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Gain a foundational knowledge of herbs and learn how to incorporate plant medicine into everyday life. Your herbal journey starts here.
Herbal enthusiasts
Students interested in creating their own Herbal Medicines
Practitioners and professionals adding to their skillset
Start any time and progress at your own pace
10 college-level courses, beautifully filmed across 3 seasons
46+ hours of stunning step-by-step video lessons
A detailed 564-page e-book, or purchase 2 printed guidebooks to study offline
Instruction from 6 holistic wellness teachers, researchers, and makers
Access to monthly instructor-led live virtual classes
Herbalist moderated discussion boards
Assignments and quizzes to enhance your learning
Lifetime access to course videos and notes
9 months to complete the program to earn your certificate
7-day money-back guarantee
Access to our online and offline community of 800+ global herbal students
Closed captioning available for all videos
We’re all born herbalists. However, knowledge about herbs and herbal traditions has largely been forgotten.
It’s time to remember the practices and relationships with plants that have shaped the psychology and physiology of our species. To engage with herbal medicine is to immerse yourself in a sustainable and profound collaboration with the natural world, which has been proven to support individual and planetary health.
Our Home Herbalist Program is a 46+ hour, self-study, video-based online program designed to introduce you to the world of plant medicine from your own home.
In this program, you will:
This program is designed to provide you with a foundational herbal education.
Upon completion of this experience, you can upgrade to the Community Herbalist Program to deepen your knowledge in topics such as Botany, Medicinal Mushrooms, Plant Spirit Medicine, Backyard Gardening, and more.
Being a parent, it was nice to see I have some control over the types of products I can use to maintain the health of my family. The fact that I can make them myself and control the ingredients is liberating!
“This was an incredible learning experience that awakened a beautiful relationship with the plant world around me. I am forever changed!”
Join our Home Herbalist newsletter and receive a 4-email series including:
Start your herbal journey here. Upon completion, you can upgrade to the Community Herbalist program and gain access to 11 additional courses.
Peter Conway | Medical Herbalist, Aromatic Medicine Specialist
Amanda Howe | RHT, Medical Herbalist
Seraphina Capranos | Herbalist, Classical Homeopath
Dr. Marisa Marciano | ND, RH (AHG)
Peter Conway | Medical Herbalist, Aromatic Medicine Specialist
40+ hours & 564 pages of herbal wisdom
Follow along with your video lessons. 2 guidebooks packed with herbal wisdom so that you can study on or offline.
Save $49 vs pay monthly
Billed monthly
7-day money
back guarantee
Please note that the 7-day money back guarantee applies to stand-alone courses only and to courses that are not completed in full. The 7-day money back guarantee does not apply to students that have completed a course and have received a certificate of completion.
Lifetime access
to materials
100% Secure
checkout
Watch your videos at your own pace and watch the calendar for the next virtual classroom.
When the date arrives be sure to log in and enjoy your virtual class.
Connect with your community on the discussion boards. Ask questions and receive answers from our in-house experts.
Six world-class Herbalists and Nutritionists have come together to bring you the highest quality online herbal education available today. Get inspired to impact your community.
Medical Herbalist, Aromatic Medicine Specialist
Read BioRHT, Medical Herbalist
Read BioBSc, Medical Herbalist
Read BioHerbalist, Classical Homeopath
Read BioND, RH (AHG)
Read BioHolistic Nutritionist
Read BioPeter Conway trained as a Medical Herbalist in the UK, where he ran a clinical practice for over 20 years. In addition to seeing patients, Peter has taught herbal courses at several UK universities and other academic institutions, been involved in herbal politics as a committee member of the European Herbal and Traditional Medicine Practitioners Association, and written several books about herbalism. He was involved in writing the National Professional Standards in Herbal Medicine in the UK and worked with the UK Department of Health in developing professional regulatory standards for herbal practice. Peter was the President of the College of Practitioners of Phytotherapy for 12 years. In recognition of his services to the herbal profession, Peter was made a Fellow of both the College of Practitioners of phytotherapy and the National Institute of Medical Herbalists.
Peter now lives on the west coast of Canada, and he is a member of the Canadian Herbalists Association of British Columbia. He is currently teaching at Pacific Rim College, working on the revised second edition of his textbook, ‘The Consultation in Phytotherapy,’ and developing an online project that aims to share his herbal insights more widely.
Amanda Howe has been a Herbalist for over thirty years. She trained in England in the early ’80s and became a member of the National Institute of Medical Herbalists. She went on to receive her MSc in Herbal Medicine from the University of Wales. Amanda worked in England in a multidisciplinary clinic before moving to Vancouver Island twenty-five years ago. Since moving to Canada Amanda has been active in practice as a herbalist and as a herbal educator. She has served on the board of the provincial Canadian Herbalists Association of BC as well as the national Herbal Practitioners Council – the Canadian Council of Herbalists Associations (CCHA), working to ensure continued access to herbal medicines for Herbalists and the general public. And she also sat on
Health Canada’s Natural Health Products Expert Advisory
Committee.
Amanda spent several years teaching at Pacific Rim College in Victoria, BC. as a teacher in their excellent full-time Herbal Practitioner training program, and was involved in funded research projects with the Centre for
Livelihoods and Ecology at Royal Roads University.
Amanda is passionate about herbs and herbal medicine and about sharing the connection to the natural world that can be found through connecting with and learning about the healing power of plants. Amanda loves to teach and is happiest when she is in the garden teaching people how to
grow, harvest, use and listen to the magic of the plants that are thriving there.
David Caudwell completed his studies in Herbal Medicine at the College of Phytotherapy in South East England and was awarded a BSc (Honours) from the University of Wales. After graduating David settled in Sussex, dividing his time between practice, clinic management and teaching responsibilities at the college where he trained. He has taught for the Universities of Wales and East London, and for the “Discovering Herbal Medicine” program run by Dr. Anne Walker. David is a member of The College of Practitioners of Phytotherapy, a professional body of herbalists established to champion the role and development of traditional herbal medicine in the modern world.
David has a lifelong passion for wildlife, the outdoors and the world’s indigenous medicine systems, which has led to travel on five continents. In his practice, David takes a particular interest in Women’s Health, Fertility Issues and Cancer Care.
Listen to David on episode 14 of Pacific Rim College Radio
Seraphina’s European grandparents first introduced her to the healing power of natural medicine. While seasonally gathering herbs in rural Ontario, Canada they lovingly taught her about the traditional wisdom of herbs and plant lore.
After suffering an injury to her spine as a teenager, Seraphina was declared by the conventional medical system to lead a life of suffering in chronic pain. Determined to heal herself, she returned to her roots and began a professional study of natural medicine at Emerson College of Herbology leading her to study with renowned herbalist Susun S. Weed at The Wise Woman Center in NY and then healers in the desert of New Mexico.
She attended the University of Toronto while working with an inspiring MD who practiced homeopathy, revealing to her the brilliance of this unique and deep system of medicine.
The combination and expertise of her two passions of herbal medicine and homeopathic medicine make Seraphina a gifted holistic practitioner. She brings the balance of university education in science and the magic of what wildlands and mystics have taught her to each of her classes and clients. She lives on Salt Spring Island where’s she’s had a clinical practice since 2005. She teaches herbal medicine, homeopathy & earth-based magic internationally. As an educator, she is passionate about offering empowering, heart-centered classes that are rooted in spirit. She gives thanks to all her teachers, namely Michael Vertolli (Emerson College 1998) Susun Weed, Aviva Romm, Murray Feldman, Susan Gimbel, Laurie Dack, Lianne South, Louis Klein, and the old authors of homeopathic texts from the 1800s, and the women who kept recipes alive in the stillroom books.
Listen to Seraphina on episode 23 of Pacific Rim College Radio
Dr. Marisa Marciano is a licensed Naturopathic Doctor & Registered Herbalist (AHG) with expertise in both the education and clinical applications of phytotherapy. As an herbal practitioner and educator for nearly a decade, she strives to empower both her patients and her students to take a “hands-on-herbal approach” to learn the arts & science of herbal medicine and is considered a passionate educator who believes in the body’s innate capacity to heal when provided with the ancient knowledge & foundational therapeutic potential of plant medicine in all its forms.
Jennifer is a Registered Holistic Nutritionist and founder of Vancouver based nutritional consulting firm, My Edible Advice. Her expertise and private practice are rooted in an unwavering commitment: to empower individuals to reach their health and wellness goals by providing them with the tools to thrive.
Fuelled by this conviction, My Edible Advice has sparked an appetite for optimal health and wellness that extends far beyond its Vancouver base. Today, Jennifer and her team provide nutritional consultation, cooking classes, and meal planning sessions to a worldwide set of individual and organizational clients in pursuit of the knowledge to nourish and map to optimal health. Jennifer has developed a keen interest in gastrointestinal, prenatal, and oncology nutrition and her breadth and depth of knowledge in these areas are reflected in her private practice. She uses herbs in every single one of her dietary protocols and is continually amazed by the healing powers in food.
A Maritime girl at heart and west coaster in-home, Jennifer seeks solace where the mountains meet the ocean and finds bliss in the bounty and buzz of a local farmer’s markets. She believes that health is happiness, and that to engage, enable, and empower her clients to live their best life is to do the very same for her. Jennifer proves that healthful choices can be as easy as pie.
215 high quality, step-by-step video tutorials
A monthly virtual class with one of your herbal instructors where they will teach a lesson in their area of expertise and answer your questions live
A stunning 564-page e-book so you can follow along with your video lessons
Lifetime discounts on complementary PRCOnline courses to further your education
Regular newsletters and monthly webinars to keep you up-to-date and connected with the PRCO herbal community
Printed Guidebooks
Follow along with your video lessons or, turn off your devices and learn without distraction. You’ll be taking notes and carrying these guidebooks around for on-the-go reference. They’re the perfect addition to any herbalist’s collection.
Only $190 when bundled with the Home Herbalist Program*.
Bundle and save*Books cannot be purchased individually and are for herbal students only.
Every month, one of your herbal instructors will conduct a virtual class in their area of expertise and answer student questions live.
Open your mind to the natural world around you and begin your herbal journey today.
Enroll todayMake your own custom herbal medicine: salves, tinctures, teas, creams, and more.
Use the healing power of plants to help restore and enhance health.
Identify wild medicinal plants and mushrooms and be able to sustainably harvest.
Save money by creating your own luscious body products right in your very own kitchen.
Increase the nutrition and healing properties of your food by cooking with herbs.
Share the history of herbalism and tune in to your senses to experience your relationship with plants.
Home Herbalist Online Program | Community Herbalist Online Program | |
---|---|---|
Program Hours | 46 | 80+ |
Courses | 10 | 21 |
Quizzes & Projects | Yes | Yes ? |
Receive Certificate | Yes ? | Yes ? |
Can transfer credits into Pacific Rim College's Diploma of Phytotherapy program (upon successful program application) | Yes | Yes ? |
Access to discussion boards | 9 months | 2 years |
Access to monthly virtual classrooms | 9 months | 2 years |
Start a new career post program! | Optional | check |
Holistic Nutrition | dash | check |
Botany | dash | check |
Backyard Gardening | dash | check |
Aromatic Medicine | dash | check |
Medicinal Mushrooms | dash | check |
Seed Saving | dash | check |
Herbal First Aid | dash | check |
Herbal Business | dash | check |
Case Studies/Intaking | dash | check |
"A Day In the Life" alumni mini documentary | dash | check |
# of video lessons | 215 | 398 |
E-book page count | 564 | 876 |
Own videos for life | Yes | Yes |
7-day money back guarantee | Yes | Yes |
Payment plan | Yes | Yes |
Full price | $890 | $2799 |
Enroll Today | Enroll Today |
If all courses, quizzes, and projects are successfully completed, the following courses are eligible for transfer:
Upon successful completion of all videos, quizzes, and projects.
Upon successful completion of all videos, quizzes, and projects.
Once your program is successfully completed, you can hand your certificate in with your application to the Pacific Rim College campus. If you are accepted into your program, some of your course credits will transfer.
When you register as a new student, we celebrate by planting a tree in your honour!
Why? We are dedicated to sustainability for our planet through both education and action. Trees are pivotal for protecting the biodiversity of our planet and this includes protecting plant medicine.
How? Once a year we partner with OneTreePlanted, a non-profit, and choose a global location most in need.
40+ hours & 564 pages of herbal wisdom
Follow along with your video lessons. 2 guidebooks packed with herbal wisdom so that you can study on or offline.
Save $49 vs pay monthly
Billed monthly
7-day money
back guarantee
Please note that the 7-day money back guarantee applies to stand-alone courses only and to courses that are not completed in full. The 7-day money back guarantee does not apply to students that have completed a course and have received a certificate of completion.
Lifetime access
to materials
100% Secure
checkout
Pacific Rim College in Victoria, British Columbia, Canada, is recognized around the world as a leader in holistic medicine and sustainable living. Since 2006 Pacific Rim College has educated thousands of students, forged innovative curricula, and earned a global following with its award-winning services.
Lifetime access to all video content. Access to discussion boards and virtual classrooms for 9 months.
This program includes over 40 hours of video lessons. In addition to this, you are encouraged to complete readings in the guidebook, submit quizzes and assignments, and pursue additional research on topics of interest. We also supply you with a reading list and suggest selecting one book from each section to enhance your learning experience. Therefore, we estimate the program will take you 80-100 hours to complete, depending on the depth of your study.
Please check with your local association as this program will likely count towards professional development/continuing education credits. Factors for determining eligibility will vary. Contact us if you have any further questions at support@pacificrimcollege.online. This program is not eligible for CEU credits with the CTCMA regulatory body for TCM/Acupuncturists in BC.
You will receive a certificate of completion once you have successfully completed all videos, quizzes, and projects. Herbal medicine is currently an unregulated profession globally. The level of education that is provided with this program is of the highest quality and is designed to give you a solid grounding in herbal medicine. If you purchase the program via a payment plan, you will not receive your certificate until the program has been paid in full. If you would like to pay the full amount to receive your certificate upon completion of your program, please reach out to support@pacificrimcollege.online.
Currently, there is no licensing accreditation anywhere in the world. For this reason, we brought in the top instructors in herbal medicine to ensure you receive the highest level of education.
Yes! There is a monthly virtual classroom with one of your program instructors where they will answer your most common questions and teach you a new mini-lesson.
You will see a 'Supplies & Equipment' list in your guidebook for the courses that require or strongly suggest supplies. Do know that there are many options for students on a budget.
Yes! Your program is 100% online. You can start anytime you like and from wherever you are.
Yes! Just send us an email when you would like to upgrade. You will just pay the difference between what you purchased for your Home Herbalist program and the Community Herbalist program!
Yes. Upon successful completion of your program (videos, quizzes, and assignments), you will receive a certificate of completion that you can present to admissions with your application. If you are accepted to the campus, you will receive 7 elective credits toward your Phytotherapy diploma, or 6 credits towards your Holistic Nutrition Diploma at no additional cost. Please be aware that this credit transfer program is subject to change. If you first upgrade to the Community Herbalist Program, you will earn a total of 13 transfer credits you can apply to the diploma programs. Transfer credits to the Phytotherapy program include: * Materia Medica: 3 credits * Internal and External Medicine Making courses: 3 credits * Wild Medicinals: 1 credit Transfer credits to the Diploma of Holistic Nutrition include: * Internal and External Medicine Making courses: 3 credits * Materia Medica: 3 credits The 3-year Diploma of Phytotherapy and the Diploma of Holistic Nutrition at Pacific Rim College Campus are now offered online through live streaming and on campus. Limited spaces are available in the online and on-campus streams per semester. If this is something you're interested in, don't hesitate to get in touch with our campus admissions department at info@pacificrimcollege.com to be advised of new program information.
You will have received an email after sign up with the links that you need. You can also go to the website FAQ to find the links to the e-readers that support your e-book. Go to the top of the page --> click 'support' --> click 'read FAQ'. You will find the links you need there.
While our printed guidebooks are the product of a local company, all shipping is out of their printing facility in Winnipeg. The Pacific Rim College campus is our sister college, but is also a different institution. They do not have ability to process printed guidebook payments, nor are the guidebooks stored at the campus. Please add them to your order and have them shipped directly to you!
Get help from a real human
I feel so empowered and grateful for taking this program that I thought I needed to share this with you. Spreading such a beautiful knowledge is an immeasurable positive contribution to this world and our people. Thank you very much for working hard to put this all together!
I was amazed at how much we can incorporate plant medicine into our daily lives! It was great to see ways they can be used in the foods we prepared and preparations other than teas and tinctures! It was really eye-opening.
“So far, I LOVE that this course allows for the co-existence of the mystical and the scientific in the discourse around plants and medicine; it makes me feel like I’ve found a community in that space, and I feel open and energized by the idea of seeing where this adventure takes me/us – what better time to seize the day.”
“Great. Professional. I really appreciated having the herbal therapeutics component; I wasn’t expecting that.”
“The Home Herbalist Program taught me to be more self-reliant. I can now make my own medicine (such as tea or tincture) to prevent an illness or treat minor health issues so I do not have to visit a doctor for everything. The program is very comprehensive with many beautiful visual aids and it was easy to follow. I enjoyed everything but especially the Materia Medica and Herbal Therapeutics—I keep going back to them over and over.”
“I thought it was affordable, beautifully in-depth and covered many topics well. There is clearly still a lot to learn but I felt everything that was touched on was explained to a good depth. Medicine-making and the Materia Medica were most useful—getting to see the plants growing while having them explained was helpful.”
“I found the Home Herbalist Program very informative, educational and enjoyable. The program materials were excellent. I especially enjoyed the creation part of the program where you were able to start practicing your knowledge.”
“I am delightfully impressed with the Home Herbalist Program and thrilled I was able to participate and complete this enriching course. It was thorough and very well presented. I am grateful for the deeper connection to the plants and the treasured education to their many benefits.”
“I was very interested in healing herbs and food and how they would assist in healing the body naturally. I loved the Home Herbalist Program and found the materials very useful and informative. It was very fun learning, and I really liked the wonderful flow from healing herbs to body and overall health to cooking—it was very well put together. I really enjoyed this course, and am looking forward to taking the Community Herbalist program.”
“I loved it! I found the videos so useful for my style of learning. I think everything I learned in this course I will carry into my day-to-day life. I am most excited about gifting my loved ones with herbal medicine.”
“Being able to pursue an interest at home on my own time with no pressure… was a fantastic choice. I enjoyed the instructors. I love the guidebooks. I recommend it if you are wanting just a simple connection with nature, a great step to get started and not get too overwhelmed. Happy I chose to complete the Home Herbalist certificate.”
“This course was really nourishing, the teachers were all fantastic. I could really see the passion in every one of them; the way they integrated their love of nature into their everyday life is exactly what I want to do. I am extremely thankful for what they brought to my life. This program is extremely rich and I will recommend it to anyone that might be interested!”
“Very detailed and well-researched. I am so grateful for this course. I learned so much in such a motivating, entertaining way. I have been recommending this course to everyone who is looking to improve their knowledge of herbal medicine.”
“Fantastic. I have always loved plants and have studied them botanically but never medicinally—I wanted to know more. Materia Medica and therapeutics were the most valuable. I found the material easy to follow and thorough. I loved every minute of it and I learned a ton, most impactfully to match the herb to the body, not the body to the herb.”
“Overall a great course, will definitely be recommending it. I loved that I got to watch the making of herbal medicines through detailed videos. I had this idea that it was going to be very costly, but have since learned that lots of these amazing herbs grow right in my backyard. This course has inspired me to continue on the path of herbal medicine and has made me think about exploring holistic nutrition as well!”
“Beyond my expectations. I would highly recommend taking the Home Herbalist Course. It was very comprehensive, informative and well put together. For online learning I found it very easy to follow along and stay on track. I’ve come out with so much inspiration and knowledge to put to good use in my everyday life and that of my family and friends. Thank you to the lovely instructors for all of the knowledge and to Pacific Rim College Online for this wonderful experience.”
“Well worth it—beyond grateful for this program changing my life for the better. I feel healthier than I have ever felt and it’s because I look towards nature now to provide me with relief. I am way more connected to my own body than I’ve been before. Thank you Pacific Rim College Online!”
I feel so empowered and grateful for taking this program that I thought I needed to share this with you. Spreading such a beautiful knowledge is an immeasurable positive contribution to this world and our people. Thank you very much for working hard to put this all together!
I was amazed at how much we can incorporate plant medicine into our daily lives! It was great to see ways they can be used in the foods we prepared and preparations other than teas and tinctures! It was really eye-opening.
“So far, I LOVE that this course allows for the co-existence of the mystical and the scientific in the discourse around plants and medicine; it makes me feel like I’ve found a community in that space, and I feel open and energized by the idea of seeing where this adventure takes me/us – what better time to seize the day.”
“Great. Professional. I really appreciated having the herbal therapeutics component; I wasn’t expecting that.”
“The Home Herbalist Program taught me to be more self-reliant. I can now make my own medicine (such as tea or tincture) to prevent an illness or treat minor health issues so I do not have to visit a doctor for everything. The program is very comprehensive with many beautiful visual aids and it was easy to follow. I enjoyed everything but especially the Materia Medica and Herbal Therapeutics—I keep going back to them over and over.”
“I thought it was affordable, beautifully in-depth and covered many topics well. There is clearly still a lot to learn but I felt everything that was touched on was explained to a good depth. Medicine-making and the Materia Medica were most useful—getting to see the plants growing while having them explained was helpful.”
“I found the Home Herbalist Program very informative, educational and enjoyable. The program materials were excellent. I especially enjoyed the creation part of the program where you were able to start practicing your knowledge.”
“I am delightfully impressed with the Home Herbalist Program and thrilled I was able to participate and complete this enriching course. It was thorough and very well presented. I am grateful for the deeper connection to the plants and the treasured education to their many benefits.”
“I was very interested in healing herbs and food and how they would assist in healing the body naturally. I loved the Home Herbalist Program and found the materials very useful and informative. It was very fun learning, and I really liked the wonderful flow from healing herbs to body and overall health to cooking—it was very well put together. I really enjoyed this course, and am looking forward to taking the Community Herbalist program.”
“I loved it! I found the videos so useful for my style of learning. I think everything I learned in this course I will carry into my day-to-day life. I am most excited about gifting my loved ones with herbal medicine.”
“Being able to pursue an interest at home on my own time with no pressure… was a fantastic choice. I enjoyed the instructors. I love the guidebooks. I recommend it if you are wanting just a simple connection with nature, a great step to get started and not get too overwhelmed. Happy I chose to complete the Home Herbalist certificate.”
“This course was really nourishing, the teachers were all fantastic. I could really see the passion in every one of them; the way they integrated their love of nature into their everyday life is exactly what I want to do. I am extremely thankful for what they brought to my life. This program is extremely rich and I will recommend it to anyone that might be interested!”
“Very detailed and well-researched. I am so grateful for this course. I learned so much in such a motivating, entertaining way. I have been recommending this course to everyone who is looking to improve their knowledge of herbal medicine.”
“Fantastic. I have always loved plants and have studied them botanically but never medicinally—I wanted to know more. Materia Medica and therapeutics were the most valuable. I found the material easy to follow and thorough. I loved every minute of it and I learned a ton, most impactfully to match the herb to the body, not the body to the herb.”
“Overall a great course, will definitely be recommending it. I loved that I got to watch the making of herbal medicines through detailed videos. I had this idea that it was going to be very costly, but have since learned that lots of these amazing herbs grow right in my backyard. This course has inspired me to continue on the path of herbal medicine and has made me think about exploring holistic nutrition as well!”
“Beyond my expectations. I would highly recommend taking the Home Herbalist Course. It was very comprehensive, informative and well put together. For online learning I found it very easy to follow along and stay on track. I’ve come out with so much inspiration and knowledge to put to good use in my everyday life and that of my family and friends. Thank you to the lovely instructors for all of the knowledge and to Pacific Rim College Online for this wonderful experience.”
“Well worth it—beyond grateful for this program changing my life for the better. I feel healthier than I have ever felt and it’s because I look towards nature now to provide me with relief. I am way more connected to my own body than I’ve been before. Thank you Pacific Rim College Online!”