Playa Manzanillo
Ocean at Playa Manzanillo |
Caribbean Sunset |
In my lovely home town of Manzanillo, many humans and frogs flock to experience a unique facet of Tico culture. Here, medicinal plant tours unveil age-old secrets of herbal medicine. After fleeing from predators or if I'm in need of a stress-reliever, I come to soak in the natural beauty of Manzanillo beaches, catch up with old friends and explore the grassroots approach of plant healing. Local herbalists share ancient wisdom that will teach you how they've treated Ticos for centuries. There are several different programs and classes offered through Centro Ashe Costa Rica Grassroots Plant Healers Tour.
A Little About Manzanillo
Located on the Caribbean Coast in Talamanca, Manzanillo is known for its placid beaches and herbal remedies. The area is home to several indigenous groups, including the Cabecar, Kekoldi and Bribri. Over the years, the town has attracted diverse residents from all across the globe, which bring new perspectives - and inspired me to explore more of Costa Rica myself!
My mother used to enjoy learning about the therapeutic effects of the plants. After all, I guess it's not easy laying thousands of eggs at a time.
Traditional Herbalism
Centro Ashe Farm is a community-engaging company that focuses on the traditional herbalism practiced throughout the cultures of Talamanca. It also hones in on sustainable local agricultural food system, which I can appreciate! Between their two locations of Washington D.C. and Manzanillo, Centro Ash has a medicinal plant sanctuary, herb farm, homestead and education center.
7 Days / 6 Nights
Starting at $779 per person
At Centro Ashe Costa Rica Grassroots Plant Healers Tour, you can get back in touch with the simple life. Herbal specialists offer tours of gorgeous botanical gardens, sanctuaries and rainforests where your knowledge guide will point out a variety of different plants. Although I spend almost all my life hopping from trees to plants, they even taught me something I didn't know!
One of the highlights is that you get to work with internationally acclaimed Mimi Hernandez, a clinical herbalist, educator and ethnobotanist. She currently serves as the Executive Director for the American Herbalist Guild, but she graces us with her presence in this haven of Manzanillo. Hernandez is one of the friendliest humans I have met! She's both good-natured and good to nature. If you're interested in the healing properties of plants, her classes are not to be missed!
Mimi Hernandez, along with her partner Lupe Passero, offer a Costa Rica Grassroots Plant Healers Tour in February where you can earn an Introduction to Community Herbalism Certificate. I got mine last year. Besides traveling through the depths of the rainforest, embracing the beauty of the coastline and hiking with local specialists, you can take time to chat one-on-one with Hernandez. The course begins with Herbal Energetics, Taste and Understand. Did you know you can learn a lot about about what an herb does by the way it tastes and feels in your mouth? Later, you'll explore kitchen herbs - cayenne, garlic, cinnamon, black pepper and other household spices that double as homemade remedies. The course will give you a vast knowledge of how their more traditional methods work. Learn about herbs while spending time in workshops with Mimi. There's a limit of 18 participants, so be sure to sign up fast!
If you miss the cut off, there are other ways to explore the natural medicine in Manzanillo. I like to hop by some of the programs, including the Talamanca Herbal and Holistic Wellness Series, which goes over the herbal fundamentals, and the Roots and Culture Tour, an opportunity to dive into agriculture development.
Check out this back-to-basics approach - because sometimes the simplest things work the best.
Beautiful sunset at Manzanillo beach, Limon
Costa Rica Pura Vida slogan on Manzanillo Sand.JPG)
Beautiful Caribbean Beach
