Invited speaker Stephanie Tourles will discuss six common healing herbs, three that are easy to grow and three that are locally wild-growing. Members will learn the beneficial properties of these herbs and how they can be used medicinally. Samples of the plants in their various forms and products made with them will be available for all to experience.

Stephanie Tourles's education began in the late 1960s -1970s as a little girl on her grandfather's farm in north Georgia. He grew up poor in Appalachia and was well versed in wild-growing herb identification, making home remedies, and Cherokee medicine. He took her for long walks and taught her about the local healing leaves, roots, flowers, barks, and clays, and the art of making salves and tinctures. With much guidance and experimentation, Ms. Tourles began experimenting, mixing up her own remedies and applying them to anyone who would submit to being her patient. She asked for feedback and kept copious notes for years.

Since that time, Ms. Tourles has undertaken extensive study with many herbalists and mentors, training in Western and Ayurvedic herbalism. Between 1994 and 2022, she wrote 15 books on the subjects of natural/herbal skin and body care, topically-applied herbal remedies, insect repellents, raw food nutrition, essential oils for home health, and natural foot care. Her publisher, Storey Publishing, sent her on frequent book tours around the country which included many TV, radio, and bookstore appearances. Currently, Stephanie is in private practice in Marble Falls, Texas, as a licensed massage therapist, certified foot/hand reflexologist, skin care herbalist/licensed esthetician, and craniosacral therapist.

Meeting room doors open at 9:30 a.m. for social time and light refreshments. The business meeting starts at 10:00 a.m., and the presentation begins immediately after the business meeting. Weather permitting, there is a pre-meeting bird walk at 8:00 a.m. at Haley Nelson Park in Burnet.