The Elder Tree

The Elder Tree is a not-for profit, non-government organisation with a core vision to empower people through grassroots herbal education and earth skills. In 2022 The Elder Tree will be purchasing land to build a herbal education centre and healing sanctuary somewhere in Australia- mostl likely in Northern NSW or SE QLD.

The Elder Tree will offer:

– Medicinal botanical gardens
– Treatment rooms for herbalists, naturopaths, and other healing modalities
– Free/affordable healthcare for low income earners
– Many zones that are available for hire for functions and events that align with the core vision
– Regular ongoing workshops, classes and courses in natural medicine
– A temple space for ceremonies and circles
– Extensive herbal gardens and a herbal nursery
– A herbal apothecary and medicine making space
– Regular gatherings, retreats, markets and other events
– Small cabins for hire for those attending retreats
– Camping facilities
– A primitive skills school
– A herbal dispensary

There will be cottage businesses operating from the space, though all income generated by The Elder Tree is not-for-profit.

The Elder Tree will have a medicinal botanical garden, home to hundreds of medicinal plant species including native and rare plants. This will assist in securing the future availability of plants for healing in Australia.

Environmental impact:

Every step of the way will be done with consideration for environmental impact. We will have a zero tolerance policy for toxic substances and destructive chemicals. There will be a strong focus on sourcing and supplying materials and food locally and organically.

The Elder Tree will be self sufficient in many ways. We will have bee hives for honey and beeswax, fruit and nut trees, vegetable garden and of course, extensive medicinal herb nursery and gardens. We will harvest our own water from the earth, we will eventually be fully powered by renewable energy sources. We will promote custodianship and care for the earth, with full respects to and involvement with local indigenous folk.

Classes/Courses/Workshops:

At The Elder Tree, there will be the following education (and much more):

– Herbal self sufficiency- how to grow and harvest herbal medicine
– Primitive skills- tanning, survival skills, wild plant identification etc
– Making herbal medicine
– Energetic/spiritual connection with the plants
– Ceremonies- eg cacao ceremonies
– Dance and music events
– An annual plant medicine national gathering
– Ongoing natural building workshops
– Other earth-based skills and natural lifestyle workshops eg. fermentation, food, etc

We will bring in herbal educators and life skills educators from around Australia, though we will always value local knowledge first.
There will be the opportunity for those attending these workshops etc to camp on the land or rent small cabins. There will also be the opportunity to have ‘herbalists in residence’ and ongoing residential apprenticeships.

Who is this for?
The Elder Tree will be a place for people of all ages and all walks of life. We see it particularly suited for:

– Post-grad university students who have done their herbalism and naturopathy degrees, and want to integrate the teachings with hands on experience with the plants
– Those who want to connect to plant medicine from seed, to harvest, to medicinal preparations
– Those wanting practical earth skills
– Those seeking to connect with a community that is centred around plant medicine
– Anyone seeking to deepen their connection to and knowledge of the earth and all her virtues