Herbalists 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 in building and maintaining good health. This differs from conventional medical philosophy which views a person in a reductionist fashion and offers only symptom relief.

ACHS classes will be helpful to anyone wanting to learn about herbs and healing 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 at the Appalachian Center for Herbal Studies, 329 South Main Street. Arab 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 Herbal Studies offers three certificate programs of instruction: Basic Herbal Training, a Practitioner Certificate Program and a certificate in Southern and Appalachian Folk Medicine.

The Basic Herbal Training Program is a one or two year program based on an organ or body system approach. Seven body systems are covered in detail, one each weekend along with the herbs that impact the system. 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 using either western or local herbs. For those wishing to become community herbalists or practitioners, the two year program is suggested; for those taking the class for personal knowledge, the one year program is suggested.  

The Practitioner Program is a one year program with an emphasis on clinical skills, intake, and assessment skills. 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.  

The Southern and Appalachian Folk Medicine Program is a one year certificate program which focuses on the use of local plants for good health. The Blood Constitutional System will be studied in detail (high, low, thick, thin, hot, cold, sweet, sour, bitter, salty, etc.). Herbs will be gathered, dried, and  brewed in a traditional manner. This class will also cover other traditional folk knowledge related to good health and living such as using the Signs to understand health tendencies, planting and gathering by the moon, reading weather signs, reading tree signs, dousing  and other folk wisdom. The Doctrine of Signatures, Law of Similiars, Law of Contraries and the study of Vitalism will be covered in-depth from a traditional point of view. This class is geared for those wishing to reconnect with the Earth and the old ways our ancestors used in their daily lives.

Not everyone taking the programs at the Appalachian Center for Herbal Studies is interested in becoming a practitioners. Many people take the classes in order to better serve their friends and families, other take the classes out of curiosity or an interest and love of plants and still others take the classes to come home to their American or Southern roots and hold forth these traditions for future generations.

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.