• Initially we'll take a big picture look at the energetics of western herbalism and how certain underlying patterns of imbalance are revealed in a person's constitution or the way their symptoms are presented.  From this, we can determine the types of herbs that will best restore balance before choosing a specific plant or plants.  In doing so, we'll explore the energetic system conveyed by the traditional actions of western folk herbalism.

• After this broad perspective overview, we'll dive further into energetics, applying these concepts to the body's varied organs & systems, and exploring how some conditions uniformly require specific actions while others need to be more personalized to the way that they're presented by an individual.

• We'll also extend our exploration of energetics to the plants we study on a series of online video herb "walks".  While these walks were led in the Great Lakes bio-region, many of the plants covered have a very broad distribution range and the concepts we use to discuss them extend to all the herbs we could encounter anywhere.

• I want to make recognizing and addressing energetic patterns easier: less thinky, more reflexive and intuitive.  This is a craft that like many others becomes easier to exercise with practice and repetition.  The course is intended to encourage this, provide a solid foundation for future growth, and leave you more energetically savvy upon completion.

• It's also super important to me that people enjoy my teaching.  I don't want my classes to just be informative, I want them to be fun, because I believe that when learning is fun it sticks better.  There won't be any power points, and I try to be more than just a "talking head" for you.  So expect a bit of zaniness: pool noodles, catapults, koosh balls and floor rolling.

Class material will be presented via pre-recorded online video classes (including the "herb walks"). Each module of videos will be followed by a live online discussion meeting via Zoom (see the schedule below).  

This course also includes hundreds of pages of written information to supplement the online video classes and “walks”.  These writings will be available for download as PDFs that you can print out and keep forever.

There will be an online discussion group to ask all your herbal questions in and facilitate interaction between classes, along with the scheduled live online discussion meetings via Zoom (again, check out the schedule below). The online discussion group will begin in March 2026. You will receive and email notifying that you have been added to the group.

Online access to the first module of pre-recorded video classes will begin on  March 21, 2026.  

Class content (including videos, PDF's, etc. . )  will be available at least three weeks prior to each of the live online discussion dates listed below.

Online content will be available for five years starting October 17, 2026 (that's after the last Zoom meeting).

 Content released March 21, 2026

• foundational herbcraft part I (energetics in western herbalism)

• foundational herbcraft part II (foundational actions)
   ...with online discussion on April 25, 2026 at 1-5 PM Eastern Time.

Content released April 25, 2026

• foundational herbcraft part III (primary & secondary actions)

• virtual herb walk: vernal virtues volume I

   …with online discussion on May 23, 2026 at 1-5 PM Eastern Time.

Content released May 23, 2026

• herbs for the digestive system (from one end to the other) 

• virtual herb walk: vernal virtues volume II
   …with online discussion on June 13, 2026 at 1-5 PM Eastern Time.

Content released June 13, 2026

• herbs for the urinary tract (from tea to pee)

• virtual herb walk: midsummer medicines volume I
   …with online discussion on July 18, 2025 at 1-5 PM Eastern Time.

Content released July 18, 2025

• ow!  my ____ing back! (herbs for back and joint injuries)
• virtual herb walk: midsummer medicines volume II
   …with online discussion on August 8, 2026 at 1-5 PM Eastern Time.

Content released August 8, 2026

• the heart of herbalism (herbs for cardiovascular health)

• virtual herb walk: wild roots and fall foliage volume I
   …with online discussion on August 29, 2026 at 1-5 PM Eastern Time.

Content released August 29, 2026

• fight, flight, freak and freeze (herbs for stress, strife and strain)

• virtual herb walk: wild roots and fall foliage volume II
   …with online discussion on September 26, 2026 at 1-5 PM Eastern Time.

Content released September 26, 2026

• herbs, vitalism and holistic immunity (herbs for fever, and strengthening & defending the castle)

• respiratory herbalism (hack, sputter, wheeze! and herbs for upper respiratory woe) 

  …with online discussion on October 17, 2026 at 1-5 PM Eastern Time.

***If you have purchased some of these classes already, we will issue you credit via a coupon code.

If you have any question, email herbcraft.podia@gmail.com

I'm an herbalist; I deeply love the plants I share this land with and one of the ways I give back to them is by teaching others what I have to offer.  If you're considering taking a long term course like this, you'll want to feel in sync with the person teaching it.  Ideally, you'll check out one of my classes beforehand, but please also look around online and see what I've written and what others have been kind enough to say about me. 

I've tried to provide a lot of content so people interested in my classes can check it out and see what I teach like and where I'm coming from.  Because people learn in different ways, I have different mediums to check out. 

I have a lot of written material here. There's hours worth of videos you can watch on YouTube here; many of these are directly from classes so they're a very good representation of how I teach.  If you'd like to see "a resume" of sorts, you can click here. 

I'm also very happy to talk to you (and for sure want to!) so that I may answer any questions you have about the course.  Just email me at jim@herbcraft.org