Students explore the varied aspects of herbalism and connect with plant wisdom within a caring & inclusive learning environment. Classes are held in the garden, forest, fields & herb kitchen at RiverSong Farm, Saxapahaw, NC.
Announcing New Classes for Winter 2025
Join Clinical Herbalist Lea Clayton and Belinda Lashea, CNM, for a workshop that will explore the biological and energetic changes of perimenopause and how our plant allies can empower and support us through this transformative life stage. 🌀🌿
This workshop offers a rich blend of clinical insight, traditional wisdom, and practical tools for healing and balance.
On Saturday we’ll explore the art and science of navigating hormonal transitions with herbalist and nurse-midwife Belinda Lashea and clinical herbalist Lea Clayton. Learn about balancing hormones, discover herbal solutions, and gain somatic experience of a plant ally. Meet and commune with others during a potluck lunch, during a soup dinner, and in the evening devotional fire.
On Sunday we’ll explore your questions about your unique experience. Lea and Belinda will offer personalized feedback and guidance, and you’ll benefit from hearing from a range of concerns and experiences.
You’ll come away from the weekend equipped with new knowledge, plant allies, and practical tips—everything you need for a smooth journey through flame and flow.
Agenda:
SATURDAY FEB 1
10am-12pm: Morning Session - Hormonal Balance with Belinda Lashea, CNM
Delve into the complexities of hormonal imbalances such as estrogen dominance, estrogen deficiency, and progesterone deficiency. Belinda will guide you through the clinical lens, offering insights into how plant allies can restore balance and vitality
12pm-1pm: Potluck Lunch ♥️
Share a delicious meal and connect with fellow participants.
1pm-3:30pm Afternoon Session - Energetic and Herbal Approaches with Lea Clayton
Lea will introduce Chinese herbal and energetic approaches to perimenopause, offering a unique perspective on supporting balance and vitality. You’ll be guided through a plant meditation to connect deeply with the healing power of plants.
3:30pm-4pm: Closing Reflections
5pm-9pm: Devotional Fire 🔥
After a break to enjoy a dinner of soup and bread, gather for a sacred fire circle to honor Brigid—the healer, herbalist, and midwife—during her sacred time of Imbolc. This devotional fire is an opportunity for reflection, connection, and celebration of wisdom and renewal. (Optional)
SUNDAY FEB 2
10am-12pm: Sunday Sanctuary - Practical Solutions for Perimenopause
Join Lea and Belinda for an intimate, collaborative session focused on practical, personalized solutions for managing perimenopausal symptoms. This interactive discussion is your chance to ask questions, explore common concerns, and discover how plant allies can support hormonal balance and overall well-being. (Optional)
Workshop price: $165 + $10 materials fee
Venue: We will be in a gorgeous, light-filled space in Saxapahaw. Address provided upon registration.
We will be in a small intimate group. There are limited seats, so please reserve yours asap!
About the teachers:
Belinda Lashea, CNM, of Bear Root Midwifery, is a midwife and clinical herbalist with over 20 years of experience. She began her journey as a direct-entry midwife, learning the arts of midwifery and traditional healing with plants through apprenticeship in the mountains of NC in 1998. With the support of her midwifery community, she went on to earn her bachelor’s in nursing from UNC Chapel Hill, and her master’s degree in Nurse-Midwifery from East Carolina University, where she is currently a PhD candidate and serves as part-time faculty in the nurse-midwifery program. Belinda is passionate about preserving the ancient arts of midwifery and herbalism, she specializes in herbs for women’s health, fertility, pregnancy, and postpartum.
Lea Clayton, LMBT, BCPP is a clinical herbalist, an NC licensed massage & bodywork therapist & a board certified Polarity Therapist (LMBT#5134, BCPP.) She has been in bodywork practice since 2004 & clinical herb practice since 2018. She began her herbalism education in 2003 as an apprentice to local wise woman herbalist Suki Roth and has completed a 4-year clinical herbal training with David Winston, Registered Herbalist AHG.
As an herbalist she both consults individually and offers group classes in botanical medicine. She grows and wildcrafts herbs, makes medicine and maintains a small (but awesome!) herbal dispensary at RiverSong Farm, her home in Saxapahaw.
Please join me for Herbs for the Heart. In this one-day workshop, we’ll explore some physical and energetic aspects of herbs for the heart through Western, Ayurvedic, and Traditional Chinese Medicine perspectives.
While we'll dive into theory, this workshop centers on hands-on learning, medicine-making, and somatic experience.
Just a taste of what you’ll learn:
The best herbs for soothing anxious or grieving emotional heart
How to make your own high quality tincture and medicinal tea for heart health
How to incorporate herbs as food and medicine for heart and cardiovascular health as we age
You’ll take home your own heart-healing tincture as well as materials for your home reference.
Let’s connect together with plant wisdom in a caring and inclusive learning environment.
Cost: $120 + a $10 material fee.
Space is limited. Please email now to lea@greenheartnc.com to register
About the instructor
Lea Clayton is a clinical herbalist, an NC licensed massage & bodywork therapist & a board certified Polarity Therapist (LMBT#5134, BCPP.) She has been in bodywork practice since 2004 & clinical herb practice since 2018. She began her herbalism education in 2003 as an apprentice to local wise woman herbalist Suki Roth and has completed a 4-year clinical herbal training with David Winston, Registered Herbalist AHG.
As an herbalist she both consults individually and offers group classes in botanical medicine. She grows and wildcrafts herbs, makes medicine and maintains a small (but awesome!) herbal dispensary at RiverSong Farm, her home in Saxapahaw.