Herbalism Course UK - How Gillian's Study of Herbalism Uncovered Far More than Just Knowledge of Herbs - Student Story

Curious to hear about the study of herbalism from one of our intensive herbalism course students in her own words? Gillian joined the journey for year one of our intensive herbalism course - Awaken Herbal Wisdom - in 2024. Along the journey, she has developed a new way of thinking of feeling as the herbs work their way deeper into her daily life. Read on to hear more of her experience.

I think it was a slow, natural progression in that direction. As my children grew up I found more time to breathe and embrace the slower pace of country life. I began to take longer walks with my dog and camera and spent hours photographing flowers and plants. I felt I was able to take in more of their beauty by capturing them through the lens to then further enjoy back at home over the edits. I wished I could identify all that I photographed and walked past daily and realised how little I knew about the plants growing in the wild around me. I wanted to learn all their names, just like you would upon meeting new friends, and of course, as a keen forager, whether any were safe to pick and consume.

Google image searches only took me so far. There was a vast amount of information online but also a lot of noise. I wanted my foundation knowledge not only to be solid and credible, but I required to be kept engaged with a certain amount of discipline with scheduled classes rather than complete freewill as to when I’d listen to a lesson.

Initially, I did fall down the Google rabbit hole and found myself wading through the Amazonian swamps and beating my way through a tropical jungle of information overload until I finally landed on Awaken Herbal Wisdom - right back here, at home, in damp, drizzly Yorkshire. I breathed a sigh of relief and realised I should start my journey with the plants on my doorstep. I also didn’t want a pre-recorded, impersonal course that I may have easily lost interest in. When I stumbled across Awaken Herbal Wisdom, I could hardly believe my luck:

“Yorkshire based; in-person meet ups; twice weekly live, interactive zoom classes; hands on remedy making.”

I think the website has been updated since I first visited, but there were a few words in particular that spoke to me : “Do you have the desire to unearth the ancient wisdom that sits deep within your bones?”. Yes. I very much did.

There are many things I’ve enjoyed about the course. Above all, I would say, the fact I have shared the journey with nine other wonderful women (teacher included of course).

The community feel, a sense of belonging and that certain at ease feeling you get when you know you are with likeminded people. At times we learn as much from each other as we do from Meghan.

Secondly, the remedy making has been a highlight. Being able to put the learning into creating a medicinal product in the form of a healing oil, tincture, vinegar, balm etc. For me, learning by doing helps solidify the knowledge and I reap the benefits too by having lots of lovely oils to pour over my skin.

I have always been an avid foodie and keen cook and used plenty of herbs and spices in my cooking, but I had never really considered beyond their flavour enhancing properties. I was blown away to learn there are many other reasons beyond flavouring that we pair certain herbs with certain foods.

Equally, if not more importantly, what has surprised me the most is discovering how deep the layers of knowledge go. How everything links in and begins to make more sense. All the shared aha moments that we have witnessed together as a group. With each lesson a new aspect unfolds and enlightens. How it’s not just about plants and their medicinal value but how they impact us on a physical, emotional and spiritual level as well. Learning how they have always been and will always be there for us. 

The course has provided me with insight I may have otherwise missed. It has opened a door and paved a way to a new way of thinking and being. It has provided me with a firm structure on which to further enhance my own self learning. It has provided me with the confidence to believe in myself and to believe in the power of plants. Once you begin to walk the plant path there really is no turning back.

Empowered / Enriching / Enlightening - (It’s hard to stick to one word!)

I would tell them to do it. They would have no regrets. There is more to Meghan’s teachings than textbooks and pen. The lessons are delivered in a fully immersive, intuitive way. The in-person meets take place in a beautiful, rural setting, unlimited herbal teas and a lunch by Lucy May that makes the soul sing. Without wanting to give too much of the mystery away, everything has been thought out with care and precision. The attention to detail is beyond compare and Meghan’s passion is evident at every turn of the page. Awaken Herbal Wisdom will leave you inspired and motivated.

They say life is about the journey not the destination, which fills me with excitement for all there is yet to learn. I have already signed up for year two of Awaken Herbal Wisdom, but I already know — there is no real end to this journey, nor would I want there to be.

There is always one person in each cohort who is well and truly unleashed when their study of herbalism with us turns the corner towards remedy making, and Gillian is absolutely that person. I recall her excitement mounting as we approached our summer in-person gathering, when the entire day is focused on hands-on herbal medicine making and introducing techniques for multiple types of remedies with both a firm foundation, as well as bringing attention to many important nuances that make for effective remedies (e.g. how certain herbal tastes sing better in some remedy forms than others), rather than cluttered shelves of who knows what and a lot of wasted time, effort and enthusiasm. Since that moment, Gillian’s enthusiasm has never waned. She’s brought us all gorgeous foraged smudge sticks she’s made, she’s made creams and oils, she’s blended teas, she’s upped the ante with her culinary herbs and she’s inspired us all (myself included!) with all of her creativity and passion. I cannot wait to see what she creates in year two!

If you’re feeling inspired by Gillian's experience on our intensive herbal medicine course, you’re very welcome to take the next step on your journey learning herbal medicine with us. The course - Awaken Herbal Wisdom - spans all four seasons and gets herbalism both deep into your bones and your daily life. Registration for our herbal medicine course opens each autumn to the waiting list first, so click here to make sure your name is on it. You’ll receive updates on the current year’s cohort as they go on their own journeys and then first access when enrolment opens. For more details about the structure, content and energy of our intensive herbalist course, you can learn more here.

Whatever your next step is in your study of herbalism, I hope you enjoy the journey!

At Rhodes Roots & Remedies School of Herbal Medicine, our practice of herbalism is rooted in the belief that we must remember, reclaim and relearn our knowledge of our bodies, our autonomy and how to work with plant medicine in order to bring control of our own health back into our families and homes for a sustainable future for ourselves and the planet. Through our intensive herbalism course, we facilitate the development of confident, empowered herbalists, attuned to the messages of their bodies and the natural world. Living the deep wisdom of herbal medicine within themselves, their homes and their communities, they uplift themselves and others, creating a stronger society organically. We do hope you'll join us on your journey!