Introduction to Herbalism
Learn how to use herbs safely and effectively for yourself, your family, and your clients. Six comprehensive modules designed to give you the confidence to begin your herbal journey.
Program Overview
Who Is This For?
This course is designed for anyone interested in learning herbalism — whether you're a nutrition professional looking to expand your toolbox, a wellness practitioner seeking to incorporate botanicals, or simply someone curious about using herbs safely for your family.
No prior herbal knowledge is required. We'll walk you through everything from how herbs interact with your body to preparing medicine at home using simple tools and techniques.
Curriculum
Learn how to approach the body from a whole plant medicine perspective and how to create basic plant medicines for your home.
Master the client factors, dose-makes-the-poison framework, and herb-drug interaction assessment that turn herbal practice from guesswork into grounded clinical judgment.
Learn how herbs interact with your body, and how to determine what herb is best suited for what condition.
Deep dives on nine essential herbs across three core systems:
Three hands-on sections teaching the preparations that fill a real herbal medicine cabinet:
Complete the course assessment and earn your downloadable Certificate of Completion — approved for 10 Category 1 Continuing Education Units with the NANP.
How It Works
Choose your plan and get instant access to all course materials.
Begin with Module 1 and progress through the curriculum at your pace.
Build your knowledge through lectures, then apply it with hands-on pharmacy skills.
Get ongoing community and instructor support as you continue your herbal education.
Your Instructor
DCN(c), CNS®, MS, RH(AHG)
Clinical herbalist and Certified Nutrition Specialist with more than 25 years of study in herbal medicine and 15 years of clinical experience. She specializes in women's reproductive health, blending traditional herbal practice with evidence-informed nutrition.
Adjunct faculty at Notre Dame of Maryland University's School of Integrative Health, teaching Materia Medica, Herbal Pharmacy, and Botany.
Student Voices
I came to this herb program with nearly a decade of self-study and foraging behind me, and I wasn't sure what to expect. What I found was something that has genuinely leveled up everything I thought I knew. Betsy's depth of knowledge and her approach to teaching are unlike anything I've encountered — she meets students where they are and brings a rigor and warmth that makes even complex material feel accessible.
The program materials are exceptional. The curriculum is thorough, well-sourced, and clearly built by someone who takes both the tradition and the science of herbalism seriously. I'm leaving with the confidence to pursue guild certification and the practical skills to apply what I've learned in real life — not just on paper.
If you're considering this program, whether you're a complete beginner or coming in with years of your own study, I can say without hesitation: it's worth it.
Samantha
— Upper Peninsula, MichiganInvestment
One-time payment for lifetime access to everything below.
Everything included
If you're a nutrition professional looking to earn your Registered Herbalist credential, explore our 18-month advanced program.
Herbalism for the Nutrition Professional