Herbal Education
Paul Mercier-Summer 2014
“Learning about herbs, face to face, with Mary has been an invaluable experience for me! Knowing the importance of quality plants and herbs to support your body has been life changing. Studying the herbal actions and contraindications has given me the confidence to make herbal tinctures, teas, infusions and salves. Although I must say Mary has all that in her store and it’s local! Her wealth of herbal knowledge and her willingness to answer any question I might have about a specific herb has been a valuable resource I trust for me and my family. Did I mention she is also available for herbal consultations? Keep up the great work Mary!”
Jenn Baumstein Winter 2009
“I participated in the HEAT program in the Winter of 2009 – 2010, as a work-trade participant (which was SUPER helpful at the time). I learned the basics of making plant medicine, but beyond that, truly began my journey of learning how to listen to and heal my body as well as supporting others. I was welcomed in to the rockin’ radical plant lover community with open arms and have continued to grow relationships with people who care deeply about the earth. I have since moved a few hundred miles away, but a part of Farmacy is with me at all times…partially because I always have a few tictures in my bag, and partially because the lessons learned are deep within me.”
Khym Carmichael-Winter 2013
“Wow. Where can I begin? Mary Blue has changed my life for the better. I took HEAT levels 1 and 2. Level 1 was spent with 8 other herb enthusiasts in Farmacy Herbs Providence headquarters by a wood stove through the winter. We developed a lovely community bond through Mary’s curriculum. We learned so much with each other and practiced on each other to learn how to do consultations. My health is better than it has been in years and I feel empowered by the education I received from Farmacy to address my own conditions and act accordingly. I am thankful for such a rewarding experience and feel blessed that I can buy the herbs that I need right here in providence. I know they are grown and harvested with love and sourced with our best health intentions in mind. Thank you Mary for all your hard work. You rock!”
Carmen Mendoza-King-Winter 2010
“Coming across Farmacy Herbs and getting to take the Herbal Education And Training (HEAT) class largely impacted my sense of what’s possible for herbalism in an urban context; it was inspiring to see how Farmacy is a self-sustaining project with community support. Since having moved to Providence just to be part of the HEAT class four years ago, I am continuously inspired by witnessing the growth of Farmacy Herbs. The impact of the short yet fulfilling experience as a student and through the work-trade continues to resonate within my life. What I learned from Mary, from the interns, and from the other students at Farmacy created a solid foundation in better understanding herbal medicines/plant allies and how to integrate herbs into my daily life for self and community healing. One of the things that I respect and admire most about Farmacy and Mary Blue’s approach to herbalism is that it is grounded in principles of social justice, or the idea that health and wellness education/services are not a privilege–that they should be available to all, especially people from communities who have faced systemic oppression & may be of limited resources. The work-trade model allowed it for me to be possible to take the HEAT class at Farmacy, and I am grateful that this option exists so that anyone who is interested in classes through Farmacy can have access to them.”
“My classes at Farmacy Herbs have always been both relaxed and highly informative. Since studying with Mary, I have gained a stronger awareness of the plants that grow around me and about the way these plants can help people live in a more healthy way. Something people often overlook when describing their learning experience is how much the tone Mary sets influences the participants in her classes. I’ve never studied with a more congenial and supportive group.”
