Curious to hear about the experience on our intensive herbalism course from one of our students in her own words? Olwyn joined the journey for year one of our intensive herbalism course - Awaken Herbal Wisdom - in 2025. Along the journey, she deepened her appreciation for traditional ways of healing, increased her awareness of small and meaningful changes she can make in her life and grew her confidence in caring for herself and her family with herbal medicine. Read on to hear more of her experience.
Why did you choose to enrol on our intensive herbalism course?
I chose to enrol on year one of the course after hearing a few of Meghan's podcasts. The things she was saying seemed to make so much sense and I just had a really strong feeling that I had to learn more.
What most surprised you about your journey?
I think the thing that surprised me the most was the realisation that so many of the plants that are growing around me in the fields and hedgerow have such an array of amazing healing properties. It also made me realise that many of the old ways of healing weren't actually primitive but were in many ways superior to what we have now, free medicines without the nasty side effects.
How has taking our intensive herbalism course impacted your life?
For many years I have been really careful about what I put in my body but this course has made me so much more aware of little changes I can make. More than that though, it has given me the confidence to take charge of my own health and that of my family, I have a lot of learning still to do but I now have a range of herbs that I can reach for to help with issues including stress, digestive problems, wounds, colds, fevers and more. I also have a greater understanding of the roots of disease which is going to make it easier to take preventative measures.
What's the one word you would use to describe how you feel having completed one year of Awaken Herbal Wisdom?
Grateful
If you could share one piece of advice to someone considering joining Awaken Herbal Wisdom, what would you tell them?
Just go along and enjoy yourself with like minded people. You will learn SO much. It's really accessible, interesting, fun and so informative and you can just do everything at your own pace. Meghan is a brilliant teacher and so friendly and approachable.
What's the next step for you on your herbal journey?
My next step will be to spend the next twelve months consolidating what I have learned in year one and to practise making a variety of remedies. Then hopefully, I will embark on year two!
Meghan’s reflections on Olwyn's journey
It has been so beautiful to witness Olwyn's landscape coming to life around her. Always one to contribute to her cohort's conversations, Olwyn's inclination to observe and understand has been opening up new avenues for her - clarity in how she understands her own health and the health of her family, confidence in caring for them with medicinal herbs, a groundedness in her knowledge and a lightness in her desire to care for others to the best of her ability one step at a time. It has been a delight having Olwyn join us this year, and I do look forward to her path leading back to our yurt again in the future!
If our students’ journeys are inspiring you and you’re here in the UK, you’re very welcome to join us on our intensive herbalism course - Awaken Herbal Wisdom - which spans all four seasons. With up to three years of development available, our course gets herbalism both deep into your bones and your daily life, without either having to do a clinical degree or a traditional full-time apprenticeship. Although it is intense, it’s suitable for a wide range of herbalists, including beginners!
Be sure to join our mailing list to hear more about what the current cohorts are up to, learn some of the golden nuggets that emerge from our sessions and receive other school community updates. Enrolment opens after dates are announced each spring for the following year, and places are filled on a first-come, first-served basis. If you’re ready to join us on the journey, you can request an application to join an upcoming cohort.
Whatever your next step is with learning herbal medicine, I hope you enjoy the journey!
At the Heritage 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!
