Welcome to The Forager’s Path
School of Botanical Studies
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We are based in Flagstaff, Arizona at 7000′, among the awe-inspiring landscapes of northern Arizona and the Colorado Plateau. The wide range of elevation in our area allows us ready access to flora from the Upper Sonoran Desert Grasslands up to the majestic Alpine Zone of the nearby San Francisco Peaks. In between these extremes are the riparian habitat of Oak Creek Canyon, the spectacular landscape of the red rocks in Sedona and the Verde Valley and the world’s largest ponderosa forest around Flagstaff.
Community Herbalism
Our education programs emphasize the development and training of Community Herbalists: people committed to the use of plant medicine with their families, friends and local communities.
Classes at The Forager’s Path offer education in both the theory and practical application of the native healing flora of the American Southwest while integrating principles from Ayurveda and Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM).
Building a Foundation of Being an Herbalist
Many people begin using herbs in small steps – something for sleep, a cold or maybe a headache.
As one continues on the herbal path of independent study, information is pulled from many sources.
After a few years, this person begins to identify as an herbalist and continues to increase both the learning and use of plant medicines.
However, the method of learning remains the same – pulling info from a variety of disconnected sources: websites, blogs, books, conferences and workshops.
The end result is an herbalist with extensive information and skills but with a lack of a systematic and thorough education in plant healing. There are many gaps in this approach.
To counter this common problem, the longer programs at our school emphasize building a foundation with hands-on skills developed by integrating and having working knowledge in the following areas:
Botany – Plant Chemistry – Anatomy & Physiology – Solvents & Polarity – Herbal Support for Specific Body Systems – Traditional Chinese Medicine – Ayurveda – Energetics from the Western Herbal Perspective – Essential Oils – Creating Your Personal Herbal Pharmacy – Materia Medica – Nutrition & Diet – Field Study – Foraging, Wild Crafting and Sustainability – Safety Guidelines – Developing a Personal Connection to the Seasons, Cycles and Patterns of the Natural World
Field Study Time: The Value of Being in Nature
A key health issue in our modern world is the disconnect from the natural world of fresh air, sunshine, physical activity, being off pavement and spending time with flora and fauna in their natural environment.
To support this essential part of a healthy lifestyle, plant walks options are offered in our longer programs and classes meet in the outdoors when feasible.
Thank you for visiting our website and learning more about our school and the programs we offer. We hope you find it helpful in your herbal journey. Please contact us with any questions you may have.
