Folk Herbal Immersion

This 7 month folk herbal immersion, led by Clinical Herbalist Ilana Sobo, offers a unique and transformative educational experience. Through hands on medicine making, deep exploration of plants for each bodily system, and a journey into the time honored practices of folk medicine, you’ll gain the knowledge and skills to confidently integrate herbal practices into your daily life. This journey will not only deepen your connection with nature but also provide a solid foundation for a lifelong relationship with the natural world.

Journey into the Heart of Plant Medicine.

Whether you’re a complete beginner or seeking to expand your skills, this immersion will provide the tools and mentorship needed to help you grow as a plant lover & herbalist.

We offer three paths to step into the Folk Medicine Herbal Immersion

Path 1: Seeds & Roots Folk Herbal Immersion

This course is perfect for beginners and for anyone longing to reconnect with the earth while developing a practical, lived relationship with herbs and wild plants. You will learn how to make traditional folk herbal medicine and how to work with nature as a source of wellness and vitality.

We will explore the foundations of folk herbalism, including hands-on medicine making, Aromatic Herbalism, Flower Essence Therapy, plant lore and folklore, plant spirit medicine, and simple waysto integrate herbs into your daily life and work.

Learning is experiential, sensory, and rooted in relationship with the plants themselves.

The course includes immersive garden time, ethical wildcrafting education, guided plant walks, and seasonal plant wisdom for overall wellness.

Meets once a month on Sundays from 10am-5pm

Also Includes field trips.

Course Dates

Investment- $1,450*

Path 2: The Blooming Path Folk Herbal Immersion

This course path is for students seeking to dive a bit deeper & step into herbalism as a lived, daily practice that blends art, science, and tradition. It is ideal for those who wish to pursue becoming a community or clinical herbalist, create and sell herbal products, or expand their herbal practice into meaningful civic work.

This path includes everything in Seeds & Roots

PLUS: one Wednesday evening circle per month for embodied practices and roundtable discussions.

PLUS: a monthly 2 hour pre-recorded video teaching on the body’s systems and herbs blending science and folk wisdom.

Meets one Sunday + one Wednesday evening per month + online video lessons

Course Dates:

Nov 15

Investment- $2,222*

Path 3: Year 2 Advanced Immersion

For Returning Students

Designed for students who have completed the Roots and Seeds Program and want to continue their studies.

Meets one Wednesday evening per month for embodied practices, materia medicas, integration of skill sets and roundtable discussion

Includes 2.5-hour pre-recorded video teaching on the body’s systems blending science and folk wisdom

Meets in tandem with the the Blooming Path Students and includes field trips and plant walks

Investment- $1100*

Deposits and Location

These classes will be taking place in Shelburne and Burlington, Vermont and will also include plant walks, deep garden immersion, and wildcrafting outings.

A $350 non-refundable deposit secures your space, with monthly payment plans available.

*All 3 Paths are eligible for a 25% scholarship for students who have demonstrated financial need. We also offer a 50% BIPOC Scholarship.

Course Highlights

May 2026

Delve into the history of folk herbalism and the unique co-evolution of humans and plants.
Learn how to design and plant your own medicinal garden with a visit to Red Wagon Herbs in Hinesburg, VT.
Discover the power of wild spring plants, including bitters and lymphatic tonics.
Discuss essential ethical wildcrafting principles to harvest with care and respect.

June 2026

Gain a deep understanding of herbal energetics and actions. Learn how and why herbs work.
Explore herbs for the nervous system and how to support emotional resilience.
Learn the art of tea-making, including therapeutic infusions and decoctions.
Enjoy a plant walk and hands-on garden exploration.
Learn to tap into your intuition with a meditation with the plants

July 2026

Craft herb-infused oils and vinegars for culinary and medicinal purposes Part I.
Intro to Flower Essences and the art of creating flower essences for emotional and spiritual well-being.
Engage in a wild plant walk and practice mindful wildcrafting and harvesting techniques.

August 2026

Craft herb-infused oils and vinegars for culinary and medicinal purposes Part II
Explore herbs for digestive health and the gut-brain connection.
Begin your journey into aromatherapy and the therapeutic power of aromatic plants and how to safely and sustainably work with essential oils.
Continue harvesting and applying folk herbal methods in the garden.

September 2026

Learn how to create simple, effective herbal salves for skin care and wound support.
Study herbal remedies for the whole family, from children to elders.
Dive into the spiritual applications of herbs.
Receive a brief introduction to Ayurveda & its intersection with Western herbal traditions.

October 2026

Focus on herbs for cardiovascular wellness.
Create a home apothecary and herbal tools for harvesting, processing and storing herbs
Learn how to harvest medicinal roots and collect seeds for sustainable gardening.
Prepare your garden for winter and explore the world of medicinal mushrooms.

November 2026

Discover adaptogens & medicinal mushrooms and their role in immune &stress support.
Learn to make elderberry syrup, a seasonal must-have for wellness.
Create medicinal aromatic honey.
Present your final herbal project, showcasing 3 medicinal creations made with your chosen plants
Pot luck feast with your herbal friends.

Questions?

We are so happy to answer them. Please feel free to use our contact form for any preliminary questions. And if you would like to register, to ensure if this course is the right fit for you, we’d love to connect for a brief, friendly chat. This is simply an opportunity to get to know you, answer any questions you might have, and share more about the experience.

Click here to schedule your interview. We can’t wait to hear from you!

This immersion is an opportunity to dive deep into the art and science of herbalism, gaining practical skills that will serve you for a lifetime. From understanding plant energetics to creating your own herbal remedies, to growing a herb garden, you’ll leave this program feeling empowered to make a difference in your health, your community, and the world.

Spaces are limited. This course filled quickly last year. So please don’t hesitate to reach out with questions or secure your place today and begin your journey toward becoming a confident and knowledgeable folk herbalist.

Testimonials

“On my birthday I signed up for my dear friend's folk herbal immersion course. Another dear friend wrote me in all caps. Beyond thrilled that I was joining. The vibes were high. I've spent 7 Saturdays over 7 months with wonderful witchy women learning about plants and herbs from the most passionate, patient, charming and knowledgeable teacher. She's shared their magic . Their mystery , their history. Mythology, Synergies. Seasons. Their properties. Energetics. About collecting ethically. Drying. Preserving. Creating tinctures, oils, salts, and salves.

I began to identify local plants unlearning all we are taught about weeds. Planting new seeds in my mind. I got familiar with the ease of it. The simplicity to trust the plants and myself. We had a field trip to a nursery. I grew an herb garden and watered it twice a day. My herb babies got me to go outside before I started my day and in the early evening… a grounding practice. I talked to them. Touched their leaves. Admired their growth.

We learned all parts of the dandelion. I fell in love with its spirit its strength its adaptive nature its resilience. At the same time I read about our ancestors living within the wildflowers and felt that truth and comfort. We were told to sit with a plant connect with it notice its leaves stem. Flowers. I sat with strawberries. Witnessed their ways. Wrote a poem about them as the world was falling apart. Having briefly forgotten that the world was falling apart while we sat together.

We were given calendula flowers to mix with oil in a jar to leave in a window . Agitate often to see the sun shine through its golden glow. My rosemary grew tall . I cut the tops. Not too much and sang it a song. We were taught to make offerings to the plants . Ask permission for their gifts …see, respect their lives, use our intuition, learn their boundaries and our own. I dried it chopped it . Added oil to it in a small jar and will make a hair oil with it. A natural way to soothe my scalp in the dryness of winter.

Then came the teas. I was waiting for this. Another field trip to a local apothecary. I set up my tea apothecary starting with 15 of my favorite herbs and spices and in a few weeks it has grown to 24. I've put each in a jar with a label and date and filled a cabinet that was waiting for this moment. Like a child in full wonder I get to create blends. I inhale each one as I open their jars feeling like a chemist.. alchemist …magician …witch …remembrance potion maker. I brew. Wait. Inhale. Stir s,ip and take notes . The ritual I've been yearning for . The allies I've been waiting for. Their subtle softness and energy bringing me life.

I peeled organic oranges dried them on our stove diced them up and added them to my tea appreciating their scent and vitamin C. I even used my mortar and pestle to lightly crush cardamom pods for my tulsi chai. I can make my own chai . Avoid licorice ,add elderflower to bring in immunity, spice it up for me and spice it down for my son. I can keep him healthier. He's excited about tea too.

A binder of the most beautiful handouts my scribbled notes and many more books now adorn my shelf. The course is ending but it's only beginning. I got everything I wanted out of it and of course I now plan to make new moon and full moon tea blends to connect my practices the moon with the earth with me in the middle. I'm just so grateful to these friends ,these plants, this practice . Spending 7 Saturdays with 11 witchy women and our wild feral fairy of a teacher.”

— Jennifer K

"I cannot say enough positive things about this experience! Ilana's decades of wisdom combined with her passion for teaching made every plant and lesson come to life. A mix of hands on demonstrations, learning materials and lively discussions provided both practice and an opportunity to go beyond what a conventional course or book could ever provide. To anyone interested in exploring the history, science, and practical applications of folk herbalism, I highly recommend this program!"

— Julia A.

“ I waited a long time to learn from this beautiful person and I did a seven month program with her and I’m going to continue on with another seven months program and I may even continue on after that I am so blessed to have Ilana as my teacher and my friend . I can’t wait in a few weeks for our class. I’m having so much fun making medicine for myself and also making products . I’m feeling confident in myself that I have the knowledge and knowing that I always can reach out to her for help”

— Tammy J.

"I’ve been a clinical herbalist for 10 years, yet I still learned so much from Ilana’s folk herb classes. I’ve taken several. Her teachings combine wisdom, science, and spirituality in a way that feels seamless and deeply enriching. She is both grounded and ethereal, and her love for plants shines through every word. Ilana is truly one of the most inspiring teachers I’ve ever had. If you’re on the fence about taking her classes, don’t hesitate, you won’t regret it."

— Sarah W.

"I’ve taken several of Ilana’s beginner herbalism classes, and each one leaves me inspired and empowered to bring plants into my life in a deeper way. Her joy for teaching is the real deal and It’s like she’s channeling the plants themselves! Ilana creates a safe, warm space where you feel supported no matter your level of experience. Her lessons are practical, magical, and are delivered with so much love."

— Claire S.

“Ilana is a truly gifted teacher whose passion for plants is contagious. I took her Intro to Ayurveda as well as Ayurvedic Herbology course, and it was life-changing. Her depth of knowledge is incredible, yet she shares it with such humility and enthusiasm that you feel like you’re on a magical journey .Time just flies by. Ilana has a way of making even complex concepts easy to understand, and her respect for ancient traditions shines through. Highly recommend to anyone looking to deepen their connection with practices like Ayurveda"

— David R.

“It has been both a joy and a privilege to teach alongside the incredibly talented herbalist, aromatherapist and Ayurvedic practitioner, Ilana Sobo for over a decade now. Her wealth of knowledge is extraordinary. Her cheerful zest and deep love of the plants is contagious. Her knowledge of botanicals and the wisdom of their lore is unlike any other I've ever had the honor of working with before. She is a truly a shining star among herbalists and anyone who gets the privilege to study under her tutelage will be nothing short of delighted.”
- Lupo P, Twin Star Herbal Education

"Ilana’s classes are unlike anything I’ve ever experienced. Her ability to balance the mystical with the practical is remarkable, and she makes every student feel valued and seen. I’ve taken her Reishi and Yarrow classes as well as Intro to Aromatherapy class and they were all transformative. Ilana helps you fall in love with nature. Reishi is part of my daily life now. She is not only knowledgeable but also wise in a way that feels ancient and modern all the same. Her classes are a gift to anyone seeking to connect with the power of plants and Aromatherapy. "

— Emily J.