Herbal Immersion Course

Autumn enrolment is open

until midnight on Monday 5th October

7 day refund guarantee

Two months free, saving you £98

Course delivery

Course Tutor: Kristine De Block, BSc (Hons), Medical Herbalist, MNIMH

  • Length of study: Typically one to two years, with self-paced study and live classes

  • Award: Foundations in Herbal Medicine Certificate (CMA-accredited)

  • Study hours: 320 hours, plus 200 practical hours. The practical hours include independent plant observation, remedy-making and assignment work.

  • Accreditation: Accredited by the Complementary Medical Association (CMA)

How the course works

The Herbal Immersion Course is delivered through a secure online learning portal. Everything is organised in one place, allowing you to work at your own pace while remaining supported throughout your studies.

What’s included

  • Monthly modules
    A new module opens each month, with detailed video lessons and a comprehensive handbook, usually more than 50 pages, covering the subject in depth. You can work through each module at your own pace, with no monthly deadlines.

  • Seasonal recipe booklets and projects
    Throughout the year, you’ll receive recipe booklets focusing on seasonal herbs, practical preparations and ways to bring herbal medicine into everyday life. A new seasonal project workbook is also released at the beginning of each season.

  • Live classes
    We meet for a live Zoom class each month (term-time only) to explore individual herbs and wider areas of herbal medicine in greater depth. The classes are optional and are always recorded, so you can watch them later if you can’t attend live.

  • Foraging videos
    Foraging videos help you recognise medicinal plants in their natural habitats and learn more about identification, responsible harvesting and seasonal use.

  • Remedy-making tutorials
    Practical demonstrations take you through making tinctures, infused oils, syrups, creams and other herbal preparations step by step.

  • Community forum
    A friendly online community where you can ask questions, share your progress and connect with fellow students.

  • Online herbal library
    Access herbal monographs, contraindications, dosage guidelines, safety information and additional resources to support your studies.

  • Quizzes and assignments
    Each module includes a quiz, practical work and a written assignment. If you’re working towards the certificate, the assignments are required and should be properly referenced. I read and mark every assignment personally.

 

COURSE CURRICULUM

HERBAL MEDICINE IMMERSION

Accredited by the Complementary Medical Association (CMA)

MODULE ONE – ROOTED IN KNOWLEDGE

A gentle beginning to herbal medicine.
We explore where this tradition comes from, how people have used plants across centuries, and the principles that still guide us today. You’ll get to know herbal actions, plant energetics, and the foundations that help everything else make sense. It’s the grounding I wish I’d had at the very start.

MODULE TWO – ACCESSING JOY

The nervous system holds so much of our lived experience. Here we look at how it works, how stress shows up in the body, and which herbs bring gentleness back in. You’ll meet calming and uplifting plants, learn simple remedies, and begin to understand why some herbs settle the mind the moment you smell them.

MODULE THREE – A BEAUTIFUL HEART

A steady, practical look at cardiovascular health. We explore how the heart and circulation work, and the herbs traditionally used to support them. You’ll learn how to make heart tonics and everyday preparations you can keep in your home apothecary. It’s a beautiful module that often shifts how people understand energy and heart health.

MODULE FOUR – THE INNER FIRE

Digestion is at the centre of everything. In this module, we explore how the digestive system works, how imbalance shows up, and which herbs bring warmth, comfort, or ease. You’ll meet local digestive allies and make simple remedies using ingredients you probably already have in your kitchen.

MODULE FIVE – CLEANSING RITUALS

Skin tells its own story. We’ll look at how the skin functions, why it reflects internal health, and which herbs support it both inside and out. You’ll learn accessible preparations – poultices, washes, balms – using everyday plants you may already recognise in your garden or hedgerow.

MODULE SIX – BREATH OF LIFE

A closer look at the lungs and the rhythm of breathing. This module explores the respiratory system and the herbs that support clear, comfortable breathing. You’ll learn how aromatic, soothing, and expectorant herbs work, and how to prepare straightforward remedies with local plants.

MODULE SEVEN – NATURAL DEFENCES

Immunity and allergy support through a herbal lens. We explore how the immune system works, what happens during allergies, and the herbs used to support the body’s natural responses. This module weaves in practical, gentle remedies and everyday approaches that many students come back to year after year.

MODULE EIGHT – FINDING BALANCE

Hormonal health across different stages of life. You’ll gain a clear understanding of hormone physiology and patterns of imbalance, and meet herbs known for supporting hormonal rhythm and steadiness. The focus here is always on safety, simplicity, and approaches you can use at home.

MODULE NINE – RESTORING VITALITY

A warm introduction to adaptogens and tonic herbs. We look at what adaptogens truly are (and what they’re not), how they support the body under stress, and how to use them safely. You’ll discover nourishing herbs you can bring into daily life, along with recipes that are as comforting as they are strengthening.

MODULE TEN – KITCHEN TREASURES

Where herbal medicine meets everyday cooking. This module shows you how the herbs, spices, and foods you use every day can become meaningful remedies. It’s practical, rooted in tradition, and often one of the most empowering parts of the course.

MODULE ELEVEN – WINTER’S CLOAK

Herbal support through the colder months. We explore preventive care, immune-supporting herbs, and practical remedies for winter wellness. This is the time of year when herbal wisdom really shines – nourishing as well as supportive.

MODULE 12 & 13 – CYCLE OF LIFE

Herbal support across childhood, adulthood, and elder years. You’ll learn how to adapt herbal approaches safely for different ages and stages, understanding what changes, and what stays constant, as we move through life. These modules bring together everything you’ve learned in a very practical way.

ADVANCED LEARNING MODULES

Designed to deepen your knowledge upon completion of the course

ADVANCED LEARNING  – MUSCULOSKELETAL SYSTEM

A deeper look at herbs that support joints, muscles, and connective tissue. We explore how tension, inflammation, and wear-and-tear show up in the body, and the plants traditionally used to bring comfort and strength. You’ll learn safe ways to use these herbs, along with simple preparations you can make at home.

ADVANCED LEARNING – URINARY SYSTEM

Discover how specific herbs can support and enhance the health of your kidneys, bladder, and entire urinary tract. This advanced module delves into herbal remedies known for their diuretic and cleansing properties, offering natural solutions for maintaining urinary health and preventing common health issues relating to the urinary tract.

ADVANCED LEARNING – FLOWER REMEDIES

Exploring the subtle emotional support offered by flower essences. You’ll learn how they’re made, how they work, and how to choose essences that match different states of mind. This module offers a thoughtful, accessible introduction to a gentler branch of plant medicine.

ADVANCED LEARNING  – ART OF HERBAL CONSULTATION

This module equips you with the skills to conduct effective herbal consultations, focusing on symptoms, lifestyle, body systems, and energetics. You will learn to create personalised, safe, and holistic herbal treatment plans while exploring practical approaches to client intakes, herbal protocols and case management.

ADVANCED LEARNING – HERBAL FORMULATION

In this module, you will dive deep into the art and science of herbal formulation. Learn how to create bespoke, client-specific remedies by combining herbs with precision, balancing phytochemistry, energetics, and individual health needs. Perfect for those ready to elevate their formulation expertise.

ADVANCED LEARNING – HERBAL  SKINCARE FORMULATION

Take your skincare expertise to the next level with this hands-on, advanced module in herbal product formulation. You will learn how to craft potent, all-natural skincare remedies, including creams, balms, serums, and more, using high-quality herbs and botanicals.

Enrol for autumn here

7 day refund guarantee

Two months free, saving you £98

Frequently asked questions

Q: What exactly does the Crafty Herbalist Academy Membership include?

A: Membership includes the accredited Herbal Immersion Course, with video lessons, detailed handbooks, quizzes, practical assignments and personal feedback from me. You’ll also have access to monthly live classes and their recordings, seasonal projects and recipe booklets, foraging videos, remedy-making tutorials, herbal monographs, safety and dosage information, and the Academy community forum.

Q: Can I access the material at any time?

A: Yes. The Academy is available online, so you can study whenever it suits you. Your first course module is available when you join, with a new module opening each month so that you have time to absorb and apply what you’re learning. The wider Academy library, including recorded live classes, foraging videos, remedy-making tutorials and seasonal resources, is available from the beginning of your membership.

Q: Are there live classes, and what if I miss a session?

A: We regularly host live classes via Zoom on various topics during term time only. If you miss a session, don’t worry – all classes are recorded and uploaded to the portal for you to watch at your leisure.

Q: What kind of practical learning can I expect?

A: Practical work runs throughout the Academy. You’ll find step-by-step tutorials for making tinctures, syrups, infused oils, creams and other herbal preparations, alongside foraging videos, seasonal recipes and project work. The course assignments also encourage you to observe plants, taste herbs, make remedies and reflect on what you notice, so you’re applying the knowledge rather than only reading about it.

Q: What happens if I can’t keep up with a module each month?

A: There are no monthly deadlines and no cohort moving ahead without you. A new module opens each month, but you can take as long as you need to work through it. Many students complete the course in 12 to 18 months, while others take longer. If life becomes busy, you can return to your studies when you’re ready.

Q: Is there a community aspect to the membership?

A: Yes. There is a friendly online forum away from social media where you can ask questions, share what you’ve been making and learning, and talk things through with other students and with me. It isn’t a constantly busy social feed, and there are quieter periods, but the community is there when you need help, feedback or simply want to share something with people who understand your interest in herbs.

Q: Is this membership suited for beginners or only for those with prior knowledge?

A: Both. The Herbal Immersion Course begins with the foundations and doesn’t assume any previous herbal knowledge, but it goes into enough depth to suit people who have already studied herbs or who work in healthcare, wellbeing or other nurturing roles. Students come with a wide range of experience, and more advanced modules are available after completing the foundation course.

Q: Will I receive a certificate upon completion of the course inside the membership?

A: Yes. Once you have completed all the course modules, quizzes and required assignments, including the final reflection, you will receive the Foundations in Herbal Medicine Certificate. The course is accredited by the Complementary Medical Association (CMA), and I personally read and mark every assignment.

Q: How much time do I need to dedicate to the membership to benefit?

A: Our courses are self-paced, allowing you to learn at your own comfort. While each module varies in length, we recommend setting aside a few hours each week to fully engage with the materials. Spending plenty of time in nature will bring your learning experience full circle.

Q: Will this course qualify me to work as a Medical Herbalist?

A: No. The Herbal Immersion Course provides a substantial foundation in herbal medicine for personal and community use, but it isn’t a practitioner qualification. Some students use it to prepare for professional herbal training, while others take it to deepen the work they already do in healthcare, wellbeing or nurturing roles. Entry requirements and recognition of previous study vary between professional schools.

Q: Can I cancel my membership if it’s not right for me?

A: Yes. You can cancel your subscription at any time, and you’ll continue to have access to the Academy until the end of your current billing period. If something is getting in the way of your studies, you’re always welcome to contact me before cancelling, as I may be able to help with pacing, access or finding your way back into the course.

Q: What support will I receive?

A: You can ask questions through the Academy community and contact me when you need help with the course. I provide personal feedback on submitted assignments and can help if you’re unsure how to approach a task, choose a project or find your way back into the material after some time away.

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