Thanks for joining us Online. Though there's lots of resources and new information now posted on the Online site, Rosemary is still editing and rewriting the new lessons. We hope to have all the lessons available soon. We are also hard at work stream lining the navigation of the site and putting together tutorials. Bear with us and thanks for your patience!
Dear Friends,
Welcome to the wonderful study of herbs. I am delighted you have chosen The Science & Art of Herbalism and look forward to sharing my love and knowledge of the plant world with you. As we're about to embark on this marvelous journey into the Green Nations, there are a couple of things that will be helpful for you to know:
First, this is not a quick "read through" course, but one designed to give you the most thorough, practical, hands-on learning experience possible with herbs. Though it does require a time commitment on your behalf, if used as intended these lessons will provide a comprehensive understanding of herbology and provide you with the skills necessary to become an herbalist. One of the most exciting aspects of this course is the actual hands-on experience and in depth knowledge you’ll acquire about the use of herbs.
And second, expect the study of herbs to change your life in a joyful and meaningful manner! I'm not sure why, but it seems that as one begins to study herbs, the plant's essence infuses ones entire life with joy. People become happier, healthier, more in balance and in tune with their inner dreams. The beauty of the herbs works their gentle magic on the heart of the user.
The same methods are used to teach these Lessons as were developed and used successfully at The California School of Herbal Studies for the 13 years I served as its director. There are over several thousand graduates of CSHS (the nation's oldest and one of the most successful herb schools), many of them now at the forefront of the herbal movement in this country. Drawing from these previous years of experience educating students of herbalism, The Science and Art of Herbalism provides an excellent solid foundation of herbal knowledge and wisdom. The Lessons combine earth awareness, scientific observation and research with practical folklore techniques and teachings to form a well-rounded study of the science and art of herbalism.
THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION WILL ANSWER YOUR QUESTIONS ABOUT HOW TO USE THESE LESSONS:
* PROJECTS & ASSIGNMENTS
The Lessons are designed to provide practical, hands-on experience. Each Lesson gives (a) directions and recipes on making herbal preparations, (b) a list of herbs to research, and (c) projects such as making an herbal first aide kit, designing an herb garden, or making your own herbarium and plant press. You are encouraged to complete as many of these projects as you can. Each assignment is designed to enrich your personal experience with the plant world.
* HOMEWORK
Homework is sent to us upon completion of each Lesson and is returned to you within three to four weeks. This may seem like a long turn around time, but it takes up to a week for the lessons to arrive here and at least that long to get back to you. We like to allow at least a week for us to review and correct the homework. While waiting for each lesson to be returned, start working on the next one. You do not need to send your reference files with each Lesson. You should, however, keep us posted on how you're doing with your projects; i.e., how your reference file is progressing, reports on your herbal preparations, and progress of your plant press and herbarium.
Please note: If you are doing your work ‘on line’ and sending your home work in ‘on line’ the turn around time for reviewing your lessons and sending them back to you will be no more than two weeks.
* TIME COMPLETION
You may complete these Lessons on your own time schedule. However, in order to utilize the teachings fully, I highly recommend you set up a scheduled time to do each Lesson; one evening a week or an afternoon on the week-ends will keep your momentum going. The average time to complete the course is about one year. However, I've had students complete it as quickly as 6 months and as long as 6 years!!
* QUESTIONS
One of the specialties of these Lessons is the personal attention available for your questions and homework. My assistants and I work together as a team correcting your homework and responding to your questions. My assistants are all fully trained and experienced herbalists and work with me either here at Sage Mountain as co-teachers in my programs or are involved in the work of United Plant Savers doing plant restoration and conservation. You’ll enjoy these fine herbalists and get to know them through the course of your studies. We appreciate learning from you, as well, and invite your comments, favorite herbal recipes, and suggestions.
* WHERE TO GET YOUR HERBAL SUPPLIES
When you sign up for this course, you'll receive a Table of Contents for the entire course and a list of supplies needed for each lesson. Except for the actual herbs, many of these items are readily available in a well-supplied kitchen and/or local market or health food store. However, if you do not have a supplier of good quality herbs in your area, you can order all the supplies, herbs, and books recommended in this course through the following mail order companies:
Mountain Rose Herbs: http://www.mounainroseherbs.com; P.O. Box 50220, Eugene, Oregon 97504
Jean's Greens, 1545 Columbia Turnpike, Castleton, NY 12033; 1-888-845-TEAS; http://www.jeansgreens.com
High Quality Herbs can be ordered from the following companies:
Healing Spirits; http://www.healingspiritsherbfarm.com
Zack Woods: http://www.zackwoodsherbs.com/
Pacific Herbs : http://www.pacificbotanicals.com
You will also receive several mail order catalogues with your Lessons to help you get started and contained throughout the Lessons are directories containing herbal suppliers and resources. We suggest you write to several of them so you'll have a number of different resources.
* CERTIFICATE
Each student who successfully completes the Lessons and completes all the homework will receive a beautiful Herbal Certificate. The Certificate awarded through theScience & Art of Herbalism does not make grandiose statements that you're a `master' herbalist, nor does it claim that you're now competent to practice clinical herbalism. Rather, it truthfully states that you are acknowledged for the successful completion of a thorough in depth study of herbalism. The reputation of this course is outstanding and is generally recognized as superior education among other herbalists, herbal schools, and wholistic centers. Most importantly, the certificate is a validation of your commitment and dedication to your herbal studies.
* LESSONS 2-10 & BEAUTIFULLY DESIGNED COURSE BINDER
The Science & Art of Herbalismcomes in a special binder designed especially for this course. The binder makes it easy for you to keep your lessons, homework and other course material together. The binder is sent out with Lesson II.
To receive Lessons 2-10 send a check for the remaining tuition ($350 + $15 s/h) to The Science & Art of Herbalism, Box 420, E. Barre, VT, 05649. 802.479.9825. (We also accept Master Card and Visa. Please include your name, card number, expiration date, and address). The remaining Lessons will be sent to you and you'll be ready to begin! I look forward to working with you and welcome you into the wonderfully enchanted world of herbs.
In Good Medicine
Rosemary Gladstar
11th INTERNATIONAL HERB SYMPOSIUM
Celebrating the Healing Power of Plants
June 28th - 30th 2013
A Symposium to touch your heart and soul as well as mind and spirit, this gathering is for all people enraptured by the healing essence of herbs. The International Herb Symposium offers herbal enthusiasts an incredible opportunity to learn from the worlds leading experts in botanical medicine and herbal lore. Whether a novice or advanced in your herbal interests, the Symposium offers classes, workshops, panel discussions and learning experiences to touch every level of your being.
Inspiring * Educational * Empowering
Learn, Have Fun and Network with other herbal/plant lovers
A Gathering for All People Who Love Plants
Located on 500 wilderness acres in Vermont, Sage Mountain is one of New England’s foremost learning centers for herbs and earth awareness. We are surrounded by thousands of acres of wilderness with a variety of plant rich habitats and wildlife as our neighbors. Our facilities are simple, rustic and comfortable and provide a relaxing and beautiful place for participants to learn.
United Plant Savers' mission is to protect native medicinal plants of the United States and Canada and their native habitat while ensuring an abundant renewable supply of medicinal plants for generations to come.
