Foundations of Herbalism
A four-week class to deepen your relationship with plant medicine. Sundays September 27th through October 18th.
For accessibility information, please visit the course registration page.
Gain an in-depth understanding of the medicinal properties of several herbs for common ailments
Learn the basics of medicine making: Make your own herbal teas, tinctures, vinegars, and syrups
Get to know the plants growing around us
A four-week class to deepen your relationship with plant medicine. Sundays, 2:30pm - 5:30pm, at Horner Park, Sept 27th through Oct 18th. There are a limited number of sliding scale spots. If you need a sliding scale price lower than the prices listed, please contact me to see if there are additional sliding scale slots available. Payment plans are available upon request.
So much packed into 4 weeks. 100% worth it. . . . I can’t wait to put what I’ve learned into my daily life!
-Past student
For more details on Foundations of Herbalism, click here.
A four-week class to deepen your relationship with plant medicine. Sundays, 2:30pm - 5:30pm, at Horner Park, Sept 27th through Oct 18th. There are a limited number of sliding scale spots. If you need a sliding scale price lower than the prices listed, please contact me to see if there are additional sliding scale slots available. Payment plans are available upon request.
Respiratory Resilience
A four-session virtual class on herbal support for lung health during wildfires and other mass air pollution events.
For accessibility information, please visit the course registration page.
Capitalist climate disaster is quite literally the air we breathe. As we all live through exposure to wildfire smoke and other air pollutants, how can we support one another in lung health?
Respiratory Resilience is a four-session virtual class on holistic support for the respiratory system with a focus on responding to poor air quality due to wildfire smoke. Class will be held on Mondays, 6pm - 8pm CST, September 21st, September 28th, October 5th, and October 12th. A portion of the proceeds from this class will go towards The Climate Mobilization, which provides peer-led support for BIPOC youth-led climate resilience projects.
This four-week series has already started. You are welcome to sign up. After registering, you will receive a recording within a few days of the classes you have missed.
Respiratory Resilience is a four-session virtual class on holistic support for the respiratory system with a focus on responding to poor air quality due to wildfire smoke. Class is Mondays, 6pm - 8pm CST, September 21st, September 28th, October 5th, and October 12th. Class is offered on a sliding scale. If you need a sliding scale price lower than the prices listed, please contact me to see if this is possible. Payment plans are available upon request. A portion of the proceeds from this class will go towards The Climate Mobilization, which provides peer-led support for BIPOC youth-led climate resilience projects.
For more details on Respiratory Resilience, click here.
This class is for you if:
You want to learn which herbs can support healthy lung function during exposure to wildfire smoke.
You want to a deep dive on how wildfire smoke impacts the lungs, and what steps help protect you.
You want to help your body survive under climate disasters.
You want a space to learn and reflect about the intersection of resistance to corporate pollution and collective healing.
In this class participants will learn the anatomy and physiology of the respiratory system, and the short and long-term impacts of wildfire smoke and other air pollution. Participants will gain an in-depth understanding of several herbs that can be used to support the lungs during wildfire smoke events, as well as how individual herbs can be combined in formulas. This class will include analysis and discussion of wildfire smoke in the context of the current climate crisis, and how we can organize against the forces of disaster capitalism.
This class is co-taught by herbalist Betsy Merbitz, herbalist Holly Poole-Kavana, and climate organizer Rebecca Harris.
Past students say. . .
I feel a lot more confident and comfortable talking about teas and herbs at home, I never felt educated enough to talk about it with confidence.
Betsy's knowledge and enthusiasm made learning about local plants an absolute joy! I now walk through my neighborhood with a new appreciation for urban nature. Highly recommend!
Now I know how to prepare herbs for maximum impact.
Betsy is extremely knowledgeable.
More about my teaching lens
I believe that as a teacher the most profound and transformational thing I can offer is for students to directly experience plants and learn from the plants themselves. I offer guidance and support, along with information, to faciliate student transformation.
My passion for herbal medicine is rooted in my belief that life is sacred. Connecting to plants is one way to reconnect to the sacredness of life
This class includes explicit discussion of how racism, capitalism, settler colonialism, and other forms of marginalization undermine the inherent sacredness of life. We will discuss on these dynamics of marginalisation impact our bodies, our relationship to herbs, and the field of herbal medicine.
My herbal training
In 2006 I attended my first herbal medicine training with the late Michael Moore,. I began my journey into holistic healing because I saw how the medical system wasn’t helping people, and I wanted to be able to offer something better.
Over the next several years I continued my herbal training, including completing community herbalist programs at the Maryland University of Integrative Medicine and the Northeast School of Botanical Medicine. I also studied with the late Frank Cook and assisted at the Green Farmacy garden of the late Jim Duke. More recently I studied online at the People’s Medicine School and in a 1:1 mentorship with herbalist Janice Marsh-Prelesnik.
I have taught herbalism classes at the Glastonbury Institute for Sustainable Living, Garret Wellness Center, Azadi Folk School, Wild Ginger Herbal Center, and Baltimore Free School.
I am also a Certified Professional Midwife and Licensed Massage Therapist. I have supported hundreds of families during pregnancy, birth, and postpartum as a midwife, labor support and postpartum doula, and childbirth educator. In my holistic healing practice I incorporate herbs and massage as integrated wellness support.
I am passionate about equity and justice in holistic healthcare and strive to be accountable for my own actions and support others in accountability. I am also a street medic and support movements by offering first aid at actions and demonstrations.
If you're interested in the class, but have questions, fill out this form. We can set up a time to chat.