Description
Learn the foundations of making and using your own herbal medicine.
This class engages all your senses in a hands-on approach to learning:
- Medicine making techniques
- Herbal First Aid
- Identification and use of common wild herbs
- Herbal remedies for common imbalances
- The art of creating herbal formulas
- How to enjoy wild foods
Our Syllabus
Tuition includes samples of an abundant variety of products we will craft together
(Fall 2026 dates coming soon)
- Jan. 22 – Introduction to the healing ways of plants + the art of Tea preparation
- Jan. 29 – Herbal Oils + Salves: preparation and use
- Feb. 2 – Herb Walk – Kneeland, CA
- Feb. 5 –Tinctures + Liniments: preparation and use
- Feb. 12 – Herbal First Aid, Poultices, and Fomentations
- Feb. 19 – Building Herbal Formulas
- February 26 – Herbal First Aid continued + Herbal Pill and “Goo” preparation
- March 2 – Herb Walk in Trinidad
- March 5 – Herbs for common imbalances + Syrup and Shrub preparation
- March 12 – Herbs for common imbalances continued + Herbal First Aid Kits + Celebration!
Ask Questions
Contact Allison: allison@dandelionherb.com, 707-407-5617
Registration Form
Please complete this quick form when you register so we can learn a bit more about you before class.
About Your Teachers
Allison Poklemba is a teacher, botanist, herbalist, environmental educator, Co-director of Dandelion Herbal Center, founder of Backcountry Press, artist, mother, friend, and always curious student of nature. She has been concocting potions since childhood and teaching at Dandelion Herbal Center since 2002 — she also carries a special place in her heart just for seaweed.
Jessica Shepherd is Co-director of Dandelion Herbal Center. She has been working as a Community Herbalist at Humboldt Herbals since 2004 while also teaching a myriad of classes and pursuing extensive studies and certifications in the field of Aromatherapy, including distillation. She has developed successful herbal product lines, top-selling tea blends, created an award-winning recipe published in the book Fire Cider, and has been teaching at Dandelion Herbal Center since 2015.
Kristen (verified owner) –
This class is one of the best learning experiences I’ve ever had. I can honestly say my life has changed in such a magical way after taking this course. Allison and Jessica are so beautiful, so educated, and so much fun to learn with. I would highly recommend this class to anyone who has felt even a tickle of curiosity or connection to plant medicine. It is worth every penny, there’s no monitory value that can compare to what you gain from this course. The friendships made and knowledge shared is priceless. I’m looking forward to taking the 10 month program next year.
Tina (verified owner) –
The class with Allison and Jessica was wonderful. I took this class with Jane many years ago and wanted a refresher, and also to support and learn from these two experienced and respected herbalists. I was thrilled that it was an in-person class, & everything felt safe and welcoming. It’s so much fun to be with like-minded people who love and connect with plants. This is an excellent beginners or refresher class. The culmination of the class is we made our own herbal first aid kits. I’m happy and relieved to have this in my cabinet ready to go when needed. I wouldn’t mind taking an herb class every week, I loved it so much.
Jess –
what an awesome class!! such a beautiful introduction to herbalism and the practical magic that goes into working with plants. jessica and allison are wonderfully diverse in their approach and knowledge and it is a gift to get to study and learn with them! super inspiring.. 10/10 would do it again!
Allison Poklemba –
Thank you, Jess! You brought so much joy to our class — excited to share time in the Ten Month with you!
Aubrey (verified owner) –
Making the decision to take the 8 week beginning herbalism was one of the best decisions I’ve made. The instructors Allison and Jessica brought lovely, unique, and well experienced perspectives to the class. Their assistant Sarah was also a comical joy and pleasure to have with us. The two hours a week didn’t feel like enough and it was VERY clear just a couple classes in that I would be committing to the upcoming 10 month course as well. I feel more called, interested and connected to the plants and am thankful to have been guided by these lovely & inspiring herbalists.
Allison Poklemba –
Thank you, Aubrey! Love your creativity. We can’t wait to see what you concoct next!
Ashley (verified owner) –
This class was a 12 out of 10. The teachers and students made it feel like our little Wednesday home. In fact, every Wednesday since the class ended I wish I was still going. We learned a tremendous amount but it never felt overwhelming. You can participate outside of class in terms of trying to make things on your own as much or as little as you want so I highly recommend this class no matter what is going on in your life. It was a positive experience in every way. The two herb walks were a blast and you walk away feeling knowledgeable and excited to delve deeper and share the info with others. You also get samples of everything we make in class. I use the salve we made daily. When I look back on this experience it makes me smile in every way. Wouldn’t change a thing.
Allison Poklemba –
Such a pleasure to have you as part of our class community, Ashley!
Stacey (verified owner) –
This class should just be fundamental experience for all people! Jessica and Allison gift you practical day to day knowledge on how to care for yourself and your loved ones in a straightforward and holistic way that honors plants and people. The classes are warm and inviting — and quickly you find yourself among friends. Jessica and Allison offer a really beautiful balance of hard science and mystery, spirituality and practicality. There isn’t a single reason not to take the class. Just be careful because you’ll want to take the 10 Month!
Allison Poklemba –
Yes! Agree 100%. I do wish all folks had these fundamental tools for caring for themselves and their loved one. So glad you could join us, Stacey!
Aiko (verified owner) –
This class was an incredible experience that exceeded my expectations! The curriculum was very well organized, each week focusing on the preparation and application of different mediums for herbs (tinctures, salves, syrups, etc.). The lectures offered a wealth of information and was supplemented with live demonstrations (so that we could actually see how to process the herbs ourselves) and detailed handouts containing a variety of recipes. But what really made the class for me was Allison’s and Jessica’s passion for deepening their understanding and teaching about plants. Not only are they experts in this domain, but the intentionality, ethics and love that they embodied created a learning ethos that felt like we were stepping into sacred grounds. It has certainly changed how I relate to myself and the larger natural world, and for that, I am deeply grateful.
Allison Poklemba –
Aww, Aiko! My heart leaps to read this, for what you got out of this class is the very reason we pour ourselves into it. I’m so glad.
Carol (verified owner) –
I have attended many herbal classes, this class was by far the best and most enjoyable. The instructors are extremely knowledgeable and wonderful people.
Nathan N (verified owner) –
This was one of the most life changing experiences that I had ever had the privilege of having. Allison, Jessica, and Kale were incredible teachers, guides, and friends. I left this class with so much knowledge and tools that I’ll keep with me for the rest of my herbalist journey. I feel so blessed to have had the opportunity to attend this class!
Savanna (verified owner) –
Taking this class has been such a fun start to my journey. It is empowering and a great base guide for how to get started in a huge field of knowledge – it points you on a confident path to a lifetime of learning. I now know how to make multitudes of medicinal preparations – syrups, tinctures, teas, and more – and learned much about our native friendly plants. The plant ID walks were especially helpful. The community aspect was wonderful and made me feel so held throughout the whole course.
Wendy P. (verified owner) –
As a relative newbie in my herbal healing journey, this class was just what I needed. It started with the basics (which I needed) but it also dove deeper into a knowledge base that gave me a richness and wisdom that will be passed on to my family, friends, and community. This was no show and tell! Questions were welcome and we had first hand experience with all of our senses to immerse ourselves in the world of herbal uses. If you have any interest in this modality, I HIGHLY recommend this course. You’ll not only be happy you did, you’ll also meet some of the most lovely humans. Peace and Love – W
Andrea H. (verified owner) –
I’m so glad and thankful I found this class. Not only did I learn so much about preparing herbal remedies, sourcing herbs, and the way plants can be our allies, I learned to slow down, spend more time observing the natural world around me, and listening to the plants that are asking for my attention. And what a great group of people I got to spend my 8 weeks with! Allison and Jessica are a wealth of knowledge and just wonderful people to be around! They really set the tone for a spiritually nurturing class where we all felt open to ask questions and share personal experiences. And I actively practice what I learned everyday and the world of plants and herbal healing has just opened up tremendously for me.