Latest Articles

  • Dr. Nate Petley - Herbal Preparations - Local Lectures - Maine Center for Natural Health

    Making Herbal Soaps

    August 5, 2016 - By 

    Have you ever wanted to try making your own herbal soaps?  Now you can!  Dr. Petley is not only a licensed naturopathic doctor, he is also an experienced soap maker!

    This class will cover all aspects of making a batch of cold-processed soap.  We start the class with a discussion about safety, ingredients, techniques, and tools.   After the discussion, we will all participate in making a batch of soap.  This is a hands-on class, so plan to have fun! 

     

    Tuesday, August 30th | 6PM-9PM | $50

    Class includes Materials, Handouts, and Soap!

    Preregistration required via email, phone (207) 616-0049, or online (click here)

    Class on Soap Making

     

  • Dr. Nate Petley - Herbal Preparations - Local Lectures

    Herbs of the Summer Fields

    May 31, 2016 - By 

    Herbs of the Summer Fields with Dr. Nate Petley

    Learn about useful herbs growing in fields throughout the summer months in Maine with Dr. Nate Petley, naturopathic doctor and clinical herbalist. Dr. Petley will discuss herbal extractions and various applications throughout the class while introducing herbs growing at Inner Wisdom Sanctuary, focusing on those that are ready to harvest. He will discuss plant identification, harvesting techniques, usage, and contraindications. Some of the featured medicinal herbs include yarrow, St. johnswort, plantain, red clover, and many more!

    Inner Wisdom Sanctuary

    200 Beans Corner Road, New Sharon, Maine

    Register Here

    Sunday, July 24th, 10AM-3PM $60 Lunch optional ($15 payable to Inner Wisdom Sanctuary)

    Herbs of the Summer Fields

     

    Details at www.drpetley.com/lectures.

     

     

  • Maine Center for Natural Health - Plant Wisdom

    Happy Flowers

    May 19, 2016 - By 

    Sometimes it’s the little things in life that puts a smile on our faces.  I did a little experiment in the office.  Actually, it was quite by accident and more of an observation.  Each week I put fresh flowers on my desk because my philosophy is that if I can’t be in the garden, I’ll bring the garden to me.  Flowers make me happy and what I observed these past few weeks is that they make my patients happy, too. 

    Each week I walk my gardens in search of one or two stems to place in a small vase that sits on my office desk.  Each small bouquet brought out smiles and stories.  Some would comment as soon as they walked in at how beautiful the flowers were.  Eyes got big and teeth would show.  Some would smell the blooms to see if they produced any scent.  Some touched the soft and delicate petals to confirm they were real.  My favorite reactions were the stories that patients shared about their favorite flower or how they loved to pick flowers as a child with a family elder. 

    The point of my observation is that there is great healing in the tiniest of flowers.  A single stem can lighten the soul and soften the heart. That spark of joy created by a flower is a powerful thing.  Even if for a fleeting moment, flowers can remove heavy burdens.   

    When was the last time you placed a flower on your desk at work or at home just because?

    Every day is a celebration.  Every day we must find a reason to smile and who can resist smiling at a beautiful flower?  Apparently not my patients!

    Dr. Nate Petley

    Naturopathic Doctor and Clinical Herbalist

    www.drpetley.com

    Desk Flowers 2016

    © Dr. Nate Petley, 2016

  • Herbal Monographs - Herbal Preparations - Local Lectures

    The Amazing Dandelion

    May 2, 2016 - By 

    It’s dandelion season in Maine! Dandelions are one of my favorite wild foods (ok, I have a lot of favorites…), but these ‘weeds’ do rank highly. Join me in New Sharon, Maine for this outdoor, hands-on class where you will experience harvesting, tasting and making herbal medicine. Handouts and recipes will be provided.

    Discover wild food & medicine in your own backyard!  Learn how to harvest, cook, and make medicine from all parts of the dandelion. Student participation is highly encouraged! 

    This event is almost rain or shine (heavy rain will cause us to cancel). Outdoor shelter is provided but please dress appropriately.

    Preregistration is required and exact location will be provided upon registration. Click here to register online.  Call or email to reserve your seat and pay at the workshop.

    Sunday, May 22  |  10AM-2PM  |  $60

    Location: a private residence in New Sharon, Maine—exact location and directions will be shared at registration.

    Dandelion Workshop

    Nathaniel Petley, ND  |   (207) 616-0049  |  [email protected]  |  www.drpetley.com   

     

  • Herbal Monographs - Local Lectures - Maine Center for Natural Health

    Introduction to Medicinal Herbs June 2016

    May 2, 2016 - By 

    Increase your understanding of 15 key herbs in this 3-class series with Dr. Nate Petley, naturopathic doctor and clinical herbalist. Each night he will discuss a different body system and 5 exemplary herbs. Handouts on each herb will include its constituents, actions, uses, dosing, and contraindications. Sample each herb in tincture or tea form! This class is suitable for all levels. Preregistration is required to ensure adequate handouts.

    All Classes Run 6:00PM-8:30PM

    • June 1st: Cardiovascular System (hawthorne, bilberry, ginkgo,garlic, linden)
    • June 8th: Sleep (hops, valerian, passionflower,kava kava, California poppy)
    • June 15th: Musculoskeletal System (gotu kola, willow, horsetail, comfrey, arnica)

    Pay for all 3 classes: $60 | Pay at the door per class: $25

    Register online (CLICK HERE).  You may also call or email to reserve your seat if you plan to pay at the door.

    Nathaniel Petley, ND  |   (207) 616-0049  |  [email protected]  |  www.drpetley.com   

    Maine Center for Natural Health  |  One Post Office Square, Waterville, Maine 04901

    Introduction to Medicinal Herbs 2nd Series

  • Herbal Preparations - Local Lectures - Maine Center for Natural Health

    Essential Oils: The Series

    April 14, 2016 - By 

    An intensive approach to learning about essential oils with Dr. Nate Petley that provides a strong foundation for working with them medicinally and for their inherent scent.

    Click Here to Register

    Class 1: Introduction to Essential Oils (June 2nd)

    Join Dr. Petley for a fun evening of wafting, sniffing, and, if you’re not careful, snorting pure essential oils (snorting not recommended, of course). Participants will gain a deeper understanding of essential oils: what they are, how they are made, how they work therapeutically, how to determine quality oils, and how to blend them.Recipes will be provided to get you started at home and each student will get a free bottle of sweet orange essential oil.

    Class 2: Medicinal Uses of Essential Oils (June 9th)

    Essential oils are not only used for their scent, they are used medicinally.In this class, students will gain a deeper understanding of safety, various uses, common conditions responsive to essential oil treatment, and appropriate doses.Dr. Petley will discuss how he incorporates essential oils in the clinic setting. Each student twill get a free bottle of lavender essential oil.

    Class 3: Blending Essential Oils (June 16th)

    In this fun class, learn how to blend essential oils like a professional. Dr. Petley will demonstrate the steps he takes to determine which oils work well together and how to determine the ratios of each used. He will discuss various blending factors including medicinal value, energetic properties and scent characteristics. Each student will take home a 1ml vial of a blend made in class.

    Class 4: Creating Herbal Products (June 23rd)

    In this final class of the series, students will gain experience creating herbal products that feature essential oils for their scent, medicinal value and energetic properties.Projects made in class include bath salts, bath oils, massage oils, deodorant spray, room spray, bug sprays, and more!Students will take home samples.

    Location: Maine Center for Natural Health, One Post Office Square, Waterville, Maine 04901

    Preregistration is Required:drpetley.com or (207) 616-0049

    Questions? Email [email protected]

    Ala Cart Classes: $30 each

    Entire Series: $100 paid in full at first class.

    All classes run 6PM-8:30PM

    Preregistration and payment is required to reserve your seat for this class. Please email Dr. Petley at [email protected] if you have any questions about the class. NOTE: There is a 10% cancellation and processing fee if you cancel by the end of the day June 1st. If you cancel after that or do not show up, you will forfeit 50% of the class fee.

     

  • Maine Center for Natural Health

    2nd Annual Seed Swap 2016

    March 21, 2016 - By 

    2nd Annual Seed Swap 2016

    Please help us advertise!!  Click the link to see the growing list of seeds available. www.drpetley.com/seed-swap/

    Seed Swap

    Thank you to everyone who participated in 2015. We swapped nearly 60 seed varieties!  This is a free event and everyone is welcome! Bought too seeds that you hate to see go to waste? Trade them for something new and exciting!  We are looking for herbs, vegetables and flowers.  This year we are also accepting seedlings and houseplants.  We are starting a seed bank with all leftover seeds so check back throughout the summer for additions.  Not able to attend?  You can still donate your seeds to help build community through gardening.

     

    Seed Swap 2016

  • Herbal Preparations - Local Lectures

    Making Herbal Soaps

    February 25, 2016 - By 

    This class will cover all aspects of making a batch of cold-processed soap.  We start the class with a discussion about safety, ingredients, techniques, and tools.   After the discussion, we will all participate in making a batch of soap. This is a hands-on class, so plan to have fun!  Class included materials, handouts (including recipe), and soap!

    Preregistration is required: email ([email protected]), phone (207 616 0049).

    Making Herbal Soap
    Making Herbal Soap with Dr. Petley
  • Herbal Monographs - Local Lectures

    Introduction to Medicinal Herbs Series

    February 9, 2016 - By 

    3 Nights | 15 Herbs!

    Increase your understanding of 15 key herbs in this 3-class series with Dr. Nate Petley, naturopathic doctor and clinical herbalist. Each night he will discuss a different body system and 5 exemplary herbs. Handouts on each herb will include its constituents, actions, uses, dosing, and contraindications. Sample each herb in tincture or tea form! This class is suitable for all levels. Preregistration is required to ensure adequate handouts.  Click here to register!  Questions?  Email Dr. Petley at [email protected].  Visit his website at www.drpetley.com.

    All Classes Run 6:00PM-8:30PM

    • March 9th: Nervous System: oatstraw, nettles, chamomile, lavender, skullcap
    • March 16th: Digestive System: dandelion, burdock, yellow dock, milk thistle, turmeric
    • March 23rd: Immune System: astragalus, echinacea, goldenseal, myrrh, yarrow

    Cost: $25 per class.  Pay for all in advance: $60. 

    Introduction to Medicinal Herbs

     

  • Local Lectures

    Herbal Detoxification

    February 2, 2016 - By 

    Join Nathaniel Petley, ND, naturopathic doctor and clinical herbalist, as he discusses herbs that naturally help cleanse the body of sludge that accumulates over the winter months. Spring is the perfect time to restore your body to optimal health by kick-starting your digestion and improving the elimination of toxins. This class will cover all organs of elimination and tips on how to make any detox program more successful. Not all detox programs need to be forceful or uncomfortable; sometimes all the body wants is just a gentle nudge.  Click here to register.

    Location: 165 State Street, Brewer, Maine

    Date|Time: March 22, 2016 | 6PM-8PM

    Cost: $25

    Class space is limited to 10 students so be sure to register early!

    Email [email protected] if you have any questions. Preregistration is required to ensure adequate classroom space, handouts, and products. NOTE: There is a 10% cancellation and processing fee if you cancel by the end of the day 3/20/16. If you cancel after that or do not show up, you will forfeit 50% of the class fee.

     

    Herbal Detox Class