Botanical Extracts & Flower Extractions for Perfumery, Cosmetics & Well-being. May 27th and 28th 2023- LIVE CLASS - full weekend - 9.30 AM TO 5.30 PM
The goal of this class is to enable students to work from the raw materials through to the finished product. Alice, a master in the art of botanical extractions, will also teach how to sustainably harvest the plants, the correspondence in the Biodynamic calendar as well as how to extract specific molecules (each solvent corresponding to a signature quality in a plant) for specific healing usages. These botanical extracts are a perfect base for making quality medicinal and cosmetic products as well as skin condition topicals. Several topics such as resinoids, roots, leaves, seeds and flowers will be treated separately with their corresponding techniques.
Day One:
Botanical Extracts: the foundations for cosmetic and medicinal grade botanical extracts- tinctures, glycerites, oximels, oil extractions, resin extractions
Harvesting and the Biodynamic calendar
The specifics of harvesting and planting flowers and aromatics, the understanding of the biodynamic calendar, and the cosmic forces. Based on Rudolf Steiner’s incredible knowledge of the cosmic influences on agriculture and the natural cycles, students will be introduced to a deeper understanding of the biodynamic calendar.
Propagation, collection, and drying of plants
Drying and preserving herbs is an art. Students will be given techniques for collecting and drying, as well as how to best preserve the environment.
Oils and glycerites
Warm and cold processes and techniques. Students will be taught the math behind creating proper medicinal, culinary and cosmetic grade glycerin and oil extracts. A range of health related, and cosmetically prized plants will be presented; giving the students a hands-on experience for making their customised botanical extracts themselves.
Other topics and extraction techniques will be covered such oximels, percolation, concoctions, vinegar extractions and the principals of CO2 extraction. Exceptional CO2 extracts will be passed out.
Alice will guide students throughout the program to make their own extracts and start defining their creation and blends goals during the online classes and private consultation. If you would like to benefit from this and be part of the complete program, click here to find out more.
On day one, students will receive a thorough handout, a 1 oz featured botanical tincture, as well as their own customised oil extract, and glycerite. This class is mainly designed for cosmetic, topical, and perfume formulators as well as estheticians interested in developing their line of botanical treatments.
Day Two:
Flowers essences, enfleurage, floral distillations, extraction of floral fragrances for perfumery.
The alchemy of flower gems in the plant kingdom
Flowers are the most ethereal expression of nature, they are the beauty and the promise of a new seed, a new future. In the alchemical world, they are related to the sun, the ether, and the gemstones of the natural world. They are the expression of the lighter realm, the hidden world, and the potential of a new life and new thought though patterns unveiled by their capacity to attain vulnerability. We will explore their place in the natural kingdom and eco-system, the spiritual world, and the emotional impact on humans and animals.
The art of making floral essences
Flowers are an amazing portal to emotional health and wellbeing. Special guest Anna Barazia will introduce students to the art of flower essence making. In the floral garden of the farm, students will find the flowers of their calling to create their own personalized flower essence.
Hydrosols and essential oil extractions
Students will witness seasonal floral distillation. Distillation is a very old alchemical art invented thousands of years ago. Distillation will take place in a traditional copper still with a very gentle technique to preserve the flower’s properties and aromas. Distillation techniques and details will not be covered in this class. If you would like to learn how to distill your own click here
The enfleurage techniques
Alice Duvernell will share methods to revive this old perfumery extraction technique, invented in France, her country of origin. Students will be able to see how to create aromatic pomades with cold and hot enfleurage techniques. Students will have a hands-on experiment with the art with seasonal flowers.
Floral tinctures and repeated extractions for perfumery
Often people see tinctures as strictly medicinal extracts used in herbal therapy, nevertheless, tinctures can be amazing bases for perfumery blends. Repeated extraction processes, solvent choices as well delicate and gentle methods will bridge the realm of flower and botanical extraction with the art of aromatherapy. Students will create a custom aromatherapy blend to match the artisan-crafted alcohol extract presented that day.
Hydrosol and chocolate gourmet bistro
The weekend will be finalized with delicious aromatic waters and botanical elixirs and an aroma related surprise treat.
Students will bring back a customized flower essence, a 2 oz bottle of floral distillate and an enfleurage floral tile as well as a 0.5 oz ounce perfume grade tincture for their own aromatic creation. Students will enjoy a hydrosol and floral bistro with snacks and aromatized drinks.
Important notes: Lunch is not provided, please bring lunch as there are no close locations for a lunch break. Hat, a notepad, and water are recommended.
A $60 cash material fee will be charged the day of class. Or $30 if you are only take a one day class
The class will start promptly at 9.30 am. Please show up at the latest at 9.15, in order to settle down, find your marks and make yourself a cup of tea...The class will mostly be held outside, in a small group, so spaces are limited! Biophilia products, hydrosols and skin care will be available for purchase throughout the event!!!
For your own accommodation planning, the class will be located in Petaluma, 94952. The final location of the class will be provided the week of class.