Oren Hercz, Clinical Herbalist

02/06/2026

Are adaptogens overhyped? It seems that every smoothie powder now includes “adaptogens.”
We live in a stressful world, so it is no surprise that a herb category that “helps you deal with stress” would become popular! But do they work? And are people using them correctly?

From personal and clinical experience (as well as research studies), I can confirm they do in fact work. People who take adaptogens long term (and appropriately) develop more resilience to stress. They develop a more measured reaction to stressors, while experiencing fewer of the negative health impacts of stress (like chronic mood or digestive issues). This is great!

But what most people don’t understand about adaptogens is that they are not all alike! And you won’t reap these benefits if you choose the wrong one for you. A simple way to explain is that adaptogens exist on a spectrum from more stimulating to more calming. If an anxious stressed out person takes a simulating adaptogen (like Eleuthero), they may find it worsens their anxiety. They would be better suited to a calming adaptogen (like Ashwagandha), whereas a fatigued, lethargic person may do better with the extra stimulation of Eleuthero (as long as they don’t have sleep issues).

Also, adaptogenic herbs, being complex plant medicines, have many other effects on different body systems, so these should also be factored in when matching an adaptogen to a person.

We are going to do a deep dive into adaptogens – how they work, how to differentiate them, how to take them effectively – in part 2 of our upcoming class series, “Moving through Hard Times: Herbs for Stress and Emotional Well-being.” If you want to get the most out of using herbs to help you manage stress and emotional ups and downs, this class series will help!

Register:
https://www.maritimeherbschool.com/events
Feb. 10th and 17th 6:30-8:30 AT (5:30-7:30 Eastern)

01/29/2026

Hi folks, last call to register for our Intermediate Herbal Medicine Program at the Early Bird Price and save $400 (until Jan. 30th).

If you feel like this could be your year to dive deep into herbal medicine, consider this program happening right on the South Shore (or join online).

Here are a few unique things about our Intermediate Program that you might want to know:

🌿There is an entire anatomy & physiology program in this course that is geared to be relevant to herbalists. It is like a course within a course!
🌿There is a 3 day nature immersion in the summer (which is also recorded for online students). We spend most of the time outdoors, doing nature connection practices, and meeting most of the plants that we study in the course. Many people describe this weekend as life changing.
🌿We spend a lot of time working on case studies where you get feedback from us on your application of the material to real life scenarios. Studying herbs is one thing. Applying herbal medicine skillfully and consistently is quite another, and this only comes from practice.
🌿We taste every herb we study together. Online students get packages mailed out to them with herbal samples, so they can sample the herbs along with the in-person students during class. This experiential learning is essential to really understanding and remembering how herbs work.
🌿Most people actually complete this program - This may seem like an odd selling point, but in this time of online learning, the fact is that most people do not complete online programs they sign-up for. Think of courses you yourself have signed up for but not completed. Because of the live focus of this program, and the small cohort, there is group accountability built in that helps keep people on track.

Intermediate Program Register for the 2026-2027 Program Early Bird deadline is January 30th + We are hosting a Q&A session on Zoom, January 27th, 7-8pm AST. Come learn about the program and get your questions answered! Click here to register. Are you looking to delve into a deep study of herbal medi...

01/23/2026

We literally don’t know what we would do without our beloved plants for everyday emotional and stress support. Being a person is hard, and you don’t have to just push through alone! The plants are here to help you move through hard times with more ease and show up in your life more fully, authentically, and with more satisfaction.

Our upcoming online series Moving Through Hard Times is designed to help you choose the most appropriate herbs for your nervous system and emotional experience. Whether you’re experiencing heightened anxiety, shut-down, activation or burnout, the herbs are here for you.

If you’re considering our upcoming intermediate herbal program that starts in May, this is a great opportunity to see how you vibe with our teaching styles while adding some vital tools to your everyday support toolbox.

There are three tiers of payment for accessibility, and the classes will be recorded.

Learn more and register here:
https://www.maritimeherbschool.com/events

01/13/2026

I’m offering a free workshop tonight at the Bridgewater library. It’s going to be fun with hands on tastings. Here are the details!

Today, chronic health issues are on the rise, and many people struggle to find care that feels empowering and holistic. Herbal medicine offers a joyful, nature-connected, and effective way to address these challenges. Join clinical herbalist, Oren Hercz from the Maritime School of Holistic Herbalism in this hands-on workshop, learning ethical and effective approaches to the practice followed by a herb tasting focused on cold and flu season.

Today, Tuesday Jan.13th, 6-8:30pm
Margaret Hennigar Public Library, Bridgewater (at the LCLC)

Call 902-543-9222 to register or show up.

01/08/2026

Are you ready to deepen your study of herbal medicine? Our year long Intermediate Program is now open for registration.

This program could be a fit for you if you resonate with:

🌿 Pursuing a joyful healing path as an antidote to our disconnected stressed out culture
🌿 Joining a movement that fosters empowered, respectful, and accessible healthcare in our communities
🌿 Learning from expert Clinical Herbalists with 30+ years combined experience.
🌿 Balancing academic learning with hands-on application for deep experiential knowledge
🌿 Small cohort learning that encourages discussion, exercises, accountability, and connection
🌿 Recognizing systemic obstacles to health – our health is shaped by communities, ecosystems, and the world around us. Healing is interconnected.

Whether you’re looking to support yourself, your family, or your community, this program is designed to give you the skills and confidence you need to be a competent herbalist.

🌟 Free live Q&A: January 27th – learn more and ask your questions!
https://www.maritimeherbschool.com/events

🌟 Early bird: $400 off if you register by January 30th.
https://www.maritimeherbschool.com/intermediate

Program overview:
- Runs May 2026 – March 2027
- Ten monthly live weekend intensives + flexible pre-recorded videos
- Attend in-person or online

Intermediate Program Register for the 2026-2027 Program Are you looking to delve into a deep study of herbal medicine? Whether you already have some herbal studies under your belt, or are a very keen beginner, there is a point where you are ready to deepen and solidify your herbal skills, so you can...

12/07/2025

Join Ember and I for our free webinar, “Rising to the Health Challenges of Our Times with Herbal Medicine” to learn more 🌱
Registration is free, and can be found at the event link in my Bio.
Register:
https://martimeherbschool.newzenler.com/live-webinar/risingtothehealthchallenges/register

12/06/2025

Join Ember and I for our free webinar, “Rising to the Health Challenges of Our Times with Herbal Medicine” to learn more 🌱

Registration is free, and can be found at the event link in my Bio.

Register:
https://martimeherbschool.newzenler.com/live-webinar/risingtothehealthchallenges/register

12/05/2025

Join Ember and I for our free webinar, “Rising to the Health Challenges of Our Times with Herbal Medicine” to learn more 🌱

Registration is free, and can be found at the event link in my Bio.

11/28/2025

We're bringing back our free online workshop "Rising to the HealthChallenges of our Times with Herbal Medicine."

🌿 Register : maritimherbschool.com/events
🌿 December 9th, 7-8:30 AST.

You will learn:

~ The most prevalent health challenges of our times
~ Our approach for an ethical and effective herbalism practice
~ How to apply our approach to increase the effectiveness of herbs you know, with a specific focus on cold & flu season

The times we live in deeply need the skills, intention, and heart that herbalists can offer. Join us!

11/14/2025

When it comes to digestive issues, most people start by asking:
👉 “What herb will help my gas, or bloating, or constipation, etc.?”

That’s an okay place to begin — but it won’t get you the most reliable or long-lasting results.

A better approach is to understand what different kinds of herbs actually do in the body, and then apply them selectively to your unique symptom picture. In this way, we use herbs as allies — skillfully matching plants to people — instead of the “pills for problems” model we’re used to in conventional medicine.

For example, demulcent (slippery, soothing) herbs like Slippery Elm or Marshmallow (pictured here) coat and protect our mucous membranes. They can:
🌿 Soothe the esophagus (helping with heartburn)
🌿 Lubricate the colon (relieving constipation)
🌿 Bulk up loose stools (helping with, well, loose stools)

So you see here that one class of herb (demulcents) can be helpful in different situations.

These herbs are especially useful for those with dry, irritated, or inflamed tissues (in their digestion or elsewhere). If that’s you, a demulcent may help — regardless of your specific “problem.”

Come learn more about demulcents and other essential digestive herbs in our upcoming 2-part online series: Love Your Gut – A Herbal Support Framework for Common Digestive Issues.

📅 November 24 & December 2, 6:30-8:30 AT (5:30-7:30 ET)

Register at:

Many of us put up with digestive discomfort every day that we often come to accept as normal - symptoms like gas, bloating, constipation, chronic loose stools, and reflux. While this feels bad on its own, impaired digestion can also have negative impacts throughout our bodies, affecting things like

11/12/2025

Excited to be teaching at the , starting tomorrow!

This year’s theme, Diverse Minds, Common Ground, is close to my heart—we’ll be exploring how herbalism supports neurodiversity and the full spectrum of nervous system health.

I'll be teaching a class on the mental health benefits of nurturing Plant Connection along with practical ways to do it, as well as a shorter class on Chamomile, one of my favourite herbs! There will be many other amazing speakers, with much wisdom to share.

If you would like to join, you can use my discount code OH25 to save $25.

10/31/2025

As a herbalist, you might think that on Halloween I might caution against the perils of too much sugar or processed sweets, but actually the biggest danger for kids on Halloween is getting hit by a car. There is a lesson in this for health conscious folks -- we can often get fixated on certain health practices (like avoid sugar) and miss more obvious risks to our well-being. It's wise to take a full, holistic view of health — body, mind, and environment included.

Stay safe out there. And if your child is dressed like a black demon (as mine is 😅) consider adding some reflective flair to the outfit.