Bio:
Tanya Bucci, M.A. is an avid forager, nature lover, outdoor adventurer, and researcher that specializes in intestinal parasites, healthy living, sustainability, medicinal herbs, and wild edible plants.  Tanya enjoys learning primitive skills and getting back to basics.  Tanya also appreciates observing the mathematics that are reflected in the creation and design of nature.    
 
Introduction to Medicinal Herbs
This presentation will cover the basics of using plants for health and healing.  Over two dozen medicinal herbs will be discussed.  This will include common culinary herbs like parsley, cilantro, and oregano that can be easily grown in your backyard garden, as well as wild medicinal plants including burdock, yellow dock, and goldenrod that can be found growing throughout the region.  The medicinal actions of the herbs (e.g., immune boosting, detoxification, liver support, stress relief, etc.), along with the various ailments that each herb is best suited will be examined.   This presentation will include an introduction to foraging (a.k.a. wild-crafting).  A handout on how each of the covered herbs can be used – that is, whether as food, tea infusions, decoctions, tinctures, salves, poultices, syrups, and/or infused oils – will be provided. 

Introduction to Making Tinctures (Demonstration)
Making your own tinctures is easy, economical, and empowering.  During this demonstration, the steps for making tinctures from fresh and dried plant material will be explained.  Both the folk method and the more precise weights and measures method will be demonstrated.  Equipment, record-keeping, labeling and more will be covered.  Making other homemade products with herbs like syrups, salves, and oils will be briefly discussed as well.  Attendees will be provided an informational handout about where to find herbs, necessary (and recommended) equipment, useful books, etc. 
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Local Wild, Edible & Medicinal Plants by the Season
Learn how to identify, harvest and prepare local, wild edible and medical plants by focusing on what is available by each season. Common poisonous plants and proper foraging practices will also be discussed. Students are encouraged to bring a notepad and any reference book on wild plants, foraging, herbalism, etc.The instructor for the course is area resident Tanya Bucci, a graduate of University of Pittsburgh.

DIY Herbalism: Creating Tinctures, Salves & Poultices
Would you like to get back to basics and learn how to create your own tinctures, salves, and poultices? If so, join local resident, Tanya Bucci, a graduate of University of Pittsburgh, who has a Certificate in Nutrition with a Masters Degree in Research Methodology to learn more. Tanya will review the history of herbalism, specific natural medicine making techniques used by herbalists throughout the world, and the basic skills and techniques for integrating herbs into your everyday life. Tanya will also discuss the many medicinal plants that can be foraged in the wild, as well as discuss where to obtain quality herbs and roots for your medicine making. All materials will be provided for a special, hands-on potion. By the completion of the course, participants will be able to make their own herbal tinctures, salves, poultices, glycerites and more. 

DIY Back to the Basics: Cold Process Soap Making
Description of course: In this two-part course, learn to make your own traditional cold process soap with local resident, Tanya Bucci, a graduate of University of Pittsburgh, who has a Certificate in Nutrition with a Master’s Degree in Research Methodology.  The first part of the course will be demonstration style – part hands-on class, where students will learn all about the different steps in creating a batch of cold process soap. Items covered include: ingredients, lye safety, base oil properties, how to formulate recipes including lye calculations, types of molds, curing, etc.  Students will observe the process of mixing lye solution and adding lye solution to oils.  Students will assist in blending colors in soap batter and pouring into molds, as well as adding artistic effects.  Part two of the course will be releasing the soap from the molds and cutting into bars with various cutters.  Each participant will receive a bar to take home for use after the final curing process.  Students will receive handouts on all aspects of the soap making process, as well as information on resources, basic recipes, tips, and places to buy supplies.  This is a great class if you are interested in learning about soap making before you make a commitment investing in supplies and ingredients. Participants will need to bring their own plastic/rubber household gloves, proper clothes (long sleeves, no shirts or skirts, closed toed shoes, etc.), safety glasses and a face mask or bandana.  All other supplies will be provided. NOTE: This is an age 18+ class since making soap from scratch involves working with lye (a.k.a. sodium hydroxide).

Local Wild Edible Plants
I will cover how to identify, harvest, and prepare local, wild, edible plants. Also covered will be common poisonous plants in the region, proper foraging practices, and tools of the craft. Workshop attendees will gain an ability to become more self-reliant by learning what plants are safe to consume and at what time of year is best for harvesting.