Herb Whisperer Clinical Herbalist Program
Autumn 2026 Cohort
Course Information
Professional Herbalist Course
Time and Location: Course starts October 6, 2026
Tuesdays and/or Thursdays 3:00 – 5:00 pm ET (see below for dates through 2027)
Contact Information
Instructor name: Thomas Avery Garran, PhD, RH
Instructor Email: [email protected]
Administration Email: [email protected]
Course Description
Herb Whisperer’s professional herbalist course is designed to prepare students for entry-level clinical practice. The course focuses on the integration of Chinese and Western herbal medicine with a strong emphasis on Chinese medicine assessment methods, “energetic” understandings of medicinal plants, and formulation. However, the Western herbal tradition maintains an important part within the course and includes both modern interpretations as well as traditional, specifically the late 19th and early 20th century Physiomedical and Eclectic systems. While this course goes into detail of Chinese anatomy and physiology, these parallel studies in Western medicine are the responsibility of the student (see recommended online courses below).
In addition to the live lectures and video lectures, there is required and recommended reading. Required reading will, occasionally, require the purchase of outside materials, i.e., we will be using Chinese Medicine: Theories of Modern Practice Volume I&II as our primary Chinese medicine text. All other reading materials will be provided to you at no extra cost
Course Description
The Herb Whisperer Clinical Herbalist Course is a comprehensive training program designed to develop the knowledge, clinical reasoning, and practical skills needed for herbal practice.
At the heart of the program is an integrated East–West approach to herbal medicine. Students learn to assess the individual through the diagnostic framework of Chinese medicine—including patterns, constitution, energetics, and functional relationships—and to apply this understanding to the therapeutic use of both Chinese and Western medicinal plants.
Rather than learning herbs primarily as lists of indications, students are taught to understand how and why an herb may be appropriate for a particular person and pattern. Particular emphasis is placed on Chinese medicine assessment, herbal energetics, materia medica, formulation, and the development of individualized treatment strategies.
Western herbal medicine remains an important part of the curriculum. Students explore both contemporary Western herbal practice and influential historical traditions, particularly the Physiomedicalist and Eclectic traditions of the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. This allows students to approach Western herbs through multiple perspectives while developing a coherent framework for clinical decision-making.
The course includes detailed study of Chinese medicine anatomy, physiology, and functional theory. Because the program is focused specifically on herbal medicine, Western anatomy and physiology are not taught as a complete standalone curriculum and are the responsibility of the student. Recommended online courses are provided for students who need to complete or strengthen this foundation.
Learning takes place through live instruction, recorded video lectures, assigned readings, clinical exercises, and independent study. Required and recommended readings are integrated throughout the program. Most course materials are provided at no additional cost; however, students will occasionally be required to purchase outside texts. Chinese Medicine: Theories of Modern Practice, Volumes I & II serves as the primary Chinese medicine text.
By the end of the program, students should not simply know more herbs. They should be developing the ability to observe, assess, differentiate patterns, formulate, and think critically about why a particular herbal strategy fits a particular person.
Text/Primary Course Materials
Required Texts:
- Chinese Medicine: Theories of Modern Practice Volume I&II
Learning Outcomes
Upon completion of this course, students will be able to:
- Have a basic understanding of the historical context they are currently in with regards to herbal medicine, particularly in the United States, and how that might affect their future.
- Have a basic understanding of the importance of food in clinical herbal medicine and be well-versed in how to research and further understand this vast body of knowledge to better serve their client population.
- Have a basic understanding of Ayurveda and its place in the global context of traditional medicine.
- Have a thorough understanding of the theory and practice of Chinese medicine and be able to use the tools taught to confidently engage with clients seeking understanding of their personal health.
- Have a strong understanding of both traditional and modern “Western” herbal medicine and feel confident in the deployment of these concepts to teach others seeking to understand their personal health.
- Have a basic to intermediate understanding of a global materia medica (medicinal plants) including but not limited to basic field botany, harvesting and processing techniques, therapeutic uses, contraindications, dosages, etc.
- Understand the concepts of formulation, starting with simple pairing of herbs to enhance their therapeutic action. Additionally, have a basic to intermediate understanding of formulas used to work with a wide variety of regularly encountered clinical presentations.
- Be able to use logic coupled with the assessment skills presented to assess clients in a clinical setting.
- Know and understand one’s limits as a beginning (or even advanced) practitioner. Understand essential red flags* and be prepared to refer clients to other healthcare professionals when necessary.
* Red Flags are constellations of symptoms that could suggest serious illness that might require immediate medical attention from other types of healthcare professionals.
Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion of the program, students will be able to:
- Describe the historical and contemporary context of herbal medicine, particularly in the United States, and recognize how regulatory, cultural, and professional developments influence contemporary herbal practice.
- Explain the role of food and nutrition in clinical herbal practice and use appropriate resources to research foods and dietary approaches relevant to individual clients.
- Describe the foundational principles of Ayurveda and its place within the broader global traditions of herbal and traditional medicine.
- Apply the foundational theories and assessment methods of Chinese medicine to gather and organize client information, differentiate patterns, and inform herbal strategies.
- Apply principles from traditional and contemporary Western herbal medicine, including relevant concepts from the Physiomedicalist and Eclectic traditions, to the understanding and use of medicinal plants.
- Demonstrate working knowledge of a broad global materia medica, including Chinese and Western medicinal plants, with attention to identification, basic field botany, harvesting, processing, therapeutic applications, energetics, dosage, contraindications, and safety.
- Prepare and appropriately use common herbal preparations, including infusions, decoctions, tinctures, powders, and topical preparations, with attention to preparation methods, dosage, quality, storage, and safety.
- Apply the principles of herbal formulation, from simple herb combinations and synergistic pairings to the development and modification of formulas for commonly encountered clinical presentations.
- Conduct a structured herbal consultation and integrate client history, observation, Chinese medicine assessment, pattern differentiation, and knowledge of Chinese and Western materia medica to develop individualized herbal strategies and appropriate follow-up plans.
- Locate, evaluate, and appropriately apply traditional, clinical, and contemporary research sources when investigating medicinal plants, therapeutic strategies, safety considerations, and potential herb–drug interactions.
- Communicate herbal reasoning and recommendations clearly and responsibly, helping clients understand the purpose, use, and limitations of an herbal approach.
- Practice within appropriate professional and ethical boundaries, recognize contraindications and potential herb–drug interactions, identify clinical red flags, understand the limits of one’s knowledge and scope of practice, and refer clients to appropriate healthcare professionals when necessary.
Red flags are signs, symptoms, or combinations of findings that may indicate a potentially serious condition requiring evaluation or treatment by an appropriate licensed healthcare professional.
Method of Instruction
The course will follow a general pattern of a live lecture (1 or more per lesson) followed by video via the Herb Whisperer online learning management system (LMS), followed by a Q&A to complete each lesson. Each lesson has a series of videos, followed by a short quiz that must be passed before continuing to the next video. These quizzes are not meant to be overly difficult, but rather to ensure that students understand the basic principles of the lesson material before advancing to new material.
Method of Instruction
The program combines live instruction, recorded lectures, independent study, assessments, applied learning, and interactive Q&A to progressively develop herbal knowledge and clinical reasoning.
Each lesson generally includes:
- Live Instruction — Core concepts, clinical principles, and practical applications.
- Recorded Lessons — Video instruction available through the Herb Whisperer Learning Management System (LMS) for flexible study and review.
- Knowledge Checks — Short quizzes reinforce key concepts and ensure understanding before students advance.
- Required Reading & Applied Learning — Assigned readings, written work, case studies, assessment exercises, materia medica, and formulation build practical and clinical skills.
- Live Q&A — Opportunities to clarify material, explore clinical questions, and integrate learning across the curriculum.
The program is designed to move students from knowledge and understanding to application, integration, and clinical reasoning—developing not only what to use, but why, when, and for whom an herbal approach may be appropriate.
Course Requirements
Students are expected to maintain a near 100% attendance rate for live lectures (all absences require prior notification to the email(s) above). Completion of all online quizzes and the completion of the final “dissertation.”
Course Requirements
To successfully complete the program, students are expected to:
- Attend at least 80% of required live classes. Live participation is an important part of the cohort learning experience.
- Make up missed classes by viewing the class recording and completing any associated assignment or reflection. Students should notify the school in advance of an absence whenever possible.
- Complete all required online lessons and quizzes.
- Complete all required readings, written assignments, and clinical case studies.
- Successfully complete the final written project and any required final assessment.
- Demonstrate satisfactory understanding and application of the program’s core competencies.
Certain clinical, practical, or highly interactive sessions may be designated as required live sessions and may have separate attendance or make-up requirements.
Assessment of Student Learning and Teaching Efficacy
Assignments
Reading assignments: are listed in the Course Outline. Readings must be completed prior to each class. (There may be an exception for the first class for those who may have signed up late.)
Quizzes: There will be a series of quizzes for each lesson, one for each video. Quizzes will be composed of multiple choice, and true and false questions. Some questions will be in case study format. These quizzes are required and must be done on Herb Whisperer’s online LMS platform.
They are not open book. You must achieve a grade of 80%, but you are given unlimited tries. The grade of your last attempt will be the one entered in your gradebook. Each quiz will be due prior to the end-of-lesson Q&A session.
Exams: There will be 3 exams, one after Lesson 12, one after Lesson 24, and a final upon completion of the course. Students are required to take each exam online through the Herb Whisperer online LMS. Exams will be composed of multiple choice, true and false and fill-in questions. Some questions will be in case study format (later in the course).
Assessment of Student Learning
Assignments
Reading Assignments
Reading assignments are listed in the Course Outline and should be completed prior to each class. An exception may be made for the first class for students who enroll shortly before the program begins.
Quizzes
Each lesson includes a series of quizzes, generally one quiz for each video. Questions include multiple-choice, true/false, and, where appropriate, case-study questions.
All quizzes are required and must be completed through the Herb Whisperer online Learning Management System (LMS).
Quizzes are closed-book, and a minimum score of 80% is required to pass. Students may retake a quiz as many times as needed. The grade from the final attempt will be recorded in the gradebook.
All quizzes for a lesson must be completed prior to the end-of-lesson Q&A session.
Examinations
There are three exams during the program:
- Exam 1: After Lesson 12
- Exam 2: After Lesson 24
- Final Exam: Upon completion of the course
All exams are completed online through the Herb Whisperer LMS.
Exam questions include multiple-choice, true/false, and fill-in questions. As students progress through the program, some questions will also be presented in case-study format to assess the application of course material.
Out-of-Class Study Time
For each hour of class time, students are expected to do at least two to five hours of out-of-class study completing assigned readings, studying for quizzes/exams, participating in study groups (discussing course concepts, explaining course concepts to another to check understanding), quizzing yourself to see if you can summarize what you’ve read, organizing your course material into charts, drawings, flash cards, etc., and/or other course-related work.
Out-of-Class Study Time
For each hour of class time, students should plan for approximately 2–5 hours of independent study to reinforce and integrate course material.
Out-of-class study may include:
- Completing assigned readings
- Reviewing course materials and preparing for quizzes and exams
- Participating in study groups to discuss and explain key concepts
- Testing your understanding by summarizing material in your own words
- Organizing and reviewing material through charts, diagrams, flash cards, or other study tools
- Completing other assigned course-related work
Students are encouraged to develop study methods that work best for them and to engage with the material consistently throughout the program.
Attendance
Students are expected to attend all classes; take all exams at the time they are offered and complete all required coursework. If a student will be absent, they must contact the course faculty prior to the class. Students are responsible for making arrangements with faculty to complete missed coursework.
Attendance
Live participation is an important part of the program. Students are expected to attend at least 80% of required live classes, take examinations as scheduled, and complete all required coursework.
When an absence is necessary, students should notify the course faculty in advance whenever possible. Missed classes may be made up by viewing the class recording and completing any associated coursework or assignments.
Students are responsible for keeping up with missed material and completing all required coursework within the established deadlines.
Certain clinical, practical, or highly interactive sessions may be designated as required live sessions and may have separate attendance or make-up requirements.
Course Outline – Herb Whisperer Clinical Herbalist Program
Exam protocol: Exams are to be taken on the Herb Whisperer online LMS during the designated 72-hour periods.
Phone and computer usage: phones and computers may be used in class for note taking only. Please do not text or browse the web during class.
YEAR ONE — FOUNDATIONS OF HERBAL MEDICINE
| Unit | Live Class Dates | Q&A | Topic | Required Reading / Assignment |
| 1 | Oct. 6 | Oct. 13 | History of Medicine: A Plant-Centric Approach | Course Material* |
| 2 | Oct. 20 & 22 | Nov. 3 | Food in Clinical Herbal Medicine | Course Material |
| 3 | Nov. 10 & 12 | Dec. 1 | Introduction to Plant Identification, Harvesting & Post-Harvest Processing Techniques | Course Material |
| 4 | Dec. 10 | — | Introduction to Ayurveda — Guest Instructor: Andrew Apello | Course Material |
| 5 | Jan. 5, 7 & 12 | Jan. 26 | Chinese Medicine Fundamentals: Jingqi & Yin-Yang Theory | CMTMP** pp. 15–44 |
| 6 | Feb. 23 & 25 | Mar. 4 | Five-Phase Theory in Chinese Medicine | CMTMP pp. 45–62 |
| 7 | Mar. 9, 11, 16 & 18 | Mar. 23 | Chinese Medicine Anatomy & Physiology | CMTMP pp. 63–149 |
| 8 | Mar. 30; Apr. 1 & 6 | Apr. 13 | Qi, Blood, Fluids & Spirit in Chinese Medicine | CMTMP pp. 151–182 |
| 9 | Apr. 20, 22 & 27 | May 4 | Disease Causes in Chinese Medicine | CMTMP pp. 273–337 |
| 10 | May 11 & 13 | May 25 | Western Herbal Medicine: Introduction to Physiomedical Medicine | Course Material |
| 11 | Jun. 1 & 3 | Jun. 15 | Western Herbal Medicine: Introduction to Eclectic Medicine | Course Material |
| 12 | Jun. 15 & 17 | Jun. 29 | Western Herbal Medicine: Modern Approaches | Course Material |
| EXAM I | Jul. 6–8 | — | First Examination | Online — complete anytime during the exam period |
| — | — | SUMMER BREAK — Classes Resume September 7, 2027 |
YEAR TWO — MATERIA MEDICA, FORMULATION & CLINICAL APPLICATION
| Lesson | Live Class Dates | Q&A | Topic | Required Reading / Assignment |
| 1 | Oct. 6 | Oct. 13 | History of Medicine: A Plant-Centric Approach | Course Material* |
| 2 | Oct. 20 & 22 | Nov. 3 | Food in Clinical Herbal Medicine | Course Material |
| 3 | Nov. 10 & 12 | Dec. 1 | Introduction to Plant Identification, Harvesting & Post-Harvest Processing Techniques | Course Material |
| 4 | Dec. 10 | — | Introduction to Ayurveda — Guest Instructor: Andrew Apello | Course Material |
| 5 | Jan. 5, 7 & 12 | Jan. 26 | Chinese Medicine Fundamentals: Jingqi & Yin-Yang Theory | CMTMP** pp. 15–44 |
| 6 | Feb. 23 & 25 | Mar. 4 | Five-Phase Theory in Chinese Medicine | CMTMP pp. 45–62 |
| 7 | Mar. 9, 11, 16 & 18 | Mar. 23 | Chinese Medicine Anatomy & Physiology | CMTMP pp. 63–149 |
| 8 | Mar. 30; Apr. 1 & 6 | Apr. 13 | Qi, Blood, Fluids & Spirit in Chinese Medicine | CMTMP pp. 151–182 |
| 9 | Apr. 20, 22 & 27 | May 4 | Disease Causes in Chinese Medicine | CMTMP pp. 273–337 |
| 10 | May 11 & 13 | May 25 | Western Herbal Medicine: Introduction to Physiomedical Medicine | Course Material |
| 11 | Jun. 1 & 3 | Jun. 15 | Western Herbal Medicine: Introduction to Eclectic Medicine | Course Material |
| 12 | Jun. 15 & 17 | Jun. 29 | Western Herbal Medicine: Modern Approaches | Course Material |
| EXAM I | Jul. 6–8 | — | First Examination | Online — complete anytime during the exam period |
| — | — | SUMMER BREAK — Classes Resume September 7, 2027 |
ADVANCED ASSESSMENT & PATTERN IDENTIFICATION
| Lesson | Live Class Dates | Q&A | Topic | Required Reading / Assignment |
| 30 | TBD | TBD | Pathomechanisms: How Disease Arises | CMTMP pp. 339–376 & Course Material |
| 31 | TBD | TBD | Four Examinations: Clinical Assessment | CMTMP pp. 377–420, 422–478 & Course Material |
| 32 | TBD | TBD | Eight-Principle Pattern Identification | CMTMP pp. 505–528 |
| 33 | TBD | TBD | Qi, Blood & Fluids Pattern Identification | CMTMP pp. 529–564 |
| 34 | TBD | TBD | Bowels & Viscera Pattern Identification | CMTMP pp. 565–630 |
| 35 | TBD | TBD | Bowels & Viscera Pattern Identification — Continued | CMTMP pp. 630–726 |
| 36 | TBD | TBD | Introduction to Advanced Assessment Skills | CMTMP pp. 727–761 |
| FINAL EXAM | TBD | — | Final Examination | — |
* Course Material: Readings and materials provided through the course/LMS.
** CMTMP: Chinese Medicine: Theories of Modern Practice.
* All Course Material will be provided on a Lesson-by-Lesson basis. This means that when you sign up, the reading material from Lesson 1 will be provided. Upon the completion of each subsequent Lesson (or before), the reading material will be provided. The exception is reading material in the required text(s) that is listed above.
** CMTMP: The is the course required textbook, Chinese Medicine: Theories of Modern Practice
Course Material Notes
* Course Material
Course materials will be released lesson by lesson. Upon enrollment, students will receive the materials for Lesson 1. Materials for each subsequent lesson will be made available upon completion of the preceding lesson, or earlier as appropriate.
This release schedule does not apply to assigned readings from the required textbook(s), which are listed separately in the Course Outline.
** CMTMP
CMTMP refers to the required course textbook, Chinese Medicine: Theories of Modern Practice.