ArborVitae School of Traditional Herbalism, 181 Huguenot Street, New Paltz, NY (2025)

08/08/2025

Our Free Student Herbal Clinic is Back! 🌿

With the new school year starting soon, we’re excited to reopen our free student clinic, offering both in-person and online sessions this fall.

Upcoming Clinic Dates:
🌱 Sunday, September 21 – In-person in New Paltz, NY
🌱 Monday, October 7 – Online via video
Appointment times for both days are available at 9:15am, 11:00am, and 1:30pm.

Each session lasts about 1.5 hours and includes a thoughtful, in-depth consultation led by our advanced herbal students and supported by experienced mentors. Consultations are rooted in deep listening and holistic assessment, exploring patterns in the mind and body through various herbal perspectives. After your session, you’ll receive personalized herbal, dietary, and lifestyle recommendations to support your specific health goals.

We welcome people of all ages and offer support for a range of common concerns, including sleep issues, focus and mood, acne, PMS, digestion, allergies, and more. This is a wonderful opportunity to receive grounded, holistic care—completely free of charge.

If you’re interested in working with our budding herbalists and mentor team, please email clinic@arborvitaeny.com with your name, contact info, and a few sentences about your current health goals or concerns.

We’d love to support you this season! 💚🌿

08/06/2025

Aging gracefully
by Colleen Cody, a second year student at ArborVitae

As part of monthly homework assignments, students are asked to share class reflections. This post is taken from Colleen’s February 2024 reflection of Herbs in the Cycles of Life—Elder Health and Vitality, led by director and co-founder, Claudia Keel.

“At 56—not a chippie, not an ancient either. That’s me.

I read that human aging happens in spurts—at 44, your aging apprenticeship begins and at 60, your master years of becoming a community elder lay its path before you. Weirdly this comforts me. It seems to give some well-needed structure and room, a push back to the binary of youth culture: if you ain’t young, you old.

O-L-D like Methuselah (wow, this one is truly weird and truly old) or the mountains, or as my Mom likes to say, O-L-D as dirt. This new study shows we age and we age more, and more—hallelujah, a gradation, a via media. If “the greatest wealth is health” (Virgil) then a smart investment strategy would be to set oneself up to make ‘bank’ in the golden years, thriving in body and mind.

My Mom is also fond of saying, We’re not here for a long time. We’re here for a good time…

I looked up the origin of elder and landed near ancient. I find this beautiful: from the Greek, arkhaios, literally “belonging to the beginning,” which parallels French ancien, used mostly with reference to things “of former times.”

The Ancients. Our Ancestors. Those who connect us to the beginning. Funny to think, who is giving space to whom.

As I age, I grow aware of life changing my body and mind—how I love; the way I parent; what boundaries I hold; how I expend attention and resources; view the culture; feel connection; assign value; define hope...”

Read Colleen’s full reflection on our blog — link in bio 🌸

07/30/2025

🌿 Our school garden is entering its second summer, and it’s become a special place for students and community members to come together and care for the land.

If you’re interested, volunteer hours happen every Wednesday from 10:30 AM to noon through August 13! 🦋

Whether you’re up for watering, weeding, making plant signs, protecting plants from critters, mowing paths, or adding compost — there’s something for everyone.

Also! If you want to start your Wednesday gently, Nina Jirka leads a free movement class here at 9:30 AM. It’s a calming mix of qigong, yoga, and dance — a nice way to get centered before gardening. 🤲🏽

Feel free to drop by for one or both — everyone’s welcome, no experience required!

07/22/2025

Meet Dana Perry 🌸📝🌞
our amazing Teaching Assistant + Blog Coordinator 🦋

Dana // graduated from ArborVitae in 2018 and now acts as a teaching mentor for the school, which means she is the incredibly lucky human who gets to read through student reflections and offer feedback (an herby pen pal of sorts). As the blog manager, she also solicits and shares writing with the larger community of people who love plants.

Dana shares what she loves most about her role on the AV team:
“Learning to engage with the natural world through a decidedly non-human lens is a deeply heart-opening and creative process. I believe the program offers more than a practical application of this knowledge, but a way to completely reframe one’s worldview; one of love and genuine tenderness toward self, others, and the brilliant earth we inhabit. The student transformation from year one to year three is significant and allows for a vulnerability and honesty that is really unusual in an academic setting. I felt this myself while working through the program and I’m deeply grateful that within my role at AV I get to witness this experience for others.”

Dana grew up in rural north Idaho and was lucky enough to spend my summer days wild and free and filled with dirt. She started a container herb garden as a 4H project when she was nine, and remembers patting the matted beds of chamomile leaves each time she passed because it smelled like pineapple sunshine. Her mother – a nurse – was raised in a family of farmers. She firmly believed that nearly every childhood ailment could be mitigated by tea, so Dana grew up drinking a lot of it (and now that she is a mother, she strongly upholds this tradition, ha)! Dana feels becoming an herbalist was more of a homecoming than anything for her.

We are so honored to have her as essential part of our team and grateful to share her magic ✨

Read her full reflection on our blog / link in our bio. And don’t forget to subscribe to our blog to stay in the loop!

07/17/2025

Meet Caterina Montelbano 🤸🏻🌻🤌🏻 — AV Alumni and clinical herbalist

After struggling with her own health, Caterina discovered how powerful herbal medicine can be. In the years since, she has been committed to learning about herbs and connecting people with plants. Her background in family and child development and education helps her understand human nature and support clients in leading deeply connected lives.

Reflecting on her journey into herbalism, Caterina shares: “I had struggles with digestion, hormones, and mental health especially. I’d seen a few doctors and they didn’t have much to say other than to downplay and normalize it which was frustrating. I’d heard about the ArborVitae student clinic and thought it was worth a try to see if herbs could help me. The student herbalist I met with, Hannah, was incredible. She gave me the time and attention that no health professional had before. I felt validated, just the consultation alone was a gift. Then the protocol she gave me helped me a lot and I was hooked on herbs from that point, ha! That was in February 2020, right before the world exploded. And then because everything was so uncertain, I decided to take the leap and apply to Arbor Vitae myself. I wanted to be able to give people the gift that Hannah gave me.”

As fellow plant enthusiasts, we’re always curious to know, if you could be any plant, who would you be? “I love this question. I’m not sure which plant I’m most like, but if I could pick one to be - it would be Linden. I crave that grounded energy trees hold. I love the slow steady growth and the solid nature of living in one place. Linden is soft with heart shaped leaves and helps us to be present with our emotions without judgement or harsh self criticism. As someone who at times has a hard time connecting with my feelings and is prone to self judgement, I’d love to be a plant that holds that space for others to help them through it. I also just love how Linden feels like a nurturer and a momma.”

If you’re interested in Caterina’s herbal offerings, visit her at www.invisiblestringwellness.com 🌼

07/14/2025

Magic of my elders by Tomeiry Mateo

—This blog is taken from Tomeiry’s, a recent AV graduate, reflection of African American Herbalism with instructor, Tiffany Robbins—

“This was such a powerful class. We started off with writing the name of one of our grandparents and we were then asked to speak on them in whichever way we’d like. By the end everyone was crying. I talked about my paternal grandmother. She passed away in 2020 and I didn’t know her all too well because I wasn’t too close to my dad and my grandparents live in the Dominican Republic so there wasn’t much opportunity to build that relationship. It was only until after her death that I found out about her magical side. She was a Curandera. She was a healer and practitioner in her community in the Dominican Republic, that was her purpose.

Finding this out at the time was so bittersweet. A part of me kind of found the missing puzzle in me that always questioned why I was the way I was and was drawn to the things that I was; it all made sense to me finally. The bitter part was that she was gone and I couldn’t go to her with all these questions that linger in me till this day. I talked in front of the class on how a part of me feels like I got my “magic” from her. I got so emotional, it felt so good to say that out loud and own that deep truth in me that I’ve never said out loud let alone to other people. Cuca was what everyone called her. We honored our ancestors by speaking their names out loud and uplifting them. I could just feel, not just for myself, but for everyone, how our elders were just so happy to be talked about and held in our hearts for that moment…

…I walked away from this class reminded to take my ancestors with me everywhere I go. They’re listening, happy for my path, are with me and are guiding me everywhere I go.”

Read Tomeiry’s // .mateo full reflection on our blog 💌

07/09/2025

Step Into Your Herbal Journey for 2025–26 🌿

Whether you’re taking your first steps in herbalism or ready to deepen your clinical skills, ArborVitae’s Three-Year Clinical Herbalism Program offers a journey rooted in tradition, healing, and hands-on learning.

Now Accepting Applications for the 2025–26 School Year!

🌼 Year 1: Build a strong herbal foundation 🌼 Year 2: Expand your skills with advanced topics, diagnostics & mentorship 🌼 Year 3: Sharpen your clinical practice with real-world experience

Already have a background in herbalism? Our Second-Year Program may be the perfect next step — with limited spots available for students ready to go deeper into diagnostics, formulation, and client care.

📚 Highlights include: • 379 classroom hours • Pulse & tongue reading • Complex case analysis • Expanded Materia Medica • Mentorship & supervised clinical practice

👉 Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis — apply early to secure your space! Tap the link in our bio to read the full syllabus and start your application 🌱

07/03/2025

Meet Franscis Balkan 🧚🏼🌓🌿
— AV Alumni and clinical herbalist located in the Berkshires

With a deep love and respect for the natural world, and all the beings that coexist together to create it, Franscis strives to support people in reconnecting with their unique rhythms. Franscis knows that our bodies are always changing and believes medicine works best in specifics rather than a one-size-fits-all approach; one herb may be supportive for one person but disruptive for another; one herb may be supportive for one person during one season but disruptive for that same person during a different season.

Franscis’s approach to medicine is through relationships. Her goal is to support people in understanding their unique bodies, minds, and spirits. And then how to tend to their unique physical, emotional, and spiritual needs in a way that feels empowering. She is drawn to symbols and stories, and has a background in art and design.

Follow Franscis // to stay in the loop for future offerings 🌼

06/27/2025

🌈 Happy Pride Weekend, NYC! 🌈

Our school celebrates identity, resilience, and community — the very roots of Pride.

This weekend and always, we honor the strength we find in each other, the beauty of being seen and supported just as we are, and the joy that fuels our growth.

Whether you’re marching, dancing, or resting in a quiet green space — you belong, you are loved, and you are powerful. 💗

06/24/2025

Meet Lexi Berko 🤲🏽🌼🐇

Lexi is a forever student, ArborVitae alumni and herbalist of — constantly in awe and full of questions about the surrounding natural world and all its inhabitants. She truly believes that because we are part of nature, that is where we should source our medicine for the healing of our whole body.

She also believes that food is medicine, so when not practicing the art of herbal medicine, Lexi can be found on her farm tending to the beasts of Wild Lea Farm who nourish both the land and local communities through pasture based systems of raising livestock. Lexi’s clinical herbalism practice is Flora Folkways and she is based in the Hudson Valley.

06/20/2025

Happy Summer Solstice, plant friends 🌞🌼🌿

Today, we reach the height of the sun’s journey — the longest day and the shortest night. Everything around us is alive with color and fullness: blossoms bursting, herbs thriving, and the earth humming with energy.

The solstice is a beautiful time to honor the fire within — your inspiration, your joy, your sense of purpose, your heart. That quiet spark that keeps you creating, connecting, and growing.

Take a breath. Step outside. Let the warmth of the sun remind you of all the light you carry.

💛 What brings you joy? 🌼 What helps you feel rooted and alive?

This is your invitation to lean into those things. Whether it’s time in the garden, a walk in the woods, or simply sitting still with a cup of something herbal — today is a reminder that you, too, are part of nature’s rhythm.

From our herbal hearts to yours — may your day be full of light, wild herbs, and good company around a summer fire. ❤️‍🔥

06/19/2025

Today we honor Juneteenth.

Liberation is a living, ongoing commitment. When we center freedom, we honor our truest selves and the dignity of every human need. Let this day remind us that the work of justice and healing is how we move closer to collective wholeness.

As herbalists, we believe that healing the land and healing our communities go hand in hand.
 We honor Juneteenth in remembrance, in reflection, and in solidarity. 💛❤️🖤💚

ArborVitae School of Traditional Herbalism

08/08/2025

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