Foundations of Herbalism
A four-week class to deepen your relationship with plant medicine. Sundays September 27th, Oct 4th, 18th and 25th.
For accessibility information, please scroll down.
A four-week class to deepen your relationship with plant medicine. Sundays, 2:30pm - 5:30pm, at Horner Park, Sept 27th, Oct 4th, 18th, and 25th (no class October 11th). 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.
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
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
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.
This class is for you if:
You want to use herbal remedies for yourself and your community, but you aren’t sure how.
You buy expensive herbal products and wonder if you could make them yourself.
You have studied herbs on your own informally and want the chance to learn from an experienced herbalist.
You are looking for an herbalism class that makes explicit connections between herbal medicine, racial capitalism, and struggles for justice
Foundations of Herbalism
Sundays 2:30pm - 5:30pm
Sept 27th, Oct 4th, 18th and 25th
Outdoors at Horner Park
Foundations of Herbalism is a four-week class meeting Sunday afternoons from September 27th, October 4th, October 18th and October 25th (no class October 11th). Each class will include a mix of experiential activities, information, stories, and time connecting directly with plants. This class includes explicit critiques of racism, capitalism, settler-colonialism, and discussion of how marginalization impacts our bodies and our relationship to herbs. Class includes “homeplay” (like homework but without the stress) each week to deepen the knowledge learned during class.
Registration now open!!!
A four-week class to deepen your relationship with plant medicine. Sundays, 2:30pm - 5:30pm, at Horner Park, Sept 27th, Oct 4th, 18th, and 25th (no class October 11th). 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.
Accessibility Information
This class will be held outdoors at Horner Park. The class will include some sitting and some walking/moving.
For seated portions of class, we have several options of where to set up. If hills are a barrier for anyone, we can stay on flat ground. We can also stay on/near pavement if anyone needs it.
Participants are welcome to bring chairs, or ask if you need us to bring a chair for you.
For walking/moving portions of class, the terrain may include both paved and non-paved surfaces, including some steep hills. If certain types of terrain are not accessible for you, please let us know. We will modify the route depending on the groups needs.
Horner Park fieldhouse has water fountains and a wheelchair accessible bathroom.
Masks and covid testing are not required for this class. Please stay home from class if you are experiencing any symptoms of illness or are exposed to covid-19.
In the case of inclement weather, we will assess if it is still feasible to hold class outdoors. We may pivot to an indoor or virtual class for bad weather, or cancel and hold a makeup class on a future date.
Our backup indoor location is in Avondale near Belmont and Kimball.
Please reach out to violetcirclemidwifery@gmail.com with any additional accessibility needs or questions.
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.