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MAPS Group promoted a Charles “Doc” Garcia Survival Herbalism Class on January 16, 2010, that was organized and hosted by The Maryland Survivalist and Primtive Skills Association (MD-SPSA) and the Richmond Survivalism Group at Lake Anna State Park, Virginia.
Charles “Doc” Garcia, a well-known MAPS instructor, flew in from California to spent a day teaching a down and dirty herbal healing class to the members of the three groups.
Here is what some of the participants said about the Survival Herbalism Class:
“Great info, and even I learned some new stuff! I've taken his classes on the subject before but never with the hands on element. That was really cool to see in action and get instant advice and feedback.”
“My biggest eye-openers were the healing powers of comfrey, the ability of blackberry leaf to halt life-threatening dysentery, and the incredible rejuvenating power of the lowly dandelion.”
“Best thing to become reacquainted with was activated charcoal to save one from food poisoning.”
Charles (Chuck) Garcia "Doc" founded The California School of Traditional Hispanic Herbalism in 1998, to teach and preserve the healing traditions of the Hispanic curanderos and curanderas (folk healers) of California.
Doc primarily offering classes in herbalism, but the school also stresses an understanding of curanderismo, the healing techniques and philosophies of Native-Hispanic California. The cross-cultural influences of European and Asian herbs, as well as the use of native plants made California curanderismo a unique and potent healing medium. These practices also include the use of intuitive diagnosis skills, psychoactive plants, ritual and magic.
The director and primary instructor of the school, is a third generation curandero, having learned much of his skills from his mother, Martha Garcia (who passed in 2001 at 84 years) who learned them from her father, Desidro Navarro. Charles has treated and healed family, friends, and colleagues for almost two decades before going public with his herbal practice. He continues to treat physical, emotional, and spiritual illnesses in the Hispanic and Anglo communities of Northern California.
Doc Garcia considers his style of teaching and philosophy of herbal healing as minimalist. If you can make a fire, get a pot of water simmering, find herbs in your back yard, your neighbors lawn, a city park, an empty lot, in a mountain meadow, or in the middle of the desert, you can aid the sick.
The unofficial motto of his school is, "Is est non silicis scientia." (It is not rocket science.)
Most survival manuals give a short shrift to survival plant remedies… as well they should, since most manuals give either erroneous information or just enough to be useless.
If you have a pot, some water, and way to make fire, you might be able to stave off infection, pneumonia, septicemia, and other ills if you know your local plants. Even the herbs in your kitchen or in your garden could keep you health or even save your life.
Doc Garcia had this comment about the class:
“Of all the course and classes I've taught in the last 12 years, this one rates in the top 3. I had a hell'uva good time.”
The Maryland Survivalist and Primtive Skills Association (MD-SPSA). Motto: Fire, Rock, or Steel... nothing is ever outdated.
Marylanders who are interested in discussing basic and advanced preparedness issues, long and short term survival, and Primitive skills.
"The future is not set, how you go forth is up to you."
The Richmond Survivalist Group. Virginians who are interested in discussing basic and advanced preparedness issues, long- and short-term survival, and mitigation. The group is an empowering and positive force in promoting self-sufficiency.
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