Herbalism After School Program Blossoms in Welches

Amber Ford, The Mountain Times

Beginning in April, kids living in The Mt. Hood Villages and attending Welches Schools can now participate in a very unique afterschool program centered around the environment and natural healing methods. Created, hosted, and taught by long time Mt. Hood Villages local herbalist and resident Mel Mutterspaugh, children can now experience the many benefits of the plant life that can be found all over their neighborhoods and playgrounds.

A graduate of Elderberry School of Botanical Medicine, Mutterspaugh’s experience and knowledge in the art and techniques of herbalism will help Welches’ students understand the many beneficial factors of plant life, but also identify the species that dwell among them on any given day in the community. With a great understanding of the importance herbs and plants have in the well being of her community, Mutterspaugh’s determination to share this knowledge will be a welcome addition to the afterschool programs. “I love kids and I love teaching them. My background before being drawn into the world of herbalism was in Environmental and Experiential Education, where I’d do a lot of outdoor ed programs with kids,” Mutterspaugh said. “I constantly hear parents say they wish this were a regular curriculum in schools. I’m a firm believer it should be as well,” Mutterspaugh added.

Although this is a new concept in the afterschool program for students within the Welches school system, the art and craft of herbalism is the backbone for so many living within The Mt. Hood Villages. With a firm belief in the many benefits plants have for people, Mutterspaugh’s passion for herbalism also carries her into the environmental side of the program as well. “My love of herbalism stems from my passion for mother nature, and my desire to do whatever I can to protect it,” Mutterspaugh said. “I’ve always had a belief that the more people who use plants as medicine, the more they’ll be inspired by nature, and want to protect this precious planet,” Mutterspaugh added. 

Kicking off the first week of April, the herbalism afterschool program will be held every Thursday through the end of May. Under the direction of Mutterspaugh, Welches’ students will have the chance to experiment and understand the various uses of plant life, which will include how to blend their own medicinal teas for flavor and function, plant identification (also learning the toxic plants around us), foraging, sustainable and ethical wild harvesting, making medicine from common culinary herbs (honeys, oxymels, vinegars, etc.), herbal body care (facials, steams, and lip balms), herbal first aid (salves, sprays, and what else to pack), and creating plant journals and monographs. This afterschool program, held in The Welches Middle School building, will not only offer students the ability to connect with the nature that surrounds them as young residents of The Mt. Hood Villages, but also offer them a chance at connecting with the environment in a hands-on way. 

Although Welches Schools offers programs and classes that enhance the young mind, the new addition of the afterschool herbalism program offers an educational enrichment that will encourage continued education and future use. Mutterspaugh explains that herbal medicine isn’t just about identifying plant life and its purpose, but is also an essential life skill. “I think we all saw what happened when we lost our basic modern conveniences and comforts over the pandemic,” Mutterspaugh said. “These skills can save lives, and help people live much longer healthier lives as well,” Mutterspaugh added.

The afterschool herbalism program is held every Thursday at Welches Middle School. There is no fee associated with this program, and all interested students and parents must register through the Welches School office; homeschooled kids are also welcome. Mutterspaugh will also be offering Medicinal Plant Walks one Sunday per month and a future in-person class, time and space to be determined. For more information on Mutterspaugh’s classes please visit theherbalistspath.com.