Our nine-month apprenticeship program is a complete course in practical herbal medicine for beginning and intermediate students.
curriculum
We will cover the major systems of the body–how they function, how they can become injured or imbalanced, and how herbs and natural therapeutics can restore their health. We’ll have hands-on experience with medicine making, and take plant walks to become familiar with local herbs.
Complementing our study of medicinal plants, we’ll discuss natural movement and primal nutrition, major components of the vitalist approach to healing which cannot be neglected when long-term, sustainable health is our goal.
Throughout, we’ll provide comprehensive resources and bibliographies, both on the Internet and in print, to expand upon and deepen the material from classroom, trail, and kitchen sessions. Access to an online forum for discussion of assigned readings, exercises, and projects is included for all students.
All sessions are recorded and these recordings are made available in our forum as soon as possible after each session, so that they can be reviewed again at leisure during the time between classes. This also allows students to catch up on any classes they miss during the program.
After completing this program, you’ll be confident in your ability to care for yourself, your family, and your friends with natural medicines, and will have a solid foundation for further training should you desire to become a practicing clinical herbalist.
The curriculum for the apprenticeship includes:
- History of Medicine and Herbalism
- Holism and Vitalism
- Herbal Energetics: Constitutions, Tissue States, & Actions
- Systems of the Body, including basic relevant anatomy and physiology, with specific pathologies and remedies
- Digestive
- Respiratory
- Cardiovascular
- Integumentary
- Urinary
- Nervous
- Immune
- Musculoskeletal
- Reproductive (Male & Female)
- Medicine-Making
- Infusions / Decoctions
- Tinctures / Vinegars / Infused Wines
- Oils / Salves
- Honey Infusions / Elixirs / Oxymels
- Basic Formulation
- Primal Nutrition
- Food Allergies & Intolerances
- Movement Habits, Exercise, & Structural Alignment
- Herbal First Aid
- Plant Identification and Wildcrafting
- Plant Meditation
- Research Skills & Resources
costs
The tuition for the program is $1300, which can be paid all at once or monthly in $150 installments.
There are no required books for the program, but several are strongly recommended. A budget of $50-$100 should more than cover the costs for a few basic books. All of our assigned readings are in the form of articles, studies, monographs, and other resources which are accessible online for free.
In addition, all students who are enrolled in the Apprenticeship or Advanced programs receive a nearly 50% discount on all other classes we offer! Evening Lectures are just $15, Saturday Seminars only $40!
schedule & location
The 2014 Apprenticeship Program dates will be published in the Fall. The class will meet one weekend a month: classes take place 10:00am – 5:00pm on Saturday and Sunday each weekend we meet, and are held at our school/clinic space: 25 Saint Mary’s Court, Brookline MA 02446.
We also take herb walks together each month at a spot of conservation land a block away from the school. In the summer months we meet at a greenspace on the Charles river one morning each weekend; for that we arrange carpools and give directions and maps.
enrollment
If you are interested in signing up for the 2014 program, please contact us by sending email to info@commonwealthherbs.com or calling 617-750-5274.
And until then, do check out our recorded classes here on the website, or drop in for one of our evening lectures!