Curious to hear what it’s like to study herbal medicine in the UK from one of our intensive herbalism course students in her own words? Meg joined the journey for her first year in 2023 and has continued on to year two. Along the journey, her mind has continued to be blown by the depth of power of both the plants and our bodies and the strong community of her cohort has continued to support her on her journey. Read on to hear more of her experience.
Why did you choose to continue your study of herbal medicine in the UK with us for another year?
Life has been extremely busy in 2024, and there has not been enough time to do all that I would like with the herbs. However, the whole course has been so wonderful, I couldn't imagine not carrying on to Year 3, would be bereft without you all! Year 3 details sound so good, and it adds on to Years 1 and 2 to make a sense of completion to the whole 3 years. Meghan really knows her subject and you can believe what she teaches you, and she does it with passion and humour and patience.
How has your understanding of herbal medicine deepened during the second year of the course?
Meghan has given us a better understanding of the energetics of the plants, and the rise and fall and cycle of the seasons. I have learnt something about the pagan / Celtic names for the seasons, and the traditions therein. And my "AHA" mind blowing moment was the information regarding the digestions and filtering of foods down through the different Ayurvedic channels! Still mind blown by that! The lessons about combining and using herbs in their various forms have been so useful for everyday life.
How has your relationship with the seasons changed by studying herbal medicine in the UK?
I appreciate more fully the different opportunities for living your life during each season, and how to try and manage the physical and mental changes throughout the year.
What did you most enjoy about year two?
Learning more about Ayurveda; talking and listening with everyone and exchanging experiences. And always the herbs!
What most surprised you?
How effective and wonderful herbs are at helping to maintain a happy and healthy lifestyle - I didn't expect such greatness in using and enjoyment of learning. How glorious walks have become, and how wonderful to just sit and listen to the plants around me for a time. (I NEVER thought that this would be something I could do since life has always been so busy. Making time for this has been really transformative).
What's the one word you would use to describe how you feel having completed two years of Awaken Herbal Wisdom?
Transformative!
If you could share one piece of advice to someone considering studying herbal medicine in the UK with us, what would you tell them?
Don't overthink or doubt, just join in! Everyone is really friendly, and the things that you will learn will be life changing, fascinating, informative, useful - what you learn will become a part of you and change your life for the better, whether or not you expect that, however far you decide to take your herbal travels.
What's the next step for you on your herbal journey?
I will continue with my learning from different sources - it is very useful to hear what others have to say, and Meghan's teachings have given me the ability to sort out the wheat from the chaff, and try to learn in an analytical, mindful and positive way. My herb garden is being replanned this winter - my whole garden in fact. It is my plan to make more time for remedy making - tinctures, teas, poultices, everything!
Meghan’s reflections on Meg's journey
Meg began her journey with us way back on a series of seasonal herbal workshops and has been with us ever since. She brings such life and humour to the group and is well known for her brilliant, thought-provoking questions. Whenever Meg is with us, she adds a whole other level to our conversations. These discussions, alongside the tight-knit community that forms with each cohort, enrich the journey for everyone beyond measure. And that’s a learning in itself. Yes, as the teacher I create the structure and guide each of the students and groups along their journey, but it’s the alchemy of when different people with different perspectives, different experiences, different thought processes come together to learn, discuss and explore that creates that magic spark. Each group travels to its own depths, takes its own mini excursions. Although the content is the same across a year level, the learning takes it own unique form for each cohort. Meg is her cohort’s alchemist in many ways, and I cannot wait to dive into her questions in year three!
If you’re feeling inspired by Meg'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 studying herbal medicine in the UK is, 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!
