Pacific School of Herbal Medicine Masthead

"The Pacific School of Herbal Medicine is dedicated to meeting the healthcare needs of our student's future clients."
Adam Seller
School Director

Wild Oats (Avena sativa)

Wild Oats (Avena sativa)

Curriculum 2005

Classes can be taken either on an individual basis or as a program for those interested in becoming professional herbalists. Core classes for those pursuing a comprehensive clinical training in American herbal medicine consist of indoor and field classes. Any class without a prerequisite may be taken on its own.

Core Classes

Intermediate Materia Medica - Survey of 178 Herbs
74 hrs
An in-depth survey of herbal therapeutics in acute and chronic disease, diagnosis, and constitutional therapy, with an introduction to politics of healthcare, multicultural issues, and counseling.
Two Week Wildcrafting Trips
  • High Sierra, Inyo Mountains & Panamint Valley - 43 hrs
  • Redwoods, Trinity Alps & Six-Rivers Area - 43 hrs
Materia Medica II
8 hrs
Thirty-two more plants.
(Prerequisite: Survey of 172 Herbs)
Six Herb Walks
15 hrs
Physiology for the Herbalist
58 hrs
Survey of human physiology with emphasis on neuro-endocrine regulation, constitution, and diagnostic skills, a Darwinian/evolutionary approach that will excite all but the most retrograde vitalist.
Two Weekend Field Trips
  • Point Reyes National Seashore - 13 hrs
  • Tahoe Lakes Basin Wildcrafting Trip - 14 hrs
Advanced Medicine Making
18 hrs
Professional level medicine making
Field Botany
14 hrs
Advanced Constitutional Therapy
40 hrs
(Prerequisites: Physiology & Materia Medica)
Visiting Herbalist Clinical Seminar
Minimum 18 hrs
(Prerequisite: current of past enrollment in Clinical Case Study)
Clinical Case Study and Counseling Skills for the Herbalist
75 hrs
(Prerequisites: Material Medica, Physiology, and consent of instructor)
Recognizing Medical Emergencies & Understanding Common Pharmaceutical Drugs
16 hrs
Student Clinic I
107 hrs
Supervised group client work
(Prerequisite: Clinical Case Study and consent of instructor)
Epidemiology Microbiology Infectious Disease Basics for the Herbalist I
14 hrs
Special Topics
Minimum 20 hrs
Supervised Student Project
1 per semester

Core Classes Total: 711 hours

Non-Core Classes

Introduction to Herbs
16 hrs
Playful introduction bringing edible, medicinal and cosmetic plants into your life.
Creating Your Own Herbal Medicine Chest
10 hrs
Basic home medicine making.
Beginning Herbal Medicine
30 hrs
Basic survey of herbal medicine by body system
Special Topics:
(hours variable)
  • Aromatherapy
  • Woman's Health
  • Gardening
  • Herbs and Massage
  • Herbs for Pregnancy & Young Children
  • Herbal Cosmetics
  • Traditional Chinese Medicine