Herbal Foundations

Six weekends. An evidence-based approach to herbalism — body systems, clinical practice, and real case studies, taught in person. The foundation that helps a budding herbalist flower.

$1,200 · 22 seats · Enrollment opens late February 2027 In-Person Program · Dexter, MI · May–October 2027

THE PROGRAM

The foundation every herbalist needs

Herbal Foundations is the core curriculum of Michigan School of Botanical Medicine — built for anyone who wants a real, working relationship with plant medicine, not just a passing interest in it. Taught in person in our heated and cooled schoolroom on the land in Dexter, the program takes an evidence-based approach: body systems, clinical practice, and case studies, session by session.

You'll leave with practical skill: knowing a plant by sight, understanding how and why it works in the body, and building the clinical thinking to formulate for a real person, not just a symptom.

Herbal Foundations teaches the why — Medicine Making Series teaches the how. The two programs are built to complement each other: Foundations runs the second weekend of each month, May through October, while Medicine Making Series runs separately later in the same month — so you can take one, or both, without conflict.

WHAT YOU'LL LEARN

Six weekends, May–October 2027

Friday 10 AM–1 PM · Saturday 10 AM–3 PM · Sunday 10 AM–3 PM. Held on the second weekend of each month, in our heated and cooled schoolroom in Dexter.

Weekend 1 · May 14–16

Clinical Foundations

CASE SKILLS · INTAKE · FORMULATION - Clinical cases and the skills needed for herbal practice Intake forms and client assessment Foundations of herbal formulation Scope of practice, ethics, and safety
Weekend 2 · June 11–13

Lymphatic & Immune System

ANATOMY & ENERGETICS · MATERIA MEDICA · CASE STUDIES - Anatomy of the lymphatic & immune systems, plus energetic views Materia medica for lymphatic and immune support Case studies
Weekend 3 · July 9–11

Respiratory System

ANATOMY & ENERGETICS · MATERIA MEDICA · CASE STUDIES - Anatomy of the respiratory system, plus energetic views Materia medica for respiratory support Case studies
Weekend 4 · August 13–15

Digestive System

ANATOMY & ENERGETICS · MATERIA MEDICA · CASE STUDIES - Anatomy of the digestive system, plus energetic views Materia medica for digestive support Case studies
Weekend 5 · September 10–12

Nervous System

ANATOMY & ENERGETICS · MATERIA MEDICA · CASE STUDIES - Anatomy of the nervous system, plus energetic views Materia medica for nervous system support Case studies
Weekend 6 · October 8–10

Reproductive System

ANATOMY & ENERGETICS · MATERIA MEDICA · CASE STUDIES - Anatomy of the reproductive system, plus energetic views Materia medica for reproductive support Case studies & closing integration Capstone project presentations to the class

A capstone of your own choosing

Every student completes an independent final project over the course of the program, choosing any plant or herbalism topic that calls to them, and presents it to the full class during the closing weekend in October.

  • CHOOSE YOUR TOPIC

    A single plant monograph, a body system deep-dive, a formulation project, a wildcrafting or growing study — any topic in plant medicine is fair game. Must be approved by instructor once you know what you will present.

  • PRESENT TO THE CLASS

    Teach what you've learned to your fellow students during the closing weekend, a chance to share knowledge and celebrate the season together.

Can't commit to the full six weekends? Explore our à la carte herbal classes — offered in person at the shop in Ypsilanti, or online — for a lower-commitment way to start learning.

BROWSE INDIVIDUAL CLASSES →

COMING LATER

Online Format

We're building a self-paced online version of Herbal Foundations for those outside Michigan or unable to attend in person. Join the waitlist to be first in line.

TAKE BOTH & SAVE

Herbal Foundations + Medicine Making Series Learn the why and the how in the same year. Enroll in both programs together and save 10% off the combined price.
Herbal Foundations
$1,200
+
Medicine Making Series
$900
=
Bundled Together
$1,890
Save $210