Apprenticeship
The 3-year Herbal Apprenticeship with Abrah offers real world hands-on training in herbal medicine.
The first year, The Kitchen Herbalist, provides a foundation for understanding the profound relationship between herbal medicine and the human mind/body. This year you have the opportunity to learn the language of herbal medicine, explore many plants, get to know your body in new ways and experiment with different types of medicine making. 
This is the year to see if herbal medicine is a path for you.
The second year, The Community Herbalist, takes a deep dive into using herbal medicine to support others in a clinical setting. You will learn how to offer a full health assessment, enhance your herbal knowledge and create individualized formulas. The second year is rich in experience and learning.
During the third year, The Clinical Herbalist, you continue to develop your clinical skills and herbal knowledge. The third year is designed to build your confidence as a herbalist and offers you many opportunities to test your new found skills and knowledge.
For more information, scroll down.
To register please email your application to: abrah.arneson@gmail.com
Here is what past apprentices have said about the program:
Abrah’s teaching style prioritized independence and responsibility while providing a framework. The framework to collect, organise and interpret information gathered during consultation creates a context and structure to the consultation, the student can then focus on connecting with the client. Abrah shares a balance of compassionate presence and direct inquiry, creating space for clients to open while asking questions that reveal meaning and connection within their body. – CE
I feel very fortunate to have participated in and completed Abrah’s three-year Herbal Medicine Apprenticeship program, and I can say without hesitation that the experience profoundly shaped both my clinical thinking and my understanding of what it means to practice herbal medicine responsibly and with viriditas. Her program is rigorous and demanding – intellectually, clinically, and personally – and is grounded in deep respect for nature, for the complex relationships between plants/people/life, for client-centred care, and for the ethical obligations of our profession. – HH
Learning with Abrah has been a deeply formative experience. Her teaching of plant medicine is rooted in both strong clinical knowledge and lived relationship with the plants, and she has consistently modelled what it means to practice herbalism with integrity, curiosity, and care. She has created a learning environment that is supportive yet rigorous, encouraging critical thinking alongside direct experience. It is not common in this region to be able to learn from a herbalist to such a depth. Through her guidance, I have developed not only practical skills in plant identification, formulation, and client care, but also a deeper confidence in my own judgment as a beginning herbalist. Now that said, time for pragmatics. – CB
Abrah teaches her students to explore multiple perspectives, encouraging us to think outside of the box. There have been many moments in class where I learned to view or understand a concept, a situation, a case, or an herb in a completely new and different way. Through this, I have learned to approach information and situations with a broader perspective and to be open to various possibilities. – AM
Abrah’s teaching style is unconventional at times, but it is intentional and effective; she pushes her students to think critically, take responsibility for their learning, and develop true clinical competence. The learning experience has been intense, yet incredibly rewarding. Abrah’s depth of knowledge, breadth of clinical experience, and commitment to preserving the integrity of herbal medicine are evident in every aspect of her teaching. – TF
The combination of in-person classes over three years and student clinics with real clients in years two and three has been truly invaluable. These experiences supported my growth both as a person and as an herbalist. The program offers a rich and well-rounded initiation into herbal medicine, covering topics such as materia medica, herbal preparations and formulation, body systems, health challenges and case studies, plant and human energetics, and essential clinical skills including physical exams, client intakes, and follow-ups. The depth and integration of these teachings have given me a strong and confident foundation in clinical herbalism. – SB
In her programs, Abrah combines wisdom, intuition and scientific understanding in a way I’ve never seen before. She brings so much integrity to the work that she does with clients and teaches her students to do the same, while also encouraging her students’ own unique gifts as herbalists. – JT
General Outline of Year One
Level one of the apprentice program will provide you with both theoretical and practical knowledge in the use of herbal medicine. The apprenticeship is designed for those with an interest in herbal medicine and wish to use it in their daily lives to benefit themselves and others.
What will you learn:
- You will develop a practical, hands-on knowledge of herbal medicine
- You will understand the theory behind the application of herbs from a holistic point of view
- You will explore how plants interact with the human body to create medicine
- You will have confidence in using herbal medicine for yourself, family, friends, and clients
- You will learn how to grow, harvest and make medicine with local herbs
Each month you will have an assignment based on a chapter from The Herbal Apprentice: Plant Medicine and The Human Being and The Herbal Apprentice Workbook. You may purchase these book directly from me or on Amazon
Each assignment includes:
- Meditation
- Exercises to uncover your gifts as a healer
- Exploration of Anatomy and Physiology-based on both traditional healing systems and our contemporary views of the body.
- Discover how plants and the human being interact from both phytochemical and traditional viewpoints.
- Learn to make creative monographs to help you learn plants
- Study a how herbalists see the world.
- Videos about plant medicine to inspire you
- Make a several forms herbal medicine.
- Have hands-on experience taking commonly used plants.
2026-2027 Dates for in-class
(Friday in person classes. All classes are 10 am to 4pm.)
Friday, July 10 – Herb Walk, the Elements and Organoleptic assessment of a plant’s medicine
Friday, August 7 – Plant Communication, Organoleptic assessment and Doctrine of Signatures
Friday, September 11 – Harvesting, drying and making fresh plant tinctures
Friday, October 2 – The History of Western Herbal Medicine: Humoral Medicine meets the Biomedical Model of Herbal Medicine
Friday, November 6 – Physiology of Assimilation – Bitters, Carminatives, Hepatics Herbs
Friday, December 4 – Physiology of Circulation-Lymphatic, Circulatory, Pulmonary Herbs
Friday, January 8 – Immune-Stimulants, Immune-Modulators, Anti-Microbial Herbs
Friday, February 5 – Physiology of Elimination – Diaphoretics, Diuretics, Expectorants, Laxatives
Friday, March 5 – Physiology of Relaxation – Nervines, Hypnotics, Stimulants
Friday, April 2 – Physiology of Reproduction – Uterine Tonics, Hormone Balancers, Emmenagogues Herbs and the Herb Garden Friday
Friday, May 7 – Movement – Plants that help you move
Herb Camp June 4 & 5 – Introduction to Botany (Plant Scavenger Hunt), Discovering Flower Essences, Topical remedies: creams, salves, liniments and poultices
Zoom Homework Sessions
To spend more time in the person discussing the fundamentals of the relationship between plant medicine and the human being, I have asked a past apprentice and clinical herbalist Christina Benoit to host homework review session over zoom once a month. It always good to learn from different practicing herbalists, something that I was feel was lacking in previous years. Here is Christina’s biography.
Christina is a Clinical Herbalist practicing within the linage of Traditional Western Herbalism, in service to Clients since 2022. Her path was shaped through a three-year apprenticeship with
Abrah Arneson and tempered by nearly two decades as a Registered Nurse, where since 2007 has stood with people at thresholds of illness, healing and transformation. She holds herbal medicine as an ancestral art and disciplined study incorporating Materia Medica, constitutional therapy, and careful observation of relationships between plants, people and environment. Alongside her herbal practice she offers Yoga and Reiki classes, healing sessions, and certifications guiding apprentices to listen deeply, tend wisely, and remember medicine as both scholarship and a sacred practice.
Times and dates for Homework Sessions
7:00 pm to 8:30 pm on Tuesdays
September 22 – Its all about the environment
October 27 – Beginning at the Beginning
November 24 – Physiology of Assimilation
January 3 – Physiology of Circulation
(Please note because of the holidays, this session falls on a Tuesday evening)
January 26 – Physiology of Boundaries
February 23 – Physiology of Letting Go
March 23 – Physiology of Regulation
April 27 – Physiology of Reproduction
May 25 – Physiology of Movement
A Herbalist Anatomy and Physiology
The following pre-recorded videos with the theme of Herbalist’s Anatomy and Physiology will be available to Level One students to listen to their leisure:
- The Biome
- The Liver
- Interstitial Fluid
- Connective Tissue
- The Mucosa
- The Cervix
- The Lungs
- The Blood
- The Kidney
Clinical Experience
Being a patient in student clinic is a profound learning experiences, as is taking herbal medicine on a daily basis. All first year apprentices will be asked to participate as a patient for 3rd year apprentices. If you have already participated as a patient, you will not need to do so again, unless you feel you would benefit from the experience.
Audit one student clinic weekend with 3rd year students. This is a unique opportunity to see where you are headed. Once you are accepted into the apprenticeship we will schedule a weekend for you to come and witness student clinic in action.
Costs
Total Cost: 2500.00 plus hst.
Upon registration: $500.00 plus $65.00 hst ($565 Total)
October 1 $500 plus $65.00 hst ($565 Total)
December 1 $500 plus $65.00 hst ($565 Total)
February 1 $500 plus $65.00 hst ($565 Total)
April 1 $500.00 plus $65.00 hst ($565 Total)
Payments can be made via e-transfer or in cash.
Please note: it is possible to request an alternative payment plan.
For herb camp, there is a separate charge for accommodations.
Upon registration a reading list will be sent.
DOWNLOAD APPLICATION FORM HERE
To register please email your application to: abrah.arneson@gmail.com
“Thank you so much for being such an amazing teacher. I really enjoyed doing the Level 1 Herbal Apprenticeship, very informative and practical. I am very much looking forward to doing Level 2.” – M.R.S.
Level Two Apprentice: The Community Herbalist offers you the opportunity to deepen your understanding of the relationship between the human being and plant medicine through small discussion groups, self-study and in a student clinic setting.
During Level Two, you will begin building the skills needed to practice herbal medicine in a clinical setting.
Note: If you have studied with a number herbalists but not had the opportunity to practice herbal medicine in a clinical setting, and are keen to develop these skills, please email: abrah.arneson@gmail.com
In Level Two you will:
Continue to build your knowledge of individual plants and their clinical application
Develop assessment and interviewing skills with clients
Work with clients in a clinical setting
Compile wellness protocols for clients
Practice formulation of herbal medicine specific to a client’s needs
Practice medicine making and develop research skills
Small Online Group Discussions on Tuesday evenings each Month
During these discussions we will:
Explore specific systems with a holistic lens
- The organs and tissues associated with each system
- Signs of imbalance within each system
- Differential diagnosis according to signs and symptoms associated imbalance
- Materia medica associate with each system
- Clinical puzzles
- Case History
September – Overview of the year, essays assigned. Begin review of intake with clients
October – GI Tract: Inflammatory bowel disease, Irritable Bowel Syndrome, Constipation and herbal protocols
November – Nervous system: Mental Illness, Migraines, Insomnia and herbal protocols
December – Circulation: High Blood Pressure, Weak Venous Return, Heart Disease and herbal protocols
January – Respiratory system: Asthma, Bronchitis, Sinusitis and herbal protocols
February – Skin: Eczema, Psoriasis, Acne, Basil Cell Carcinoma and herbal protocols
March – Endocrine system: Adrenal fatigue and Women’s health and herbal protocols
April – Children’s Health: Childhood illnesses, Insomnia, ADD/ADHD and herbal protocols
May – Bones, Muscles and Ligaments: Fractures, Inflammation,Osteoporosis and herbal protocols
June – Urinary Tract: Urinary tract infections, Kidney stones and Interstitial cystitis, Herpes and herbal protocols.
Please note: Each month case histories will be handed out to work on through the month. The case histories will be reviewed the following month.
Clinic
During clinic, you will have the opportunity to witness clinical herbal medicine in action. Real clients will come to the clinic, with real health concerns and real plant medicine will be formulated and given to them. You will have the chance to see how the medicine works when the clients return. Both level two and three apprentices will be present during the clinic and each student will have the opportunity to lead a client assessment.
Student clinic is held every other month on a Friday, Saturday and Sunday.
There may also be student clinic intensives.
For more information on student clinic, please email abrah.arneson@gmail.com
Self Study
- Two 15-page thesis on using herbal medicine for a particular health challenge commonly seen in herbal clinics.
- 26 plant monographs
- 6 pharmacy assignments
- Start a herb garden
- Learn how to lead a herb walk
Costs
Total Cost: 2800.00 plus hst.
Upon registration: $560.00 plus $72.80 hst ($632.80 Total)
October 1 $560 plus $72.80 hst ($632.80 Total)
December 1 $560 plus $72.80 hst ($632.80 Total)
February 1 $560 plus $72.80 hst ($632.80 Total)
April 1 $560.00 plus $72.80 hst ($632.80 Total)
“Because you are concerned about my actual growth, and want me to learn the non-intellectual aspects of the practice, I feel differently about your teachings. It is truly sacred.” – B.G.
Level Three Apprenticeship is self-directed within the following guidelines.
Year Three Zoom Classes
Understanding the Blood
These classes focus on a blend of reductionist reading of blood work and a wholistic approach (exploring relationships within the body/mind) with conditions commonly seen in a herbal practice. These classes take place once a month over zoom.
Class One: Pregnancy
Class Two: Reading Blood Work
Class Three: Hormone Panels: Hyper/Hypothyroid and PCOs
Class Four: Metabolic Syndrome X
Class Five: Liver and Kidney Health
Class Six: Chronic Infections: Lyme Disease and associated co-infections as well as Streptococcus
Class Seven: Deficiencies
Class Eight: Breast Cancer
Class Nine: Other Cancers
Thesis
You will be asked to select two body systems to explore deeply and write a 15-page essay. The essay will contain:
Description of its parts, anatomy
Description of how it works and what it does, physiology
Description of how it interacts with other parts of the body
The energetics of the system
Description on how other healing systems view the system
Description of what it needs to function well and why
Description of herbs that supports its function and why
Book Reports
Each month you will read an assigned book on healing and write a three-page report that contains the following.
A general description of the book
What you found interesting about the ideas in the book?
How the book influences your thinking about healing?
Any disagreements you have with the author.
Anything else you wish to add.
You will have the opportunity to select two books you are particularly interested in to study.
Student Clinic
As well as participating in the student clinic, you will work with 6 clients on your own. I prefer that the clients be neither friends nor family. I will be available for a phone consultation for one hour will each client you take.
With each client, you will present me with a summary of your findings, your protocol and notes from follow-up. I will be available to review each client with you.
Apothecary
This part of the program involves setting up a functioning apothecary of plants from a herb garden, wild crafted and purchased. At the end of the year, the apprentice will have at least 15 plants that they have created medicine with and are comfortable using in a clinical setting.
Creation of A Herbarium
Collect 15 medicine plants that grow in the area you live, dry them and paste them into a scrapbook
Description of the environment you found it in, including the date
Its energetics
Its medicinal actions
Methods of preparation
Folklore
Workshop
Host one workshop on herbal medicine. The topic is your choice. You will need to:
Prepare marketing for it
Provide handouts for the participates
Provide a hands-on activity during the workshop
Have participants fill out an evaluation which you design to hand into me
Costs
Total Cost: 3200.00 plus hst.Upon registration: $640.00 plus $83.20 hst ($723.20 Total)
October 1 $640.00 plus $83.20 hst ($723.20 Total)
December 1 $64000 plus $83.20 hst ($723.20 Total)
February 1 $640.00 plus $83.20 hst ($723.20 Total)
April 1 $640.00 plus $83.20 hst ($723.20 Total)
“You hold a lovely space – it is so peaceful being at your place and in circle with you.” – K.S.
“Abrah’s apprenticeship program was an initiation into an unfolding world I knew I belonged; I just didn’t know where & how to find the front door. It blended my need for scientific perspectives & clinical data with mystical lore.
Abrah taught in a way that is both captivating & serious. Herbal medicine is not for the faint of heart. Likewise, neither are Abrah’s teachings. She implores her students to show up & take herbal medicine seriously; a field which is too often brushed off in this Western society.
Through her program, I’ve experienced a stronger connection to my heart center (feel the plant medicine!) and in turn, to Nature. Abrah’s reflections & self-inquiry-based work taught me the importance of communing with both intellect and heart. A practitioner must do their own healing work to be of value to their clients. Abrah’s program helped guide me out of my head (a place in which I’m all too comfortable residing) into my heart (not so comfortable for me!).”
– S.D.
“I just wanted you to know I appreciate how generous you are in sharing your knowledge and advice.
At 50 years old I have had quite a few teachers and have only revered two; my kindergarten teacher, and a high school teacher. Each taught me different lessons, one social graces and “how to run with the wolves” and the other, organic chemistry. When I struggled they were there for me, even during their break times and after school. And to this day they still genuinely inquire about my life, which I am so humbled by.
Unexpectedly I have found another teacher to put on my list. Bless you Abrah. Thanks for your advice, guidance and just being you.”
– K.P.
“The three-year herbal apprenticeship is by far one of the best educational experiences I have had the privilege of participating in. Abrah guides you through the incredible interweaving relationship between plants and people, in a carefully thought-out and gradual immersion into the world of herbal medicine.
Drawing from extensive clinical experience, she easily provides advice on how to navigate a wide array of scenarios, providing students with the tools necessary for a clinical setting. Via a well-organized student clinic, students are able to build self-confidence and hone their clinical skills.
Abrah’s guidance may be the top reason for which the apprenticeship is so rewarding. She is encouraging, constructive, and understanding, while providing perspective and depth. But above all, she has an uncanny ability of identifying the strengths that each person carries with them. I will forever be grateful for all of the lessons she has taught me.”
– A.C.