Acorn School of Herbal Medicine

06/11/2026

🔥The Liver is more than just a metabolic or digestive organ; it is a critical element of the immune system and the primary regulator of systemic immunity and inflammation. It sits as a gatekeeper protecting the system from dangerous elements of the gut microbiome and the parade of foreign things passing through the gut. It can engulf microbes, transform toxins, and if stressed by inflammatory triggers from the gut, send signals to regulate the “Inflammatory thermostat” of the entire system. When the barrier function of the gut is compromised or degraded, elements passing to the liver trigger cytokine warning signals that alter liver function and affect vascular and immune physiology in every region of the body. These gut-to-liver-to-system signals dial down liver detoxification, bile production, and hormonal clearance, producing classical signs of “liver stagnation” including degraded clearance of estrogen. They are now recognized as the primary triggers for migraine headache; they can also inflame endometriosis and cause its proliferation. We will describe this pathophysiology and present key traditional dietary and herbal therapeutics we have honed for this gut-to-liver-to-system complex over the last 30 years.

10:00 am - 12:00 pm PST
Sign up to receive the recording, even if you can’t attend live.

https://www.acornherbschool.com/milestones

06/10/2026

I often go scout an herb walk site to see what’s blooming a day or two before I lead a group out on a plant walk. I will generally do this even if it’s a site I’ve been to hundreds of times before. It’s an opportunity for me to monitor plant stands and witness how they’ve either grown or dwindled over time. I’ll think about the best places to introduce a particular plant and where I might avoid leaving a large swath of human tracks behind.

The best part about scouting my walks is spending quiet time with the land when I’m not surrounded by people. Also I get to have moments just watching butterflies… or what have you.

I often wonder, do other herbalists scout their herb walks when given the opportunity? I realize this is not always possible, and there are plenty of scenarios where we herbalists step on a trail for the first time along with the group. But I always prefer doing a solo pre-walk. It helps me feel more connected to the area.

This marsh is located along one section of this Saturday’s herb walk... I cannot guarantee the butterflies will still be there.

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! ❤️✨