Record keeping is an important aspect of being an herbalist even though it may not be as enjoyable as spending a day in the canyons and meadows among the wildflowers. The chart included at the link below is a form I have used for many years. It includes all the pertinent information needed to keep… Continue >>>
Herb courses at our school emphasize the ability of students to create their own herbal pharmacy. The results are both more affordable and higher quality than purchasing finished products off store shelves. Some plants can be harvested from a backyard garden while others can be wildcrafted from the broader landscape. The ability to sustainably wildcraft… Continue >>>
For Part 1, click here. I am especially fond of the old time hand drawn and colored plant illustrations that were common before the age of *immediate.posting.of.photos.on.social.media* became the norm. Don’t get me wrong. I am a huge fan of photography and love sharing my own plant images on the web. But there is something… Continue >>>
Laminaceae – Mint The square stem and opposite leaves are dependable markers for this family although there are a few exceptions: • Thymus is a genus that lacks a square stem • Verbena and Nettles are non-mints with square stems. As these exceptions are rare and easy enough to remember, these guidelines remain helpful. Many… Continue >>>
The Pinaceae family, commonly known as the Pine family, includes the Spruce (Picea) and Fir (Abies) genera in addition to the Pine (Pinus). Cedar is also in this family although the common cedar in the southwest is actually juniper, a member of the Cypress family. There are no true cedars native to the area. Therapeutically,… Continue >>>
Safety issues connected to the internal use of various Comfrey (Symphytum officinale, S. uplandicum x) species have been a controversial topic since I became active in the herb community in the early 1990s. Many presentations in articles, blogs, classes and conferences prefer to address the therapeutic benefits of this plant and avoid directly giving information… Continue >>>
Fabaceae – Commonly known as the Pea, Bean or Legume Family One of the largest families in the world, large enough to have subfamilies and tribes This family has irregular flowers with the shape famously described as “banner – wings – keel” The seed pods have the classic green bean, pea pod form. Leaves are… Continue >>>
Poaceae – Grass Family Background Info -This family includes major food crops worldwide. The domestication and cultivation of grass seeds allowed (forced?) hunter-gatherer cultures to stay longer in one place and develop farming techniques and villages. -Grass stems are hollow and round with nodes where the leaves are located -Almost all grass seeds are edible… Continue >>>
Malvaceae – Mallow This family is well known for its demulcent qualities and is very widely used by most herbalists. Commonly used herbs and food: Marshmallow (Althea officinalis) Globe mallow (Sphaeralcea) – common at many elevations in the Southwest Malva neglecta – common mallow or cheese wheel Hibiscus Hollyhock (Alcea spp.) Okra Continue >>>
Anacardaceae – Commonly known as the Cashew or Sumac Family Plants in this family can be poisonous, medicinal or edible Some edibles are: Cashew Mango Pistachio The Toxicodendron genus includes poison ivy, poison oak and poison sumac. These plants all contain urushiol oil which gives the leaves a waxy look and causes the infamous itch… Continue >>>
Latest Courses
This trip is an optional field study opportunity for students enrolled in the Family Herbalist Program. Other herbal friends may be joining us. Photos from previous trips can be seen on Facebook here. Students are responsible for food, lodging (camping, Air B&B, hotel) and transportation. The dates for the 2024 program are July 14-17. Day… Continue >>>
Registration for the 2025 program opens September 1, 2024. Choosing the path of herbal medicine can be a life-changing event. It was for me in 1990 when I made the decision to begin studying and using herbal medicine as a primary form of personal healthcare. It was in the mid 1990s when I was accepted… Continue >>>
Educational Resources
This trip is an optional field study opportunity for students enrolled in the Family Herbalist Program. Other herbal friends may be joining us. Photos from previous trips can be seen on Facebook here. Students are responsible for food, lodging (camping, Air B&B, hotel) and transportation. The dates for the 2024 program are July 14-17. Day… Continue >>>
Registration for the 2025 program opens September 1, 2024. Choosing the path of herbal medicine can be a life-changing event. It was for me in 1990 when I made the decision to begin studying and using herbal medicine as a primary form of personal healthcare. It was in the mid 1990s when I was accepted… Continue >>>
This 3 weekend class offers topics for continuing education to herbalists who already have working knowledge of: Herbal Energetics – Materia Medica – Herbal Pharmacy – Wildcrafting & Botany and other foundation areas in using healing plants. The course is primarily offered to people who have previously completed the Family Herbalist Program or the Foundations… Continue >>>
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