A practicing herbalist and registered herbalist in the American Herbalists Guild, Nicole Telkes is a writer, speaker, and naturalist from Austin, Texas. She has a background in botanical studies, plant conservation work, community activism, and herbal first-aid clinics. Telkes has spent the last 20 years traveling around wild and weedy corners of North America, studying and using bioregional native and naturalized medicinal plants, and she wrote the book Medicinal Plants of Texas. She’s the lead teacher and founder of the Wildflower School of Botanical Medicine.
Nicole is speaking in Texas and is a contributor to Mother Earth News Fair Online.Workshops
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Wild Harvests: Weedcrafting
This second part of a three-part series will introduce you to the basics of foraging. Learn about plant identification; gathering plants; edible and medicinal weeds; ethical considerations; sustainability; and how to harvest, dry, and prepare plants for food and first aid. Your guide is Nicole Telkes, who has gathered from the wild since she was a child, and has taught extensively across North America on the subject. In this part, Nicole will bring you on a virtual guided plant walk to look at wild edibles and medicinals. She concentrates on some important medicinal and edible weeds to get started with as a forager, and then discusses sustainability guidelines when it comes to gathering from wild spaces.
Natural Health Hands On
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Wild Harvests: Plant identification basics
This first part of a three-part series will introduce you to the basics of foraging. Learn about plant identification; gathering plants; edible and medicinal weeds; ethical considerations; sustainability; and how to harvest, dry, and prepare plants for food and first aid. Your guide is Nicole Telkes, who has gathered from the wild since she was a child, and has taught extensively across North America on the subject. One of the first things to consider when gathering from the wild is whether or not you can confidently identify a plant before gathering it. Nicole is formally trained in botany and ecology and guides you through the basics of getting started with botanical IDs, and gives you practical tips for future study.
Natural Health Hands On
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Wild Harvests: Making extracts and recipes
This third part of a three-part series will introduce you to the basics of foraging. Learn about plant identification; gathering plants; edible and medicinal weeds; ethical considerations; sustainability; and how to harvest, dry, and prepare plants for food and first aid. Your guide is Nicole Telkes, who has gathered from the wild since she was a child, and has taught extensively across North America on the subject. Nicole demonstrates and discusses harvesting considerations when gathering from the wild, and brings you through her harvest of some wild edibles and medicinals so you can see different ways to enjoy your harvests as both food and first aid. She also leaves you with some takeaways to keep moving you forward on your path as a forager, especially when it comes to giving back to the wild.
Natural Health Hands On
Speaking At:
Vital Immunity: Herbs to Get You Better and Keep You Well!
Follow along as Nicole Telkes discusses several herbs, herbal combinations, supplements, and lifestyle combinations to support your body and keep your immune system strong and vital. Nicole is a practicing clinical herbalist who has worked with clients for over two decades. Learn ways to prevent getting infections, lessen symptoms, and recover more quickly if you get sick.
Natural Health
Speaking At:
Texas, Saturday 2:00-3:00 p.m., Mother Earth Living Stage
Top 10 Springtime Medicinal Plants for Central Texas
Ever wondered what herbs to grow or be on the lookout for in Central Texas during spring? And what does "spring" actually mean in the Deep South? Join herbalist and author Nicole Telkes as she guides you through her top 10 herbs for springtime, covering food, medicine, growing considerations, and more. Focused on propagating bioregional herbs in your garden, Telkes' list comes from more than two decades of foraging and gardening with native and weedy medicinal plants in Central Texas.
Keynote
Speaking At:
Texas, Sunday 2:00-3:00 p.m., Mother Earth News Stage
The Joy of Cordial-Making: Recipes for stress and anxiety
Want to make life a little sweeter? This class will focus on practices to help you relieve stress and anxiety. Learn simple meditation techniques, recipes for cordials that help you relax and sleep better, and how to create a new rhythm when you've been emotionally sucker-punched. You'll need: a 16-ounce jar and lid, 2 cups of whiskey, 1 cup of honey or sugar, some fresh fruit such as pears or peaches, and 1 cup fresh or 1/2 cup dried herbs (choose from the list offered in class).
Natural Health Hands On
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Natural First-Aid Kit: Crafting Your Own Bitters Hands-On Workshop
Learn to make your own natural first aid as Nicole Telkes guides workshop participants through making their own bitters. Bitters are a traditional remedy for digestive issues, but they have dozens of other uses (including breaking up fats in the body and stabilizing blood sugar). Follow along as Nicole discusses the ins and outs of making the remedy and go home with your own jar of bitters!
Note: An extra pass is required for this workshop. Space is limited, get your passes today
Hands On
Speaking At:
Texas, Sunday 10:00-11:00 a.m., Hands-On Workshops Room
Make Your Own Fire Cider: A spicy, sweet, and sour first-aid remedy
Learn all about a traditional herbal remedy that has gained a lot of notoriety in the past few years. Fire cider is a spicy, sweet, vinegar-based preparation often used to help relieve symptoms from colds and flu, especially respiratory congestion. The best part is that most of the ingredients can be found in the produce aisle or the garden! See how to make it, get your questions answered, and get tips and tricks for making it more unique. You'll need: a 16-ounce mason jar with a lid, a small onion, two heads of garlic, a 4-inch piece of horseradish, a hand of ginger, several chile peppers, some apple cider vinegar, and honey. Optional ingredients include: lemon, orange, rosemary, thyme, or other herbs.
Natural Health Hands On
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Herbs for Outdoor Enthusiasts
Do you love spending time outside? Whether it's camping, canoeing, hiking, or horseback riding, we usually find ourselves reaching for the first aid kit at some point. Join Nicole Telkes, to learn some simple herbal remedies and ideas you can make a part of your outdoor adventures. We will cover vulneraries, (or wound healing herbs), and other herbs for bites, burns, dehydration, and heat exhaustion as well as the best forms to carry them in when all you may have is a backpack.
Natural Health Hands On Herbal Health
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