An Herbal Education: Learn About Herbs

 

The world of herbs can be overwhelming - there are so many possibilities, so many things for a beginner to learn. Maybe you would like to grow your own herbs? Or blend herbal teas? Make potpourri or fragrant wreathes? Perhaps you’re interested in the medicinal properties of herbs or maybe you would like to make homemade soaps or lotions that are mild and all-natural?

Fortunately, there are a lot of opportunities to learn about herbs in New England. The first place to start is at your local herb farm. Nothing can beat learning about herbs from the people who grow and use them.

If you just want to dip your toe into the herbal pool, you might start with a short beginner class. Steeplebush Herb Farm in Maine offers afternoon introductions for beginners on subjects like preparing hand creams and lotions. Nothing could be nicer than a class that leaves you with a sweetly-scented lotion. Hartman's Herb Farm  in Massachusetts offers classes in making decorative items with dried herbs. A handmade herbal wreath will add a handsome Colonial touch to a kitchen or front door and smell nice into the bargain.

Cedar Spring Herb Farm on the Cape has evening classes in practical subjects like fighting allergies with herbs, making herbal cleaning products for the home, and making soap. If you would prefer a more intensive introduction to herbalism, they also offer a seven month program (one weekend per month) called "Garden of Health," in which you can learn organic gardening methods, wildcrafting, and herbal preparation.

Misty Meadows Herbal Center’s in New Hampshire also offers classes for many levels of expertise. Beginners can get instruction on preparing cough syrups and herbal salves for a natural medicine chest or learn about herbal skin-care products. Plant identification walks through the farm and surrounding forest combine a pleasant stroll with a chance to learn more about the raw materials of herbalism. Misty Meadows also offers an herbal apprenticeship program aimed at beginners who are interested in a more complete introduction to herbalism. Classes for more advanced herbalists include a certified herbalist audit program and advanced studies in aromatherapy.

Another New Hampshire herb farm, Heartsong Farm Healing Herbs, offers a Foundations of Herbal Healing course over five weekends, as well as ongoing training for herbalists. During the Foundations course, students learn everything from the growing of herbs to the identification of wild plants to the preparations of herbal products. Students camp at the farm, which sounds like a lovely way to spend a weekend.

Blessed Maine Herb Farm School of Herbal Medicine also provides many educational opportunities, from weekend classes in herb gathering and herbal medicine -making to a three-year community herbalist program, at their farm in Athens, ME.  If Athens is just a little too far off the beaten track for you, they also have a correspondence home-study course.

In addition to the great classes available, there are also plenty of herb-related events in New England that offer learning opportunities for all those interested in herbs, regardless of level of knowledge. For a broad introduction to the many uses of herbs, consider attending the Connecticut Herb Association’s HerbFest, hosted by and at Topmost Herb Farm. This annual event, held every year on the first Saturday in June, includes workshops, lectures, vendors and food, and of course the location can't be beat.

The biggest herbal event in New England this year will be the 2007 International Herb Symposium.  This year's theme is Celebrating the Healing Power of Plants, and the event will be held June 22, 23, & 24, at Wheaton College, with a fantastic international faculty and over 90 workshops.

For those interested in more a of a back-to-nature weekend, Wildgathering, held May 25-27, 2007 at the Athens Fairgrounds in Maine, will bring together herbalists, foragers, healers and others.  On the program are classes in medicinal herb gathering and plant spirit medicine, and a showing of the film "Maine Women--Living on the Land," which celebrates the lives of ten Maine women who live in harmony with the land.

 

Want even more?  For people who want to delve deeper into herbalism, New England also has several schools devoted to the study of herbs.

Sage Mountain Retreat Center & Native Plant Preserve
Located on 500 acres in central Vermont, offers a wide variety of classes from multiple herbal traditions.

Heart of Herbs
Offers Herbalist, Master Herbalist, and Aromatherapy distance learning programs, as well as on-site programs, podcast, and other resources.

Wisdom of the Herbs School
Bristol, VT school offers herb classes and courses, including Wild Plant Identification and Herb Walks.

Boston School of Herbal Studies
Classes, workshops and apprenticeships in herbal healing in Arlington, MA.

Connecticut Institute of Herbal Studies
Connecticut Institute of Herbal Studies focuses on Traditional Chinese Medicine and offers a Certified Herbology Program