Views and recollections from this fall’s Southeastern Women’s Conference

Posted on by Patty Levesque


Suki Roth teaching during an herb walk

The Southeastern Women’s Herbal Conference took place at Lake Eden in Black Mountain this past beautiful fall weekend, Oct. 14-16.

Around 800 women from all over the country attended — some staying in tents around the lake or up on the mountaintop, some in rustic cabins, and some in a nearby bed & breakfast.

Those of us who camped got to experience the moon rising over the lake, drum music to sleep by, a clear sky loaded with many more stars than we can possibly see at home, the sounds of geese flying to and from the lake, and a pack of a coyotes howling through the camp one night!

The range of teachers and class offerings was overwhelming at times.

We could choose from such topics as traditional Cherokee medicine, herbal how-to, health & healing, tending our spirits, advanced for-credit classes for nurses and healers, and the ever-popular herb walks — during which we were shown many healing plants on the property and an easy way to dig up a dandelion root.

I learned that hawthorne trees are blooming in downtown Asheville right now and their berries can be used to make a tincture that is most helpful for all issues of the heart, as well as insomnia, anxiety and digestion.

Brooke Medicine Eagle

Throughout the conference, we enjoyed delicious, nourishing meals (both in the dining hall and from local food trucks), herbal teas, entertainment, a chance to participate in creating sacred ceremony, on-site healing sessions and a variety of vendors selling products for the body, the garden and the spirit.
So much to learn — so little time.

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One thought on “Views and recollections from this fall’s Southeastern Women’s Conference”

  1. Lulu

    The best!!!! Women sharing the knowledge with infants and elders. This magic will continue through the next seven generations.

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