The Forager's Path - School of Botanical Studies

2025 Herbal Medicine Courses

Gaia Alchemy & The Spagyric Process
This workshop bridges ancient alchemical wisdom with modern ecological science, phytochemistry and hands-on medicine-making.
Through both philosophical reflection and grounded scientific exploration, we’ll walk step-by-step through the complete spagyric extraction process, from initial herbal extraction to calcination and recombination.
This class is accessible and empowering—designed to show that anyone can engage in this process at home, in a kitchen, or in community.
Whether you are an herbalist, alchemist, ecologist, or curious seeker, this immersive experience offers a rare integration of science, spirit, and practice.

Details on this workshop are here

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Beyond the Green Pill: Practicing Vitalist Herbalism
I was recently had a great conversation with Elliot Brinkley from The Dancing Willow podcast.
In this episode we dive into:

 🌿 How vitalist herbalism differs from “green pill” thinking
 🌿 The difference between family, community, and clinical herbalists 
 🌿 How to address stress at the root by healing your sensory input & accessing beauty
 🌿 Why learning your local plants is more powerful than memorizing distant materia medica
 🌿 Ethical wildcrafting and honoring the seasonal rhythms of nature
 🌿 Practical advice for herbal beginners ready to build hands-on experience

We also explore why true herbalism is about practicing — not just studying — and how slowing down, observing, and building relationship with plants transforms not only your herbal skills, but your entire life.
This episode is available here.

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Becoming a Clinical Herbalist

How does an herbalist take all the information gathered from one’s own experience + readings, classes, workshops, conferences, round tables, webinars and blogs and actually apply it to a real life situation with a client who comes asking for help?

This stage of herbal learning and doing is Clinical Herbalism.
It is working 1:1 with a person, first gathering information, then devoting thoughtful time to assessing what is happening for the person and finally, sharing a plan that is used to help bring the person back to a healthier, more balanced state.
Being a clinical herbalist draws upon every experience and bit of information the herbalist has gained over the years.
Details of this course are available here.

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Family Herbalist Program

This course is full and registration is closed.
Registration opens on September 1, 2025 for the 2026 Family Herbalist Program.
Send your contact info to mmasek@theforagerspath.com to be notified when registration opens.

The Family Herbalist is meant for people who want to get clear and accurate information on the foundation aspects of using herbs to promote health on a personal and family basis.
These people may be totally new to herbal medicine or they have taken the occasional workshop, read some blogs and use various herbal products from the local health food store.
They are ready for the next step.

Details on the Family Herbalist Program are here.

An extra bonus are plant walks offered to introduce students to the regional healing flora.
These are not a formal part of the program and no fee is charged for these outings.

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Flagstaff Native HerbFest 2026

June 13, 9:00am- 3:00pm
Choose from 9 workshops and plant walks on a variety of topics related to herbal medicine, wild foods and useful plants in northern Arizona.

This is a wonderful opportunity to meet and get to know a range of herbalists, foragers and healers from the region.
The event is located at the WillowBend Environmental Education Center in Flagstaff.
Registration and details on the day will be available on their website in early Spring, 2026:
https://willowbendcenter.org/herb-fest/



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Latest Courses

2025 Rocky Mountain Field Study

2025 Rocky Mountain Field Study

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 2025 program are July 13-17. Day… Continue >>>

2025 Family Herbalist Program

2025 Family Herbalist Program

This course is full and registration is closed.Registration opens on September 1, 2025 for the 2026 Family Herbalist Program.Send your contact info to mmasek@theforagerspath.com to be notified when registration opens. 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… Continue >>>

Educational Resources

Gaia Alchemy & The Spagyric Process

This 5 hour workshop bridges ancient alchemical wisdom with modern ecological science, phytochemistry and hands-on medicine-making. We begin by imagining alchemy not as an outdated chemistry or solely of an esoteric tradition, but as a living, Earth-based language—an ecological science that speaks through the sulfur, nitrogen, and carbon cycles, and through the elemental forces of… Continue >>>

A Master Herbalist?

The word Master often gets thrown around in regards to different occupations and skills. Master carpenter, chef, teacher, herbalist, etc. Everyone want this title but few have earned it. It is usually applied more for ego or marketing rather than actual skills and experience. It’s an issue in the herb community where there are no… Continue >>>

Contact Us

The Forager’s Path
928-890-7417
info@theforagerspath.com

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