HWB has many projects and models that can combine into becoming a whole community-centered framework of different projects that all complement and support holistic wellness for all.
Community Outreach or Community Supported Herbalism (CSH) is the umbrella for the idea of mutual aid and community outreach projects that fill needs in local communities. Free Clinics, Community Apothecaries, Community Gardens, Seed Libraries and Seed Swaps, Education, Plant Walks, Disaster Relief, and more, all combine in a community model to work as a whole organism with different branches that support one another.
Community Outreach In this framework can encompass many other types of community care and projects, including:
- Creating self-care kits for the local unhoused community
- Creating wellness packs to distribute at a local food pantry on community day
- Creating online educational classes for local people on family herbal health and wellness
- Partnering with local farms to provide food and herbs to local people
- Making salve for aid and relief efforts
- Assembling wellness support kits for local families in shelters
- Creating care packages for refugees living along the borders
Many HWB clinics/chapters/projects partner with local mutual aid or nonprofit organizations with shared vision to reach more people and consolidate their efforts.
This may include having an HWB community wellness table at a local meal tent, partnering with Mutual Aid groups to get herbal support to protestors or community activists, or partnering with a local food pantry to donate excess food from community gardens or create care kits to distribute to unhoused folks with a mutual aid food truck.
There are many ways to optimize our work and partner with others doing this work to reach more people.
These projects often require community support, aid, mutual work and reciprocity, and solidarity to support those most In need In local communities. They may offer HWB free clinics, community gardens, and other models of community outreach as well.
For information or ideas on Community Outreach projects you could implement and organize in your own community, email office@hwbglobal.org.
Community Apotheca Project
The word apothecary has its roots in the historical word apotheca, a place where special spices, herbs, cordials and wine were stored and the apothecarist was the person who prepared and dispensed these medicinal commodities within the materia medica.
In 80% of the world’s population, plant-based medicine IS primary health care. The Wise Woman Tradition, medicine for the people, is shared person-to-person, based on nourishment with food and plants, self-love, compassion and heart centeredness. It encompasses activities such as serving a winter wellness tea at a Peoples Clinic, cooking up a comforting soup, applying a compress at a first aid station, blending a salve, making self care kits for local shelters, providing herbal care at a local food pantry table, even conducting a Plant Identification walk for a community that does not have access to much medicine.
What does a community apothecary look like? It can be a central location that houses the donated supplies and efforts of community outreach work, free clinics and more. In reality, this is often a space in the home of a coordinator - such as a storage room or spare room - or is a donated space from a member business or school. A community apothecary can be a concept as well, the idea that the community works together to gather support that can be mobilized to serve those most in need in our communities. Email the office for more information!
Herbalists Without Borders Community Herbal Apotheca Project promotes community grassroots, cost-effective, plant-based health and wellness that is accessible to all people. This need is becoming more urgent due to high costs of mainstream medical care, lack of insurance coverage, along with the resurgence of folk herbalism integrating medicinal and nutritive plants grown regionally. There is a strong need for sustainable, readily accessible herbs and herbal products at any given time, from prevention to times of community emergencies.
