Herbal Foundations Program

The Herbal Foundations Program is valuable both for herb enthusiasts and professionals wanting to add to their healing repertoire. Our graduates include moms, dads, teens, aspiring herbalists, high school homeschoolers, massage therapists, nutritionists, chiropractors, estheticians, and medical professionals including doctors, nurses, nurse practitioners, and physician assistants. Students do not need any previous herbal experience to take the program.

Yes, but because there is no official licensure or certification for herbalists in the United States, we don't "certify" herbalists. All graduates of our the Herbal Foundations Program DO receive a certificate, though, which is the beautiful proof that you completed and graduated from our program.

Our students benefit greatly from the rich interaction with teachers and other students. We want to get to know you and we want Green Path to feel like the community that it is. We also find that students complete courses much faster when there is a specifically scheduled time to meet and work on the program. But we understand that things come up and sometimes you can't make it to a live class. For this reason, we record each class. In case you are unable to attend, rest assured that you can watch a class later, without missing any information. Just email us once you have watched the class recording and we will mark you as having attended the class.

We provide a PDF workbook for the Herbal Foundations Program, containing over 80 herbal recipes, medicine-making handouts, and a comprehensive herbal actions and herbal pharmacy glossary. Students will need to purchase the book Body Into Balance by Maria Noel Groves, as well as medicine-making supplies to create their own herb kits. A computer is highly recommended.

Yes! Many students value rewatching the videos of our classes. For this reason, everyone will have the option to download all of the class content for lifetime access, providing future viewing at their leisure.

The Herbal Foundations Program is ideal for beginners and practitioners looking to expand their herbal knowledge. It is also suitable for individuals who want to support themselves, their family, or friends. The year-long program consists of 72 hours of classes and 36 hours of self study and medicine making, held monthly on Saturdays. Herbal Foundations is taught exclusively by Herbalists Elaine Sheff and John Goicovich.

In contrast, the Herbalist Certificate Program provides a more in-depth and intensive learning experience, encompassing over 430 class hours and 70 hours of self study, projects, assignments, and medicine making. This program features a diverse faculty (including Elaine and John) that covers a comprehensive range of topics in greater detail. The Herbalist Certificate Program is designed for those aiming to elevate their herbal skills to work as a professional herbalist. Many students who complete the Herbal Foundations Program choose to progress to the Herbalist Certificate Program.

• All credit card fees are non-refundable.


• A full refund of tuition will be paid if the student withdraws (in writing) before the first day of class. All refunds are minus a $100 administrative fee and any credit card fees associated with payment.

• If a student cancels after the classes have begun, a calculation of all allowable charges shall be made using the date that we received written notification of termination.

• If a student withdraws from any program, a refund calculation will be applied based on the following:

  1. Less than 10% of course completed = 75% refund (minus administrative and credit card fees)

  2. More than 10 % and less than 25% of course completed = 50% refund (minus administrative and credit card fees)

  3. More than 25% and less than 50% of course completed = 25% refund (minus administrative and credit card fees)

  4. Over 50% of course completed = 0% refund

  5. After 50% of the course is over, the total sum of tuition is owed in full, even if not all classes are attended.

  6. All students making payments are still subject to the Refund Policy terms.