I have been asked numerous times how I learned about herbs and for advise on how others can do so. Here’s a quick list:
1. Check out the book The Herbalist’s Way by Nancy Phillips from the library.
2. Buy Medicinal Herbs by Rosemary Gladstar. Such a practical and USEFUL book to own and use regularly. She covers 33 herbs from growing to using. She’s probably my favorite herbalist of all time!
3. I fully believe in getting a well-rounded education by using a variety of resources: books, online reading/research, audio teleseminars/programs, visual webinars, in person formal classes, online classes, getting together with other herbalists informally. And, most importantly, studying with a variety of herbalists.
4. I love John Gallagher for introducing me to so many amazing herbalists!!!! HerbMentor Radio + Learning Herbs = me doing “Rosemary’s Remedies”, Rosalee’s “Taste of Herbs”, Kimberly’s “Herb Fairies”, and learning about MANY other herbalists. I am in Aviva Romm’s “Herbal Medicine for Women” course after finding her via John.
5. Check out the herb conferences around the country. I met dozens of talented herbalists in Northern AZ Fall 2013 (Kiva & Jessie’s annual herb gathering) and took classes for four blissful days in the mountains! In June 2014, I attended Aviva Romm’s summer intensive since I’m in her class and wanted to meet her in person. It was AWESOME! These experiences are so worth the travel and costs!!!
6. See if there is an Herb Guild or Herb Club in your area. Excellent way to learn your local herb culture and plants! Even local nurseries have herb classes these days (free in my area).
7. If you go to Mountain Rose Herbs website and find the herb courses list, you can methodically start at the top and work your way down exploring each course to decide which sound like a good initial fit for you and your lifestyle. Then, you can inquire more about the ones that strike your fancy. I’m also taking “Nourishing Herbal Infusions” with Susun Weed (was free when I joined, may still be free). I am also interested in Michael & Lesley Tierra’s school.
8. You can do a search for “methow valley herbal bookshelf” and see a very large collection of fascinating herbal medicine related books. I’ve been able to find many at my local library (via the interlibrary loan system). My course with Aviva Romm has a recommended reading list (as well as required books) that is also extensive. I go for library or personal loans (from herb friends) first, then Kindle versions, and used books to keep costs and clutter to a minimum.
9. Sevensong has a facebook page and he’s pretty active, moreso than most herbalists, with great info, especially with first aid type herbalism.
10. Keep in mind herbalists cannot practice medicine without a license in the U.S. Becoming a licensed practitioner takes time, money, and a lot of formal study, but there are several routes one can take. Not being licensed means learning exactly what is allowed and what isn’t allowed. One can choose to belong to the AHG for a professional organization or one can be more grassroots, and anything in-between. Nancy Phillips book mentioned in #1 helps define some of this.
11. Explore YOUtube for oodles of herbalists in action! Every name you come across, check and see if he or she has a video. Rosemary Gladstar, Rosalee de la Foret, John Gallagher, Amanda McQuade Crawford, Susun Weed, and so many more.
12. If this is too unstructured, you can create your own structure with a calendar (treat it like online college courses) or you can attend a formal school.
13. HAVE FUN!!!!!! <3