PORTLAND, Ore. (April 15, 2016) — Just in time for spring, the National College of Natural Medicine’s Traditional Roots Institute and the Portland Children’s Museum are teaming up for a fun-filled children’s herb gardening class, Saturday, April 23, from 10 a.m. to noon on the NCNM campus.

The class takes place rain or shine in the Min Zidell Healing Garden, just behind the NCNM Clinic at 3025 SW Corbett Avenue in Portland. The cost is $40 for one parent and one child, with additional tickets for adult/child available for $20 each.

Parents and children age six or older are invited to spend the morning learning about colorful, safe, and fun-to-grow herbs that are used to treat children’s common ailments. Activities include a garden tour, planting project and an art project. Participants are also encouraged to bring lunch to enjoy after class in the garden.

“Herb Gardening for Kids” will be led by Bastyr University Herbal Sciences graduate Alexis Durham, a faculty member at the Hawthorn Institute, who also teaches at Herb Pharm, both located in Williams, Oregon. Durham has extensive gardening experience and frequently teaches about cultivating and using herbs.

Said Dr. Orna Izakson, lead physician for the Traditional Roots Institute: “We’re excited to be teaching children and their parents about the joys of plants and nature. Children’s bodies respond well to the gentle healing energies of herbs, and their spirits love the time spent outside.”

ABOUT NCNM

Founded in Portland, Oregon, in 1956, NCNM is the oldest accredited naturopathic medical school in North America and an educational leader in naturopathic and classical Chinese medicine, and integrative medicine research. NCNM offers seven postgraduate and graduate degrees, and two undergraduate degrees. It is the home of the prestigious Helfgott Research Institute, and provides healthcare services to thousands of patients each year at NCNM Clinic, NCNM Beaverton Clinic, the SIBO Center for Digestive Health, and a dozen Portland metro community clinics. NCNM also offers community education through the NCNM Institutes.