What does it mean to care for ourselves and one another as we approach the end of life? And how might plants, Western herbalism, and being deeply present support comfort, dignity, connection, and quality of life during this profound transition?
In this 2.5-hour community class, we’ll explore the evolution of death care, the dying process, common signs and symptoms, and the role of conventional and complementary approaches in supporting people at the end of life.
We’ll look at ways herbalism can be incorporated into compassionate end-of-life care, including teas, glycerites, salves, aromatic preparations, flower essences, and other simple herbal practices. We’ll also explore the larger question of when death care begins and how the ways we care for ourselves, our relationships, and our communities throughout life can shape how we approach death. Participants will receive practical resources and recipes to continue exploring these approaches at home.
No prior herbalism experience is necessary. Everyone will have something valuable to bring to this space! This class is offered in-person and online. A Zoom link will be sent to those who register a couple of days prior to the class date.
Cost: $50. 100% of proceeds support the outreach clients in our student-run herb clinic who receive clinic services and herbal remedies at no cost.
When: Saturday, November 21st from 1-3:30pm
Stephanie Collins is a certified Health and Wellness Coach through the American Council on Exercise (ACE), is trained through the International End of Life Doula Association (INELDA) as a Death Doula, and a student herbalist with Gathering Thyme Herb School since 2025. She holds a Master’s degree in Ethnobotany from the University of Kent in Canterbury, England, bringing together her love of anthropology, botany, and healthy living.
Nature has been Stephanie’s refuge since childhood, especially the realm of the botanical kingdom. More than two decades of living and traveling throughout Latin America deepened her appreciation for the relationships between plants, people, culture, and healing. A lifelong learner and passionate educator, Stephanie loves sharing what she discovers with others and creating spaces where people can explore their own relationships with nature, health, and well-being. Her work is grounded in curiosity, compassion, and a belief that plants can offer us not only practical support, but also connection, meaning, and a different way of understanding ourselves and the world around us. She is also fascinated by the ways our relationship with mortality can invite us to think more intentionally about how we live.
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