Acorn School of Herbal Medicine

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Nevada City, CA
Acorn School of Herbal Medicine

Clinical Herbalism Programs for the developing practitioner. A.C.O.R.N. Working with plants is working with the forces of Nature.

Academic Community Of Radical Nature-cure

In order to practice herbalism effectively one must turn towards Nature as the original instructor. Nature Cure is a healing modality as old as humanity itself. Our contemporary expression of it originated in the mid-1800s. Practitioners used whole food diets, restoration of the circadian rhythm, bathing in healing waters, movement in the fresh clean ai

r, and the skilled application of herbs. This was practiced while spending ample time in natural landscapes and wild places. They found these methods to be curative of many conditions. It is from this tradition that modern naturopathic medicine was developed. In order to facilitate a cure we must unpack the habits of modern lifestyle and restore the balance of Nature’s original instructions in human life. It is our mission to resurrect these principles in the practice of western herbalism today. We are a learning community and each of us comes to this calling with something to offer. We learn directly from experience, from our own and from each other. Every student on this path has the ability to become a teacher for ourselves, for those we serve, and for one another. The unique effects of herbs on one individual offer experience for all of us in the setting of shared community learning. We cultivate a ferocious appetite for learning with in-depth study and rigor in our academic work. In defense of Nature’s ability to heal, we take a radical stand against those dominant medical practices that suppress life’s innate healing processes. We are the resistance against the distorted views of suppression which are known to cause harm and illness. We have come to call our school the Academic Community Of Radical Nature-cure. Servants of life
Lovers of trees
Humble nuts of the mighty oak

05/22/2026

Flavonoids… Fresh picked cognitive, cardiovascular and immune support 🍓

05/10/2026

Scenes of Mother’s Day sweetness… 💛✨

03/08/2026

We’re turning 10! 🥳

When our school was born, I had been practicing and teaching as a clinical herbalist for over a decade. I had also recently recovered from chronic Lyme disease. During the two years of my illness I struggled
with daily tasks, plagued with extreme fatigue, debilitating joint pain, and horrendous brain fog. My path to recovery was steeped in the methods of Vitalist healing. I worked on healing my gut, restoring my sleep, spending time in nature, embracing spiritual guidance; along with a host of supporting strategies.

The result was that I achieved a higher level of health than before my illness began. Navigating my own chronic disease made me more equipped to work as an herbalist. I started to see better results in my clients, and I became motivated to teach classes on vitalism. It was my own healing journey that paved the way for the birth of the ACORN School of Herbal Medicine.

Over the past ten years we have continued to offer core curriculum developed by Paul Bergner from the North American Institute of Medical Herbalism in the setting of a community learning platform.

When our programs moved online in 2021, we decided to maintain the community learning concepts by hosting live interactive classes. The shift online allowed two things to happen: our learning community expanded to include students from around the world, and Paul Bergner is now able to join us for class.

It is our mission to pass on the methods of Vitalism for the next generation of herbalists to carry forward.

Join us for our 10th year in vitalist herbal education...
Registration for the 2026-2027 school year is open!

Classes start in September.
Last day to register is August 25th.

This year we are offering 10% off all program costs to everyone who applies before May 1st. ✨

I am so grateful for an amazing 10 years…
More ways to celebrate coming soon!

In humble service to healing. 🌿

12/30/2025

10/24/2025

Elk tracks in the river bed.
Mist to thick it feels like the air is a hug.

01/08/2024

Admit it! I know what you really want is to learn herbal medicine, and natural building in the Scottish Highlands...

So I found this guy who builds cool stuff and I'm taking over his croft to teach a few things about plants.

This wee link is where you see details for the two separate workshops. Sign up for either one, or both.
https://www.acornherbschool.com/scotland

01/01/2024

Madrone berry prayer beads- Quietly stringing up intentions for 2024.

Madrone - Arbutus menziesii - is a member of the Ericaceae family; housing relatives such as cranberry, blueberry, uva ursi, and heather. Madrone leaves and bark have many uses as an astringent tonic and disinfectant. Like other members of this family, Madrone also produces a delicious edible fruit….

all strung up for remembrance and sweetness.

12/08/2023

The pharmacy team! When you receive custom formulas or medicine kits in the mail from us its because these ladies made it happen.

I am so grateful for the medicine women in my life. That beauty on the right has been my right hand woman for 8 years. Today we celebrated her last day at ACORN as she moves on to embark on her own herbal business ventures.

Many blessings on your journey … Love you huge! ❤️✨

12/03/2023

As we welcome the emerging signs of winter, and cozy up with warm mugs of tea, I am reminded of how our ancestors lived through the long dark winter nights. I imagine the number of hours spent sitting by the fire telling stories with morals and values teaching us how to live well and be good humans on this Earth. Each generation passing those stories onto the next.

In light of this tradition, I want to echo the power of how a good story can inspire us to thrive and live in good health. Here I have a story for you.
It's a story about a woman with autoimmune thyroid disease who came to our clinic. She spent several months working with one of our interns to achieve a higher level of health than she dreamed possible. It was not with fancy expensive modern treatments that brought this transformation, but rather the application of simple lifestyle changes based on traditional wisdom and ancient teachings.

The principles in this case study can be applied to nearly any state of health and illness. Elements of which remind us how the daily practices to build the foundations of individual health can make an impact on the world around us and uplift entire communities. May it inspire you to live well also... So, grab a cup of tea and dive into the next publication in our Clinical Herbalism Journal.

Link in comments…

10/27/2023

Peak growing season may be over, but there is still an abundance of wild food and medicine to be found all around us… This autumn plant walk is an opportunity to learn how to identify plants passed the peak bloom cycle, learn about sustainable harvesting practices, and medicinal uses for over a dozen local herbs commonly found along trail sides in the Sierra Foothills.

Bring your walking shoes and appetite for learning. Register online. Link below….

https://www.acornherbschool.com/field-classes

10/24/2023

https://www.facebook.com/100042219078465/posts/1082141829869776/?mibextid=K8Wfd2

A New Moon Acorn wish.🍂
🍂Such a magical tree, ye old Oak Tree be.
Why, it be known to be the master of all trees, the keeper of all knowledge.
They do say ”Great things come when ye stand neath an old Oak Tree”. Our ancestors knew this and they were known to hold great meetings neath the Oak trees.
🍂Acorns are known to be a bringer of good luck and o’er many a year folk have carried acorn charms for protection and good health. Of course, the acorn is associated with the faery folk, they do say the fae love the little acorns for they drink dew drops from its cup.
🍂A new Moon wish🍂
Upon the night of an Autumn New Moon, in the darkness of the night, ye must go out into your garden and choose somewhere special to dig a little hole. Place into the hole an acorn and cover it with soil. Mind, remember to bless it as you do.🍂 For, they do say your acorn will flourish and grow into a mighty Oak Tree and bring with it an abundance of good luck.🍂

Written by Athey Thompson
Picture taken by Athey🍂

Address

PO Box 1664
Nevada City, CA
95959

Website

http://www.acornherbschool.com/

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