The Practicing Herbalist

200 HOUR CERTIFICATE PROGRAM Taught by herbalists Lupo Passero and Ilana Sobo

Is it time to take your herbal medicine studies to the next level? Would you like to learn how to begin to work with family, friends and community members to help them to find health and wellness through herbalism? Have you already studied herbalism and participated in courses earning over 300 hours of study? Then this course is for you!

This 9 month immersion course is meant to help you take the steps to becoming an Herbal Practitioner.  Skills you will learn include holistic approaches to disease, how to take a health history, traditional assessment skills, how to determine what herbal remedies to use, holistic counseling skills, and energetic medicines as well as a in-depth training on traditional approaches to Ayurvedic healing.  Advanced herbal students will participate in a variety of experiences including, observing seasoned herbalists, round table learning exercises, putting your herbal education into practice and beginning to professionally work with friends, family and community members.

What makes this course unlike any other clinical training?

• Integrating Ayurveda Practices and Herbology into Western Herbalism

• Emphasizing Each Individuals Unique Constitution

• Utilizing Herbal Energetics for Protocols Specific to Each Client

• Spiritual, Mental, Physical Alignment (for both Practitioner and Client)

• Addressing the Root Cause of Chronic Illness with Flower Essence Therapy

• Food as Medicine, Holistic Nutrition and Natural Supplementation

• Integrative Experience Emphasizing Both Folk & Clinical Applications of Botanical Medicine

• Dedicated Individual 1:1 Herbal Mentorship

• Skills to Make a Living as a Professional Herbalist

• Intimate Training with TWO Professional Herbal Clinicians (with 50+ years herbal experience combined)
  

Pre-requisites needed To join this program: 

• Graduation from combined 300-hour herbal education programs (Twin Star’s Foundations of Herbalism, Practice and Protocol of Herbalism are accepted prerequisites)

• Flower Essence Training or ability to show equivalent training or mentorship (Twin Star’s The Art of Flower Essence Therapy course is accepted as a prerequisite)

• Introduction to Ayurveda: This is a 4-hour class and is available for purchase HERE.

• Students are expected to know basic anatomy and physiology, medicine making skills, flower essence therapy, and have compiled a materia medica portfolio.

This is a two-part course:

Part One - April through August
Classes held bi-weekly April through August are on a variety of topics above and meet online from 9 am to 5 pm.
Topics Covered: Communication and Mindful Listening Skills, Assessment Skills (tongue/facial), Holistic Intakes and Forms, Steps to a visit, Apothecary Herbalism, Ayurvedic Approaches to Herbalism, Intuitive Herbalism, How to Properly Research Herbs & Drug/Herb Interactions, Basic Health Assessment Skills, Recognizing Red Flags, Popular Supplements, Herbal Legalities, Ethics and Boundaries, Community Outreach and Marketing, Community Herbalism in Action, Setting up a Clinical Practice, Round Table Session

Part Two - September through December
Students will be responsible for offering 8 independent herbal consultations with clients, with dedicated and fully supported herbal mentorship time (per consult) with Clinical herbalist Ilana Sobo. In each clinical mentorship session, students review their cases in depth, share their holistic protocol, which includes herbal and nutritional support and flower essences. Students utilize this very unique opportunity to refine their clients protocols and formulations as needed, check in about any potential contraindications, and ask pertinent questions regarding the clients individual needs. In addition, these mentorship sessions provide emotional support for the students, such as boundary work and energetic hygiene, which encourages the budding practitioner to find their own unique voice, instilling within them, the confidence needed to create affective and efficacious herbal practices and protocols. All classes, consultations and mentorship time will meet online via zoom.

2024 Class Dates:

Tuesdays from 9 am to 5 pm—April 2 and 9, May 7 and 21, June 11 and 25, July 9 and 23, August 6 and 28

2024 Mentorship Dates:

Available by appointment Tuesdays September through December

​Application and Interview: 

Please note that an application and interview are required before acceptance to this program. You may fill out an application by clicking the button below.

​Investment

Tuition for Part 1 (Training Hours) of this course is $2,700

Tuition for Part 2 (Mentorship Hours) of this course is $800

$3,500 total

A $500 non-refundable deposit is due upon acceptance to reserve your place; this is applied towards tuition. All deposits made are non-refundable and non-transferrable.
The remaining $3,000 can be paid at once or in 10 monthly payments of $300.

Please fill out this enrollment form upon acceptance to the program.

Meet Your Instructors

“Together, Ilana and Lupo have built a program that more than prepared me to launch my own consultation services.” K. Foss 2021 Graduate

What our Beloved graduates have to say about THe Practicing Herbalist program

“There are many choices out there for herbal education. However, Twins Star’s Practicing Herbalist program is the only one I have found that approaches the many facets of being a practicing herbalist—providing consultation and support to others on their wellness journey. This program is taught by two Wise Women who bring decades of diverse and practical experience, deep knowledge and love of the plants, and a genuine and intuitive understanding of nature’s energy and spirit. No other program I have found stresses the importance of setting boundaries, launching a practice, and all of the logistics and considerations for success. Most impressive was the overlay of various approaches to understanding wellness. Lupo Passero is an intuitive and knowledgeable herbalist and shares her deep knowledge of Western Herbalism, Flower Essences, and how to run and grow a successful business while Ilana Sabo brings her vast experience and understanding of Ayurvedic wisdom and plant energy. The program combines a classroom approach with plenty of case studies and practical experience. Beyond the classroom, we had a semester of providing consultation in tandem with a classmate, and with the support of Lupo and Ilana as mentors. This student practitioner opportunity helped me launch herbal consultation with confidence by providing support, guidance and feedback. Together, Ilana and Lupo have built a program that more than prepared me to launch my own consultation services here at Moon Mama Herbals.” - Kris F. of Moon Mama Herbals

“The Practicing Herbalist program ties together all the previous courses offered Twin Star. I see this program as the icing on the cake! It applies everything I have learned over the past few years and gave me the confidence and experience I needed to become a practicing herbalist.” -Chris C. DAc, LAc, Dipl Ac, CES of acusporttherapy.com

“I am so happy I took The Practicing Herbalist course! It truly helped me feel confident in going out into the community and working with clients. Getting to do the practice herbal consultations was my favorite part and really helped me to put all that I’ve been learning in Levels I, II, & III together! Having the mentor meetings was invaluable. Lupo & Ilana are wonderful teachers and shine in teaching this course!”- Shannon Monroe LPC, ATR

“This course was a a true gift with what was offered on a practical manner of what it will look like stepping into the role of a clinical herbalist. Learning more on incorporating Ayurveda in to my practice and formulations has been really really helpful when meeting an individual and their constitution. It has also been a safe and comfortable space to be vulnerable with what comes up as I step into this role, my experience and feeling like I have somewhere to bring up questions. Meeting with clients, formulating and having follow up meetings with Ilana has really help build my confidence and feel supported as I walk this path.” - Clara Pagliaro

“This course was such a great hands on education on how to take your knowledge of herbs to the next level & share it with the world as a clinician. I thoroughly enjoyed the material we learned, from learning how to read blood work, a fantastic intro into essential vitamins, minerals, dietary supplements, & Ayurvedic philosophy. This course will help you gain the experience & confidence to get the ball rolling on starting your own herbal practice.” - Marissa Lucia Brown