Growing Herbalists: Inside the Family Herbalist Path

By Andrée Noye, MA, Clinical Herbalist. Reading Time: 5 minutes

A person carefully documents their latest aromatherapy blend in a notebook, surrounded by an assortment of essential oils in amber glass bottles on a rustic wooden table.

When people ask me why I created the Family Herbalist Path, my answer is always the same: because everyone deserves access to clear, reliable, and practical herbal education. It should not live only in academic textbooks or be something you can only learn after years of prior study. Herbal knowledge belongs in the hands of people who want to use it, to make remedies in their kitchens, to walk through the woods and know the plants by name, and to feel confident caring for themselves, their loved ones, and their communities.

This course is about building that confidence. And while we will laugh a lot and get our hands dirty, it is not just a casual hobby series. At 300 hours, the Family Herbalist Path is a robust, structured program. It provides a solid foundation for anyone ready to take herbalism from curiosity to competence. For some, it will be a stepping stone into professional herbal training. For others, it will simply become a way of life.

What’s in the course?

We have designed the curriculum to be active and engaging, with each season bringing new plants, new skills, and new opportunities to connect theory to practice.

Here’s a taste of what you’ll learn:

Natural healing meets anatomical study: A rustic workspace blends detailed skeletal sketches with an array of herbs and flowers, creating a serene setting for exploring the synergy between traditional medicine and anatomy.

1. Foundations of Herbalism

• Understanding herbal actions, energetics, and safety

• The language of plants in Western clinical practice

• Herbal history and cross-cultural traditions

2. Materia Medica

• In-depth study of 12+ herbs, with a focus on Nova Scotia’s native and naturalized plants

• Learning plant identification in the field

• Sustainable harvesting and ethical wildcrafting

3. Practical Medicine-Making

• Teas, infusions, decoctions, and syrups

• Tinctures, elixirs, oxymels, and vinegars

• Herbal oils, salves, balms, and creams

• Safe storage and shelf-life

A cozy tea-making scene with a glass teapot being filled with hot water, surrounded by jars of loose leaf herbs and a curious child peeking from behind.

4. Herbal Care Across the Lifespan

• Children’s wellness and gentle herbs

• Pregnancy, postpartum, and lactation support

• Elder care and long-term vitality

5. Household and Seasonal Care

• Building a home apothecary

• Seasonal wellness strategies

• Herbal first aid and common ailments

How we’ll learn

This is not a “read three PDFs and you are done” kind of program. You will attend in-person classes at Circé + Medée, take part in seasonal field walks, join guided medicine-making sessions, and use interactive online learning to deepen your skills.

We provide all core course materials digitally, including e-books, handouts, and worksheets. While materials for making remedies are not included, optional herbal kits are available so you can get started without hunting down supplies.

Why it matters

An individual meticulously measures ingredients in a laboratory-like environment, surrounded by numerous bottles and plant components.

Herbalism is part art, part science, and entirely relational. It is about knowing the plants, not just what they do, but how they grow, how they taste, and how they fit into the web of wellness. The Family Herbalist Path is about giving you the tools and context to make herbalism part of your everyday life, whether you are treating a stubborn cough, brewing a restorative tea, or considering a career in clinical practice.

This course is also about community. Learning alongside others, sharing successes and the occasional sticky salve mishap, and building a network of support makes all the difference.

A serious foundation, a joyful journey

Yes, this course is fun. We taste, blend, and make a delightful mess. But it is also serious training that sets you up for whatever comes next, from confident home use to further herbalist certification.

A rustic arrangement of amber glass bottles holds various herbal tinctures and extracts, set against a backdrop of dried flowers and a wooden board labeled "Fresh Herbs."

If you have ever dreamed of walking into your own cupboard of remedies and knowing exactly what to reach for, this is your start. And if you are thinking you might want to go further in herbalism, this is the first step onto that path.

📷 Photos by Herbal Academy / Airmid’s Healing Gardens