Our Approach

The forests of Carolinian Canada are home to over 2,000 plants. Aboriginal people have been using medicinal plants in traditional health care systems for thousands of years. This knowledge, transmitted by oral tradition from generation to generation, has been eroding in recent decades due to rapid cultural change. 98% percent of these plants have the potential to be used as local medicine.

An herbalist occupies a unique position, bridging the gap between humans and plants. They care for medicinal plants, the natural world, and the Earth. By forging a connection between people and plants, herbalists guide the path to healing. Their work is both a source of joy and an honour as they strive to restore balance and harmony to the world around them. Ultimately, the journey of the herbalist is one of regeneration and reverence.

This program allows you to learn about the diverse and intricate language of the plant world. You will discover the interconnected relationships between different plants, their unique properties, and their subtle healing qualities. By completing this program, you will become a Community Herbal Educator – an advocate for using wild and native plant medicines. Join us and explore the fascinating world of plant-based healing.

Reconnect with nature and tap into your natural ability to connect with the plant world. Learn from and be nourished by the life-giving power of the plants surrounding you. Reclaim your birthright to gather, prepare, and create plant-based medicines that support your physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual health.

Medicine of  the People

Plants have been essential for nourishment and healing in every culture throughout history. In today’s fast-paced world, it’s necessary to recognize and respect the power of nature. A plant medicine program that integrates traditional herbal knowledge, wild plant intelligence, and ecological design of permaculture is revolutionizing this field. Herbal medicine is gaining popularity, and more people might increase their use of herbs in the coming years. Those who know how to develop, sustain, harvest, produce, and recommend natural medicines are highly valued and in demand.

A unique opportunity to gain a deeper understanding of plants by observing where they grow and how they thrive. Our herbal programs are designed to be practical and engaging, making them applicable to everyday life.

The Leadership Pathway

“To become a true herbalist, means to be sensitive to the being of the herbs, to commune in receptive awareness with the plant-light of the universe. It is to listen when the plant speaks, to speak to the plant as to another human being, and to look upon it as one’s teacher.” 
- Dr. David Frawley and Dr, Vasant Lad, The Yoga of Herbs

We seek passionate change agents willing to collaborate and develop fresh ideas for socially equitable and ecologically restorative lifestyles. We are looking for individuals eager to take risks and pioneer a new approach in this field.

We seek passionate change-makers eager to pioneer socially equitable and ecologically restorative lifestyles. If you’re ready to take risks and bring fresh, transformative ideas to the field, this course is for you.

This journey is for those craving hands-on experience in herbalism and ecological education, aiming to cultivate a profound, lasting connection with medicinal plants. With Shantree’s guidance—blending ancient wisdom and practical herbalism—you’ll explore the deep powers of plants and develop a holistic understanding that expands your personal and ecological growth.

By learning from the wild and native plants, we’ll align with nature’s cycles, offering a blueprint for thriving, harmonious communities. This course perfectly complements any self-directed study in herbalism, wholistic nutrition, forest gardening, or permaculture. Through action learning and real-life projects, you’ll gain professional design skills while nurturing personal and ecological regeneration, catalyzing positive change in your community.

The Process

“Tell me and I forget, teach me and I may remember, involve me and I learn.” - Benjamin Franklin

The course offers a beautiful blend of modern science and trans-disciplinary knowledge essential to becoming an herbal educator.

This course offers a beautiful blend of modern science and ancient herbal wisdom, providing hands-on experience in meadows, fields, forests, and the herbal apothecary. You’ll gain practical skills essential for becoming a dynamic herbal educator, with tools for visioning, project development, and community stewardship. Along the way, we’ll explore key leadership principles like gratitude, balance, and resilience, grounding your leadership in nature and helping you foster deep, meaningful connections with others.

Through this journey, you’ll develop a unique, intimate relationship with wild plants and learn how to draw inspiration from them to guide your life and leadership. We’ll dive into ecological design thinking, bioregionalism, and the principles of deep ecology, exploring how they relate to herbalism and regenerative practices.

By the end of this course, you’ll have the skills and confidence to facilitate community projects, design regenerative systems, and create sustainable, impactful change. You’ll also develop a deeper understanding of the relationship between nature, well-being, and resource consumption, empowering you to lead with purpose and attuned awareness.

• Explore the powerful connection between ecological design, bioregionalism, and herbal design and how they shape regenerative practices.

• Dive into deep ecology, systems thinking, and Gaia theory, applying living systems principles to design interconnected systems, objects, and spaces.

• Cultivate personal and group inquiry practices to awaken awareness of the interconnectedness between people, society, and nature.

• Enhance your design, communication, and facilitation skills to empower communities and foster meaningful connections.

• Co-create hands-on, participatory approaches to regenerative design, applying these practices to real-world projects while exploring the link between environment, well-being, and resource use.

2025 Practical Herbalism Schedule

Medicine of the People
Foundational Weekend Workshop & Friday Evening Herb Walk (7-9 pm)
May 2 - 4, 2025
9-5 pm.

Unlock the ancient art of herbalism, where plants become powerful allies for your well-being. Connect with time-honored traditions and discover how to craft plant-based wonders for a vibrant, balanced life. Step into the magic of nature’s wisdom and awaken the power of plants.

The Essential Dozen: Awakening Your Inner Herbalist (Online Module I)
Dates: May 8, 15, 22, 29, 2025 (Thursday Evenings)
Time: 7:00 PM – 9:30 PM

Step into the world of herbalism and discover the essential plants that hold the keys to natural wellness. Learn to connect with the plant world on a deeper level, building a personal herbal repertoire to transform your life.

• The Sacred Circle: Unlocking the Power of the Essential Dozen

• Plant Allies: Building Your Herbal Repertoire

• The Wisdom of Nature: Crafting Daily Rituals with Herbs

• The Herbalist's Path: Empowering Yourself with Plant Knowledge

The Family/Community Herbalist’s Craft: The Art of Medicine-Making (Online Module II)
Dates: June 5, 12, 19, 26, 2025 (Thursday Evenings)
Time: 7:00 PM – 9:30 PM

Dive deep into the sacred craft of medicine-making, where plants are transformed into powerful creations that nourish and protect. Learn ancient alchemical techniques to craft herbal preparations that support the well-being of your family and community.

• The Spirit of the Earth: Plants as Sacred Teachers

• Harvesting with Reverence: Ethical Foraging and Connection to Nature

• Timeless Wisdom: Exploring the Deep History of Plant Medicine

• Ecological Wisdom: Plants and Their Role in the Web of Life

The Ecological Herbalist: Connecting with the Roots of Plant Wisdom (Online Module III)
Dates: July 3, 10, 17, 24, 2025 (Thursday Evenings)
Time: 7:00 PM – 9:30 PM

Embark on a journey that links plants with the earth, ecology, and sustainable practices. Discover how plants are integral to the balance of life and explore their deep, interconnected wisdom within the ecosystem.

• The connection between plants, ecology, and sustainable practices

• How to harvest and forage ethically

• Exploring the deep history of plant medicine

• A closer look at specific plants and their role in the ecosystem

Registration

Medicine of the People
Foundational Weekend Workshop & Friday Evening Herb Walk
May 2 - 4, 2025

2025 Dates:
May 8 - 29 - The Essential Dozen: Awakening Your Inner Herbalist – (Module I)
June 5 - 26 – The Family/Community Herbalist: The Art of Medicine-Making (Module II)
July 3 - 24 – The Ecological Herbalist: The Roots of Plant Medicine– (Module III)

Time: 7 – 9:30 pm. 

Note: Only 12 positions are available

Early-Bird – $1250 (payment one month before starting date) 
Regular Price – $1500 

Certification Package – Register for this Practical Herbalism Course & Practcial Herbalism Correspondence Course together for $2500

• If funds are available, partial scholarships of up to $250 off the Regular Price of $1250 are available.
  Please call: 519-652-0230

Includes:

• 12-Week Online Learning Sessions

• Study e-Manual /Handouts

• Integrative Home-Study Research Projects

• 3-One-on-One Hour Sessions (spaced out between each training)

*Certificate of Completion in Practical Herbalism is granted upon completing this Course and our Visionary Herbalism Long-Distance Learning Course.

Payment can be made through e-transfer (bank-to-bank transfer) using PayPal below or through the link below. Please make cheques payable and mailed to The Living Centre 5871 Bells Rd., London, ON., Canada, N6P 1P3.

Please note that we require a minimum number of registrants for the program. If we do not receive the minimum registration, you will be notified one week before the start date, and a full refund will be issued for the amount paid until then. 

For questions or additional information, please call 519-519-652-0230 or email info@thelivingcentre.com