Essentials of Herbalism

Program

Applications are now open for 2025!

Overview

This in-person practical class will give you a strong introduction to the culturally rich world of traditional, folk and “kitchen” herbal medicine, combined with modern insights and data, directly engaging you with the medicine.

Each weekend includes engaging lectures, hands-on medicine making and food preparation, as well as plant walks in herb gardens and richly diverse local forests.

Upon graduation, you will know how to identify and harvest wild plants, cook with them, make a wide variety of herbal preparations, and address many common ailments. This course is perfect for the kitchen or family and lays the essential groundwork for further study in the herbal field and as an herbalist.

“I wanted to thank you for teaching the knowledge you have learned and discovered. I cannot express how much I appreciate everything I learned in the class and am so glad I took it. I have found a very deep gratitude for the earth and plants around me that has been growing. Every day I am so thankful for the trees and plants who live by my home…my new friends.”

– Bethany Berres, 2018 Graduate

What You’ll Learn

How to take care of yourself and your family for common health concerns
Illness prevention and tonic remedies
Using food and kitchen remedies as every day medicine
Working with common issues such as stomachaches, colds, pain, insomnia and so on
How to choose the best herb for any situation
Using a field guide to identify wild plants
Sustainable and ethical plant harvesting, including tool use and hands-on experience
Making herbal preparations including teas, tinctures, oils, salves, alcohol-free extracts, elixirs, poultices, vinegars, syrups and more (By the end of class, you’ll have your own small apothecary!)
How to determine herb actions through flavor
Herbs for First Aid
Aromatherapy and use of essential oils

Apply for Essentials of Herbalism

Fill out the application!

Application Fee (to be paid after you apply)

Details

Timeline

Hours = 115

2025 Weekend Dates (3rd Saturday and Sunday of each month)
April 19 & 20
May 17 & 18
June 21 & 22
July 19 & 20
August 16 & 15
September 20 & 21
October 18 & 19
November 8 & 9 (second weekend!)
Make up weekend if we had to cancel (which hardly happens): November 15 & 16

Schedule

The third weekend of each month, ending the second weekend of November. (The make up weekend is the 3rd week of November so that it does not interfere with potential Thanksgiving plans). We’ll meet outdoors, rain or shine. We only have cancelled class once in 10 years. Lectures and medicine making will be mostly outdoors and in covered classroom space. Plant walks are in the field!

Saturday 10 AM – 5 PM

Sunday 10 AM – 5 PM

**(Please block out the weekend of November 15 & 16, 2025 if we need to cancel one weekend due to bad weather)**

Tuition

Application Deadline: March 15, 2025 (but apply before then because we do fill spots quickly!

$100 application fee (Non-refundable & does not go towards total tuition)
+
$450 deposit (Non-refundable and goes towards total tuition)
+
$2,399 (Due February 15, 2025)

Early bird discount: $2,199 due if paid BY January 1, 2025

Some work-trade options are available. Please reach out about this.

SPECIAL NOTE: We are currently offering 10% off tuition to all of our BIPOC students. Please email JJ.BRSHM@gmail.com to inquire about this!

CLASS SIZE LIMITED TO 20

Refund Policy

Any student who chooses to withdraw…

Two weeks before the first day of class and has already paid their full tuition, will receive a refund of their full tuition minus their deposit.
Within two weeks of the program through the first day of class, you will receive a 50% refund of their tuition.
After the first weekend of class, you will not be provided a refund.
Please keep in mind that we will not offer refunds due to COVID-19. We have created a safe, covered, outdoor learning environment. If you are concerned about meeting in person, this may not be the best program for you.