practice the art

of transformational healing

with Traditional Medical Alchemy & Clinical Herbalism

Herbal remedies to heal the whole being

Most herbalists want to be “holistic.”

But what does that really mean?

It means that you understand the whole person and the whole plant. That you see the relationship between their physical, energetic, and spiritual virtues.

It also means that the medicine we use— the actual preparations— should be holistic as well, healing the body, mind, and soul. 

After all, how can you expect to heal the whole person if the medicine you use doesn’t contain the whole plant? 

 

The Missing Pieces

in modern herbalism

Unfortunately it’s all too common in modern day herbalism to tunnel in on symptoms & forget the whole person. Plants are commonly understood by what they’re “good for” and their true holistic nature is overlooked…

So we use Turmeric for inflammation or Willow bark for a headache… which works sometimes, but sometimes isn’t good enough for a practicing herbalist.

Beyond that, we use one kind of remedy to heal the body— like teas, tinctures, and powders— and different preparations for the emotional, psychological or spiritual side of healing— like homeopathics or flower essences. 

When we lose sight of the whole person and the whole plant, our practice of herbalism becomes scattered, allopathic, and less likely to be effective. 

Like our modern culture, the practice of herbalism is suffering from a deep split, a state of separation between science and spirit.

But what if you could harness the full medicinal potency of plants by concentrating their chemical, energetic, and spiritual properties in a singular holistic extract?

What if you had an integrated system that united the science and spirit of herbal medicine and enabled you to transform the lives of those you serve?

The Alchemical Tradition Reunites the Science and Spirit of Herbal Medicine

The tradition of alchemy harnesses the transformational cycles of Nature as the basis for natural pharmacy and the crafting of holistic herbal medicines.

When we take those alchemically prepared medicines into our bodies, they transform us in the same way we transform them in the lab. 

Alchemy understands that to heal is to evolve, and to evolve is to heal. That to grow spiritually, we must heal, and to heal, we must make changes to become better people.

True healing is not just a lack of symptoms… but a transformational process that touches the core of who we are, reintegrating us with the archetypal forces and patterns of nature externally and internally. 

This is the level of healing desperately needed at this time…

ALCHEMICAL HERBALISM

online program from the School of Evolutionary Herbalism

The most comprehensive online education on

Clinical HERBALISM & TRADITIONAL ALCHEMY

Some programs teach alchemy. Some teach herbal medicine. But none synergize them in a way that gives you the ability to both prepare and administer plants to provide transformational levels of healing.

This holistic system unites herbal traditions from around the world into a cohesive system that integrates the science and spirit of people and plants. 

This is not your run of the mill herbal program. From spagyric alchemy and medical astrology, to clinical Western herbalism, Ayurveda, and modern pharmacology, you’ll gather skills that revolutionize your practice of herbalism in the forest, the pharmacy, and the clinic. 

Here's what you'll learn​

THROUGHOUT THE PROGRAM

The essence of Alchemical Herbalism is a holistic philosophy of nature, people, and plants that guides your practice of herbal medicine. 

You learn the fundamentals of what you need to be an effective practicing herbalist, with the unique approach the alchemical tradition provides. 

Below is a high level overview of what you learn throughout the entire course, with a more detail breakdown of the modules and curriculum further below.

The Language of Plants

Deepen your connection with plants by learning to balance your rational knowledge of them with intuitive and experiential understanding. Rather than just memorizing plant properties, you’ll learn how to learn about the plants from the plants themselves.

Integrative Global Herbalism

See the connections between the great herbal traditions of the world — such as Western herbalism, spagyric alchemy, medical astrology and Ayurveda — and weave them together into a comprehensive system of plant medicine that  is both spiritual and scientific. 

Learn Plants with Precision

Get beyond learning just what herbs are “good for” and learn their essential medicinal patterns. From tastes, energetics, and actions, to organ affinities, and esoteric properties, you’ll learn your plants with precision so you can understand them holistically, and see the connections between their chemical, energetic, and spiritual virtues. 

Understand People Holistically

Get beyond just treating symptoms and get to the root causes of disease by understanding people holistically. From constitutional systems, anatomy, physiology and pathology, to psychology and stages of spiritual development, you’ll know how to treat the whole person with precision by seeing the relationship between the body, spirit, and soul. 

Cosmological Medicine

The alchemical paradigm allows you to see the relationships people and plants have to the wholeness of nature and cosmos, or how the “macrocosm is within the microcosm.” You’ll understand people and plants through the lens of the energetic architecture of nature: the Seven Planets, the Five Elements, and the Three Philosophical Principles.

Craft Traditional Alchemical Remedies

To heal the whole person you need a holistic medicine that integrates the chemical, energetic, and spiritual properties of the plants. You’ll learn step-by-step examples of how to create spagyric herbal extracts that heal the body, mind, and soul of the people you serve. This is what makes the practice of true alchemical herbalism possible.

the curriculum

(Hover or tap the boxes for more details)

Module 1:

THE INTELLIGENCE OF NATURE

Module 1: The Intelligence of Nature

The foundation of this work is learning how to perceive the intelligence of nature and the language of the plants, which is the root of Alchemy and herbal traditions across the world. You'll balance your intuitive and rational faculties, develop deeper sensory perception, and decipher meaning in the natural world, within yourself, and in the laboratory.
Start Here

Module 4:

Eastern Alchemy & Ayurveda

Module 4: Eastern Alchemy & Ayurveda

Get a solid foundation in the fundamentals of Ayurveda and its reflections in Western Herbalism as well as Alchemy. You'll learn constitutional assessment so you can match the remedy to the person, rather than the disease. Understand the unique Ayurvedic perspective on medicine, pathology, cosmology, constitutional theory, as well as their model of understanding and classifying the medicinal properties of plants.

Module 2:

elemental herbalism

Module 2: Elemental Herbalism

Discover your unique embodiment of the Elements: from your physical constitution & psychological temperament, to your organ systems, tissue states, and disease predispositions. Learn to see the Elemental pattern within plants through their medicinal actions, energetics, tastes, chemistry, morphology, and psycho-spiritual properties. The Elements are at the foundation of many herbal traditions across the world, and are used to transform plants in the lab, and people in the clinic.

Module 5:

Astro-Herbalism

Module 5: Astro-Herbalism

Understand how the Elements, principles of Western Herbalism and Ayurveda all come together in medical astrology to give you a powerful system of anatomy, physiology, psychology, spiritual evolution, and transformational healing. You'll learn the specific nature of each planet and sign as they're reflected in people and plants on the physical, energetic and spiritual levels.

Module 3:

patterns in western herbalism

Module 3: Patterns in Western Herbalism

Learn the fundamental principles of vitalism, herbal energetics, tissue state & constitutional theory, the physiological actions of plants, and organ system appropriations. Bridge the patterns of Western Herbalism to Ayurveda, the Elements, and Medical Astrology for a truly cohesive model that helps you think holistically and get out of an allopathic approach to herbalism.

Module 6:

Western Alchemy & Spagyrics

Module 6: Western Alchemy & Spagyrics

Discover the unique way plants embody the Elemental, Planetary, and Fundamental forces of nature through their signatures and correspondences. Learn the practice of traditional Alchemy through extraction, purification and recombination of the 3 Philosophical Principles of plants. Craft spagyric medicines that concentrate the chemical, energetic and spiritual properties of plants that heal the whole person.

Module 1:

THE INTELLIGENCE OF NATURE

Module 1: The Intelligence of Nature

The foundation of this work is learning how to perceive the intelligence of nature and the language of the plants, which is the root of Alchemy and herbal traditions across the world. You'll balance your intuitive and rational faculties, develop deeper sensory perception, and decipher meaning in the natural world, within yourself, and in the laboratory.
Start Here

Module 2:

elemental herbalism

Module 2: Elemental Herbalism

Discover your unique embodiment of the Elements: from your physical constitution & psychological temperament, to your organ systems, tissue states, and disease predispositions. Learn to see the Elemental pattern within plants through their medicinal actions, energetics, tastes, chemistry, morphology, and psycho-spiritual properties. The Elements are at the foundation of many herbal traditions across the world, and are used to transform plants in the lab, and people in the clinic.

Module 3:

patterns in western herbalism

Module 3: Patterns in Western Herbalism

Learn the fundamental principles of vitalism, herbal energetics, tissue state & constitutional theory, the physiological actions of plants, and organ system appropriations. Bridge the patterns of Western Herbalism to Ayurveda, the Elements, and Medical Astrology for a truly cohesive model that helps you think holistically and get out an allopathic approach to herbalism.

Module 4:

Eastern Alchemy & Ayurveda

Module 4: Eastern Alchemy & Ayurveda

Get a solid foundation in the fundamentals of Ayurveda and its reflections in Western Herbalism as well as Alchemy. You'll learn constitutional assessment so you can match the remedy to the person, rather than the disease. Understand the unique Ayurvedic perspective on medicine, pathology, cosmology, constitutional theory, as well as a their model of understanding and classifying the medicinal properties of plants.

Module 5:

Astro-Herbalism

Module 5: Astro-Herbalism

Understand how the Elements, principles of Western Herbalism and Ayurveda all come together in medical astrology to give you a powerful system of anatomy, physiology, psychology, spiritual evolution, and transformational healing. You'll learn the specific nature of each planet and sign as they're reflected in people and plants on the physical, energetic and spiritual levels.

Module 6:

Western Alchemy & Spagyrics

Module 6: Western Alchemy & Spagyrics

Discover the unique way plants embody the Elemental, Planetary, and Fundamental forces of nature through their signatures and correspondences. Learn the practice of traditional Alchemy through extraction, purification and recombination of the 3 Philosophical Principles of plants. Craft spagyric medicines that concentrate the chemical, energetic and spiritual properties of plants that heal the whole person.

Module 7:

Esoteric Herbalism

Module 7: Esoteric Herbalism

Integrate everything together as you learn the sister sciences of Alchemy, primarily the Qabalah and the Tarot, to understand the transformational properties of spagyric preparations of plants. Learn to perceive the archetypal expressions of plants and how they embody specific evolutionary functions as they interface with human consciousness. Develop a unique practice of herbalism that honors the soul, spirit and body of people and plants and ultimately leads to transformational levels of healing.

Outline of Curriculum Lesson by Lesson

The Seven Stages of

Alchemical herbalism

The Alchemical Herbalism Program progresses through seven stages of your herbal development. These are the specific processes you go through in the practical application of what you learn in your coursework, from learning your remedies holistically and transforming them into powerful medicines, to healing yourself and others with them.

1. discover

Your Inner Forest

The first step is discovering the remedies of your “inner forest;” those plants that you deeply resonate with and “stand up in the forest and call your name.” These seven  plants are those you’ll learn through study and experience, take through the alchemical process, and ultimately will be healed and transformed by. 

2. Build

Experiential Knowledge

Build your direct experience by sitting with your plants, learning directly from them, and developing your relationships to them. You’ll cultivate a deep and profound connection to your plants as you come to understand their unique language, teachings, and medicine… all from the plants themselves.

3. understand

Herbs Holistically

Learn your plants holistically through its physical actions, chemistry, constitutional and organ affinities, energetics, psychological and emotional properties, and spiritual virtues. Your heart based understanding will be balanced with intellectual, traditional knowledge that goes beyond just what it’s “good for” so you can use it effectively and holistically.

4. unlock the

Esoteric Virtues in Plants

Decipher your plants’ embodiment of the archetypal forces of nature through its elemental and planetary rulers. You’ll be able to see the relationship between its physical, energetic, and spiritual properties, as well as how those same forces help you understand people holistically. This is the key to preparing your plant alchemically and administering it transformationally.

5. Craft An

Alchemical Medicine

With knowledge of the elemental and planetary ruler, you now can harvest and prepare the plant according to the principles of spagyric alchemy. By concentrating its chemical, energetic and spiritual properties, you have the full medicinal potency of the whole plant that will heal the whole person.

6.

Transform Yourself

As you work with your spagyric preparations, you’ll receive a deep level of healing and integration of your plant’s unique medicinal virtues as it becomes a part of who you are. The plant now guides you through the same transformational process you took it through in the lab. As you heal the various parts of yourself you’ll come to a deeper understanding of the archetypes of Nature, and grow in your skills as an herbalist. 

7.

Serve Others

Everything comes full circle as plant by plant, spagyric by spagyric, healing by healing, you enter deeper levels of understanding of the healing power of alchemically prepared plants. As you heal yourself, you are better able to step into the role of serving your community as an alchemical herbalist, sharing the deep levels of transformational healing you’ve received through this process.

Alchemical Herbalism is for both beginners and advanced herbalists

Totally new to herbalism? If you’re struggling to grasp it all— or even know where to start — this course was designed with you in mind. You’ll get a solid foundation that gives you the competence to work with herbs with confidence. 

Already a seasoned practitioner? In addition to learning powerful new methods and practices, you’ll gather tools to get even more out of your remedies and clinical results in your practice. You’ll learn connections you’ve never seen before, and how to put that knowledge to use that provides transformational healing.

Wherever you’re at on your plant path, you’ll get powerful tools to advance your practice of herbalism so you get the healing results you know are possible.

“Words cannot express how thankful I am for the healing I received in this program. You’ve provided me with amazing tools for years of self-study and personal healing to come.

I could not have designed a better school for myself!”

– Willow – Portland, Oregon

WHAT YOU GET

& HOW IT WORKS

Fully

Supported

We’re here for you every step of the way. You’ll have all the help and support you may need throughout your journey from our team of experienced & knowledgable herbalists – on the phone, chat, email or through message in the student portal. 

Searchable

Course Database

Alchemical Herbalism is a completely searchable database. If you have a question or are looking for something specific, just search to find the exact lesson you’re looking for. You also get access to thousands of articles in our knowledge base.

You'll Have

Lifetime Access

Once your tuition is paid in full you will have lifetime access to the course materials. There are no deadlines to finish the course or end-dates where you lose access. We believe if you pay for something you should get to keep it forever!

Learn

Online or Offline

Every lesson is in video format, but you can also download MP3 versions of the lectures and in-depth PDF notes, charts, and  handouts, making it easy to get your herbal studies in anywhere, especially through our exclusive student app.

engage & connect

with Community

Engage with the community in our student teahouse. Setup your profile, post in your activity feed, start a forum discussion, update us on your program progress, start a study group, and make connections with other like-minded herbalists.

Study

at Your Own Pace

You can study whenever it’s convenient for you. You’ll be able to take your time and watch the videos over and over again. There’s no deadline to finish the course material – you can study as fast or slow as you like.

Earn your own

certificate of completion

As you watch each lesson, your progress is tracked through the program so you know where you’re at, where you left off, and how much more you have to go.

After you’ve finished the entire program, you’ll receive your own personalized Certificate of Completion to show that you’ve finished Alchemical Herbalism.

Enrollment currently closed

But you can enter your name and email below to get a sneak peak in the program by joining the FREE

herbal alchemy training sessions

You'll be first in line to know when we re-open enrollment

MEET YOUR INSTRUCTOR

Sajah Popham

Author of Evolutionary Herbalism: Science, Medicine & Spirituality from the Heart of Nature

Hey there! I'm Sajah, core instructor and founder here at the School of Evolutionary Herbalism. You're probably wondering who I am and what my qualifications are.

I received a BS in Herbal Sciences from Bastyr University 2008, which formed my foundation in herbalism: rooted in science but also central to my Earth-centered spirituality. From there I received clinical training through studying and shadowing some of the best herbalists.

For the past decade of teaching thousands of folks from around the world through our school, my goal has been to have a truly holistic approach to people and plants, one that honors the physical, energetic and spiritual aspects of life. I strive to support people in transforming their lives, to not just be symptom free— but physically vital, mentally inspired, emotionally uplifted, and growing into their life purpose. The plants are at the root of this transformational healing, for that's what they have provided to me.

I hope to be able to share a little bit of the medicine I have gathered along my plant path with you.