The Pennsylvania School of Herbalism offers classes in Western Pennsylvania (Indiana County), Central Pennsylvania (Centre County), and for various groups and gatherings in the region. We update this page regularly with the most current class schedule. If you would like to attend one of our classes you can register/pay here or contact us for more information. Some classes have a different registration site, those are listed below if applicable.
A note about mentor/apprenticeships: Apprenticeships are full for both Dana in 2025 and Briel until spring of 2025. If you are interested in apprenticing please reach out.
Foundations of Holistic Herbalism:
2025 Fully in Person Class Dates: May 25th, June 22nd, July 27th, Aug 17th, Sept 21st 930-330pm – Registration Open, two spots remain!
This course functions as the foundation of our Holistic Herbalism Certificate and covers a range of herbal practices. Please see the Foundations of Holistic Herbalism Course for more details. This class meets at Rhoneymeade in Centre Hall, PA with some field trips locally (Can’t make all the dates? Make up options available).
2025 Hybrid Class: Since our 2025 in person class is almost full we are exploring offering a hybrid version of the foundations class that would meet select Tuesday evenings EST 630-830pm and two Saturdays at Rhoneymeade in Centre Hall. If you are interested in joining our hybrid class please email Briel to register. The course will include all of the Foundations content just in a different format.
Upcoming Classes by Month:
JANUARY 2025:
January 11th 10am – 11:15pm EST Herbs for Chronic and Acute Injury, treating Pain and Inflammation. This class is ONLINE only. Participants will receive a recording good for 2 weeks, so you can also sign up if you cannot attend live. Sliding scale $8-20.
January 23rd 7:30pm – 9:30pm EST (2nd class March 6th)- Introduction to Medicinal Mushrooms: Medicinal Virtues, Herbal Preparations, and Foraging – Class 1 of 2. Fully online with Dana Driscoll. In this two-part virtual class, Dana Driscoll from the Pennsylvania School of Herbalism will provide a thorough introduction to mushroom medicine: herbal virtues, preparation, and uses, as well as how to identify and safely forage for common medicinal mushrooms. The class will focus on mushrooms that are found in the Northeastern United States, although many of these mushrooms are also found globally. The course will cover eight different common medicinal mushrooms and two different herbal preparations: the double-extracted mushroom tincture and mushroom salves. We will also discuss mushroom taxonomy and identification features, and wild mushroom foraging safety. Register here!
Session 1 on January 23 will cover:
- Introduction to the Fungi Kingdom and Mushroom parts
- Medicinal Mushrooms covered: Reishi Chaga, Turkey Tail, Chaga, and Lion’s Mane
- Herbal Preparation: Double-Extracted Mushroom Tincture
- Taking and Using Mushrooms as part of wellness
FEBRUARY 2025:
February 10th – 5:30 – 7:30pm – Herbs for the Immune System and Making Traditional Fire Cider to Combat Winter Illnesses. Location: Indiana, PA: 580 Suite 1, Philadelphia Street in downtown Indiana. Join Dana Driscoll from the Pennsylvania School of Herbalism as we explore herbs to support and strengthen our immune system. We will explore the difference between herbs that prevent the cold, flu, and other seasonal illnesses and herbs that actively support our bodies during the cold and flu season. We will discuss the body’s immune system, how it works, and how we can craft herbal blends that strengthen the immune system. We will explore the herbal preparation of the oxymel (a combination of honey and vinegar). Together, we will make the traditional Fire Cider including pungent and warming herbs, roots and fruits combined with apple cider vinegar and honey that help keep you healthy! Register at: https://www.naffinc.org/calendar
February 22nd 930-430pm: Winter Wellness Retreat at O-An Zendo In Julian. Register here! The day’s activities include: Yoga, Sound Healing, Herbalism, Qi Gong, Holistic Self Care and Walking Meditation. A vegetarian lunch (vegan option available) as well as handcrafted herbal tea and treats will be provided throughout the day. Sliding Scale $85-125, registration opening soon! Check back for link or email to be put on the list to be the first to know.
MARCH 2025:
March 6th, 7:30 – 9:30pm EST –Medicinal Virtues of Introduction to Medicinal Mushrooms: Medicinal Virtues, Herbal Preparations, and Foraging – Class 2 of 2 – In this two-part virtual class, Dana Driscoll from the Pennsylvania School of Herbalism will provide a thorough introduction to mushroom medicine: herbal virtues, preparation, and uses, as well as how to identify and safely forage for common medicinal mushrooms. If you missed the first part of class no worries, you can still Register here and get the video from that portion. Class 2 will cover:
- Medicinal Mushrooms: Birch Polypore, Cordyceps, Hen of the Woods, Oysters, Shitake
- Herbal Preparation: Mushroom topicals and salves
- Foraging for Mushrooms: Key ID features, safety, and guidelines
March 16th 2-3:30pm Hormonal and Endocrine Health with Briel at Rhoneymeade. Join us as we explore herbs to support our hormonal system. We will dive in to herbs to balance our blood sugar, thyroid, adrenal and reproductive health. You will have the opportunity to taste and see many of these balancing herbs. Sliding Scale $15-$35.
APRIL 2025:
April 5th, 2025 9:30-1115am EST – Adaptogens for Physical and Mental Wellness: Herbs for Resilience in Body and Mind with Briel Fully Online. In this class we will dive into the herbal category of Adaptogens. Adaptogens are herbs that help our bodies/systems and tissues modulate and come back to balance. This class will cover herbs like: ginseng, Schizandra, Tulsi, Astragulus, Reishi, Ashwaganda and more! The class is fully online with the option of purchasing an adaptogen kit for local pick up or shipping. Sliding scale for class $20-40. Adaptogen Kit details and price coming soon. Shipping $5.
April 17th, 2025 –An Appalachian Tradition: Crafting Spring Tonics, Herbal Sodas, and Old Fashioned Root Beers
. Join Dana Driscoll from the Pennsylvania School of Herbalism to explore the rich Appalachian tradition of crafting root beers and other herbal sodas using local ingredients like spruce tips, sarsaparilla roots, sassafras roots, black birch bark, and more. We will explore the medicinal virtues of a range of roots and barks that are important to our regional heritage and will also discuss foraging tips for where to find these and how to harvest. Two different methods for We will craft two different herbal sodas together, and all attendees will have an opportunity to take some soda syrup home with them and sample both sodas we create. Register at: https://www.naffinc.org/calendar
