Family Herbalist
Learn the herbs and how to prepare them so you can keep your family healthy!
Grow your confidence with herbal medicine so you can keep yourself and your loved ones healthy.
In this program, you’ll learn how to work with herbs to keep yourself healthy, strengthen your immune system, improve the way your body handles stress, and boost your energy levels.
You’ll build up a tool kit of herbal knowledge to help when your body struggles - for example:
- know how to head off those sniffles at the pass
- learn what works best for the headache that comes with your PMS
- discover the best herbs for when your guts hurt and you’re stressed out
We’ll teach you how to work with herbs, listen to your body, and feel more connected to the earth - grounded in evidence-based practice.
Making herbal products in your own kitchen is surprisingly easy!
In video demonstrations, you’ll learn how to create a collection of herbal concoctions for yourself, your family & friends, and even to sell at your local market.
We’ve incorporated herbs that are safe for most people, with clear guidelines when to avoid certain herbs. You’ll learn the basics of herbal energetics, the system we use to know which herb goes with which person in which situation, so you can create herbal protocols that calm, nurture, or reinvigorate your body. You’ll be able to take ownership of your own health, and support your friends and family.
When friends enter my kitchen, my collection of herbal goodies is the first thing they notice - and they know that when they get sick, there’s something on those shelves to help them out. You can support your loved ones too!
There are three tuition options to accommodate any budget - you'll find all the information below!
Feeling Better and Calmer
"I have been caring for my elderly mother and it’s been really hard. But now I’m so excited to say she’s feeling better, and calmer, and I am too! Both of us feel less anxiety and I just feel relaxed. People have noticed that I don’t shake nervously like I used to.
Just wanted to send you some good news and thank you for all your support as I’ve been learning with you."
"Katja and Ryn, thank you so much for your feedback and support! I’ve been making tea together with my 8 year old daughter since I started the course, and we’re both having so much fun! She’s even started formulating her own blends! I added some bonus herbs for a couple of girls with growing pains, and now all the moms want to get involved!
We’re a homeschooling hybrid Montessori family and now we’re doing this as part of our curriculum!"
Certificate Information
You will receive a certificate for the successful completion of this program.
This program has 250 credit hours.
This represents the actual time of video instruction and live Q&A, as well as the time allocated for your capstone assignment, quizzes, and other assignments & activities required for completion of the course.
It is reasonable to plan about twice that much time to complete the work: this is because most students like to watch the videos more than once, review their notes, and many students complete more than the required activities. You might also enjoy joining a study group in our Student Community, and you might choose to work on extra activities together as a group to help you internalize all that you've learned.
Regardless of how long it takes you, there is never any pressure! You have access to this material for life, and in fact, when we add updates and new materials, you receive it all for free, automatically!
If new material is added after you have received your certificate, we are happy to send you a new updated certificate to document the additional time when you complete the new material.
What you'll learn:
This course includes more than 90 hours of video content. You’ll learn how to work with more than 90 important herbs:
- what each one does in the body
- the best ways to work with each herb
- how to choose which herb is best for your situation
- which herbs to avoid if you're taking pharmaceuticals or if you're pregnant
And, there are close-up photos and video of each plant to help you identify them properly, as well as everything you need to know to source high-quality herbs.
And there are more than 50 different videos to show you exactly how to make all the different types of herbal 
preparations:
- everything from infusions to elixirs, salves to electuaries
- know which type of preparation is best-suited to the herbs you’re working with and your particular situation
- make sure that your herbal products stay fresh and preserved
All with close-up, step-by-step videos that show you the whole process so that you will feel confident doing it yourself!
Three Tuition Options!
We want to make this course as accessible as possible, so there are three ways to enroll.
If you prefer a one-time tuition payment, you can do that for $500 - that's a $100 discount!
You can access all of the content in this course immediately.
This is great if you know that you like to skip around in the material, so that you can find what you need in the order you need it.
If you prefer to spread the tuition out, use the the 3-month plan @ $175.
You can access all of the content in this course immediately.
This is great if you want to budget, but you know that you like to skip around in the material, so that you can find what you need in the order you need it.
Or choose the super-easy low monthly payments - just $25/month!
You'll get all the videos, activities, printables, and more for both a new herb, and a new herbal remedy every week, for 24 months!
This is great if you're on a budget, or if you prefer to focus on one thing at a time. Each week a new herb and a new herbal remedy will unlock, like an adventure, so that you always have something new to work on!
we offer payment plans to make our courses more accessible. a payment plan carries a commitment to complete all of the payments.
No matter which option you choose, your access never expires, and you get free updates for life!
And, a bonus discount on herbs!
When you enroll in the Family Herbalist program, you get a 10% discount on your purchases at Mountain Rose Herbs for a whole year! You'll receive email with your access code as soon as you enroll.
But wait, there's more! 🙂
In addition to the videos, we provide features to accommodate all the different ways people like to learn, so you can internalize the information easily!
-
Lifetime access - so you can review the content as many times as you like, forever!
-
Weekly live Q&A sessions with Katja and Ryn- to ask your questions directly, live and in person! (They're even archived, in case you miss one!)
-
Ask questions anytime - we're always just a click away: you can ask any questions in the integrated discussion forum, and we're committed to personally answering your questions, usually within 24 hours
-
Printable PDF materials - if you like to follow the videos along on paper, or keep them handy for a quick reference
-
Downloadable MP3 files - so you can review the content while you commute, workout, garden, ... anytime!
Family & Community at the same time!
If you are interested in taking both the Family Herbalist and the Community Herbalist at the same time, you can bundle them both into one payment or payment plan here.
A lot of folks are interested in both the Family Herbalist program AND the Community herbalist program - and they enjoy working through the material from both programs together.
In fact, when we teach this course in person, we teach it combined. We typically teach about 10 of the herbs from the Materia Medica course (included in the Family Herbalist) along with one of the body systems - and this is actually why the herbs are not in alphabetical order! Instead, they are grouped so that they will make sense if you decide to do the Family Herbalist program and the Community Herbalist program at the same time.
Whichever way you choose, we're here to support your learning!
Zero-Risk Return Policy
Teaching isn't just about conveying information - there's also an aspect of being someone's "cup of tea".
So we want you to take the first 14 days to really decide if you love it or not. If for any reason you feel like this program isn’t right for you - if we're just not your cup of tea - we’ll give you a full refund. You don't even need a reason - just please let us know within 14 days of purchase.
We cannot make refunds or cancellations after the two week trial period.
we offer payment plans to make our courses more accessible. after the two-week return policy period, a payment plan is a commitment to complete all of the payments.
The best herb school online!
"I researched different online herbalism courses for about two months and am so glad I found you two. There is so much more than just the material to this course. Because you teach everything in videos, and then with the live Q&A sessions every week, I feel like this is more of an in-person experience than an online course and I love that."
Bring the Kids!
If you have kids in your life, they will love this! There's a whole chapter filled with herbal activities you can do with children of all ages. You can incorporate this work into your homeschooling (or Covid schooling!), or just let it be a fun hobby for the family.
Kids who know how to care for their own health are more likely to respect their bodies. When we teach kids to work with herbs to feel better - whether it's because they're sick or because they need something to provide emotional support - they have healthy tools to turn to when they feel bad. And learning to care for themselves and others builds compassion too!
So whether you're a parent, a grandparent, the cool Aunt, a teacher - whatever role you play in a kid's life, you'll find plenty of ways in this program to incorporate herbalism into your relationship!
You’re a part of our community
You’ll become part of a supportive community of people across the country (and the world!) who are prioritizing their health and deepening their connection to this earth - and each other.
And thanks to the live Q&A sessions, you’ll feel like you’re there with us, in person!
In love with this community!
"I really, truly, madly love you guys and the community you have built with the plants and with us students. Not only that, this all comes at a perfect time: it’s been pulling me up through some darkness and it has been a lifesaver. I love having something positive to focus on and I feel like the more I get herbs into my life, the more the awfulness I’ve been dealing with in my life is falling away. I love learning with you."
Find your balance
Does life feel too busy?
There’s an herb for that!
You’ll learn herbs that help you feel calmer, reduce stress and anxiousness, and have more energy.
And because the courses are taught by video, it’s like watching TV - except it’s TV that is the start of building a healthy balance into your life. You’re not only learning the exact tools you need to build a more sustainable life for yourself, but it’s fun and entertaining too! Plus, you can watch at your own pace, because you get lifetime access!
These classes boost my energy!
The courses boost my energy when I’m having a bad day - lol - I love it! The videos have become my new Netflix, I watch everywhere. Thank you again and again for this opportunity to change my life!
Your Teachers
Two heads are better than one!
Katja & Ryn
Katja & Ryn almost always teach together. They each have particular talents and areas of interest, and their perspectives on certain issues are quite different! Together, they convey a fuller picture of the realities of herbal theory & practice than either one could do alone.
Katja is an herbalist and teacher working to help people rebuild their relationships with their bodies and their own ability to heal. She’s been in practice for nearly 20 years, but it all began with a desire to make her own “fancy tea” at home instead of paying high prices for imported blends at specialty stores. She’s kept that do-it-yourself ethic close to her heart.
Ryn has been a practicing herbalist since 2010. He came to herbalism by way of martial arts, where his first experiences with herbs were focused on getting back into the game and becoming more flexible, adaptable, and resilient. Passing that experience on to others is what keeps him motivated every day.
Together, Katja and Ryn teach everyone from children to elders, as well as pharmacy students from Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Northeastern University School of Pharmacy, where they both serve as associate faculty. Ryn and Katja are the authors of Herbal Medicine for Beginners, and the creators of the weekly Holistic Herbalism Podcast.
Reviews
All I could ask for and more!
Summer Grogan
I am no spring chicken :) As such, deciding to study herbalism at a later stage in my life was something that, although I knew was the path for me, I was hig...
Read MoreI am no spring chicken :) As such, deciding to study herbalism at a later stage in my life was something that, although I knew was the path for me, I was highly skeptical of. I looked through so many schools and various courses and each one sounded great! Then I came across Ryn and Katja. As soon as I watched the first introduction video, something clicked. I saved up and bought this first module, the Materia Medica. I have loved every minute of every video. I am so pleased with the way they both teach and I simply cannot sing enough praises for the two of them. Their vast knowledge and true passion for what they do is evident in this course. I cannot wait to venture further in my own studies.
Read LessOutstanding Course
Alison Bateman
I've taken other herbal medicine-making courses, but none have shown so clearly all of the steps involved. Katja and Ryn show you all of the steps while expl...
Read MoreI've taken other herbal medicine-making courses, but none have shown so clearly all of the steps involved. Katja and Ryn show you all of the steps while explaining it in an easy to follow along matter. After taking this course I feel confident in my ability to make herbal medicine.
Read LessA WEALTH OF PLANT KNOWLEDGE!!!
Dawn Martucci
I have thoroughly enjoyed this program and look forward to continuing my herbal education. It has been so informative and completely enjoyable!! Thank you ...
Read MoreI have thoroughly enjoyed this program and look forward to continuing my herbal education. It has been so informative and completely enjoyable!! Thank you Katja & Ryn!! :)
Read LessGreat class
Glenn McKinstry
I really enjoyed how organized the coursework was. Being able to see your herbal remedies being made in the various stages helped a great deal.
I really enjoyed how organized the coursework was. Being able to see your herbal remedies being made in the various stages helped a great deal.
Read LessStanding ovation for materia medica
eileen testa
I bought this as an early Christmas gift to myself. I unwrapped it slowly never wanting it to end . I learned so much but what’s more is that I’m motivated t...
Read MoreI bought this as an early Christmas gift to myself. I unwrapped it slowly never wanting it to end . I learned so much but what’s more is that I’m motivated to keep learning. My hunger for herbal knowledge seems to be growing! Thank you for the content and unlimited access to the videos , I will revisit often!
Read Less
This is perfect!
"I appreciate this program so much! What you guys are doing, the format, the ease of learning the content – it’s magnificent! I am so enjoying myself, and am going to be seriously bummed out when I reach the end of the courses."
Three Tuition Options!
We want to make this course as accessible as possible, so there are three ways to enroll.
If you prefer a one-time tuition payment, you can do that for $500, which saves you $100!
You can access all of the content in this course immediately.
This is great if you know that you like to skip around in the material, so that you can find what you need in the order you need it.
If you prefer to spread the tuition out, use the the 3-month plan @ $175.
You can access all of the content in this course immediately.
This is great if you want to budget, but you know that you like to skip around in the material, so that you can find what you need in the order you need it.
Or choose the super-easy low monthly payments - just $25/month!
You'll get all the videos, activities, printables, and more for both a new herb, and a new herbal remedy every week, for 24 months!
This is great if you're on a budget, or if you prefer to focus on one thing at a time. Each week a new herb and a new herbal remedy will unlock, like an adventure, so that you always have something new to work on!
Either way, your access never expires, and you get free updates for life!
Scholarships & Discounts
Try it out!
Check out this free video from our Holistic Herbalism Materia Medica course, all about Ginger.
The Materia Medica course currently includes profiles of 89 of our favorite herbs - and it's still growing! As new profiles are released, they'll be added to your subscription, for no additional fee.
Ready to begin?
FAQ
-
Can I really learn herbalism online - isn’t this the kind of thing that needs to be really hands-on to be understood?
It’s absolutely true that you can’t deeply understand and the practice of herbalism just by reading, watching, or listening alone - you do need to get your hands dirty to learn this. However, you also can’t learn herbalism simply by being in the presence of a teacher. The real question is, do you get direct contact with the plants? It’s that contact, along with some guidance and structure, that makes the difference. And we’ll help you make that contact, even from a distance - we’ve got a system for it, and it works!
This is material we’ve developed over our combined years as practitioners and teachers - that’s 20 years for Katja and 11 for Ryn, and counting! - and we’ve thought long and hard about how to best present it at a distance while maintaining the authenticity of presence. What we offer here is the result of continual, ongoing refinement in methods of conveying that material to you, so you can really come into your own as an herbalist.
-
This seems like a lot of material. How long does it take to complete?
You have access to the whole program starting the moment you sign up, and you can take as long as you need to work through all 58 hours+ of video and the accompanying quizzes, notes, and resources.
This program typically takes 13 weeks to complete, but you can watch the videos at your own pace, and re-watch them at any time. That is, indeed, a substantial time commitment! When it comes to herbalism, though, we promise: it’s just a start. For comparison’s sake, our first-year “apprenticeship” style program comprises 200 contact hours, spread out over the 9 months it meets.
Each lesson is structured so that you can have time to actually do the work of experiencing, experimenting with, and exploring different ways of interacting with the herbs.
-
Will I be a “certified herbalist”, “licensed herbalist”, or “master herbalist” after completing this program?
This is actually a complex question to answer - and the long answer gets into the oddities of professional regulation, educational standards, and related topics - but the short version goes like this:
Herbalists in the US are not certified or licensed by any governmental body, which means that neither we nor anyone else can make you a “certified herbalist” - just an herbalist with a certificate. Similarly, herbal schools in the US are not accredited according to any national standard, and terms like “master herbalist” or “certified herbalist” are used by different people to indicate very different courses of training and experience. Many schools do use that terminology, because it’s something that our culture sees as recognition, but these are not titles with a uniform meaning or any legal status.
Given all of the above, when choosing an herbalist to study or consult with, you have to keep your critical thinking hat on and assess each school, teacher, or practitioner on their own merits!
At our school, we look at mastery of herbalism as a lifelong, ongoing pursuit - not something earned after a single year of study. We teach skills and practices that will make you a competent, safe, and confident herbalist - now and in the future.
We are a Member School of the American Herbalists Guild, and all of our programs do complete with a certificate documenting your hours of study, which can be helpful if you choose to join the AHG as a professional member in the future.
If you’re interested in recognition by the American Herbalists Guild, we can help! The following course progression meets the educational requirements to qualify as a professional member:
Family Herbalist
Community Herbalist
Clinical Herbalist
Clinical MentorshipDuring clinical mentorship, you have the potential to meet the clinical requirements for professional membership as well. We’re happy to help guide you through that process!
Study Buddy Discount!
It's better together :-)
Do you want to learn with a friend or three? We've got a discount for that!
If two people sign up for a course or program together, you each get a 10% discount. Three people get a 15% discount each, four people each get a 20% discount, and if you have five or more in your group, everyone gets a 25% discount. This works on all payment options!
Just send us email directly at [email protected] before you enroll so that i can create a custom coupon code for your study buddy group!