EEK! Using Herbs for Anxiety & Overwhelm
Tuesday, February 17, 2026
6:00pm -8:30pm(ish)
We hope the New Year has been full of wonder and ease for y'all, but perhaps... maybe not entirely. Have you also noticed that people seem pretty stressed out? And not just in the “Wow, there's a lot of stuff going on...” sense, but also in the “I feel imperiled!” sense.
On Tuesday evening, February 17th, 2026 from 6 - 8:30 pm ET at Proud Lake Recreation Area, jim mcdonald will be teaching about why this happens, and what can be done about it (it’s always more than just taking stuff, but we will be passing around all manner of relaxant herbs to sample...).
Stress is one of the largest contributors to illness, depleting our bodies of the energy needed to maintain health, digest our food, fight off infection, and keep us happy & smiling. All too many of us feel like we’re swimming upstream or in a constant state of “fight or flight”, even if we’re just standing in our kitchen. Fortunately, there are a myriad assortment of herbs not only known to offer a calming influence, but which act in a restorative manner upon the nervous system as well.
Join herbalist jim mcdonald in a discussion of the herbs and practices that will support us through times of stress and strain, whether it be due to acute trauma or just trying to keep up with the unsustainable pace of life that surrounds us. We’ll look at a number of herbs that can support us through hard times, emphasizing how plants can help specific manifestations of stress, from overwhelm to outbursts to heartache.
If you're interested in jim's 2026 lindera: an herbal intensive; either online or in person, this class provides a great preview of his teaching and approach to herbalism.
cost...
$40 per person and includes extensive handouts.
Technically, a State of Michigan Recreation Passport is required. They are available at the main park office. Without a pass they will sometimes leave a "ticket" but its just for the cost of the daily park pass. If someone has a Michigan Recreation Passport entry license plate, there's no fee. Carpooling will make this a minimal cost.
location...
River Hawk Annex at Proud Lake Recreation Area
Park Headquarters Road
Commerce Township, MI 48382
42.570690, -83.552544 ← There is no actual address for the River Hawk Annex; to find exactly where class will be, enter these coordinates into whatever map app you use for directions.
to register...
Please use a "register for a class" button on this page; pre-registration helps SO MUCH and is deeply appreciated. Likewise, sharing with and bringing along friends, family, and random passersby makes you awesome! If there is space left, you can also bring payment the day of the class.
Email jim@herbcraft.org to see if there are spots available.
questions about classes?
I've got answers to frequently asked questions (like times, weather exceptions, missed classes and such) here.