Welcome to the East West School of Herbalism, serving budding and serious herbalists since 1980. The school is now owned and run by Thomas Avery Garran, celebrated by Michael Tierra as one of his most accomplished students. We focus on training from beginning to advanced — from the Community Herbalist Introduction to the Professional Herbalist Course — with a clinical herbalist track and ongoing free and paid lectures.
Our Programs
Start Here
Community Herbalist Introduction
- No prior experience needed
- Self-paced online lessons
- Learn to identify and prepare common medicinal herbs
Intermediate
Home Herbalist Course
- Self-paced online lessons with video
- Home Herbalist student forum access
- Certificate of completion
Advanced · Most Popular
Professional Herbalist Course
- In-depth video curriculum with guided study
- Live weekly classes
- Full access to the Digital Library
What Our Students Say
The depth of knowledge Dr. Garran brings to every class is extraordinary. This program transformed not just my practice but my entire relationship with plants.— Student testimonial
What sets this school apart is the integration of Eastern and Western approaches. You don't just learn formulas — you learn to think like an herbalist.— Student testimonial
The combination of online learning, hands-on farm experience, and Dr. Garran's mentorship creates a truly unique educational experience.— Student testimonial
Why Study With Us
East Meets West
Learn to bridge Chinese medicine and Western herbalism with an integrative approach you won't find anywhere else.
Clinical Depth
Be rooted in plant identification, be comfortable engaging with plants, draw deeply from tradition while trusting your own developing clinical reasoning, diagnosis, and the art of combining herbs for real-world practice.
Farm-Based Learning
Connect with living plants on our regenerative certified organic farm. Invite interaction with the plants in a diverse semi-wild agro-ecology to discover how this might deepen your understanding of how they heal.
Supportive Community
Join a community of dedicated herb students and practitioners, with forums, group study, and mentorship.
Your Instructor
Thomas Avery Garran, PhD, RH
Thomas Avery Garran and Holly Wu took over from the school's founders, Michael and Lesley Tierra in 2023. Dr. Garran is the primary instructor of the East West School of Herbalism. Dr. Garran is a Doctor of Chinese Medicine with extensive training in Western herbalism, he is the author of what are generally considered the best two books on the use of Western herbs in Chinese medicine, Western Herbs According to Traditional Chinese Medicine and Western Herbs in Chinese Medicine. He is also the translator (with annotation) of the ground-breaking text, Chinese Herb Cultivation.
His teaching draws on decades of clinical practice, field research, and organic farming to deliver a deeply practical, integrative education in plant medicine.
Ready to Start?
Explore our programs and find the right path for your herbal education.
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