  Open all closet and cupboard doors.  Let each medicine savor, with time in between each medicine.  The second medicine is Cedar.  Open the windows and doors because Cedar is air energy.   hang Cedar above doors and windows to keep out the negative.  Close the windows and doors and let the house rest after the Cedar burning.  Sage is next, with the doors and windows closed.  Leave cupboards and closets open. The last cleansing herb is Sweetgrass.  Sweetgrass is light energy, and not much is needed.  Finish the cleansing by spraying salt water throughout the house.

Our next meeting will be March 15th.  Please send any agenda topics to Katie before that time so they can be addressed.
Respectfully submitted, Alaena Diamon

September 21, 2004

Members present:  Luann, Nancy, Alaena, Stacey, Helga & Cheryl.

Melody e-mailed the treasurer's report:  $1145.47 in the treasury.  We have enough to pay the workshop fees.  The following people registered at $75 each:  Amy Donnan, Elanne Palcich, Michelle Gordon.  Hannah Voland registered at $100.  The church fee is $75 for the first two days of the workshop, and Matt's fee is $1000 plus gas.  The church fee (annual) is $100 and we also have the post office box rental.  The majority present voted to pay Matt $1050.00, as per his request for the fall workshop.  He had lowered his June fee to acommodate our poor economy and lack of funds.  Amy Wilson wrote to Nancy to report she has Lyme Disease and requested any information anyone has that could help this.  Luann volunteered to serve on the program committee with Nancy.  Nancy mentioned a holistic veterinarian in our area who might be willing to speak to our guild.  Luann talked about a group of women who are midwives and naturopaths who might be interested in speaking to our group, as well.  Helga suggested we occasionally introduce holistic methods, such as reflexology, healing touch, etc.  Stacey has organized an introduction to Healing Touch workshop on November 13th (8 to 5) at the Methodist (Copper-top) Church.  The cost is $95.00... $85 if registered before October 15th.  Luann asked about when to harvest dried beans.  Helga said to harvest when they are drying and start to split open.  They can be harvested early and eaten, pod and all.  Nancy brought a variety of four different herb butters and crackers for us to sample, Alaena made soy/oat and barley/millet/flaxseed blends of biscuits, and Luann made applesauce bread.  All were delicious!  It was decided to ask Katie to make name tags for the workshop again, and Melody to make up sign-up sheets and agenda hand-outs. Stacey volunteered to help with registration.  Respectfully submitted, Alaena Diamon

August 17, 2004

Members present:  Nancy, Luann, Joseph.  Nancy submitted the following notes:

Discussion of St John's Wort;  we watched a New England herbalist harvest herbs and do some
tonics/remedies in her kitchen. We stopped the tape and talked every once in a while to discuss what
she was doing, etc., got sidetracked with other herbal discussion and eventually
got back to the video. And we ate grapes and avocados and had tea and I shared a few books I got at the
Library book sale -- which will be going on tomorrow (starts at 10) through Friday.  Lots of good books!
Saw ex-Guild member Carol Bacig at the book sale; she says she thinks about attending a Guild meeting occasionally, but Tuesday nights are always a problem for her.  There was another gal (library volunteer) there who was very interested in the books I purchased though, and I told her about our group -- maybe she'll be
at the next meeting.  Luann, Joseph and I decided to try for an herb walk on this coming Sunday, in case
anyone's interested.  If you guys want to meet us out here in Brule at noon, we can go down by the river or along some good side roads or something.  Lot of things are blooming now, and even if it's not time to harvest them (going for roots, for example, in the fall) it's easy to spot and ID the plants now. 

June 15, 2004

Members present:  Helga, Amy, Rachel, Melody, Katie, Nancy, Alaena; Joseph was a guest, and Mark came toward the end of the meeting, after leaving another meeting.  Katie facilitated the meeting.

Melody presented the Treasurer's report.  As of May, we had $420.25 in the checking account.  After the seminar expenses of $900.00 plus $50 gas expenses to Matt Wood and $50.00 to Katie for coffee, tea and additional food items, our balance is $770.25, with $25.0l in savings.  Alaena made a motion that since we made money on the seminar, we pay Matt Wood the additional $100 of his original seminar fee.  Everyone was in agreement.  Melody will send a check to him.

Katie commended Nancy for sending a lovely letter to the seminar attendees, with links to herbal references on the internet.  There was some discussion about her offer to start an herbal list in our area, with a few of the people feeling it was not appropriate to offer that without consent of the Guild.  Nancy did send a request to the Guild prior to sending out the notice, asking if anyone had any corrections to make to her letter, and only received a couple of affirmative responses.  Alaena commented that it was a good idea for someone to stay in contact with the attendees.  There was discussion about members objecting to the volume of Guild mail in the past, feeling there is not time to read it all.  No one at this meeting felt overwhelmed by the volume of mail, and it appears that there were some misunderstandings regarding this issue in the past.  It was suggested that important mails that needed to reach the groups attention be tagged "Please Read" in the subject line.  It was also suggested that we have a calling tree to alert people to important topics that need a Guild decision.

Katie suggested we have a committee of 2 or 3 to plan the fall session with Matthew Wood.  Melody and Katie volunteered to serve on the committee.  Katie asked those present to briefly comment on their overall impression of the seminar.  Joseph suggested we end each long session with an herb walk.  Nancy suggested a short herb walk following lunch to help digest our lunch and prevent getting drowsy sitting and listening after eating.  It was also suggested that Matt have a "question and answer" session.  Alaena felt we should have people helping in all areas and organize better beforehand.  Amy wanted more in-depth recipes and herbal information, such as hands-on making tinctures.  Rachel suggested we have hands-on times to split up the lecture sessions.  Kay suggested we do hands-on in our own group and use Matt as an educational information resource, which is really his forte.  Melody validated Rachel's comments, but agreed with Kay's assessment of Matt's resources.  Nancy suggested we could use a microphone to make taping clearer.  Melody asked for reimbursement of her phone calls made in preparation to the workshop.  It was suggested that the Guild buy phone cards for that purpose in the future.

Katie suggested we begin a new format of having six speakers/programs during the calendar year.  Every other month, we will discuss an herb of the month and discuss members' experiences with the herbs.  All speakers will be paid, whether outside presenters or Guild members.  There will be a committee to arrange for the speakers.  Nancy, Kay and Katie will be on that committee.

We moved on to sample Dandelion tea that Melody had brought and sample tinctures that Nancy, Rachel and Alaena brought.  There was discussion on what alcohol was used in each tincture.  There was a mini-plant exchange following the meeting. 

Respectfully submitted, Alaena Diamon

5-18-04

Nancy, Luann, Mark and Rachel met and exchanged herbs.  Luann brought along a video by Susan Weed.

4-20-2004

Members Present: Helga, Katie, Luann, Melody, Alaena, Mark, Nancy, Lena.

Melody presented the treasurer's report, with $25.00 in savings and $325.00 in our checking account.  The money in savings was required to establish some of our guild accounts and legal documentation.  Fees for Matthew Wood's seminar are paid, as follows: $50.00 for the Church for Friday night and Saturday, and Hartley Field, $75.00 for Sunday. 

LuAnn said there will be a Homeopath (Ann) making a presentation at the church on Thursday, April 22nd at 7:00.  The fee is $5.00, and the phone number to register is 728-0226.

Matt's seminar was discussed.  A cancellation date of May 22nd was established.  There are six members committed to attending.  Members will receive the $75 lower fee, and not required to pay by May 1st in case we do not have enough registrants and the seminar will need to be cancelled.  Melody has spoken with Matt, and he understands that the economy is rough right now.  Matt will bring his books for sale at the seminar.  Luann will put ads in local newspapers, and submit a press release to increase our exposure.

We will wait until fall to choose another herb of the month, due to the busy times this summer.  For now, we will use Dandelion and just name other plants/herbs as they come up.  It was suggested we send the guild e-mails to inform and discuss what's coming up in our yards.  Melody suggested submitting a column for local newspapers on behalf of the guild.  Helga suggested waiting until fall, but we can be organizing and writing articles now. 

Melody asked if anyone was interested in a study course, getting together at additional times throughout the month to work on it.  The American Herbalist Guild membership information is in the Guild library.  Nancy told us about a booklet she purchased on E-bay, and told us that studying herbalists could order it for a minimal fee.

Respectfully submitted, Alaena Diamon

3/18/2004

Members Present: Lena, Kay, Rachel, Melody, Nancy, Connie, LuAnn, Katie and Cheryl.  We had two new people join the meeting who had read the meeting notice in the paper, Mark and Kenneth.  Katie gave a treasurer's report that showed a balance in the checking at $415.00 and $25.00 in savings.  Melody will take on the treasurer's job from now on and Katie will continue to maintain the library.  Discussion on Matt Wood postings and upcoming seminar.  Kay gave a GREAT presentation on barks with handouts and tinctures she had previously made up.    (Alaena, insert Melodys email here if you have it)   We ended the evening in the kitchen tincturing willow bark and tasting the different tinctures Kay had brought.  VERY informative meeting!
 

February 17, 2004

Members present:  Katie, Luann, Nancy, Lena, Melody, Cheryl, Alaena, Helga, Connie, Kay, and guests, Rachel and Jason.

Katie reported that we have $375.00 in the treasury, with the $45.00 dues Connie brought from the Guild treasury in prior years.  Uncashed checks were returned to members that were present.  Katie will mail any checks for people not present.  Dues were paid for 2004.  Katie was frustrated with all the things she's had to go through to establish a checking account for the Guild, and has finally put her social security number on the Guild paperwork.  She has obtained an employee ID# for the Guild, and The Lake Superior Herbalist Guild is now listed with the State of Minnesota.  An account will be opened at either the Member's Co-op or Wells Fargo Bank, with Melody as a signer on the card, also.  Either signature will be needed to sign checks, but it was felt that both were not necessary..

Melody said the fee to use Lester Park for Sunday, June 6th, would be $40.00 from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.  Katie asked to have a 12-hour delay in booking Lester Park to see if she can get Hartley Field for the same amount, since that would be in closer proximity to the church where we will be for the sessions on Friday and Saturday with Matt Wood.  Food will be provided for Saturday, June 5th, but attendees will be expected to bring a sack lunch on Sunday when we meet outdoors. 

Alaena designed a flyer advertising the Matthew Wood Seminar, and Katie will print them off and distribute them.  She'll bring a stack of them to Alternatives for members to pick up and distribute.  Katie is e-mailing the post office box address to Alaena so it can be added to Guild brochures and flyers.

Helga stated that any orders for Frontier need to be submitted by March 10th, and Country Life orders are needed by March 25th.  As always, Country Life orders need to be paid at the time they are placed.  If you are unable to help unload the truck, a $2.00 buying fee is added to your order.

Kay will do her bark presentation in March, due to health problems.  Alaena will do the facial presentation in April, and will send out recipes beforehand so members can each choose to bring something for the group to try and not have a fee.  Nancy volunteered to bring wild black cherry bark and will bark for Kay's March presentation.  We will have a plant/herb exchange in May.  (Note:  Last year, our exchange was in June... I checked the minutes.)  Kay is doing a Community Education class in May, on doing herbal body wraps, and will bring us some information on that, also.  She'll let us know when it is, so that we can attend the class, if we're able.

The herbs of the month for coming months are:  March:  Barks, Black Cherry and Willow; April:  Dandelion. 

  Respectfully submitted, Alaena Diamon

January 20, 2004

Members present:  Katie, Kay, Cheryl, Melody, Nancy, Alaena, Helga, LuAnn;  Guest:  Rachel Grapentine

Katie reported there is $225.00 in our bank account.  She got a tax ID# for the Lake Superior Herbalist Guild, but now has to file proof of ID with the state.  She is registering us so that the bank account will be in the Guild name, rather than her name.  When she has established everything needed to open the account, she will make sure there are two people to sign all checks.  Our thanks to Katie for all the foot-work she is doing to get things in order for us!!!  She reported that an anonymous donor has paid for the use of the church for 2004.  Everyone expressed thanks for that gift!

Katie also said she has contacted the church member in charge to find out if we can hold Matthew Wood's workshop here, but has not received a reply yet.  Some preliminary feelers with the administration at Hartley Field indicate they might be able to "give us a deal" to hold it there, but it may still be too expensive for our budget.  It was decided that we will serve refreshments (tea, coffee, cookies, bars, etc.) at the workshop, and the guild will also provide lunch.  Kay volunteered to make potato salad and tabouleh, Melody volunteered to make potato salad, Alaena will make sloppy joes and bring buns.  Nancy suggested the guild pay for the supplies to buy the food to be prepared.  Other members will bring bars, cookies, etc.

In the event someone does not want to register for the whole workshop, the following fees were set (although will not be publicized):  $5.00 for the Friday night introductory lecture, $50.00 per day for either Saturday or Sunday.

Alaena made up some tri-fold brochures and half-page flyers advertising the Guild, and Ted printed off 50 copies of each.  Guild members offered their thanks to Ted for copying them for us.  Kay will distribute them at the Living Green Conference on February 7th.  Katie said in the future, she can arrange for making copies as long as the Guild provides the paper.  Alaena will work on a flyer for the Matthew Wood workshop.  Melody will check with Matt to see if he has something ready to use to publicize his workshops and get back to Alaena about that, before the flyers are made.

Nancy and Rachel demonstrated how to make Elder Berry Cough Syrup and distributed samples, and Alaena demonstrated how to make a Eucalyptus Chest Rub. Kay Smith will present the February 17th meeting:  Gathering and Using Barks, and Alaena will hostess the March 16th session on Herbal and Natural Facial Treatments.  Attendees will give each other facials using herbal products, as well as giving facial massages.  April 24th is the date for the Earth Day Fair, 11-4 p.m., free admission.

Respectfully submitted,  Alaena Diamon

 November 18, 2003

Present:  Katie, Melody, Lena, Nancy, Luanne, Helga, Kay, Alaena.
l.. It was decided that dues would be raised to $25 per year, payable in January of the calendar year.  Guests come one time free, $5 per meeting thereafter.  Katie reported that the church fee for our monthly usage for meetings is $25 per quarter, or $100 per year.  This will be paid from the guild treasury.

2.  Benefits of membership were discussed.  Members will receive a membership card and access to the e-mail list.  We will discuss an Herb of the Month through e-mail each month, with anyone sharing information on the herb, including personal experiences with it.

3.  Matthew Wood's workshop will be held in the spring -- June 4,5 & 6th.  Friday's presentation will be 7-9.
Saturday 10-5, Sunday 10-4.  He will cover the Doctrine of Signatures, humorals, Wisdom of the early
herbalists and their approaches or developments of these themes on Saturday.  He may very well include a herbal walk.  His personal consultations fees are $45/hr.  We discussed the possibility of meeting at the church, and Katie will check into that.  If we do, Sunday morning we could do an herb walk, perhaps at Hartley Field, and then meet at the church around 1:00, after the services were done for the day.  Matt's fee to us will be about $1050.00, and it was decided to charge $75.00 for the workshop, if registration is sent in prior to May 1st, and $100 if registration is after May 1st.  Friday night's lecture will be $5.00, if anyone wants to come to that but not to the entire weekend workshop.

4 & 5.  Newsletter/Brochure:  We want to create a newsy brochure to be distributed as necessary.  A tri-fold would be nice.

6.  Katie will make a list of what's in the library and it can be non-specifically listed on the website for members.

7.   We will begin an e-mail conversation of  The Herb of the Month.  The herbs discussed in December will be Elder and Garlic.  January 2004, the herb is Astragalus.

Kay will do the January meeting on collecting bark.  Kay said Tismal says to gather bark about the 3rd week of January.  Nancy will purchase Elderberry concentrate to share at the January meeting.  Nancy has made an excellent cough medicine from the concentrate with additional herbs.  Nancy asked about Usnea... do we have it around here?  Luanne thought it might be called Old Goat's Beard.  Nancy said she has read it should have an inner thread running through it.  Kay said SARS is just like a cold virus and lives on the surface for 24 hours.  It's important to have remedies on hand to fight it.  SARS can be contracted year after year.

Respectfully submitted,  Alaena Diamon

September, 2003

Lake Superior Herbalist Guild met 9/16/2003.  In attendance were Katie, Melody, Cheryl, Lena and Nancy.  Guest was Luanne who is new to Duluth from the Twin Cities area and currently working at Alternatives.  She visited herb meetings in the cities and has alot of info to share.  Welcome!
Treasurers report:  The guild currently has a checkbook balance of $160.00.  This does not include the monies we are still waiting to receive from Connie.
The vote was unanimous to have and start planning for, a mini herb fair at the same time as our weekend with Matt Wood, as long as he has no objections to it.
Katie plans on having a table at the farmers markt. next year and welcomes anyone to join her.  She did find out that in order to sell your goods, the supplier should be present in order to answer questions from the buyers (in other words, you would have to be there in person and not just Katie).
New members:  1st meeting free, each meeting thereafter $5.00 up to the yearly dues amount.
Discussions:  1st Annual Burdock Festival to be held at Katies after first frost.  We will wait for Katie to let us know what days work better for her.
Great demo on vinegars from Melody!!  She brought us many to sample and what a treat!  I had no idea the flavors taken on by the vinegar and some in a very short time!  She had garlic, thyme, nettles, calendula, chives, parsley, sage, yarrow and raspberry leaf.  WOW, flavors from sweet to tart to pungent.  We also taste tested a concoction known as "Panther Piss": 1 tsp. vinegar, 1 tsp. honey combined with warm water and the option of 1 tsp. molasses.  Much better tasting than you would expect especially if you used a flavored vinegar or a flavored tea instead of water...alot of possibilities.  This is suppose to give you energy and a general feeling of well being.  With all the positive attributes of vinegar, this is something that is worth working with and Melodys demo sure propelled me into wanting to do more! 
The "Bee Man"  from Hermantown, also dropped in with some product to sell and offered showing us tapes on bee keeping.  We could do this at his home or at the church.  Melody is considering beekeeping and the information would be interesting to all of us.  This is something we will look at doing in the coming months.
Another wonderful and informative meeting!

Take care,
Cheryl

August, 2003

Members present: Katie, Melody, Cheryl, Lena, Jan, Alaena, Kay

The complete meeting was spent discussing and finalizing new guidelines for the Lake Superior Herbalist Guild. It was unanimously decided that the meeting would start at 6:30, with the program beginning at 7:00. A period of sharing and socializing will begin at 8:00.

Membership dues will be $15.00 per year, beginning in 2004, as some have already paid in full for 2003, and dues will be for the fiscal year, and be due in full by March. Guests can come one time free, and then it's $5.00 per meeting if they choose to attend further meetings without joining. The cost of membership for new members will be $15.00 for the remainder of the fiscal year.

Any herb walks or workshops are separate from our monthly meetings, and the leader or organizer can set a fee for those activities if they choose to do so. Any members who lead a meeting or program are doing it on a volunteer basis, and all members are expected to contribute at some time during the year, either by leading the program or arranging for a speaker.

We will establish a topic list that we can choose from if the speaker does not have any specific ideas for a subject for the meeting they are in charge of. Everyone is encouraged to bring ideas of what they would like to see discussed so they can be added to the topic list.

We decided to advertise our guild. Free ads are fine, and Cheryl volunteered to submit ads to several publications, such as Daily Planner, Tribune, and The Reader. If we get too big, we can stop advertising. Katie will organize a table-top board to be used at harvest fairs, etc. Any interested members are encouraged to help work on the board display. Alaena volunteered to make masters for another business card sample, membership cards, and a brochure. Jan volunteered to print the brochures. The brochures will include our membership guidelines and the program list for the following quarter. We will also establish a calendar of local and regional events, for the benefit of anyone who is interested.

Katie said she is planning to sell produce at Farmer's Market and will take herbal guild members' products to sell, in exchange for a commission in product or consignment fee.

We discussed the proposed Matthew Wood workshop without reaching any conclusions. It was suggested everyone bring a bag lunch, with guild members providing snacks and beverages. The fee was not decided on at this point, however there were many suggestions, ranging from $50 to $75 per person, with guild members free if there were enough registrations to cover the expenses. It was also suggested that Sunday be an exclusive time for guild members to meet with Matt, and Saturday open to the public.

Respectfully submitted, Alaena Diamon

July, 2003

Members present: Kay, Melody, Nancy, Lena, Katie, Cheryl, Alaena, Jan, Amy

Amy Wilson was a guest this meeting, and decided to join our guild. Kay Smith was our speaker for the evening. She brought a selection of plants, asking us to each choose one, so we could talk about the Doctrine of Signatures in connection with the plant. Kay said she uses herbs homeopathically. An herb will cause what it cures, and by using herbs homeopathically, she knows she will not harm anyone or overdose anyone. Yarrow tincture can help women whose cycles are very heavy. Taking 1 or 2 drops at ovulation and again right before the period starts will shorten the period and lessen the red bleeding. Another herb that works really well for this purpose is Lady's Mantle. Yarrow works well with people with the following symptoms: headaches, life situations that are cutting the person to the bone (divorce, being beaten up by life). Yarrow keeps the cycle in check. Also good for people who beat themselves up before they start flowing, with that kind of premenstrual energy. Lemon Balm is for heartache, emotion that comes out right before the period. One to two drops of tincture, or tea. Tincture yarrow while in full flower, when it is dry in the heat of the day. It has a quality of giving scent off into the air. Take off the top 1/3 or 1/2. Strip all leaves and flowers from stem. Place that in a glass jar and cover with vodka. Kay said she buys the best vodka she can afford, and prefers glass bottles rather than plastic. (Alaena mentioned that she had just read in Matt Wood's book that you can buy the cheapest grade of alcohol for tincturing, as the same regulations apply to the manufacture of all vodkas, but when it applies to other alcohol, such as rum or brandy, you need to buy the more expensive types to obtain the higher grade.) Kay said she muscle tests to find which one to buy. She finds that tinctures made in Everclear can spontaneously combust. Nancy said she has been told that some resinous herbs need to be tinctured in Everclear, and Kay said that is fine... but store them in cold places. Jan said she has found a nice, organic vodka in a glass bottle called Rain at Lake Air Bottle Shop. Kay said the standard dosage is 1 to 3 drops, 1 to 3 times daily. It can be taken under the tongue every 15 minutes for extreme cases. Kay told the story of a man who cut his leg with a chain saw, chewed some yarrow and put it on the wound, and it acted as a painkiller as well as stopping the bleeding. Some students said they use Yarrow for toothache. Take the purple part where it meets the ground, and chew that and it makes the tooth numb. Goldenseal, Comfrey, Calendula will also treat wounds. Calendula heals from the lymphatic system, as does Goldenseal. Yarrow is for the bright arterial bleeding, and also takes away the pain. She has given Yarrow for severe headaches and blood clots. One dose of yarrow in water dissolved a blood clot in one person who was hospitalized for a blood clot in the lung! Yarrow is the first remedy for strokes, because it dissolves blood clots. Bladder infections: Hot yarrow tea will clear it, although it might take 2 or 3 weeks. (Jan used one squirt of tincture in hot tea 3 times a day.) Alaena asked if you could mix herbs and Kay said it doesn't hurt to mix herbs if you want to throw a "blanket" over the problem, meaning address several things at one time. It doesn't hut to mix things. Nothing is absolute. Gather as many ailments as you can with your clients... as much information as you can glean. You may want to hit a couple of bases at once. Utilize the smallest dose possible, and remember that nothing is absolute. Give and take a little bit.

We began to talk about the Doctrine of Signatures with the plants we pulled out of the bucket. Kay said she is still discovering new uses for plants... that are shown in the plant. Blue Vervain... has boingism. It waves in the wind... for men who have problems with erections. It's good for women who have too much sexual drive, and are irritable squared. Done in tincture, one to three drops, one to three times a day. Tincture the whole plant. Lady's Mantle... mantle-type leaf holds dew... good for our "chalice" (uterus).

Alaena asked if more than one herb could be tinctured together, and Kay said she often does that, mixing herbs for a special tincture. Mantle, Red Raspberry and Shepherd's Purse together are good for "dough belly." Sweet Cicely is good for diabetic neuropathy... seed tastes like licorice. Root is the part to be tinctured. Takes about six months, but will correct the problem. Seeds could be interchanged with root. Matt interchanges parts of the plants. Fine seeds, signature of circulatory system. Works well for tinnitus and people who are losing their sight from diabetes. Can be confused with Poison Hemlock. Only redeeming quality of Hemlock would be to use to put a pet to sleep, perhaps. Cedar cleans your lymphatic system. Cedars are "life and death" and often grow around cemeteries. The leaves look like the lymphatic branches. Cedar is highly aromatic. Matt once tinctured cedar shavings from a lumber yard, and it was enough to homeopathically help the person.

Mullein is a specific for TMJ... mostly lst year leaves, but flowers, too. Good for odd breaks and deep, dry coughs that pull from way down. Matt's also used Mullein for broken ribs... he put Mullein on it. Good for bones that don't want to set. You should never take mint in any form before taking homeopathic remedies. Take homeopathic remedies first thing in the morning with a "clean" mouth... before brushing your teeth or eating or drinking anything. Don't brush your teeth or eat for 1/2 hour. Use a toothpaste that is not minty, if you need to brush your teeth. Hairy stem may signify the fairer sex.

Pick Shepherd's Purse when it is flowering... zip leaves and seed pods off the stem to tincture. Bladder remedy... tones the bladder. Midwife gives after the birth to bring on contractions and return to normal quickly. Good for bladder infections and bedwetting and incontinence. Very astringent. Good for internal bleeding, such as ulcer, bladder. Look at the plant... see the attitude of the plant, and it can be used for those types of people. Marshmallow... very velvety and soft. Very soothing to the digestive system. It can be put in any remedy that might be harsh, or used for people that are harsh. It can also be used for someone who is very introverted also... can be for opposites. Can try using leaves and flowers in place of the root... some plants will really vary, depending on whether you use seed, root, leaves or flowers. Some plants, such as Burdock, vary greatly, depending on which part is used. Root works strongly for skin. Katie mentioned she has burdock growing all over her yard, and when she had a "energy reading" with Tenby Owens, she was told she needs that type of energy that burdock offers. Katie said she made tea with burdock, raspberry, nettles and a little mint. Mint encourages menstrual cycle.

Kay mentioned she is very allergic to mosquitoes. She said Tismal said just change your mindset and they won't bother you... but that doesn't necessarily work for her. Signature for St. John's Wort is the tiny piercings in leaves, told her it was good for her mosquito problem. For fine nerves, specific for people who sunburn easily, and good for deep depression. For bug bites, take internally. Black Cohosh and Iris are good for depression. If it's blood sugar related and they self-medicate with food... Iris is good.

For tinctures without alcohol, use glycerin or vinegar. Muscle test, or use pendulum to test what the body will utilize best. Can put alcohol tinctures in hot water or tea to evaporate the alcohol. Some things might be miasmic. They may have come into this life with this... it may have come in through their genes. Overdosing with echinacea or goldenseal may cause what they cure... may become depressed. If someone is comatose, put a hand on their bellybutton and muscle test with a 3rd person. Kay demonstrated muscle testing. Burdock... the leaves are large... they work for skin. The skin is considered the 3rd kidney... and burdock works well for that. Also good for itchy groin, feet, armpits. The indicative thing about burdock, is that the people who need it are better with walking. Burdock seeds... Tismal recommended putting 7 seeds (burrs) and drinking tea from that for 7 days. The seeds "hook" the thoughts. Don't eat the seeds... they can get caught in the throat. Someone ate burdock seeds, got them stuck in the throat, and so they ate plantain... which drew out impacted wisdom teeth. Katie read some of Creating Your Herbal Profile regarding Burdock, by Dorothy Hall, an herbalist from Australia.

Calendula is herbal sunshine. Clears the lymphatics above, below and beyond. Good for wounds that are wet... like sunshine dries out a water puddle. Works below the skin as well. Dry the flowers and put in soups and stews in the wintertime. Calendula oil is great for sunburn. Cuts, insect bites.... Calendula works well for those... cuts that are in the water a lot. Helps with mosquito bites, except for systemic allergies. Never wear blue headbands when going out in the woods, as black flies are attracted. Put a blue feather in a hat and the flies will circle the feather. Susan Weed recommends Yarrow spray for bug repellant. Nancy said an Australian herbalist, Robin Kirby, and she said Calendula is good for fresh wounds, but if it's starting to fester, use St. John's Wort. SJW is good for fine circulation and fine nerve endings healing. SJW brings the red out of the wound. Helps with pain, swelling... topically it helps. Bone and tendon and muscle might be a case for Solomon's Seal because it works for right attachment from ligament to bone. If it were adhesions in a muscle body, Kay said she would use walnut??? (Couldn't understnd for sure.) Shoulder injury calls for Rattlesnake Remedy. Grows at right angle, so indicates shoulder injury. Takes pain away. Works magically. Happened as a result of a cataclysmic accident. Rattlesnake Remedy is a tincture she got from Matt. Kay said to go back in time... to the time of injury... Tismal used to use herbs that work as catalysts. Kay uses Joe Pye Weed. It might work to bring the patient back to the time of injury and begin healing. Use the root, and tincture. Use homeopathically. Pulls the energy back so we can handle it. Take for 3 or 4 days and see if there are any results. Native American way takes 4 days to complete its action: 1 day for physical, 1 day for the mental/ intellectual, 1 day for emotional, 1 day for spiritual. Four days to a cycle. Or 4 weeks... one week on each level. If it's an old injury, you might know how to treat it after the cycle of 4. For rotator cuff, it may need Solomon Seal at that time.

Kay said she has tinctures that are up to 7 years old, and they are still good. Perhaps they are not as powerful as when they were fresh, but they are still viable. When using tincture from Glycerin, you dilute it with water... could be heated gently. It may also keep for many years. Kay said she has some alcohol tinctures that still have the plant in them. Nancy said she has heard that leaving the plant in the alcohol for extended times can cause other plant parts to be added to the tincture. Kay said it may also extract the antidote, which is also in the plant. Some tinctures just get better with time. Tilia (Linden Flower) will get bitter after just a few weeks. White Oak Bark is good for alcoholism. That tincture improves with age.

Kay said we can meet at her place once a month, if we want to, and can bring supplies to tincture plants or make salves on site. We can bring others if we want to put people on the "hot seat" to prescribe for them. Regarding St. John's Wort... it might work for diabetic neuropathy, if they aren't the type for Sweet Cicely. If their nerves are sensitive... to sound... public places... red headed... they may be prone to SJW. If the person is ornery, they might need Sweet Cicely. Sweet Cicely causes what it cures... kids who eat the root like candy can make the kids feet black, interfere with circulation in the feet.

Carpal Tunnel... massage the muscle under the arm. Thoracic outlet syndrome... strum the cords under the muscle under the arm. People who are stronger in front than in the back. Calendula taken internally helps with body odors, as it clears the lymphatic system and helps keep that clear. Kay told the story of a man who went to the acupuncturist... and was told his heart was bad. The man said he was a runner and had a wonderful cardiovascular system, and the acupuncturist said no... you have only so many heartbeats in a lifetime, and you use them all up in running! That's the difference in Eastern and Western thinking. The man cut back his running to half, and he felt better. Don't push yourself too hard. He needed to listen to his own body. This is what you bring to people who come to you as clients... teach them to listen to their own body. Kay told us also about eating a tiny piece of an old echinacea root, and how it was so powerful it caused a massive cleansing in her body and she was very sick.

Respectfully submitted, Alaena Diamon

June, 2003

Members present: Helga, Katie, Cheryl, Alaena, Kay, Melody, Nancy

We had a plant exchange... with lots of wonderful plants! A good time was had by all. Helga brought some delicious cake, which we shared while visiting. No formal meeting. Plans are underway to have an herb walk some day soon.

May, 2003

Members present: Lena, Nancy, Katie, Melody, Helga.

Thanks for delivering the order, Helga. Myron Lindahl, the bee keeper talked about keeping bees and how he got into it to begin with. Also talked about the healing properties of honey and propolis and pollen, and brought some of his products to sell (I encouraged him to do so when we talked by phone). He only had a few ounces of propolis, and I've been working on him to get that for several months... actually he said he might have a few pounds and he would sell it for what the Hayward bee place pays him -- $7 or $7.50/pound, but on the phone before the meeting he said what he had right then was pure propolis and couldn't let it go for less than $10.00 (it was 5 ounces). We also talked with him about the guild possibly going to his house to see his 'operation'. He suggested that it might be easier to take only a couple people out at a time to actually see the hives, but I think if his wife is there we would have fun talking with her while we take turns. Maybe next month we can do that -- I suggested he let us know what is convenient for him (a Saturday?). In July he might have a pot-luck picnic for local people in the bee business, in an attempt to organize a group in the Duluth area, and we are welcome to attend that. Alaena, I brought a tape recorder to the meeting and taped his talk, but you have to listen real carefully to hear him on it. The tape will be available to everyone who wants to listen to it, but you would probably get just as much out of a trip to his place if we get the opportunity to do that. So that took up the entire meeting. Should we try to do a plant swap/sale at the June meeting? We all should have some extras by then. Jan, maybe by that time you'll be able to catch up with us again too.
Nancy

April 22, 2003

Members Present: Katie, Helga, Kay, Melody, Cheryl, Alaena, Lena, Nancy (and Cooper!)

Katie told us she has talked to Connie about the guild checking account, and Connie is sending her the balance in the account (approximately $100.00) plus some uncashed checks. Helga collected the money for the Country Life orders. Helga mentioned visiting the site Nancy recommended from Twin City Wellness, which had a lot of information from Matthew Wood, and shared some of the information on that site. For backaches, use St. John's Wort taken at night and Prickly Ash, as well as Black Cohash. Use Prickly Ash as often as every 15 minutes. Hawthorn, which has longer thorns, is used for deep back pain. Black Cohash is used for shoulder pain and whiplash, Kay said. Solomon's Seal is also used for back pain, for the right attachments from tendons to bone. Kay said Tismal Crow used False Solomon's Seal (the woman's herb), also. Use no metal when processing Solomon's Seal, so it is tinctured whole. Kay has studied extensively with Matt and his teacher, Tismal Crow, and said that Matthew uses herbs almost exclusively homeopathically in tincture form, such as 1 to 3 drops, 1 to 3 times daily. According to The Doctrine of Signatures, the plant tells you what it is best used for. For varicose veins, crush whole comfrey leaves and wrap them with castor oil around the leg; cover with more whole comfrey leaves and hold in place with an Ace bandage. Comfrey salve will work to toughen fingertips, such as when learning to play a guitar. Helga said her grandmother taught to do the same with Comfrey leaves, but she wilted them with boiling water first, then crumpled them and used them as a poultice in the same manner. She also said she puts comfrey leaves in tubs of water along with other herbs, lets them sit overnight, then used that water to water potato plants. Kay said yarrow is for cuts to the third level of the bone: bright red, bleeding cuts. It can be chewed and used as a poultice to stop bleeding and pain immediately. The yarrow leaf at the base of the plant where the root and stem separate (purple and white area) chewed will deaden mouth pain. Nancy said comfrey root can be cooked down to "comfrey goo" and put on the face to diminish wrinkles. Kay said for diabetic peripheral circulation, Sweet Cicely (Black Root) is beneficial, used as an internal tincture. For an eye wash, Eyebright is good, but Uva Ursi is best. Goldenseal is good for pink eye or tired, red eyes. Chickweed is good for eyes, also, as well as for any skin problems. Kay also said herbs cause what they cure: if an herb is effective in curing a disease or illness, it can also induce the illness in someone if it is not used properly. Sweetleaf (Bee Balm) with the purple blossom and moldy leaf (taste the leaf... the hotter the better) helps renew the chi or energy of the body, especially if you are around dead things (tincture the flower and leaf). It's good for damp fever and internal burning, such as an ulcer. Melody uses Sweetleaf for female tonifying. If used as a burn balm, it must be mixed with saliva, as there is an enzyme in saliva (amylase) that digest protein and makes the salve more effective. Kay also told us that Plantain is good for asthma attacks (chew on the leaves). Helga told us that raw plantain rubbed on the body repels mosquitoes. She also told us to relieve heart pain, bite the pinky finger of the left hand on the inside side of the end of the fingertip. Nancy brought the book, "From Earth to Herbalist" by Gregory Tilford. She said there are good photos and good medicinal information, and recommended the book as a good resource.

We discussed making First Aid Kits. Some of the ideas to include were color coded cards with instructions, activated charcoal, rescue remedy, burn balm, bandages, yarrow tincture, bee balm, tea bags for poultices, uva ursi, plantain, St. John's Wort. We need to make sure to include detailed directions for the herbs, so that there is no possibility for misuse and bad effects.

Helga brought some rice crispie bars and Melody brought some cookies to share with tea. Nancy and Lena brought some herbal blends for dips, and we sampled 3 of them with pretzels and carrot sticks. Alaena brought everyone a sample of solid perfume: 4 oz. Sweet Almond Oil, warmed with 3 oz. of beeswax until beeswax melts. Cool slightly. Add 35 drops each of the following essential oils: Rose Geranium, Lavender, Bergamot, Ylang Ylang III, Clary Sage, Rosewood, and 15 drops Clove. The scent blend could be varied, as desired. Lena brought a notice she received from the Governor's wife, advising that all personal credit information will be open to the public, but we can opt out of credit information being made public by calling 1-888-567-8688, select option 2, then select option 3. Rice Crispie Bars: Approximate amounts of the following ingredients: 1 pkg. miniature marshmallows, 3 Tablespoons butter, 1 cup fresh peanut butter; melt for 1 minute in the microwave. Stir. Add 1/2 teaspoon vanilla. Mix in about 5 cups rice crispies and coconut, if desired. Using buttered hands, press into buttered pan.

Our next meeting will be the third Tuesday of May. Kay is planning to do an herb walk with us sometime next month. The date will be announced in the future. Alaena will be gone the second half of May, so will not be at the meeting.

Respectfully submitted, Alaena Diamon

March 18, 2003

Members present: Katie, Helga, Kay, Cheryl, Nancy, Lena, Melody, Alaena

We enjoyed tasting a variety of herbal teas. Lena brought copies of the gardening seminar she attended in Minong. One of the tips she brought us was to clean all planting/gardening containers with soap and water and disinfect with a bleach solution of 20 parts water to one part bleach. We paid our dues to Katie. Katie told us we do not yet have a bank account, and she is keeping track of who has paid. She said everyone is paid up to date. It was decided to have the guild pay Kay Smith's dues in exchange for classes/herb walks periodically. Kay studied with Matthew Wood for 15 years, and has a wealth of information to share. We are fortunate to have her in our guild! This is a one-time, and we are not (as a group) setting a precedent, as we have many members who generously share their talents. Kay will be planning an herb walk with us, perhaps some time in May. Nancy told us about her meeting with a local beekeeper. She invited them to speak at one of our meetings. She brought samples of propolis, pollen, and bitters. Melody offered to bring some plants that need a good home next time. Lena suggested we have business cards made up to hand out to people, advertising our guild. Alaena volunteered to make up a sample page that can be copied for cutting. Helga brought spelt banana bread, spelt garlic sesame sticks, organic dried apricots and spelt fruitcake. Cheryl brought some delicious ginger/cardamom bars. Next month, Nancy will try to arrange for the beekeepers to come and speak to our group.

Respectfully submitted, Alaena Diamon

November 19, 2002

Members present: Katie, Cheryl, Helga, Nancy, Lena, Alaena

Helga shared packets of BBQ Spice with all members present, along with a recipe sheet. Marinating in wine breaks down tough meat fibers. Cayenne may also be added to taste for Cajun seasoning. We discussed our orders received from Country Life. Another order will be going in the first of January. Get your orders in to Helga before then. Helga brought spelt sesame sticks for us to sample, as well as some Country Life catalogs.

Alaena brought aromatherapy neck wraps, herbal eye pillows, sleep pillow and dried flower/vine wreath for holiday gift ideas. Lena brought a recipe for bath salts and bubble bath for children. Katie told us about making rose beads. Nancy brought candied ginger she'd made. She saved the cooking water and froze it in ice cube trays to add to soup. Ginger peelings can be used for tea. Cheryl brought a buckwheat and lavender pillow. Alaena sent a recipe for Pecan Pumpkin Butter. Katie will e-mail recipes for cookies in a jar. Nancy brought a potpourri mix to simmer on the stove, with cardamom, allspice, juniper, and orange peel. She also brought an essential oil scented lotion base, with sandalwood and ylang ylang.

Helga told us about Frontier's beginnings and how their direction has changed from its origins. There was discussion about our dissatisfaction with the way they are now. Nancy brought some new books she has: From Earth to Herbalist, Herbal Treasures, Health Through God's Pharmacy. Helga and Nancy told us about using activated charcoal to detoxify the body, such as after radiation. Lena said she makes a no-stick pan spray, combining 1/4 lecithin to 3/4 vodka, thinning the lecithin enough to enable it to spray easily.

Cheryl brought several floral infused oils. She infused rose petals in olive and jojoba oils 3 times to make a luscious face and body oil. She gave us the following recipe for her rejuvenation oil: Infuse 2 to 3 ounces of calendula in olive oil; add 10 drops each of the following essential oils: neroli, frankincense, fennel, carrot seed, rose, lavender. Add the contents of 4 vitamin E capsules. She also had lemongrass infused in olive oil and lavender leaves and flowers infused in olive oil. She suggested a blend of rosemary and lavender leaf, which is her personal favorite.

Cheryl brought some delicious lavender cookies and two kinds of wonderful biscotti for tea.

Nancy suggested we do a craft idea exchange in September or October to barter or buy. Lena brought handouts on tea and a recipe for sorrel soup. There was conversation about increasing membership; our membership is small. Some people seem to have dropped out, but no one has heard from them. January will begin our new year in the guild. Membership dues are payable in January, $25.00 per year. For guests, the first meeting is free and it is $5.00 per meeting after that. It was decided to keep dues at $25 regardless of whenever someone joins during the calendar year, rather than prorating the dues. If desired, they can pay $5.00 per meeting if it is near the end of our calendar year. Katie will do some publicity, advertising our guild meeting for February. Lena suggested we offer a wish for a happy holiday season for everyone!

Respectfully submitted, Alaena Diamon

October 15, 2002

Members present: Helga, Katie, Cheryl, Alaena

 Helga brought the tape, "Barefoot Doctor" by Leslie Tierra, from Frontier's Herbfest in the early 1990's. Ms. Tierra described several techniques, including the Chinese Cupping Technique. We each had an opportunity to do the Cupping Massage on each other, so we each had a treatment. Massage oil was rubbed into the back, and the cups were applied and used to massage the back. Then (to finish)Tiger Balm was massaged into the back to warm the muscles. All agreed it was wonderfully relaxing, and the sensation lasted throughout the evening. Another of the techniques demonstrated was the dermal hammer, for tapping on specific areas. The third technique was scraping. Helga brought some wooden knives from Finland that were used to "scrape" the muscles with firm pressure. These techniques are used to remove toxins from the body, break up lactic acid deposits and relieve headaches and muscle tension, as well as improve circulation.

We each submitted our orders for Frontier and another wholesale foods catalog Helga brought. Alaena brought her Trinity Herb catalog, and orders were taken for that, also. All orders will be delivered at the next Guild meeting. Alaena brought cinnamon rolls and fudge for tea.

The website is up and running, and recipes will be added to the recipe page, as they are sent in to Alaena. If you have anything you would like added to the website, please send them to Alaena. There is a separate page for publicity use, and a special page for Guild Members. The website for members is: http://www.diamon-naturals.com/GuildM.html. For general publicity, omit the M after Guild. The page will include information on the upcoming meetings on both sites.

Respectfully submitted, Alaena Diamon

The Lake Superior Herb Guild
Tuesday Sept. 24th 7pm
Members present: Katie, Lena, Alaena, Nancy, Helga and Cheryl

The meeting began with the overall consensus that the guild needs to be re-organized. We decided to work on new ideas and suggestions that evening. The "will" is there to continue and to grow and so the following was suggested:

1. Change the meeting night to the 3rd Tuesday of the month. Keep the meeting place at the First Unitarian Church basement. Katie will find out how much of a donation the church would like in order for us to use it. It worked out great as it has a kitchen adjacent to a choice of meeting rooms. We hope to have the chance for some "special" meetings at other times of the month in Wisconsin, up North, Alternatives in Superior etc.

2. Meeting time will be 6:30...socialize for the first 15 minutes and then start the meeting with any business, suggestions, concerns etc., allowing enough time for the presentation or talk that is scheduled for that night.

3. Alaena volunteered to host a Lake Superior Herb Guild page on her web site. Start thinking of ideas that you would like to see on our page.

4. We will keep the name of Lake Superior Herb Guild. Helga will continue to take the frontier orders. Alaena will continue to forward to us her herb class info so we can learn along with her. We all felt it would be a good idea to meet for the next couple of months and see if this guild is going to survive...if things look good (and we are hoping they will) we will begin to advertise for new members in January by placing ads in the Duluth paper with Katies phone number and email for people to contact for more info. Therefore we will hold off on collecting dues until January. We are going to try and go with the idea of each member hosting a meeting with either a demo or a discussion each month.

October meeting: the 15th, 6:30 pm at the church. Helga will demo a chinese healing technique.

November meeting: the 19th, 6:30 pm at the church. Cheryl will give a short talk on infused florals and each member is asked to bring an herbal gift idea, decoration idea or recipe for the holidays.

Did we have the food at our meeting!!!! Cookies from Katie, zucchini bread from Lena, and wonderful herb focaccia bread samples from Helga!! Thank you all for the extra pounds you allowed us to devour!! Nancy gave a talk and information on roots. Hope you all copied the info she emailed us as it really contained alot of good info on roots and ways to use them. Helga shared Heirloom tomato seeds with us so we can all to grow her size tomatoes next year.

If you are UNABLE to attend the monthly meeting, please let us know as it helps greatly when you are preparing a demo or talk etc.

Respectfully submitted, Cheryl Archer

Return to Main Page