Dr. Glen Nagel
Glen Nagel, widely and fondly known as an “all round herbal wise guy”, is a practicing herbalist and licensed Naturopathic physician. His herbal training began in the early 1980s as one of the first herbal apprentices with “Herbal Ed” Smith and Sara Katz, co-founders of Herb Pharm. Glen also studied with seaweed expert Ryan Drum, PhD, and with Portland’s “wise woman”, Cascade Anderson Geller. He has worked in the herbal industry as a product formulator and herbal educator, offering classes and full courses in herbal medicine to naturopathic professionals and to the public. Glen has worked for many leading herbal companies in the country including Herb Pharm, Wise Woman Herbals, and Eclectic Institute. He is a graduate of National University of Natural Medicine in Portland, Oregon and is a former associate professor in botanical medicine there. As well, he was an assistant professor of botanical medicine at Bastyr University in Kenmore, Washington. Glen has a lifelong interest in plants and nature. He believes in teaching with humor and utilizing hands-on experience. He is passionate about guiding students to learn directly from plants. He lives in Portland Oregon with his wife, who is also a naturopathic doctor, and two daughters and their family garden of wild weeds. Glen plays a mean harmonica and picks a mandolin to accompany fun herbal songs.
Herbal Clouds: Making Herbal Foams, Whips, and Fluffs
Herbalism is deeply rooted in history, but discovering fresh, creative ways to use herbs makes it even more exciting! In this hands-on workshop, Dr. Glen Nagel will introduce innovative techniques from modern gastronomy, bringing a whole new dimension to herbal preparations. We’ll dive into the fascinating world of pressurized whippers, using N₂O and CO₂ to craft airy foams, fluffs, and whips. Experimenting with bases like gums, seaweed gels, egg whites, and fats, we’ll unlock new textures and flavours that transform common medicinal plants into something extraordinary. Get ready to have fun with “laughing gas” in a safe, exciting way! Herbal foams are light, fluffy, and bursting with flavour, offering a whole new sensory experience. Through a mix of theory and hands-on practice, we’ll create herbal fluffs using mucilage-rich ingredients like marshmallow root, seaweed, egg whites, and even garbanzo water. Foams are fun—mostly air, full of flavour, and crafted with laughing gas making them naturally fun!
The New Face of Bitters
For centuries, bitter herbs have been prized for their ability to stimulate digestion—but their power goes far beyond the gut! In this fascinating class, we’ll dive into the resurgence of bitters and explore groundbreaking research from the last 15 years that reveals their surprising benefits. Did you know that bitter receptors are found all over the body, not just in the digestive system? Science now shows that bitters can do more than aid digestion—they can improve glucose response, reduce chronic inflammation, support thyroid function, enhance sinus health, and benefit multiple body systems in ways we never imagined. Join Dr Glen Nagel we rediscover these potent herbal allies, blending ancient wisdom with modern science to unlock the full potential of bitters for whole-body wellness!
Crafting Real Herbal Root Beers: From Tradition to Creation
Step back in time and rediscover the true roots of root beer! In this hands-on class, we’ll explore the rich history of herbal root beer and how they evolved into today’s commercial soft drinks. It’s a journey from nature to nostalgia—uncovering how we went from traditional botanical brews to modern sodas filled with corn syrup, artificial flavours, and caramel colour. But we’re bringing real root beer back! Using authentic roots, herbs, and time-honored techniques, we’ll craft a delicious, all-natural herbal root beer from scratch. Best of all, we’ll share our creation with the community—because the best brews are meant to be enjoyed together!