Due to technical difficulties, 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)

Please call 256-931-0351 for more info.

Family Herbalist (Basic) Program

The Family Herbalist Program is a nine month basic program with an emphasis in Southern and Appalachian Folk Medicine and Western herbs for specific body systems. The program looks at ways to build and maintain good health and reduce risk factors for chronic diseases using traditional herbs, foods and simple home remedies.

Family Herbalist Program (basic) is a certificate program, held one weekend a month for nine months, beginning in March and ending in November. Class times are 9:30 am - 5:00 pm on Saturday and 9:30 am - 5:00 pm on Sunday. Tuition is $2,160.00 for nine months, or $240 per month.

Full-tuition, $2,160.00, is due the first day of class unless other arrangements have been made. A monthly payment plan option of $240.00 per month is available for your convenience, but must be worked out in advance.

There is a limited number of barter or work exchange programs available. These go fast so apply early if you are interested. A student can get up to one-half of their tuition waived in work study. At the maximum, a student may pay $120.00 per month and work/study the remaining $120.00 per month.

Please contact the school if you are coming in from out-of-town and need overnight accommodations.

Weekend classes include lecture, demonstration, discussion and assignments and plant walks. Homework or projects will be assigned for every class to be completed during the month. It can be brought to the next class or submitted online, however, all homework must be completed before the awarding of the course certificate. The student will build an herbal materia medica primarily focused on the medicinal herbs of the Southeast. Please keep in mind that many of these plants grow from the Gulf Coast to Maine, in the Midwest, in the canyons of the West and along the West coast. You'll also study teh health benefits of foods and explore various assessment techniques.

Check the class syllabus for a full list of class topics　

The following textbooks are required for the class. They can be found at Barnes and Noble, Books A Million and online Amazon.com.

All other class resource materials will be furnished either by handouts or from the school library. I highly encourage you to start your own herbal/health library.

Family Herbalist Program (basic) Syllabus for 2012

March 3 and 4 - Digestive System. Parasites. Herbal actions. Plant walk. Dietary approaches. Hands-on: making Southern herbal decoctions and infusions. Homework: Herb report.

April 7 and 8 - Immune System. Colds and flu. Supplements. Plant walk. Natural health principles. Herbal properties. Hands-on: making tinctures (alcohol, vinegar, glycerin). Homework: Herb report. Make a tincture and bring to class.

May 12 and 13 - Nervous system, Brain and Emotions. Mind/body connection. Stress. Plant walk. Dowsing. Flower essences. Hands-on: making flower essences. Homework: Herb report. Make a flower essence and bring to class.

June 9 and 10- Cardiovascular System. Plant walk. Ethical wildcrafting. Principles of Southern and Appalachian Folk Medicine. Case study. Hands-on: decoctions and low dose. Homework: Herb report. Make an infused oil and bring to class.

July 7 and 8 - Respiratory System. Plant walk. Case study. Tongue assessment. Folk astrology or the Signs. Hands-on: making cough syrups. Homework: Herb report. Make a cough syrup and bring to class.

August 4 and 5 - Urinary System. Dietary approaches. Plant walk. Case study. Nail and hair assessment. Hands-on: herbal teas for kidneys. Homework: Herb report. Create a formula for kidney stones.

September 1 and 2 - Skin and Musculoskeletal Systems. Physical assessment by posture and movement. Case study. Plant walk. Hands-on: making salves and liniments. Homework: Herb report. Make a salve and bring to class.

October 6 and 7 - Reproductive System. Dietary approaches. Case study. Plant walk. Wild-crafting. Hands-on: makings lotions and soap. Homework: Herb report. Make a lotion or soap and bring to class.

November 3 and 4 - Review of body systems. Review of materia medica. Final exam/projects. Final time to turn in homework. Wrap-up. Great food! Fun time! Certificates.

Homework - Each month, every student will be assigned or may request an herb for research and oral report. The report should be about 2-4 pages, typed, double-spaced with appropriate references. The finished report will be uploaded to the class yahoo group for sharing with the group. Each month, you will also give a brief oral presentation of the herb report.  At the end of the course, you will have accumulated an excellent materia medica for future use along with your class notes and handouts.

Book Report - Each student will pick one book from the Center’s library or another approved book to read and share with the class. An oral presentation to the class lasting at least 15 minutes is required.