Community Herbalist Training: foundations
September 2012 - June 2013
Together we will weave traditional plant lore with the findings of modern botanical science, add a dash of sustainability practices, and come up with a better way to care for yourself, your family, and your community.
Mermaids Heart Herb School focuses on Traditional Western Energetics, with a modern twist. We will learn from the traditions of Europe, the medicines of China and India, and the teachings of the plants themselves to develop a foundation in herbal medicine. Our studies will include the body's systems and herbs for each system, as well as hands-on herbal preparation. You will learn to identify herbs in both the garden and the woods and learn to harvest and prepare plants as medicine. This course will lay the foundations for becoming a community herbalist, giving you practical skills while leading you more deeply into the rhythm of the natural world. In addition, this class is about the experience of coming together in community and practicing healthy and joyful living.
During the course of the year we will discuss
- the history of Western herbalism
- herbal energetics
- the digestive, cardiovascular, urinary, nervous and respiratory systems
- the skin
- the liver
- herbs for kids
- herbs for women
You will learn how to
- brew the perfect cup of medicinal tea
- make tinctures, vinegars, syrups, salves, and creams
- harvest and dry herbs from the garden
- make your own flower essences
Garden practices will be introduced including
- permaculture
- sheet mulching
- gardening according to the moon's cycle and movements
Our best teachers are the plants themselves. Our work in the garden and time spent in conteplation with the trees and flowers will feed both our minds and hearts.
We are an urban herb school and the reality of the city around us flavors the work that we do. Nearly two thirds of the world's population live in urban areas. Remembering and reconnecting with the natural world is especially important for bringing our urban lives in to balance.
Class Schedule: The focus of our learning will take place on the Saturdays listed below. In addition you are required to attend 4 Saturday evenings of your choice and 4 Sundays of your choice. Saturday evenings, after the day class, we will have guest speakers, movies, and additional lectures. Sundays will be used to learn in, and from, the garden and as well as taking the occasional field trip. During the winter months there are no additional classes and the schedule is Saturday only.
Class will start at 9am, we'll enjoy a pot-luck lunch together, and end between 5 and 6 pm. This class does have both reading and writing homework as well as the requirement to work on your own herbal protocol with a practitioner.
Your Instructors:
Maia Toll
Bethany Deflores
Anna Wik
Class Dates:
September 22, 2012: weekend, Saturday evening topic: History of Herbalism
October 27: weekend, Saturday evening topic: Intro to Ayurveda
November 17: weekend, Saturday evening topic: intro to Traditional Chinese Medicine
December 8: Saturday only
January 5, 2013: Saturday only
February 2: Saturday only
March 2: weekend, Saturday evening topic: Movie Night
March 30: Saturday only (Sunday is Easter & Passover), Saturday evening topic: Gardening by the Moon
April 27: weekend, Saturday evening topic: Essential Oils
May 18: weekend, Saturday evening topic: Flower Essences
June 15: 1/2 day: present final projects, hands on exam, potluck, closing circle (9am-2pm)
Tuition: $1700 (includes course pack, materials, and $10 per month land use fee). A non-refundable, non-transferable deposit of $200 holds your space. Please note that you must be paid in full or have made arrangements for a payment plan by September 1, 2012 (click here for all payment info). If you'd like to sign-up on-line, click here. Or phone 215 247 2110 to speak with a person!
Early bird special: take 10% off if you pay in full by July 20, 2012.
Work Trade: $300 of your tuition may be worked off in the garden at a rate of 10 hours per $100. Please let us know you would like to do this program when you sign up for class.
Payment Plan: $200 down*, $255 due Sept. 15, Oct. 15, Nov. 15, Dec. 15, Jan. 15, Feb. 15*
* Please note that deposits are non-refundable and non-transferable. We have a surcharge built in for the administration of the payment plan.
A few full time work/study positions are available each year. Please contact us for an application.
