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 and Briel until spring of 2025. If you are interested in apprenticing in the future please reach out.
Foundations of Holistic Herbalism:
2025 Dates: May 25th, June 22nd, July 27th, Aug 17th, Sept 21st 930-330pm – Registration Open!
Our 2024 class is full. Registration is open for 2025 with the dates above. 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).
Upcoming Classes by Month:
October
1st: Community Supported Herbalism Basket Pick up Date – runs August 6th – October 1st (pick up in storms town or at Rhoneymeade). Get an herbal basket of goodies and information on what to do with it all. (Signing up for a share gives Holistic Herbalism Certificate: 3 hours medicine making credit). If you missed our first basket and want to sign up for September or October we can prorate the cost. Reach out!
3-6th: Medicinal and Edible Plant Walks at the Mountaincraft and Music Gathering. October 3-6, 2024. Dana O’Driscoll will be offering plant walks at the forthcoming Mountaincraft earth skills gathering. Details TBD. (Holistic Herbalism Certificate: 1 hour Stewardship and Identification)
12th: Fall Festival at Rhoneymeade. 12-4pm. The PA herb school will have a table at the Rhoneymeade medicinal herb garden at the even with teas and various garden harvest items/goodies for sale to benefit the garden. We will also be available if you have questions or want a tour of the medicinal herb garden.
15th 5:30-7:30pm: Introduction to Herbal Actions, Herbal Energtics, and Creating Herbal Tinctures and Glycerites WAITLIST AVAILABLE Join Dana Driscoll at the Folk school (580 Suite 1, Philadelphia Street in downtown Indiana, PA) explore a core aspect of traditional western herbalism: herbal actions how those correspond to states of the body and mind. Specifically, we will explore the foundational ways that herbs work on our bodies and minds, and understand how to use these herbs in systematic ways for healing and good health. We will also explore creating two kinds of potent herbal preparation: an alchohol-based tincture and a glycerate. We will also cover two common herbs found in the Appalacian Folk tradition: Hawthorn (Crataegus spp.) and Elderberry (Sambucus canadensis). All participants will leave with creating a tincture from these two plants. Register: https://www.naffinc.org/calendar
27th: 930-2:30pm Fifth Foundations of Holistic Herbalism Series Class with Briel Beaty. This class is only open to students who have participated in at least 2 other series classes this season. In this class you will learn how to make a well rounded herbal formula. We will taste/experience a variety of tinctures/herbs and share course end projects. (Holistic Herbalism Certificate: 4-hours credit TBD)
November
November 3rd 10:30-12:30 PM Herbal First Aid Class at Rhoneymeade join Briel Beaty to learn some herbal first aid basics and start crafting your own herbal first aid kit. An herbal first aid kid is a wonderful edition to any home, car or backpacking pack. Learn the categories of herbs you should include in your kit and how to get organized. We will cover the basic material medica (how herbs are used) of suggested herbs for the kits as well as how to personalize your kit to meet you and your families needs. Sliding scale $25-45.
November 12th 5:30-7:30pm: Kitchen Herbalism and Herbal Infused Vinegars Join Dana Driscoll at the Folk school (580 Suite 1, Philadelphia Street in downtown Indiana, PA) to explore how everyday herbs found in the kitchen can be used for potent healing and promoting good health. We will cover a range of commonly found kitchen herbs that can be used to address a range of healing needs including ginger, cinnamon, mint, oregano, thyme, and rosemary. We will talk about these herbs medicinal qualities in relationship to common winter ailments: colds, flus, sinus pressure, GI issues, and feeling run down. We will discuss common approaches to using kitchen herbs: herbal steams, herbal vinegars, and food additives. Each participant will have an opportunity to craft their own herbal vinegar to use in daily life. https://www.naffinc.org/calendar
November 16th 12-3pm: Pennsylvania School of Herbalism Social Gathering – Join us for a Fire, Herbal Brew and Potluck at Briel’s homestead in Port Matilda, PA. You will also have the opportunity to view Briel’s apothecary. RSVP for address/details!
Looking into 2025:
January 26th 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.
February 13th – Herbs for the Cold and Flu with Dana additional info coming soon.
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.
February 27th (TWO PART CLASS) and April 10th – Medicinal Mushrooms of the US East Coast and Double-Extract Tinctures with Dana. ONLINE only. Details coming soon.
March 16th 2-3:30pm Hormonal and Endocrine Health with Briel additional info coming soon.
More classes coming soon!
