Programs
These are 3-day long on-site intensives for students to have even greater depth of training in certain specialty areas.
These are designed for apothecarists that would like to create a product line or specialize in a certain area of herbal preparations.
The dates for these intensives, which will be dove-tailed against upcoming clinical on-site classes.
One will focus on internal herbal products and processes and the other will cover external herbal products. Students will be involved in creating herbal products throughout the online course with materials sent at the start of the course.
Each online session is 12 weeks long. At the end of both interactive online sessions, students will understand processes involved in making herbal preparations for purchase, therapeutic essential oil distillation processes and uses, information on state laws, packaging and labeling regulations, GMP guidelines, product and supply resources, and a solid foundation of skills to make sure your apothecarist business is off to a good start.
The program is divided into two online sessions and six specialty on-site intensives that students can choose from.
Students have several options.
Co-Requisite: Herbal Medicine for Beginners. Students must be enrolled in this intro course before registering for the Apothecarist. This is an on-demand course and can be started at any time.
This co-requisite is waived if a student has taken a foundational herbal medicine course at another school.
No! We make sure the on-site intensives pick up where students leave off with the online course. Students will be continually challenged with new techniques, materials and medicine making processes during each intensive. Students will also go home with medicine made in the intensives, recipes, hand outs and lots of hands-on training from the weekend.
Students who complete both online courses will receive certificates of completion for those courses, but must have a minimum of three on-site intensives to complete the Apothecarist program and graduate.
Students that complete the minimum of three on-site intensives will graduate at a Level 5 Apothecarist.
Students that complete all six of the on-site intensives will graduate at Level 6 Apothecarist and graduate from the full program.
Students that are local to the San Antonio campus, or those who are able to travel easily are able to finish both online courses and the on-site requirements for program certification in 9 to 12 months.
Students who have to schedule travel around work schedules can take up to 24 months to complete the program. Students may choose their on-site intensives to line up with other classes being taught around the same time!
THE APOTHECARIST PROGRAM: BOTANICAL MEDICINE MAKING
The Apothecarist Program is an 18-month intensive study program (both online and on-site) that explores the processes of making botanical products as a profession. In addition to the history of the apothecary trade, students will get extensive training in the making of both internal and external herbal preparations as well as important product regulation information every practicing apothecarist should know.
The program is divided into (2) interactive online sections and a total of (6) on-site intensives.
To receive the Apothecarist Certificate, students must complete both online sections and a minimum of 3 of the 6 offered on-site intensives.
Details, course dates and descriptions are below.
Food As Medicine: An overlooked area of great potential is the integration of herbal medicine into food. Students will learn about food handling regulations, packaging requirements, and food safety before diving straight into the lush world of herbal infused foods. This course will cover fermented herbs, wild edibles in therapeutic dishes, herbal fruit pastes/cheeses, making hot and cold tonic drinks, herbal cooking recipes and a culinary materia medica. January 31st – February 2nd, 2020. Registration is open now.
High-Potency Internal Botanical Medicine through Multi-Fractional Extraction Methods: This intensive will focus on using water, glycerine, alcohol, ACV, Spagyrics, tincture distillation techniques and other methods to obtain multi-fractional, high-potency medicinal extracts from the plants we use as medicine. The hands-on medicine we produce will incorporate a full spectrum of both vitalistic (energetic and spiritual) concepts as well as organic chemistry and constituent theory. Pre-requisite: Internal Online Apothecarist course. April 17 – 19th, 2020. Registration is open now.
Therapeutic Essential Oil Distillation and Infusions: With the recent surge in popularity of essential oils comes the questions regarding safety, processes and therapeutic applications. This intensive will cover the basics of distilling your own botanicals for therapeutic use, making hydrosols and the best ways to bring this intensely powerful tool into your apothecary. Students have the option of purchasing their own glass distillation unit during the course. May 1st – 3rd, 2020. Registration is now open.
The Apothecarist Fall Online Course 2019 (Internal): The Apothecarist Program takes roughly 9 to 18 months to complete this intensive study program (both online and on-site) that explores the processes of making herbal products as a profession. In addition to the history of the apothecary trade, students will get extensive training in the making of both internal and external herbal preparations as well as important product regulation information every practicing apothecarist should know. September 8th – December 1st, 2019. Registration is now open.
Mycology Medicine Making: Learn everything you need to know in order to begin adding potent mycellium into your herbal preparations. This intensive will cover medicinal usage, preservation, and preparations methods of mushrooms for your apothecary. October 11 – 13th, 2019. Registration is now open.
Internal Herbal Preparations: This is a fun and collaborative course. Students will get hands-on experience in making everything from herbal honeys, vinegars and gummies to experiencing a tincture tasting bar, concocting bitters, teas and tonics — all designed to be end products that apothecarists can market for purchase. November 8 – 10th, 2019 Registration is now open.
External Herbal Preparations: We will walk through the hands-on processes of creating customized herbal skin deodorants, lotions, to herbal hydrotherapy or body care preparations, packaging them and product presentation guidance. March 27 – 29th, 2020. Registration is now open.
2019/2020 Program Dates and Details
Formulating & Formulas – An On-Demand Course
THE APOTHECARIST: INTERNAL HERBAL PREPARATIONS
A 12-week online interactive course. Begins September 8th – December 1st, 2019. Sunday evenings, 7 pm central time. Register Here.
THE APOTHECARIST: EXTERNAL HERBAL PREPARATIONS
A 12-week online interactive course. January 5th – March 29th, 2020. Sunday evenings, 7 pm central time. Register Here.
THE APOTHECARIST 3-DAY ON-SITE INTENSIVE CLASSES
Essential Oil Distillation, 5/17/19 – 5/19/19
Mycology Medicine Making, 10/11/19 – 10/13/19
Internal Medicine Making, 11/8/19 – 11/10/19
Food As Medicine, 1/31/20 – 2/2/20
External Medicine Making, 3/27/20 – 3/29/20
Multi-Fractional Extracts, 4/17/20 – 4/19/20
Essential Oil Distillation, 5/1/20 – 5/3/20
APOTHECARY WORKSHOPS
Cold & Flu Season Herbal Lozenges, Pastilles & Electuaries: Online Workshop, October 8th, 2019. Register Here.
Botany for Herbalists: Fall, October 26th – 27th, 2019. Register Here.
The Art of Blending Medicinal Teas, November 2nd, 2019. Register Now.
Making Medicinal Tea Blends: Online Workshop, November 12th, 2019. Register Here.
Herbal Aphrodisiacs Online Workshop, January 22nd, 2020. Register Here.
The Botanical Bath Online Workshop, February 19th, 2020. Register Here.
Spring Guerilla Foraging & Field Medicine Making, March 15th, 2020. Register Here.
The Parent’s Herbal Apothecary Online Workshop, April 14th, 2020. Register Here.
Herbal Ice Creams, Sherberts, & Sorbets Workshop, May 9th, 2020. Register Here.
Making Herbal Incense: Online Workshop, August 25th, 2020. Register Here.
Making Herbal Incense: Hands-On Workshop, September 12th, 2020. Register Here.
Botanical Medicine for Special Needs Children: Online Workshop, September 15th, 2020. Register Here.
WHAT IS THE TUITION COST?
Tuition is $480 for each of the 12-week online sessions. This will include all media materials and shipped herbal preparation materials to students prior to the start of the class.
On-site intensives are $320 and will include handouts and herbal preparations that students take home.
COURSE DISCOUNTS
Online Discount: Pay for both 12-week online courses in advance and save 10%. $864. (saves $96)
Basic On-Site Discount: Pay for three on-site intensives of your choice and save 10%. $810 (saves $90)
Premium On-Site Discount: Pay for all six on-site intensives and save $216. ($1,584)
Full Course Discount – The Basic Version: Includes both online courses and three on-site intensives of your choice: $1,600 (saves $260)
Full Course Discount – Premium Version: Includes both online courses and all six on-site intensive courses: $2,345. (saves $415)