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The Crafty Herbalist Academy
ACCREDITED ONLINE HERBAL MEDICINE EDUCATION
A foundation in herbal medicine, rooted in tradition, science, and seasonal practice
Thirteen modules covering the major body systems and more than 100 herbs, taught by me, Kristine De Block, BSc (Hons), MNIMH, with more than twenty years in clinical practice.
Your membership also includes monthly live Zoom classes, seasonal foraging videos and my personal feedback on every assignment you submit.
The Herbal Immersion Course is accredited by the Complementary Medical Association and is suitable whether you’re learning for yourself, your family or local community, or considering advanced herbal training in the future.
7 day refund guarantee on the monthly plan
Two months free, saving you £98
CMA Accredited · Member of the National Institute of Medical Herbalists · More than 400 students worldwide have studied with the Academy · 20+ years in clinical practice
This is your future herbal self
After completing the Herbal Immersion Course, you’ve worked through the major body systems – the nervous system, digestion, cardiovascular, hormonal, immune, skin and respiratory health, as well as paediatric and elder care – and you understand the herbs that support each. You’ve learned how to think about constitution and energetics. You can begin to recognise different patterns and reach for plants with reasons, rather than simply choosing something from a list.
Your apothecary holds tinctures, syrups, oxymels, infused oils, balms and glycerites, all made by your own hand, many from plants you’ve grown or harvested locally. You can walk your hedgerow in May and know what to pick. When a sore throat appears at home, you know it isn’t yet the whole picture: is it dry and raw, hot and inflamed, or accompanied by thick catarrh? You can think about what is happening and choose an appropriate herb and preparation.
When something comes up at home, you have a much clearer sense of what you might reach for and why, as well as when a simple remedy isn’t enough and professional advice is needed. The feeling of “I’d love to use herbs, but I’m worried about getting it wrong” has eased.
This is what a real foundation in herbal medicine looks like. Most students stay and keep deepening their home practice from here, using it for themselves, their families and the people around them. Others use it as a foundation before going on to professional training as a medical herbalist.
Either way, you’ve stopped only reading about herbal medicine and started practising it. It’s the best feeling in the world.
THIS IS WHAT THE ACADEMY IS FOR
Start learning today
7 day refund guarantee
Two months free, saving you £98
Does any of this sound familiar?
You've bought herbal books over the years that you've started and never quite finished. The information feels important but you can't seem to hold onto it.
You've watched videos, downloaded freebies, signed up to email lists. You know more than you did, but you still don't feel like you know what you're doing.
You'd like to use herbs with your family but you worry about getting it wrong. So most of the time, you don't - but you'd love to feel confident about your herbal choices.
You can recognise lavender, chamomile, maybe nettle. The rest of the hedgerow passes you by.
When something comes up - a sore throat, a child who can't sleep - you reach for what you've always reached for, not the herbs you've gathered.
You've been reading and dabbling for years and you still feel like a beginner.
You’re not alone – many of my students began in the same place.
MEET YOUR TEACHER
Hello, I’m Kristine
Kristine De Block, Consultant Medical Herbalist and Herbal Medicine Teacher
My path into herbal medicine started in my grandmother’s Belgian garden. She introduced me to the elder tree when I was five years old, and she treated plants the way most people treat the medicine cabinet – everyday remedies kept ready in jars on the kitchen shelf. I didn’t know it then, but that’s where everything started.
I went on to train as a medical herbalist at university in the UK. That was over twenty years ago. Since then I’ve been seeing patients in my own dispensary in the Chilterns and teaching at every level from beginner adults to junior herbal clubs. I also spent years studying with the late Christopher Hedley, who taught the older constitutional and humoral tradition that still shapes how I work.
The reason I built the Academy is that I kept meeting the same person. She’d been reading about herbs for years. She had books on her shelf and a few tinctures in the cupboard. And she still didn’t feel like she actually knew what she was doing. There’s no shortage of herbal information out there – it’s a way through it that’s harder to find.
Most herbal courses teach in one direction – some are very scientific, some rooted in tradition, some mostly experiential. I think you need all three: the modern research, the older energetics and humoral practice, and the slow practice of making remedies and using them on yourself and the people you love. That’s how I was trained, and it’s how the Academy is built.
Kristine x
STORIES FROM STUDENTS INSIDE THE ACADEMY
Starting your herbal learning can feel overwhelming when you don’t know where to begin. Inside the Academy, students find confidence and a real grounding in their practice. Here are a few of their stories:
ANNA, OXFORDSHIRE
When Anna joined the Academy, she had little more than an allotment and a curiosity about herbal remedies. Within months, she was confidently growing medicinal herbs and creating remedies to support her family’s health and wellbeing. Herbal medicine has become a natural part of her daily life.
JAN, AUSTRALIA
As a nurse and herbal enthusiast, Jan joined the Academy to deepen her connection with nature. Along the way, she not only gained valuable knowledge but also formed lasting friendships. Now, she shares her foraging adventures and herbal recipes from Australia, inspiring others to explore the power of plants.
CAROLINE, SHEFFIELD
What began as a personal exploration for Caroline grew into something much bigger. Today, she leads workshops in her community, teaching women about the power of herbs. Herbal medicine has become her calling, allowing her to make a real difference while doing what she loves.
a closer look
What’s inside the Academy
Foundational Learning: Building Herbal Knowledge
Herbal Immersion Course
Thirteen modules, released monthly, each with a detailed 50+ page handbook covering key body systems, plant actions, and practical application. Assignments marked personally by me. Advanced modules will become available upon completion.
Plant profiles, handouts, and recipes
An extensive library of downloadables – plant monographs, reference materials, and recipes you’ll return to again and again as your practice grows.
Seasonal Exploration: Connecting to Plants & Nature
Foraging and seasonal recipe booklets
Seasonal foraging videos and recipe booklets help you understand herbs through the year, meeting them in their natural rhythm.
Remedy-making tutorials
Clear, step-by-step videos for tinctures, syrups, oxymels, infused oils, balms, and glycerites. Enough to build a home apothecary you actually use.
Community Learning: Growth and Connection
Live Zoom classes
Monthly classes with me. Ask questions, taste herbs together, explore topics in real time. Recordings stay in the library if you can’t join live.
A supportive student community
Around 400 students worldwide have studied with the Academy, sharing what they’re making and working through the material together. A friendly forum, not a noisy one.
WHAT STUDENTS SAY
Testimonials from academy members
MONTHLY RELEASE OF MODULES – SELF-PACED LEARNING
HERBAL MEDICINE IMMERSION
COURSE CURRICULUM
Accredited by the Complementary Medical Association (CMA)
MODULE ONE – ROOTED IN KNOWLEDGE
Foundations of herbal medicine – history, therapeutic actions, energetics, and plant pharmacology. A grounding introduction to the herbal tradition.
MODULE TWO – ACCESSING JOY
The nervous system. Herbs for stress, low mood, and finding rest when sleep is hard to come by.
MODULE THREE – A BEAUTIFUL HEART
The cardiovascular system. Herbal tonics and recipes for the heart and circulation.
MODULE FOUR – THE INNER FIRE
Digestion. Herbs for common digestive complaints and the foods that work alongside them.
MODULE FIVE – CLEANSING RITUALS
The skin and the herbs that support it from the inside and out, with practical home remedies for everyday care.
MODULE SIX – BREATH OF LIFE
The respiratory system. Herbs to keep your lungs clear and strong, with home remedies for everyday respiratory care.
MODULE SEVEN – NATURAL DEFENCES
Immunity and allergies. Strengthening the body for the seasons, and what to reach for at the first sign of a cold.
MODULE EIGHT – FINDING BALANCE
Hormonal health. Herbs for menstrual support, perimenopause, and menopause.
MODULE NINE – RESTORING VITALITY
Adaptogens and nourishing tonics. How to use them safely and effectively in daily life.
MODULE TEN – KITCHEN TREASURES
Cooking herbs that are also medicines. Garlic, ginger, rosemary, thyme – and the everyday remedies you can build into how you cook.
MODULE ELEVEN – WINTER’S CLOAK
Preparing for the colder months. Building resilience before the season hits, and the herbs that see you through it.
MODULE 12 & 13 – CYCLE OF LIFE
Learn to support wellbeing at every stage of life. From natural remedies for children to herbal care for elderly people.
“To be a good herbalist you have to be able to potter; potter in your garden, potter in your kitchen and potter in your clinic”
Who the Academy is for
People join the Academy from many different starting points. Some are right at the beginning and know only a handful of herbs, while others have been making remedies for years or already work with people as nurses, therapists, nutritionists, bodyworkers and other healthcare or wellbeing practitioners. The Academy has room for all of that.
It may be right for you if:
- You’ve been drawn to herbal medicine for some time but would like a clear, thorough way to study it rather than piecing everything together from books, videos and social media.
- You want to use herbs more confidently for yourself, your family or the people around you, and understand why you are choosing a particular plant rather than simply following a list of uses.
- You already work in healthcare, wellbeing or complementary therapy and want to bring a deeper knowledge of herbs, remedies and safety into the work you already do.
- You’re interested in the older traditions and folklore of herbal medicine, but you also want to understand plant constituents, modern research and appropriate use.
- You want practical experience as well as study, with opportunities to taste herbs, make remedies, spend time with plants outside and receive personal feedback on your work.
- You need your learning to fit around work, children, caring responsibilities or the other things that make up a full life.
- You may be considering professional herbal training in the future and would like a strong foundation before deciding whether to take that step.
You don’t need to arrive with lots of knowledge or a fixed plan for where this will lead. You can begin from where you are, work through the course at your own pace and discover which parts of herbal medicine draw you in as you go. This is what happens to most of my students.
READY TO BEGIN?
Your herbal learning starts here
Whether you’re new to herbs or already practising at home, the Academy gives you a real grounding in herbal medicine.
You’ll work through the body systems with substantial handbooks and assignments, make remedies, taste plants, walk the hedgerows through the seasons, and learn the thinking behind herbal practice – not just the doing.
Whether you’re here for personal wellbeing or the first steps toward a professional path,
the Academy offers a grounded beginning.
7 day refund guarantee
Two months free, saving you £98
Frequently asked questions
Q: What does the membership include?
A: You’ll gain full access to:
- A comprehensive herbal medicine course with monthly module releases, assignments and my personal feedback.
- Handouts, plant profiles, and seasonal recipes.
- Live Zoom classes and recordings.
- Foraging videos and practical remedy tutorials.
- A supportive community forum.
Q: Can I learn at my own pace?
A: Absolutely! A new course module opens each month, and once it has opened you can return to it whenever you like for as long as your membership remains active. All live-class recordings and the wider Academy library are available on demand.
Q: Are live classes included, and what if I miss one?
A: Yes, I host regular live Zoom classes (term-time only). If you can’t attend, no problem – all sessions are recorded and accessible anytime.
Q: Do I need prior herbal knowledge to join?
A: Not at all! The Academy is designed for beginners and those looking to deepen their practice. Each module is accessible and builds progressively.
Q: How much time do I need to dedicate to the herbal membership?
A: Most students complete the course in around 12 to 18 months, although many choose to take longer. I recommend setting aside a few hours each week when you can, but there is no fixed deadline while your membership remains active. Spending extra time outdoors with the plants and incorporating regular tasting and making sessions will bring everything together.
Q: I’m not in the UK, can I still join?
A: Yes, and plenty of students aren’t. Academy members join from the UK, the US, Australia and many other countries. Everything is online, and the live classes are recorded, so your time zone doesn’t matter.
Q: Will I receive a certificate?
A: Yes! Upon completing the modules and assignments, you’ll receive a CMA-accredited ‘Foundations in Herbal Medicine’ certificate, allowing you to join the Complementary Medical Association. Many students stay on after gaining their certificate to access the ever-growing rich herbal content inside the Academy.
Q: Does this course make me a medical herbalist?
A: This course provides a solid foundation but does not replace professional training. Becoming a qualified medical herbalist requires additional training and clinical hours. However, this course is recognised as an access course for further education.
Q: Can I cancel my membership?
A: Yes, you can cancel your subscription anytime, but keep in mind that cancelling will end your access to the content, community, and videos at the end of your current billing period. If you need a temporary break, you can pause your monthly membership once for up to three months. I’d love to hear your feedback or concerns before you go. You’re welcome to return anytime.
Q: Do I have to complete the assignments?
A: You’re welcome to use the Academy for your own learning without submitting assignments. If you would like to receive the CMA-accredited certificate, you will need to complete the course assignments, submit your evidence and final reflection. I read and mark every assignment personally.
Q: What happens when I complete the Herbal Immersion Course?
A: You can remain a full Academy member and continue using the complete library, joining the monthly live classes and exploring new teaching as it is added. Your membership doesn’t automatically end when you receive your certificate, although you can cancel whenever you choose.
Refund Guarantee
If the Academy isn’t right for you, request a full refund within 7 days of your monthly membership starting – terms and conditions apply.
Prefer to commit for the year? The annual membership saves you £98 and gives you a full year to work through the course at your own pace.
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COPYRIGHT THE CRAFTY HERBALIST ACADEMY 2022-2026 | PRIVACY POLICY | ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
© 2026 | THE CRAFTY HERBALIST ACADEMY
KRISTINE DE BLOCK, BSC HONS MEDICAL HERBALIST & EDUCATOR
94 SUNNYSIDE ROAD, CHESHAM
UNITED KINGDOM