Please contact Phyllis by email at This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it  (cut and paste) or call 256-931-0351 for more info.

Herbalists and natural health practitioners view the body as whole and understand that each level of life, body, mind and spirit, interacts with and influences health. By finding patterns of imbalance and disorder and seeking the source of the imbalance, herbalists get to the root of the problem. In this way, herbalists can educate, guide and support their clients in the quest for healthier lifestyles and building and maintaining good health. This differs from conventional medical philosophy which views a person in a reductionist fashion and manages symptoms.

ACNH classes will be helpful to anyone wanting to learn about herbs and natural health for themselves or their families and anyone wishing to lead a personally responsible life. The natural health practitioner, herbalist or healer will also find practical information which can be an asset to their practice.

The classes are held in Arab, Alabama, which is located about 30 miles south of Huntsville, AL and 75 miles north of Birmingham, AL. The Port of Huntsville (HSV) is a well-serviced airport with connections to most cities via Delta, Continental, and US Airways. In addition, Southwest flies into Birmingham.

The Appalachian Center for Natural Health offers three certificate programs of instruction: the Family Herablist Program, the Community Herbalist Program and the Herbal Practitioner Program.

The Family Herbalist Program is a nine month program, which meets one weekend per month March through Novermber, and is based on an organ or body system approach. Eight body systems are covered in detail, one each weekend. The herbs that impact the systems, foods, and lifestyle influences for each system are also explored. The program is designed to provide a strong herbal background, based on body systems, and a knowledge of anatomy and physiology, for those interested in helping family and friends as well as a strong foundation for those wishing to pursue advanced herbal studies. The emphasis is on Traditional Western Herbalism and Southern and Appalachian Folk Medicine using either western or local herbs. We'll also do plant walks, make salves and lotions, and learn how to keep the body well.

The Practitioner Program is composed of two programs, the Community Herbalist and Herbal Practitioner Programs, with an emphasis on clinical skills, intake, and assessment skills. Each class meets one weekend a month for nine months, March through November. This program covers the influence of the endocrine (hormonal) system on the individual body systems. Understanding the endocrine system and its influence on health, physical, mental, emotional and spiritual, brings a holistic or mind/body/spirit understanding of how the body works. This knowledge allows the practitioner to design targeted herbal formulas and nutritional protocols for the client. Outside assignments will be given and must be completed to receive a certificate of completion. The Practitioner Program can also be followed by a year of mentoring for those interested in becoming community or clinical herbalists.  

Not everyone enrolled in the Programs at the Appalachian Center for Health Studies are interested in becoming practitioners. Many people take the classes in order to better serve their families and friends; others take the classes out of curiosity or an interest and love of plants. Some take the classes to come home to their Southern and American roots and hold forth these traditions for future generations. Still others take the classes to work in health stores or the natural products sections of large grocery or retail outlets, as herbal consultants, or to work in other areas of the natural products industry.

For those wishing to further their herbal education with a view to becoming practitioners or working within the industry, the completion of homework assignments and full class attendance is required. For those wishing to take the courses for personal interest, the courses may be audited and while the fulfillment of homework is not required, it is strongly encouraged. Course fees are the same whether auditing or working toward certificate completion.

Acknowledging that lifestyle choices play a role in our health is an important step in reducing risk factors for chronic diseases. Wisely using herbs and foods is one way we can take a role in our own health care, reduce risk factors for chronic diseases and help build a healthy body.

Combining traditional healing practices with modern science creates an integrated and holistic approach to health care. By understanding the patterns of imbalance within body systems, herbal protocols can be devised and lifestyle issues such as diet, exercise and stress relief,  addressed.