ACHS Raises Lavender Awareness

American College of Healthcare Sciences (ACHS) Raises Lavender Awareness Through Community Wellness Events at the College Botanical Teaching Garden in Portland

Portland, Oregon—July 28, 2011—On July 20, 2011 the American College of Healthcare Sciences (ACHS) hosted their annual Lavender Open House community wellness event at the College campus in the John’s Landing area of Portland, Oregon. More than forty people attended the event to raise awareness about the benefits of growing and harvesting lavender for personal health and as a garden aid.

Erika Yigzaw, ACHS Chief Institutional Officer and Master Gardener, led participants through a series of hands-on workshops highlighting the holistic health applications of lavender, including a lecture about the aromatherapeutic properties, a demonstration of how to use lavender in personal care items, and a demonstration of how to grow, harvest, and pot lavender and other herbs for culinary and herbal medicine use.

“Sharing the lavender experience with the community is a blast!” says Erika Yigzaw. “ACHS hosts these free events for the community to encourage people to come to the College and our Botanical Teaching Garden to learn how easy it is to grow herbs and incorporate gardening and herbal products for everyday health and wellness. Research shows that gardening is good for mind and body.”

Free downloadable videos from the day’s events will be available through the ACHS YouTube channel, ACHStv (www.youtube.com/ACHStv), and photos and suggested uses for lavender are available on ACHS Facebook (www.facebook.com/ACHSedu).

For those in the Portland area, ACHS is currently offering U-Pick Lavender from the College’s organic Botanical Teaching Garden. The cost is $6/bunch or two for $10 and runs Monday-Friday, 8:30 am-5:30 pm, at 5940 SW Hood Ave., Portland. Directions to the College campus can be found online here.

About ACHS
American College of Healthcare Sciences was one of the first accredited, fully online college offering degrees, diplomas, and career-training certificates in complementary alternative medicine. Founded in 1978, ACHS is committed to exceptional online education and is recognized as an industry leader in holistic health education worldwide. For more information about ACHS programs and community wellness events, visit www.achs.edu, call (503) 244-0726, or stop by the College campus located at 5940 SW Hood Ave., Portland OR 97239.