The Family Herbalist Program
Become an Herbalist in Your Own Home
Stop guessing when it matters most. Learn to care for the people you love, calmly and confidently, at home.
- Self-paced
- No experience needed
- Certificate when you finish
One-time payment. About an hour a day for 3 months. Prefer printed books? Correspondence is $545.
Dr. Christopher's School of Natural Healing has taught families hands-on herbalism since 1953.
4 core modules
Home health care, herbal first aid, home remedies, and the basics of herbology.
Video, audio, study guides
Two video series, five audio sessions, and a study guide for each module.
About 3 months
Plan on an hour a day, five days a week, at your own pace.
Exam and certificate
Finish with a final exam and your Family Herbalist certificate.
What you'll learn
What you'll be able to do at home
Practical skills taught the way Dr. Christopher taught families. You learn the methods and the reasons behind them.
Stock a family herbal kit
Put together a home kit of herbs and preparations, and know what each one is for.
Make preparations by hand
Poultices, fomentations, infusions, and salves, using the methods from the Christopher kitchen.
Recognize everyday herbs
Identify common herbs, including ones that may already be growing in your yard.
Know where to start
Learn the traditional herbal approach to everyday things like coughs, scrapes, and upset stomachs.
Understand the principles
Learn how the body works and why each method is used, so you can think through new situations.
Build daily habits
Simple routines from the program that support your family's health day to day.
The curriculum
Four modules, one foundation
Each module builds on the last. It is the first of the School's 22 levels toward Master Herbalist.
Herbal Home Health Care
Dr. Christopher's home-care textbook: common health challenges, prevention principles, and how to apply them at home.
Herbs to the Rescue
Herbal first aid for the everyday surprises of family life, at home or outdoors.
Simple Home Remedies
Hands-on preparation in the Christopher kitchen: fomentations, poultices, infusions, and traditional techniques.
Fundamentals of Herbology
How the body functions, how herbs interact with it, and how to reason through everyday situations.
From students
What students say
"I started using Dr. Christopher products and caring for our 7 children with his principles some years ago. I absolutely felt more confident treating our children… This is one of the best Natural Healing Schools out there."
Jo ByrdSchool of Natural Healing student"Dr. Christopher's School of Natural Healing is hands down the best place to start and continue your herbal education, there is no end to learning about the endless healing herbs on this planet."
Anna M.School of Natural Healing student"…they are simple, natural, and wonderful… a whole lifestyle change if you are ready… one of the greatest gifts I have ever been given."
Kesandra S.School of Natural Healing studentStudent stories
Where this comes from
More than 70 years of the Christopher family's work
Dr. John R. Christopher founded the School of Natural Healing in 1953 with one goal: an herbalist in every home. His son David Christopher turned those teachings into the home-study program you'll work through.
The Family Herbalist Program is where every student starts.
Enroll
Choose your format
Same curriculum, exam, and certificate. The only difference is how the materials reach you.
Online
Stream everything on any device.
$345one-time
- Both video series and all five audio sessions, streamed online
- Study guides for each module
- Final exam and Family Herbalist certificate
- Access starts as soon as you enroll
Correspondence
Printed books and materials mailed to you.
$545one-time
- Three printed books: Herbal Home Health Care, Herbs to the Rescue, and An Herbal Legacy of Courage
- Printed study guides
- Video and audio on disc (DVD and CD)
- Final exam and Family Herbalist certificate
You can cancel within three business days of enrolling for a full tuition refund. Conditions apply, like returning Correspondence materials unopened. Refund policy
Secure checkout. Both formats include three months to finish, and extensions are available for purchase if you need more time.
Questions
Common questions
What's the difference between Online and Correspondence?
Both are purchased online and cover the same curriculum, exam, and certificate. Online ($345) gives you digital access to stream the videos and audio from any device. Correspondence ($545) ships the three printed books and printed study guides to your door, with the audio and video on disc.
How much time does it take?
Plan on about an hour a day, five days a week. You have three months to finish, and it's self-paced, so you can fit it around family life. Extensions are available for purchase if you need more time.
Do I need any experience?
No. The program starts at the beginning and was built for parents, caregivers, and anyone who wants to learn herbalism properly.
How is this different from what I can find online?
Social media gives you fragments, a remedy here and a tip there. This program gives you a complete framework, so you understand why things work and not just what to try.
What comes after Family Herbalist?
Family Herbalist is the first of the School's 22 levels toward Master Herbalist. You can stop here or keep going.
Do you offer a refund?
Yes, within three business days of enrolling. Cancel in that window for a full tuition refund. Online students can't have downloaded course material, Correspondence materials need to come back unopened, and shipping isn't refunded. The refund policy has the full terms.
Is this medical advice?
No. The program is educational. It isn't a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment from a qualified health provider.
An herbalist in every home.
Start the Family Herbalist Program today and learn to care for the people you love, calmly and confidently.
Enroll Online for $345One-time payment. Prefer printed books? Order Correspondence for $545.