Herbal Apprenticeship Stream 1 2025-2027
Year 1 Stream 1 Dates 2025-2026
Face-to-face workshops at School: October 10th-12th, ‘24, May 9th-11th, ‘26
Each day of the face-to-face workshops runs from 10 am prompt to 5 pm
00-Live Orientation Zoom 7-8.30 pm Thursday 18th September 2025
Confirm attendance at this.
01 -Access given to virtual Workshop One Friday 3rd October 2025
Workshop 1 We introduce the basic forms of herbal medicines (teas, infusions, decoctions, syrups, tinctures, infused oils, vinegars, creams and ointments etc). There will be an overview of about 20 herbs. We start to examine nonlinear approaches to science and to learning about our plant allies. We will explore the history of herbal medicine and of science and start to explore the healer’s path. We also introduce nature resonance and sentient plant medicine; accessing direct knowledge from nature.
01-Live Zoom meet up 19.00-20.30 Wednesday 29th October 2025
02 -Access given to virtual Workshop Two Friday 7th November 2025
Workshop 2 How plants work; botany or the anatomy and physiology of plants; taxonomy or the name of plants and their families; the place of plants in the ecosystem; their role in creating, feeding and sustaining life. Herb profiles. Understanding atoms (basic chemistry), capturing sunlight (photosynthesis), making molecules, how plants make their therapeutic compounds. Organoleptics; identifying constituents by taste and smell. Sprouting seeds for nutritional benefits.
02-Live Zoom meet up 19.00-20.30 Wednesday 19th November 2025
03-Access given to virtual Workshop Three Friday January 9th 2026
Workshop 3 Making medicines and understanding plant constituents; Hygiene (HACCP) and Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP), including the place of intention. Macerated oils cold and hot methods; Creams and ointments, plaisters, talcs and salts, vinegars, syrups and tinctures, capsules and powders. Blending creams and essential oils –the concepts of blending; carrier oils and aromatic waters.
03-Live Zoom meet up 19.00-20.30 Wednesday 28th January 2026
04-Access given to virtual Workshop Four Friday 13th February 2026
Workshop 4 Energetics and philosophy, plant spirit medicine, Galen’s 4 temperaments and 4 qualities, Chakras, TCM energetics and the 5 elements; Comparisons of the 3 systems of energetics; developing a new energetic paradigm. Flower essences, Smudge, incense-making preparations
Live Zoom meet up 19.00-20.30 Wednesday 25th February 2026
05-Access given to virtual Workshop Five March 20th 2026
Workshop 5 Growing cultivation and plant recognition (revises some botany). Field growing, growing under cover, wild crafting. Sowing seeds, suitable soil types and habitats, cuttings and propagation Good Agricultural Practice (GAP). Trees and tree essences. Revisiting the healing path
Live Zoom meet up 19.00-20.30 Wednesday 1st April 2026
06-Access given to virtual Workshop Six April Friday 17th 2026
Workshop 6 Harvesting, drying, and processing Gathering herbs sustainably – seed saving, wild crafting responsibly. Processing; revises some of the preparations from weekend 3. Producing therapeutic foods – devising recipes for optimum nutrition.
Live Zoom meet up 19.00-20.30 Wednesday 29th April 2026
Herbs covered in 1st year:
Achillea millefolium, Aesculus hippocastanum, Ajuga reptans, Alchemilla vulgaris, Allium sativum, Angelica archangelica, Arctium lappa, Artemisia species, Avena sativa, Betula sp, Calendula officinalis, Chamaenerion angustifolium, Cinnamomum verum, Citrus species, Corylus avellane, Crataegus laevatiga,Dianthus caryophyllis, Eucalyptus species, Eugenia caryophyllum, Euphrasia officinalis, Fagus sylvatica, Filipendula ulmaria, Foeniculum vulgare, Galium aperine/odoratum,Geranium robertianum, Glycyrrhiza glabra, Hamamelis virginiana, Inula helenium, Juniperus communis, Kalanchoe pinnata, Lavandula officinalis, Linum usitassimum, Levisticum officinale, Malus domestica, Matricaria recutita, Medicago sativa, Melissa officinalis, Mentha sp., Origanum vulgare, Pelargonium species, Pinus sylvestris, Plantago lanceolata/major/psyllium, Primulas, Quercus robur, Ribes nigrum, Rosa damascena, Rosmarinus officinalis, Rubus idaeus, Rumex crispus/ obtusifolius, Salvia officinalis, Salix sp., Sambucus nigra, Stachys betonica, Stellaria media, Symphytum officinale, Taraxacum officinale, Thymus vulgaris, Tilia sp., Trifolium pratense, Urtica dioica, Vaccinium myrtillus, Valeriana officinalis, Verbena officinalis, Violas, Zingiber officinale
Materia medica is distributed over the workshops, there may be some variation and additions to the plants listed above; we examine the physical, mental, emotional, spiritual and holistic properties of the plant; focus is on local, indigenous and naturalized plants and those that can be easily grown in Ireland. Some more exotic species will be included where relevant. Personal development and growth will be explored with the students as the course progresses. We are constantly evolving the course and adding more plants to meet so there may be some variation in the herbs studied from those listed above.
NOTE:
Virtual workshops are made available on the website on the date shown, usually around midday, but definitely before 17:00. These are not live workshops and do not need to be attended at any particular time; students may view and interact with them as it suits them, unlike the Zoom meeting which are live and need to be attended in person at the time scheduled for them.
Year 2 Stream 1 Dates 2026-2027
With each unit, new herbs will be introduced for the system being studied; herbs from the first year with relevance will also be revised. Formulations and prescriptions for conditions relating to the system under discussion will be made up. There will be opportunities to practice consultation skills and work with the ancillary techniques that are introduced at the intensive workshops. As well as looking at disease processes, there will also be an examination of the symbolism of diseases, of cultural aspects of disease, of energetic approaches and of developing new energetic paradigms
Face to face at School: 31st October-2nd November ‘26, 11th-13th June ‘27
Each day of the face-to-face workshops runs from 10 am prompt to 5 pm
00-Live Orientation Zoom 7-8.30 pm Thursday 30th September 2026
Confirm attendance at this.
01 -Access given to Virtual Workshop One Friday 2nd October 2026
· Introducing the Miracle of The Human Body, Our Community of Cells.
· Introducing Disease Processes and The Symbolism of Disease
· Herbs for The Whole Body Including Adaptogens, nutritive tonics and Alteratives. Introduction of New Herbs and Revision of Herbs From Year 1. Making Preparations for Whole Body Treatments – Massage Blends, Bath Blends, Herb Ball for Hot Herb Massage.
· Consultation Skills; Questioning; Incorporating Energetic Principles; Sensory Acuity as A Way of Enhancing Consultation and of Understanding the Therapeutics of Our Plant Allies
01-Live Zoom meet up 19.00-20.30 Wednesday 14th October 2026
02-Access given to Virtual Workshop Two Friday 6th November 2026
The Heart of the matter and circulation; the heart as an endocrine organ; the heart as a brain; the heart as an organ of perception; heart entrainment; the circulation as a communication system within the body.
Lymphatic/immune system – defence and waste disposal - visualisations
Tropaeolum majus, Fagopyrum esculentum, Beta vulgaris, Passiflora incarnata, Olea europea, Leonorus cardiaca, Theobroma cacao, Vaccinium myrtillus, Piper nigrum, Capsicum mimimum, Armoracia rusticana
02-Live Zoom meet up 19.00-20.30 Wednesday 25th November 2026
03-Access given to Virtual Workshop Three Friday 8th January 2027
The Skin or Integumentary System: Our largest organ, our boundary between the external and the internal environment; Dry skin brushing
The Nervous System and special senses: The RAS, the Triune brain and peripheral nervous system; Our 6 brains, plus the possibility of others; Sensory acuity in the consultation process and in accessing information about the herbs; Olfaction; Visualization and relaxation techniques; Stress management
03-Live Zoom meet up 19.00-20.30 Wednesday 20th January 2027
04-Access given to Virtual Workshop Four Friday 12th February 2027
Muscles and bones, the Musculoskeletal Systems: Stretching, yawning, and reaching out; Psychological and physical holding patterns; Myofascial unwinding techniques; The ancestors
The Respiratory System: Oxygen, the primary nutrient; The lungs and grief; Learned breathing habits and breathing exercises to establish healthy breathing patterns
04-Live Zoom meet up 19.00-20.30 Wednesday 3rd March 2027
05-Access given to Virtual Workshop Five Friday 19th March 2027
Digestion and the Digestive System: The Gut brain, Wild food, Healthy gut flora, Fasting and much more besides
The Urinary System: The kidneys as an endocrine organ; The culture of fear (the primary emotion associated with the kidneys); Hydration
05-Live Zoom meet up 19.00-20.30 Wednesday 7th April 2027
06-Access given to Virtual Workshop Six Friday 16th April 2027
· The Neuroendocrine System, another mode of internal and external communication and the wider hormonal system
· Reproduction, Pregnancy, the cycles of birth, life, death and rebirth
06-Live Zoom meet up 19.00-20.30 Wednesday 5th May 2027
Herbs covered in 2nd year:
Aloe vera, Aloysia triphylla,Anethum graveolens, Armoracia rusticana, Asclepias tuberosa, Asparagus officinalis, Astragalus membraneus, Azadirachta indica,Beta vulgaris, Berberis Sp., Brassica sp., Borago officinalis, Camellia sinensis, Capsicum mimimum, Carum carvi, Centella asiatica, Cetraria islandica, Chondrus crispus, Cimicifuga racemosa, Codonopsis pilosa, Coffea arabica, Coriandrum sativum, Curcuma longa, Cyanara scolymus, Echinacea Sp., Elettaria cardamomum, Eleuthroccocus senticosus, Erythrea centaurea, Fagopyrum esculentum, Fucus vesiculosis, Fumaria Officinalis, Gentiana lutea, Glechoma hederacea, Hedera helix, Humulus lupulus, Hypericum perforatum, Hyssopus officinalis, Lactuca virosa, Leonorus cardiaca, Lycopus, Marrubium vulgare, Menyanthes trifoliata, Ocimum basilicum, Ocimum sanctum, Olea europea, Parietaria diffusa, Passiflora incarnata, Pimpinella anisum, Piper nigrum, Prunella vulgaris, Prunus serotina, Pulmonaria officinalis, Rhodiola, Schisandra, Scutellaria lateriflora, Tanacetum parthenium, Theobroma cacao, Tropaeolum majus, Tussilago farfara, Verbascum thapsus, Viburnum opulus, Vitex agnus castus, Withania somniferum
NOTE:
Virtual workshops are made available on the website on the date shown, usually around midday but definitely before 17:00. These are not live workshops and do not need to be attended at any particular time; students may view and interact with them as it suits them, unlike the Zoom meeting which are live and need to be attended in person at the time scheduled for them.