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Discover Appalachian folk medicine through hands-on herbal craft, story, and the living traditions of the mountains.
Just in time for Samhain, step into the wild heart of southern Appalachia and explore its vibrant folk traditions through the wisdom of Appalachian magic practitioner and beloved storyteller, Byron Ballard.
Carried across oceans in the hearts of immigrants and woven together with local Indigenous plant knowledge, Appalachian folk medicine is a unique living, breathing tradition: practical, powerful, ancestral. In this hands-on workshop, we’ll trace the twisty history of these old medicines and discover how culture, land, and spirit shaped a distinctly Appalachian healing practice.
Together, we’ll roll up our sleeves and work with the plants themselves — crafting tinctures and poultices, and creating traditional asfidity (protection) bags from up-cycled fabric. These humble tools carry generations of knowledge about protection, restoration, and care of both body, spirit and the land.
Midway through, we’ll break bread and share a warming bowl of soup, nourishing body and spirit in good company.
Participants will also spend time with the Seven Sovereign Sisters of the Appalachian mountains, learning the stories and healing relationships surrounding these beloved plant allies. Alongside the herbal work, Byron will guide deep relaxation techniques rooted in traditional practice — reminding us that healing has always been about tending the whole person.
Throughout the day, we’ll explore the culture and heritage behind these practices, dispelling stereotypes and gaining a fuller, truer understanding of Appalachian people and their ways. These traditions are not relics — they are vital threads in the living fabric of the region.
In this workshop, you will:
Learn the history and cultural roots of Appalachian folk medicine
Explore the blending of British Isles traditions and native plant wisdom
Work hands-on with tinctures, poultices, and traditional protection bags
Meet the Seven Sovereign Sisters and their healing uses
Practice deep relaxation techniques grounded in folk tradition
Gain a richer, more nuanced understanding of Appalachian people and culture
Come spend the day in the old ways — practical, grounded, generous — and leave with skills, stories, and a deeper connection to mountain folk medicine.
This class will be held indoors on Saturday, Octber 10th, 2026, from 10:00 am – 2:00 pm in Asheville, NC.
