An Introduction to Indigenous Bush Medicine

A four-part live, online, interactive and practical educational course with Yolŋu Elder Djapirri Mununggirritj on Australian plant medicine.

For thousands (60,000+) of years, Aboriginal and First Nations people have learnt and understood how to navigate their Country in search of remedies to treat many disorders. When unwell, the medicinal properties of certain plants cured and healed a huge array of health issues.

With this important knowledge being passed down through many generations in traditional customs, the wisdom of each plant is understood, embraced and deeply respected in culture. Only what is needed is ever taken to allow plants to survive - ensuring sustainable treatments.

It is an honour to be able to have Djapirri share her Indigenous knowledge with us, a Yolŋu Elder who is so connected to Country and all elements her country has to teach us.

Join us for an introduction in bush medicine, specifically from a Yolŋu perspective of North East Arnhem Land, however there will be many synergies in culture and similar plants available across Australia.

Djapirri will wrap her words and stories around us, lead our imaginations off into the bush as she shares her experiences and knowledge as a profound healer. Over the course of the four weeks we will learn and get to know three important bush medicines - learning how each plant plays a significant role in the wellness of the community.

As part of your enrolment, you will receive a pack with each of the three bush medicines, direct from Arnhem Land, which we will discuss together in each class. You will get to smell, feel and learn how to use these bush medicines safely.

Course outline:

Tues 10 May/Week one (1hr): Introduction to Bush Medicine
Tues 17 May/Week two (1hr): Anti-inflammatory/pain relief: Butjirinaning/Litsea
Tues 24 May/Week three (1hr): Anti-viral/skin repair: Nambarra/Melaleuca
Tues 31 May/Week four (1hr): Decongestant/disinfectant Gadayka/Eucalyptus

What is included in this full course?

1hr weekly live Zoom chats on each medicine (4 online discussions in total)
Recordings of class available for revisiting
Student kit including:
- 3 packages of dried bush medicine (1x Butjirinaning, 1 x Nambarra, 1 x Gadayka)
- 3 information sheets - one for each bush medicine

If you would like to join us for one, two or three classes, you can do so. You simply need to select how many classes you would like to attend next to the "one class pass" at checkout. Simply select the class next to each ticket in checkout and you will receive a student pack with the bush medicine and worksheet appropriate for the class(es) you wish to attend.

Spots are limited and this course is currently limited to Australia only.

This course is for you if:

You’ve had the curiosity to learn more about the herbal remedies you’re walking past in your bush walks across Australia
You’d like to understand more about how Indigenous and First Nations people navigated the bush for thousands of years
You’d like to have effective and simple herbal remedies for your family

A little about Djapirri Mununggirritj

Djapirri is a Senior Knowledge Holder of the Gumatj clan from Yirrkala in North East Arnhem Land. For decades, she has worked tirelessly to support her community and was awarded Northern Territory Local Hero Award in 2011 for her efforts. Djapirri fosters strong relationships between Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians together with non-Indigenous and gracefully dances in both the indigenous and non-indigenous worlds to share her passion for culture, connection, and wellness. An accomplished healer, speaker and artist, Djapirri sits on many boards across Australia in the education and political realm including sitting on the board of Reconciliation Australia for 12 years.

A little about Soulful Soundwaves

Soulful Soundwaves was founded by Maeve and Lorenzo Colombo back in 2015. With a clear vision to help others on their path to wellness, Maeve and Lorenzo have been on a mission travelling Australia for many years healing hearts and minds through music, intention, energy and counsel. Many people have felt the healing potency Maeve and Lorenzo bring - one of truth, love and compassion. Having recently travelled to Arnhem Land, Maeve & Lorenzo currently reside on Yolŋu country, have been adopted into Gurruṯu (the Yolŋu kinship system) and have a burning desire to share the magic and wisdom from their new Yolŋu family with the rest of the world. Every day Maeve and Lorenzo continue to guide others towards a life of fulfilment, happiness and health.

We look forward to seeing you soon.