The Trillium Center strives to improve community health through herbalism, foraging, and connecting with nature.
I offer a comprehensive course called the Community Herbal Intensive to learn and embody the foundations of community herbalism. The first level is called Getting Grounded where students learn the foundations of herbalism, practice herbal techniques, start learning a little botany, and complete weekly plant studies. The second level is called Getting Rooted where students learn how to apply the foundations and complete basic assessment studies with one-on-one time with me plus group practices matching plants to people.
Community Herbal Intensive 1
Getting Grounded
A 9-month comprehensive course designed to ground participants in the concepts of community herbalism. The course starts in March with identification of late winter twigs and barks used as food and medicine. Then on to spring greens, through summer flowers and berries, ending with the deep nourishment offered by autumn roots. Monthly topics cover the how, when, which, and why to use herbs, weeds, and wild plants.
Community Herbal Intensive 2
Getting Rooted
A 12-month program that focuses on developing assessment skills while exploring heritage, genetics, and tradition. The course starts in November with delving deeper into the what it means to be an herbalist and how to start learning how to match herbs to people, formulation methods, apothecary maintenance, and the fluid dynamics of herbalism in the body.
Three Ways to take the Community Herbal Intensive
ONE: Herbal Course – Self-Study Only = $299
The 9-month course includes monthly online lessons for self study with webinars, ebooks, and handouts covering all of the topics listed below with ideas for making herbal products at home, plant identification activities, and other suggested activities.
TWO: Online Live Herbal Course = $625
This option includes everything in the self-study course PLUS monthly webinars, and live monthly online Q&A sessions starting in March, with quizzes to help you hone your herbal memory.
THREE: Hands-On = $1255
Add the hands-on sessions to put these ideas into practice with in-person learning. Two locations may be available in Ohio, Columbus and NE Ohio areas. Get hands-on experience with four herbal technique workshops and two field trips to practice identification and foraging techniques. Payment plans are available, see below.
Learning Community Herbalism
Community Herbal Intensive 1
Getting Grounded
Four Herbal Technique Workshops
- get together to develop a sense of community
- make herbal products to take home
- make extra to contribute to mutual aid efforts
- learn how to work with the plants on the study list
Two Field Trips to Practice Plant Identification
- visit wild places in the area to learn about accessible herbs and bioregional herbalism
- learn basic botany to identify common plants
- learn patterns to help you identify plants in other areas
- learn ethical and sustainable foraging and wildcrafting techniques
Anatomy & Physiology for Herbalists
- this is not a replacement for medical information but a starting point for learning how herbs interact with organ systems and tissues
- emphasis on herbal actions because they are more reliable on predicting outcomes than focusing on medical uses
Weekly Plant Studies
- the historical uses of plants and trees
- common uses
- scientific findings
- typical doses
- herbal techniques for medicine making and wild food processing
- warnings, interactions, and contraindications
From Field to Apothecary
- preservation methods
- ethics and safety of wild crafting
- wild crafting, foraging, and garbling
- herbal techniques: powders, oils, salves, tinctures, syrups, cordials, compresses, washes, and more
Learn the Steps to Start an Herbal Project
- planning for personal, family or community projects
- how to include plants safely and appropriately
- get guidance on dosing that scales to individuals
- learn how to check for contraindications, herb/drug/supplement interactions, and warnings
Monthly Webinars + Live Online Q&A
- review the monthly readings
- overview of Materia medica plant studies
- ask questions about reading materials
- share information from plant studies
- report back on suggested activities
Online Forum to Learn in Community
- share ideas with class mates
- share photos to help identify plants
- share photos of herbal experiments
- ask questions and share resources
Payment Plans
A 5-month payment plan is available until November 15, a 4-month payment plan is available until December 15, a 3-month plan is available until January 15, and a 2-month plan is available until February 15. Last day to sign up is March 1. Payment plans have small fees to cover extra transaction fees. Pay in full to avoid fees. Contact me to set up a plan, or sign up on the website. The cost of the course in 2027 will be $1255… the same price as in 2026.
Registration for the CHI 1 2027 will open September 1.
You can get on this list now by sending your name, email and a brief message saying why you are interested in the Community Herbal Intensive. I look forward to meeting you!
