PICKENS — Registration is now open for the Pickens County Museum’s Fall-Winter 2012 series of Herb Classes with instructor Robin McGee. The classes, all to be held at the Hagood Mill Historic Site & Folklife Center, are designed for adults and are very hands-on.
McGee is a community herbalist, organic gardener, herbal medicine-maker, writer and herbal educator now living in Anderson. She has been studying, using and creating herbal medicines and products for more than a decade. 
Along with producing her line of herbal products, Wild Earth Botanicals, McGee teaches herbal medicine classes and workshops, does private consultations, leads plant identification walks, and is a popular speaker and storyteller throughout the eastern United States. She has studied with internationally renowned herbalists, traditional healers and shamans including Rosemary Gladstar, Matthew Wood, Rocio Alarcon, and Dona Enriquetta Contreras. 
McGee is a member of United Plant Savers, SC Native Plant Society, Upstate Master Naturalist Association, NC Herb Association, and is a contributing writer for the United Plant Savers Journal of Medicinal Plant Conservation, the American Herbataurus Society Newsletter, amarjah.com, and the Rutherford County Catalyst.     
McGee lives with her husband, Mac, on a 500-acre chemical-free farm that is home to their business, Carolina Grassfed Beef & Free-Range Eggs. Her commitment to conservation and sustainability is inspiring; her teachings empowering, enlightening, humorous, and lively.  
Robin McGee’s Fall-Winter 2012 Classes at Hagood Mill:
September 13: Making Your Own Herbal Extracts: Tincture-Making The Wise Woman Way with Herbalist, Robin McGee, noon-3 p.m., Tuition: $60 ($50 museum members). Learn how to make your own herbal extracts (tinctures). It’s much easier than you think. In this class you will learn to make potent medicinal tinctures from fresh and dried berries, roots, bark, leaves, and flowers, and the importance of proper labeling and storage. Price includes a detailed handout, recipes, materials, and instruction. Students will make a tincture to take home. Must pre-register by calling (864) 898-5963.
September 27: Barking Up The Right Tree: Making Medicine From Trees with Herbalist, Robin McGee, noon-3 p.m., Tuition: $50 ($40 museum members). Confused about making medicine from the Trees? Should you use inner bark, outer bark, roots or leaves? Tincture, syrup or tea? In this demonstration class you will learn how and when to harvest and how to prepare White Oak, Wild Cherry, Tulip Poplar, Black Walnut, and Sassafras for medicine. Gain the skills and confidence to go home and do it yourself. Must pre-register by calling (864) 898-5963.
October 11: Herbal Baby & Childcare with Herbalist, Robin McGee, noon-3 p.m., Tuition: $50 ($40 museum members). Teething, fever, colic, diaper rash, irritability, colds, flu, sore throat, coughing… the list goes on and on.  As parents and grandparents we hate to see our little ones feeling miserable. Thankfully, nature has provided us with wonderful green allies to give ease. Learn to use simple, gentle healing herbs that are especially great for children. Must pre-register by calling (864) 898-5963.
October 25: Herbs for Winter Wellness with Herbalist, Robin McGee, noon-3 p.m., Tuition: $50 ($40 museum members). Did you know that common garden Thyme was used in hospitals as a disinfectant long before the invention of those aerosol spray? Or that many people successfully use Elderberry instead of over-the-counter and prescription drugs for influenza? Join us as we discuss herbs and herbal products you can make to use for prevention, at the first signs of sickness, and for full-blown illness. Learn how to make your own hand sanitizer and room spray that is safe for you and the environment. Must pre-register by calling (864) 898-5963.
November 8: Syrups: Easy Herbal Medicine with Herbalist, Robin McGee, noon-3 p.m., Tuition: $60 ($50 museum members). Herbal syrups are delicious and potent natural medicines that are easy to make, and one of the easiest methods of getting herbs into kids (and finicky adults). We will discuss some of the more common plants/plant parts used as syrups, taste several sample syrups, and students will make a medicinal syrup to take home. Price includes a detailed handout, recipes, and instruction. Must pre-register by calling (864) 898-5963.
Pre-registration is required and you may register in person or by calling the Pickens County Museum at (864) 898-5963. Tuition may be paid by cash, check or charge. Make check payable to the Pickens County Museum or call the Museum to use your Visa, MasterCard, Discover or American Express. All classes will be held at the Hagood Mill. Full Tuition must be paid before first class. Students will be notified if a class is cancelled or filled. If class is cancelled all tuition will be reimbursed to registered student. No tuition reimbursements after start of class.