BUDS + BLOSSOMS

Clinical Herbology (Year 2)

Welcome budding herbalist! If you have had some introductory herbal training, loved it, and are on the lookout for opportunities to deepen your knowledge and skills, this is your next step.

Buds & Blossoms is a comprehensive, intermediate-level program that will put prepare you to see clients. It’s where your knowledge, your skills and your innerstanding of the plants and the body will coalesce, and your identity as an herbalist.

We will meet once a week for 40 weeks to explore

• The production & management of vital energy
• Energetic Herbalism & the Six Tissue States
• Constitutional assessments
• Anatomy & Physiology
• Diet & the Energetics of Food
• Natural Detox protocols
• Materia Medica of 108 herbal allies
• Root causes of Dis-ease
• Tongue, Pulse & Facial Diagnostics
• Phytochemistry for herbalists
• Herb & Drug Interactions
• Pathophysiology and corrective therapies for common ailments
• The Art of Intake
• Apothecary Management & record keeping

This is a relatively rigorous program compared to Foundations. We will have regular tests and research assignments, but don’t let that scare you. There will still be plenty of mystery and reverence woven into all that we learn.

Completion of this foundational training is acknowledged by a Certificate of Completion at the end of the 9 months (90% attendance + passing grade on all tests is required to receive the certificate). The certificate represents 320 hours of herbal study in the areas of phytochemistry, anatomy & physiology, pathophysiology, herbal therapeutics and materia medica.

After this year of diving deep into the human body, you will be eligible to participate in the final level of clinical training, which is when we see ‘real world’ clients every week and work towards the requirements to become a registered clinical herbalist through the American Herbalist’s Guild.

Investment

• Regular tuition – $4400
• Deposit– $400 is required to save your spot. Deposit is non-refundable and non-transferable and is part of the total tuition, so there is a $4000 balance after the deposit has been paid. 
• Discounts
  • Early Bird: $200 discount if you register before July 1st.
  • Pay-In Full Discount: $150 off tuition for those who pay their full tuition balance by the first day of class.
• Monthly Payment plan available
  • 9 monthly Installments due the first Wednesday of each month. Without discounts, this comes to $444/month.

Tuition includes all materials and the end-of-year intensive. Lodging and meals for our September and March in-person weekends are not included. Please plan to pack a lunch or to enjoy a meal at one of Shepherdstown’s restaurants. For those who need overnight accommodations, check out Our Area page.

Materials

All students will receive an herbal treasure box containing an assortment of tinctures and dried herbs ($400 worth of tinctures & herbs) that we will getting to know throughout the course. Each week we have 2 herbs that we will compare and contrast, working with one plant exclusively for three days at a time, noticing how it affects us. Boxes will be available to pick up during our first weekend and can be shipped if necessary.

Time commitment

It varies week to week, but I would budget about 6-8 hours a week, between the recordings, the live calls, and homework.

Pre-requisites:

Completion of an introductory-level training program, either our Roots & Vines Foundational Herbalism program or a comparable program that lays the groundwork for understanding the elements, herbal energetics, and herbal actions. If you have not completed a formal program but have between 50 & 150 hours of self-study, you may still qualify. Reading Energetic Herbalism by Kat Maier ahead of time is also recommended if you have not been introduced to the doshas or five element theory yet. Feel free to email Ashley to see if you qualify.

Ready to begin?

Enrollment for this year’s class is CLOSED for 2025-2026.

If you are interested in joining us for the next round which begins August 2026, email me and I will add you to the email list so you can be notified when registration re-opens again in late Spring.

TESTIMONIALS:

• “This class and foundations have been amazing and exactly what I was looking for not just for learning but for a new path in my life. I’m so glad I found you and your school!” ~ Christina L.

• “Learning with Ashley in Buds and Blossoms is a deep dive into the world of herbs! A delightful adventure digging into each body system and learning how herbs can get to the root cause of illness. I encourage anyone wanting to learn more, to make that leap! Not only did I gain knowledge but also a whole new group of friends to expand my education with; simply the best!!” ~ Happel K.

• “This course provided me with everything I needed to understand herbal medicine approaches, the body and its essential function, pathology, and the herbal Materia medica to practice the healing art of plant medicine.  I experienced so much joy and camaraderie in this supportive learning environment.” ~Carrie W.

• “I completely enjoyed the path that Ashley has guided me through.  She is very knowledgeable and loves sharing that knowledge with others.  I’ve grown so much this year and I appreciate my new found perspective for all the plant can do to help bring us back into balance.” ~ Twyla H.

• “This class provides an abundant amount of information and leave you wanting more.  You will enter the universe of herbal medicine, be charmed by the plants’ secrets, and begin to forge your path.” ~ Anonymous from 2025