Herbal Immersion Program Outline (1,000 hours)

MODULE 1: Foundations in Herbalism

• Cultivating Relationships with Healing Plants

• Introduction to Botany

• Plant Families

• Vegetative and Floral Terms

• Herbal Actions

• Ethical Wildcrafting

• Spring Plant Walk

• Medicinal Preparations

• Harvesting Herbs

• Edible Flowers

MODULE 2: The Nitty-Gritty of Soil, Part 1

• Principles of Organic Gardening

• Planning Your Dream Garden

• Growing Healthy Soil

• Building Soil Fertility

• Botanical Garden Allies

• Creating New Garden Beds

• Container Gardening

MODULE 3: Common Useful Garden Weeds

• Daylily

• Lamb’s Quarters

• Chickweed

• Dandelion

• Violet

• Purple Dead Nettle

• Cleavers

• Creasy Greens

• Garlic Mustard

• Yellow Dock

• Japanese Honeysuckle

MODULE 4: Plant Propagation

• Special Strategies for Germinating Herbs: Stratification, Scarification, and Light-Dependent Germination

• Preparing Seed Trays

• Sowing Seeds

• Soil Blocks

• Bottom Heat

• Root Division

• Stem Cuttings

• Layering

• Seed Saving of Medicinal Herbs

MODULE 5: Tonic Herbs and Adaptogens

• Introduction to Adaptogens, Alteratives and Tonic Herbs

• Gotu Kola

• Tulsi

• Nettles

• Milky Oats

• Astragalus

• Ginseng

• Hibiscus

MODULE 6: The Nitty-Gritty of Soil, Part 2

• Introduction to Permaculture

• Building a Compost Pile

• Composting Leaf Mold

• Organic Pest and Disease Management

• Season Extension

• Woodland Cultivation of Medicinal Herbs

• Homemade Potting Soil

MODULE 7: Herbs for the Immune System

• Introduction to Immune Stimulants, Immunomodulators and Antimicrobials

• Spilanthes

• Echinacea

• Goldenseal

• Bee Balm and Wild Bergamot

• Calendula

• Boneset

• Elderberry

MODULE 8: Introduction to the Digestive System

• Bitters, Astringents and Carminatives

• Foundations of Nutrition: Whole Foods, Organic Foods and GMOs

• Macronutrients, Fiber, and Intestinal Flora

• Vitamins and Minerals

• Bioflavonoids

• Food Allergies and Intolerances

MODULE 9: Herbs for the Digestive System

• Anise Hyssop

• Meadowsweet

• Fennel

• Mint

• Chamomile

• Lemon Balm

• Basil

MODULE 10: Herbs for the Respiratory System

• Introduction to Expectorants, Demulcents and Anticatarrhals

• Elecampane

• Mullein

• Marshmallow

• Yarrow

• Goldenrod

MODULE 11: Herbs for the Nervous System

• Introduction to Nervines, Hypnotics, Anxiolytics, Antidepressants and Analgesics

• Valerian

• Skullcap

• Passionflower

• California Poppy

• Mimosa

• Rose

• Vervain

MODULE 12: Herbs for the Female Reproductive System

• Uterine Tonics, Emmenagogues, Hormone Balancers and Uterine Antispasmodics

• Ecology of Estrogen in the Body

• Red Raspberry and Blackberry

• Black Cohosh

• Vitex

• Motherwort

MODULE 13: Medicine Making – Core Preparations

• Infusions and Decoctions

• Tinctures

• Herbal Honeys and Syrups

• Herbal Vinegars

• Flower Essences

MODULE 14: Food as Medicine

• Meads

• Culinary Oils

• Infused Vinegars

• Fire Ciders: Spicy Vinegars

• Goo Balls

• Compound Butters

• Herbal Finishing Salts

• Herbal Sauces

• Wild Herbal Pestos, Hummus, and Pâté

• Medicinal Mushroom Concoction

• Herbal Popsicles, Iced Teas, and Granitas

• Bone Broth

• Bitters

• Shrubs

• Herbal Ice Cubes

• Simple Syrups

• Cocktails and Mocktails

MODULE 15: Topical Preparations and Natural Body Care

• Infused Oils and Salves

• Compresses, Poultices, and Herbal First Aid

• Introduction to Hydrotherapy

• Introduction to Aromatherapy

• Floral Skin Serum

• Body Butters

• Salt Scrubs

• Bath Salts

• Aromatherapy Sprays

• Aromatic Massage Oils

MODULE 16: Herbal Livelihoods/Applying the Knowledge

• The Heart of Livelihoods: Business Ethics and Inspiration

• Herbal Livelihoods

• The Nitty-Gritty of Herbal Businesses

• Introduction to Current Good Manufacturing Processes (cGMPs) and Product Labeling Requirements

• Further Learning and Networking

• Connecting to Your Life’s Purpose

• Permaculture in Action: Joe Hollis’ Mountain Gardens

• Amy Hamilton

• Lorna Mauney-Brodek

• Dr. James Duke

• Asia Suler

• History of Earthaven Ecovillage

• Permaculture Principles with Chuck Marsh

• Kauai Farmacy Gardens

• Brandon Ruiz

• Marc Williams

• Ayo Ngozi Drayton

• Leah Penniman

• Meshell Orozco

• Ellenie Cruz

MODULE 17: Siting Reference Guide – Regional Profiles and Habitat Lists

• Arid Lowland Climates with Monica Rude

• Cold Temperate Climates with Deb Soule

• Arid Mountainous Climates with Kathi Keville

• Rocky Soils in Mid-Continental Climates with Steven Foster

• Subtropical Climates with Emily Ruff

• Mediterranean Climates with Richo Cech

• Woodland Medicinals with Joe Hollis

• Wetland Herbs

• Shade Herbs

• Arid Climate Herbs

• Hot and Humid Climate Herbs

How does ONLINE HERBAL IMMERSION PROGRAM work?

• You’ll have complete access to the entire program as soon as you enroll. To keep you on track and engaged, you’ll receive monthly emails from us with an introduction to each module. However, you’re welcome to move at your own pace through the material. Enrollment is ongoing, and you can sign up any time.

• When you enroll, you’ll receive immediate access to these Immersion resources:

  • A printable 1,400-page full-color course manual

  • All videos and downloadable audio so you can listen on the go

  • Supplies List & Recommended Reading List

  • Access to our Student Forum

  • Seasonal Herbal Starter Guides

• The format of ONLINE HERBAL IMMERSION PROGRAM

  • You’ll be able to download all audio and text (and enjoy them while you’re offline), however, the videos can’t be downloaded and will not be provided on DVD, so you must have a reliable internet connection to view them.

  • The videos can be viewed on mobile devices with a wireless connection.

  • Please see the full course outline for more details.

The online program includes:

• Beautiful and engaging video instruction, primarily filmed in the garden and field with the stars of the program—the plants themselves

• Over 100 herbal recipes, ranging from medicinal preparations, wild foods dishes, natural body care products, and culinary herbal concoctions

• 130 videos and 165 lessons, clearly organized into 17 modules

• A variety of instructors comprised of herbal teachers, writers, and gardeners

• A downloadable and printable 1,400-page course manual (PDF) that contains extensive written materials and instructional photographs by Juliet Blankespoor. The course manual can be viewed electronically or can be printed into two large binders and a separate Medicine Making Manual. You can view the course manual offline so you can learn wherever and however works best for you

• Downloadable audio files so you can listen on the go

• Lifetime access to the course materials, including all indexed videos, written text and archived newsletters (any new videos and materials we add to the program will also be yours)

• Review worksheets, experiential projects, and quizzes at the end of each module. Students receive staff feedback on all their submitted projects.

• Access to a team of experienced herbalists and herb growers, including Juliet Blankespoor, for questions and guidance for two and a half years after enrollment

• Access to our student forum (currently hosted on Facebook) where you can share triumphs, troubleshooting, and more with a lively community of herbal enthusiasts

• Exclusive quarterly newsletters with herbal news and resources and seasonal gardening tips

• A 1000-hour certificate of completion, upon completing all the required coursework within two and a half years

Here’s what you’ll be able to do after completing ONLINE HERBAL IMMERSION PROGRAM:

• Build drop-dead gorgeous herb gardens, frequented by colorful pollinators and covetous neighbors

• Create your own medicine chest, filled with high-quality botanical remedies, made from homegrown herbs and medicinal wild weeds

• Start an herbal nursery, small herb farm, or herbal CSA

• Use tonic herbs to promote long-term health and help prevent illness

• Connect with plants, the earth, and the cycles of life on a deeper level

• Address common health complaints with your own teas, tinctures, salves and oils

• Teach your children to prepare their own herbal remedies – laying the foundation for self-care and knowledge of natural medicine

• Indulge yourself with luscious body butters, creams and scrubs

• Create value-added medicinal or culinary products for your farm

• Lavish your loved ones with beautiful and tasty herbal-based gifts

• Master herbal actions so you can better match herbs with specific conditions

• Share the abundant herbal harvest with your friends, family and neighbors

• Discover your own herbal allies: treasured plant friends you can call on for years

• Develop a homespun herbal products business

• Gather common wild foods and prepare them into delectable meals

• Build a forest garden with endangered medicinal plants

• Grow perennial vegetables, culinary herbs and edible flowers as a hobby or small specialty business

Who’s ONLINE HERBAL IMMERSION PROGRAM for?

Anyone who wants to learn more about growing and using medicinal plants, including:

• Herbal enthusiasts and herbalists who want to go deeper with botanical medicine

• Herbal entrepreneurs who wish to start an herbal products line or an herb nursery or seed business

• Parents who wish to learn about simple natural remedies that can easily be grown and prepared at home

• Botanical moguls who wish to grow a sustainable herbal products business based on medicine sourced from their own fields and gardens

• Vegetable farmers who want to diversify their crops and create value-added culinary and medicinal products

• Permaculturists who wish to further explore the realm of healing plants and wild foods

• Community garden organizers and instructors who want to bring the joy of herbs into their communities

• Homesteaders and vegetable growers interested in medicinal sovereignty and long-term community resilience and self-sufficiency

• Gardeners who wish to incorporate more useful plants into the home landscape

• Homeschooling families with older children and teenagers who are excited to explore medicinal garden plants together (see FAQs for details)

• Herbalists trained in the medicinal use of herbs, who want to know the herbs on a more intimate level, especially how to grow them

Read more about: Juliet Blankespoor

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