Learn the Art of Distilling Plants and Herbs

With miriam hicklin

Date: sunday september 21st

Time: 10-4pm

Join Radical Plant Folk and Miriam Hicklin for a one day introductory course

About your facilitator

  • Miriam Hicklin is a folk herbalist and teacher, based between the UK and Morocco. Since 2015, she has apprenticed under a number of plant craftswomen, especially Lalla Khalissa, her distillation master in Fes, Morocco. She has been introducing distillation to community groups and workshops since 2019 and continues to do this in Fes and the UK today, alongside mothering, writing and teaching. Some of her writing, work and other research can be found on her website Atlas Apothecary, where she has translated sacred plant-based writings from Arabic to English. 

About the course:

Course Outline:   

This day course aims to introduce you to the art of distilling herbs and making aromatic waters (hydrosols) using the traditional copper alembic still. Miriam will be bringing her knowledge of plant distillation from the Moroccan/Islamic tradition and sharing on the history, spirituality and culture of this traditional practice. This will be a hands-on course interweaved with discussions and storytelling.

What to expect:

You will spend the day outside with the plants and herbs in our beautiful community garden; learning to work with the plants and the copper still in a reverent way.

Participants will go home with their very own bottle of hydrosol distilled on the day. We’ll share seasonal herbal teas and cakes, plus a nourishing autumn meal made from locally grown ingredients to sustain you as you learn.

Topics include:

  • Introduction to distillation

  • Harvesting and preparing plants for distillation

  • Setting up and using the copper still

  • Conversations on history, spirituality and plant distillation

  • Introduction to hydrosols and aromatic waters

About distillation and hydrosols:

Distillation is an ancient alchemical practice used to capture the volatile parts of plants and herbs into hydrosols (also known as aromatic or floral waters) and essential oils using a copper still through a process of steam and condensation. Hydrosols are a water-based medicine, they contain water-soluble plant compounds, cellular water and a small amount of essential oil. They are often seen as the waste product when making essential oils, however in many cultures around the world hydrosols are a highly treasured product and remedy in their own right. 

This course will be covering the process of making hydrosols using a traditional copper still. The use of hydrosols in herbal medicine are many and the history is deep, with evidence of use from Ancient Egypt, Persia, Greece, China and as far back as 5000 years ago in the Himalayas. Many hydrosols can be safe to consume for both adults and children, can be used topically and made into skincare products, and can hold many of the same benefits as essential oils.

Cost and Booking: 

Ticket price for the day is £100: this includes all teaching materials, tea, seasonal cake and refreshments and a bottle of hydrosol to take home. 

We can work out a payment plan with you if needed, please get in touch directly. Email hello@radicalplantfolk.com

Optional Lunch –  £7

Treat yourself to a flavourful seasonal vegan and gluten-free lunch for just £7. Prepared with fresh vegetables and herbs from our own garden and the farm, this meal is a delicious way to nourish your body and support sustainable, locally grown produce.

Please note: Due to the limitations of our kitchen, we are unfortunately unable to accommodate food allergies.


Concessionary tickets: We have limited concessionary/bursary tickets available for folks who cannot afford the full price ticket.

Note: We will prioritise folks who cannot afford the course with heritage from the SWANA region, that being North African, Middle Eastern, Southwest Asian heritages.  Please get in touch directly if you are in need of a concessionary ticket. Email hello@radicalplantfolk.com.


Cancellation policy: Unfortunately as a small social enterprise we are unable to offer refunds or date changes. Please make sure you can attend on the date booked. If we are able to re-sell your ticket we will be able to offer you a place on a workshop for a later date, this however may not be the same workshop/course.

Why not make a trip of it? Stay and explore beautiful Totnes and beyond: stroll idyllic villages, roam wild Dartmoor and explore the stunning South Devon coastline. Turn your course visit into a memorable escape and deepen your journey with plants and nature in a truly stunning part of the English countryside.

To explore local places to stay check out: https://visittotnes.co.uk/where-to-stay/