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If you want to try using plants to help you during the upcoming cold and flu season, next week provides the perfect opportunity to learn the ins and outs.

Bill Chioffi, an educator and herbalist with Gaia Herbs, is speaking at 7 p.m., Oct. 26, in the cafe at The Merc. Chioffi will give hints and answer questions regarding the use of herbal products in supporting your body’s defenses on the front lines against winter illness.

“Bill has studied therapeutic protocols for many common health disorders over the last 15 years and travels throughout the U.S. teaching herbal medicine,” says Tyra Kalman Crouch, wellness manager at The Merc. “Bill will be sharing Gaia’s growing, harvesting and processing practices as well as tips on using traditional medicines to stay well through the cold and flu season.”

The talk is free and open to the public.