Herbalism

[habibidancer]

Anyone into herbalism, whether it's "traditional" medicinal herbalism or herbal magick?

I've always dabbled, even before I called myself pagan, I felt connected to the earth and wanted to dig and garden, grow my own herbs, veggies, flowers or just walk in the wild places and observe the growing things where they were.

I've recently decided to commit to more in-depth study. I've signed on to two different "schools" for longer term education and deeper learning. I signed up for Susun Weed's ABCs of Herbalism correspondence course and then I signed up for naturopath course with an emphasis in herbalism with the Avicenna Institute (run by the same gal in Des Moines that also runs the homeschool curriculum that I will be using with my son).

I've got a few herbs "brewing" in tinctures and really looking forward to learning more traditional herbalism and expanding on my magickal study as well.

I have started with weeds... I am still reeling with just how many weeds grow on roadsides that I just drive by, that are rich with medicinal, magickal lore. Many are much more edible than I thought! I've been eating a lot of weeds lately.

Anyone want to talk weeds?

[Lady Motevia]

That is so cool! I'm actually planning on going to school for Chinese Medicine once I receive my Bachelor's Degree from Kaplan. I really love herbs and I've thought about taking a home study course but I haven't had any money for it. I don't think I've looked into the classes you mentioned, though. I own quite a few books on herbs and herbalism. In fact, one of them was written by a professor and the president of Bastyr University in Seattle, which is the leading school for Naturopathic Medicine.

[lorifiya]

I would love to talk weeds with you. I would like to have a herb garden but I live in an appartment so having a garden or alot of potted plants isn't quite possible. But I would still Like to talk about it and learn what you both have.

[habibidancer]

you can find a TON of weeds everywhere, though most are best harvested in spring, so right now is good for learning to ID them or harvest the ones you need seeds for their usefulness. You don't even have to grow a lot of them. And since they are considered weeds, few people will object to you digging them up out of ditches or roadsides.

Susun Weed ( www.susunweed.com ) is well respected for her knowledge of herbs and weeds, though most people I've spoken to have said that it's better to take her courses as home study, as she's not easy to work with in person. This is fine as I can't afford to travel to her on-site courses anyway. We had a little extra $$ recently and I decided to pay for my courses fully so I wouldn't have to worry later about paying, but I know that Susun's courses have a payment plan. I'd be willing to show my course materials once I get the second shipment in to anyone considering taking her ABCs course, to help you decide.

I did a weed walk at a friend's house and wrote a post for my friend's blog and my blog, though I only just got it onto my blog today. I was busy out of town last week and didn't get it put up the same time as my friend's blog went up. But you can read about our weed walk here:
learningtolive-livingtolearn.blogspot.com/2011/07/weed-walk.html

[Lady Motevia]

I took a look on the website for the Avicenna Institute and I'm interested in her entire Naturopathic Medicine program. My entire life I've wanted to be a natural healer, which brought me to massage therapy and Reiki, but herbs are my real passion. I really thank you so much for that information. I hadn't had any luck in finding someplace that offers home-study courses that actually seem legit.

[habibidancer]

She's really nice to work with. I was very very impressed with her homeschool curriculum and got lots of positive feedback from other sources, so when I went and looked at her naturopath course, I was very pleased at how it would fit into my lifestyle (as in, there's no huge rush, I can take it at my pace). But it is still jam packed with stuff I have to learn! haha. If you decide to take it, let me know! I also like that she is local enough that if she offers a lecture somewhere in iowa that I could go if I wanted.

it would be a nice compliment to the chinese medicine if you decide to do that too. They are different approaches but could compliment each other for a more holistic approach.

[Lady Motevia]

Really, I've only been interested in Chinese Medicine and acupuncture because that's the closest thing that I've been able to find. I know it'll be a while before I can get the money to take her course, but I know I really want to take some sort of herbalism course while I'm in school for nutrition. I'm thinking that I might do the same as you and take that ABC Herbalism course and then later take the Naturopathic courses with the other school. I'm currently waiting on student living checks from my financial aid office, so I might use that to pay for my ABC Herbalism course once it finally arrives.

[habibidancer]

Mrs B on one of my favorite pagan blogs to read posted an article about plaintain today, which is probably one of the easiest to find herbs around here! check it out.

www.confessionsofapagansoccermom.com/2011/07/herb-hunting-in-your-neighborhood-part.html

[lorifiya]

That is great, I have a bunch in my yard. I'm not sure about making tea but that salve could come in handy. Thanks for sharing.

[Lady Motevia]

Super cool! I think I have that growing right here in my yard. I agree about the tea, but a salve would definitely be cool.

[habibidancer]

here's a great salve recipe using plaintain and violet leaves.
herbanlifestyle.wordpress.com/2010/07/06/how-to-make-a-skin-nourishing-herbal-salve/

[lorifiya]

That looks like something else worth trying.

[Lady Motevia]

I agree. I'm definitely going to have to try that.

[Lady Motevia]

I found a website that's really interesting for people (like me) who wish to become a professional herbalist. In order to become a member of the American Herbalist Guild, a person must have so many hours of a supervised internship. The AHG does have an area on their site where you can find "local" herbalists to supervise. It's not only costly, but there really are not that many people listed. So I was doing some more research and I came across this: www.naturalhealingcollege.com/master-herbalist/. It's another home study course and it's only around $1700 (less if you pay in full) and they offer an internship program. This means that they help to find a FREE internship in whatever area you live in. If they can't make it free, they at least make it as cheap as possible. I thought it was something worth sharing.

[habibidancer]

Excellent! I've already laid out over $1250 for my two courses, and that's not counting books I bought in addition... so I'm tapped OUT for money! LOL

I'm not sure if I'm going to try to be a member of the AHG or not. Since one of my courses is actually to become a naturopath (with an emphasis on herbalism), if I go for any sort of membership or certification, I'd probably focus on naturopath. But I signed up for the courses for me and my family's sake, not necessarily with the intent to make a lot of money. First I need to find out if I'm good at it, before I worry about getting official stamps of approval from outside orgs! The instructor for Avicenna (the naturopath course) is in Des Moines and I pass through there at least 4-10 times a year anyway, and I think she has the info about naturopath certification here in IA, where I'd need it.

That Natural Healing College looks really cool. If I had found that before I found the others, I probably would have paid for that one.

I need to get organized though. I need to get my books and junk set up so it's all easily accessible and easy for me to study and practice. And a place near that where all my herbs and concoctions can be safely stored. I wish I had a big pantry!