Could there be a correlation between climate change and Lyme disease? On Saturday, August 25, the Marion Institute’s Connector Series will host a pair of events that explore this timely and regionally-relevant topic, featuring Brendan Kelly, herbalist and author of “The Yin and Yang of Climate Crisis.”
Eco-Herbal Medicine: An Interactive Walk & Talk – Brendan will lead the group on an experiential foraging walk, identifying, tasting, and talking about the uses of several local medicinals and edibles, as well as their importance with climate change. This event is co-hosted by the Sippican Lands Trust (SLT), a non-profit organization that manages and protects natural areas in Marion, MA for the benefit of the public. Time: 9 am-11 am; Location: Brainard Marsh, 344 Delano Rd, Marion. COST: $5 for SLT Members, $10 General Admission. Pre-registration is required: https://www.marioninstitute.org/event-reg-herb-walk-2018/
Lyme Disease and Climate Change: How Internal Inflammation Mirrors the Environment – Seminar & Medicinal Tea-Making Demonstration. Using the lens of Chinese medicine, Brendan will discuss how the warming of our planet mirrors a similar overheating within us and within our culture. Supported by research from his book, Brendan will present how the progression of Lyme disease mirrors the progression of climate change and how Lyme is very much a condition of our times. Following the seminar, Brendan will discuss and demonstrate the preparation of wild plant teas for use as food and medicine. This event is hosted in conjunction with Round the Bend Farm (RTB), a Center for Restorative Community, working farm and non-profit located in Dartmouth. Time: 2 pm-4 pm; Location: Round the Bend Farm Education Center, 92 Allen Neck Rd, South Dartmouth. COST: $15 Advance Pricing, $20 At the Door, Pre-registration is suggested: www.marioninstitute.org/event-registration-lyme-disease-and-climate-change-how-internal-inflammation-mirrors-the-environment/
This is Brendan’s second time collaborating with the Connector Series and local environmental organizations, having done a series of events last June (a lecture, herbal walk, and Trail to Table luncheon) in New Bedford and Dartmouth.
Brendan Kelly is an herbalist of 20 years with training in eastern and western healing traditions and has been practicing Chinese medicine full-time for 13 years. He has been a western herbal business owner and consultant to natural product companies and western medical practitioners. Brendan is on the faculty at AFEA in Florida and an adjunct professor at Johnson State College in VT. He is also the past president of the Vermont Acupuncture Association (VTAA). In September 2015, North Atlantic Books publishedhis first book “The Yin and Yang of Climate Crisis: Healing Personal, Cultural and Ecological Imbalance with Chinese Medicine”, which presents the underlying, root causes of our warming planet. It blends the external focus of environmentalism (e.g., western science, policy issues, regulations) with the internal focus of Chinese medicine (e.g., personal health, balancing Qi, diet).