In-Person, Immersive 7-Day Course
Foundations of Herbal Medicine:
Rooted in Vitalism & Medicine Making
January 7-13 2026 & May 12-18 2026
Discover the heart of Herbal Practice: Medicine Making & Vitalism
This immersive course is designed for both beginners and those looking to deepen their knowledge. Offering a unique blend of theory and hands-on experience, empowering you to confidently create remedies including: infusions, decoctions, syrups, salves, tinctures, teas, steams, honeys, vinegars, and spagyrics. Build your understanding of the deeper principles of herbal medicine theory while you practice. Welcome to the transformative world of plants!
Foundations are everything
Our philosophy is simple: We want to give our students an energetic model for understanding the patterns in nature in within the human body. This way, you can begin to become your own healer while you practice crafting herbal medicines.
Plant ID | Materia Medica | Organ Systems Herbal Actions | Vitalism | Alchemy & Spagyrics
WHAT YOU WILL LEARN
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• Explore the rich traditional history of using medicinal plants from an anthropological perspective• Gain a holistic understanding of the diverse ways plants have been used throughout history
• Dive deep into the cultural and historical contexts of plant medicine across different societies
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• Understand how plants express energetic actions and affinities through their taste, appearance, and growing environment.
• Learn the terminology essential for thinking and speaking like an herbalist.
• Develop the ability to interpret plant characteristics to enhance your herbal knowledge.
• Gain a new perspective, allowing you to see the plant world with fresh eyes.
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• Study anatomy and physiology to understand how the body functions and responds to illness
• Learn how tissue states manifest in common disease patterns
• Discover how to pair herbal remedies with specific tissue states and disease profiles
• Develop the skills to match herbs with the body's unique healing needs.
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• Deepen your herbal practice by incorporating a rooted spiritual understanding of herbal medicine• Learn how connect with plants from a place of humility and respect
• Explore the wisdom and guidance that plants offer through plant spirit medicine
• Cultivate a deep intuitive relationship with place, enhancing both healing and personal growth
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• Learn to prepare dozens of traditional herbal medicines including: infusions, decoctions, syrups, salves, tinctures, tea blending, steams, honeys, vinegars, and spagyrics.
• Enjoy fun, interactive lab sessions where you'll apply your skills.
• Create your own herbal medicines, tailored to your learning.
• Take home the medicines you've made yourself. Build your apothecary and share with your community.
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• Learn how to properly identify plant families in the wild.• Discover best practices for harvesting plants sustainably.
• Understand the art of propagating wild plants to ensure future abundance.
• Gain knowledge that contributes to the thriving of plant medicines in the wild.
What our students are saying…
MEET YOUR TEACHERS
JULIA BENTLEY
Herbalist, Mother, Teacher, Birth & Postpartum Doula & Steward of Casa Curativa
Julia Bentley, originally from Tennessee (ancestral territory of the Cherokee people), found her path into herbalism through her own healing journey from eczema and psoriasis. After studying with Sajah Popham, Julia moved to Lake Atitlán, Guatemala, where she founded Casa Curativa, a sanctuary where people from all over the world can connect with the healing power of plants.
A humorous and engaging teacher, Julia blends lightheartedness with deep wisdom, encouraging students to laugh and find humility in their practice. Her lectures on alchemy and the spagyric arts invite exploration into the more mystical aspects of herbal medicine. Julia’s entrepreneurial spirit shines through in her work, as she has cultivated Casa Curativa into not only an educational hub but also a thriving herbal brand, focused on quality, ethics, and community.
Living onsite at Casa Curativa with her son Emmitt, Julia continues to steward the sanctuary, nurturing both the plants and the community that surrounds it. Her teaching inspires students to embrace both the practical and the profound in their herbal practice, empowering them to create their own path in the world of herbalism.
ASHLEY MCDONELL
Herbalist, Natural Builder, Full-Spectrum Doula
Ashley McDonell is a clinical herbalist, natural builder, and full-spectrum doula whose work bridges science, spirit, and ecology. As Director of Education at Casa Curativa, she guides a growing network of teachers, practitioners, and students devoted to restoring relationship-based herbalism to its rightful place at the heart of community health.
With over a decade of experience in clinical practice and herbal education, Ashley’s teaching merges physiological precision with ecological literacy, inviting students to understand the body as an ecosystem and the ecosystem as an extension of the body. She weaves rigorous study with story, song, and earth-based ritual—creating spaces where learning becomes an act of remembrance, and medicine becomes relationship.
In her clinical work, Ashley specializes in nervous system and hormonal regulation, digestive health, and women’s reproductive wellness, supporting clients through comprehensive assessment and plant-based protocols that honor the body’s innate capacity for repair and renewal. Her practice is rooted in reciprocity, reverence, and respect for the living world—guided by the belief that each act of healing contributes to the reweaving of our species back into the ecological web of life.
LINDSAY CHESTNUT
Herbalist, Apothecary Manager and Astrological Guide
Lindsay Chestnut hails from Michigan, land traditionally stewarded by the Anishinaabe peoples, where her journey into herbalism began. Lindsay moved to the Tzununa valley of Lake Atitlán in 2020, finding both community and purpose during a time of global uncertainty. While studying with Sajah Popham, she quickly recognized the need for help at Casa Curativa and stepped in, bringing her sharp organizational skills and a deep passion for herbalism. Lindsay’s entrepreneurial spirit and talent for creating systems have been vital in transforming Casa Curativa into a flourishing herbal brand.
Her commitment to quality control and ethical practices ensures that the apothecary’s medicines remain potent and reliable. Lindsay has also played an integral role in shaping the apothecary’s production process, learning firsthand alongside Julia Bentley to create standardized, effective herbal remedies.
With a passion for astrology, Lindsay integrates planetary wisdom into her herbal teachings, helping students make connections between plants and cosmic cycles. Her love for permaculture and landscape design also informs her work, finding peace in the daily harvests that fuel the apothecary. Lindsay’s teaching style is animated and engaging, blending humor and structure to help students grasp both the science and the artistry of herbalism.
Foundations in Herbalism
Course Details:
Location: Casa Curativa, Tzununa, Guatemala
January 7 - 13, 2026 or May 12-18, 2026
Daily lunch, yoga, sauna, fire ceremony, workshops & lectures
Accommodations: From private rooms to shared spaces we ensure comfort that fits your preferences & budget
OUR DAILY FLOW
8-8:30 am
Breakfast in the Lodge
9-10 am
Movement & Practice
10:30-1 am
Lecture on the Platform
1 Pm
Lunch at the Lodge
2-5:30 pm
Lecture / Medicine Making
in the Lab
5:30-7 pm
Optional Evening Activity
(Sauna, Fire, Etc) followed by Dinner
January 7-13 2026*
PRICING & ACCOMMODATION
GARDEN TENT
Stay in a garden tent equipped with comfortable bedding and a little rug
Shared bathrooms & hot showers
Access to shared kitchen
6 spaces available
All inclusive course, accommodation and 3 meals per day.
Total: $1,665*
Early Bird Pricing until Dec 1 2025
SHARED ACCOMMODATION
Stay in our newest and largest accommodation ‘The Lodge’
• Large shared kitchen and living room
• Comfortable single beds
• Shared bathroom
1 space available
All inclusive course, accommodation and 3 meals per day.
Total: $1,800*
Early Bird Pricing until Dec 1 2025
PRIVATE ROOM
Stay in either our Zome, Honeycomb or Riverside Cabin and enjoy your privacy for the whole week.
3 spaces available
All inclusive course, accommodation and 3 meals per day.
Total: $2,025*
SOLD OUT!!
*May 2026 purchasing options are just further down, keep scrolling, babe.
Tuition Only
$1250 | COURSE & LUNCH
7 Day in-Person Retreat | January 7-13
Includes all learning materials, daily nourishing lunch, and 7 days of non-stop experiential learning.
WHAT IS VITALISM
In this ancient tradition, each plant is a unique expression of life, a repository of wisdom that has been shaped over millennia. To engage with herbs in a vitalistic way is to enter into a
relationship—not a transaction, but a communion—with the plant, where healing is not
simply a matter of chemistry but of spirit, energy and intelligence.
May 12-18 2026
PRICING & ACCOMMODATION
GARDEN TENT
Stay in a garden tent equipped with comfortable bedding and a little rug
Shared bathrooms & hot showers
Access to shared kitchen
7 spaces available
All inclusive course, accommodation and 3 meals per day.
Total: $1,665*
Early Bird Pricing until Dec 1 2025SHARED ACCOMMODATION
Stay in our newest and largest accommodation ‘The Lodge’
• Large shared kitchen and living room
• Comfortable single beds
• Shared bathroom
4 spaces available
All inclusive course, accommodation and 3 meals per day.
Total: $1,800*
Early Bird Pricing until Dec 1 2025PRIVATE ROOM
Stay in either our Zome, Honeycomb or Riverside Cabin and enjoy your privacy for the whole week.
3 spaces available
All inclusive course, accommodation and 3 meals per day.
Total: $2,025*
Early Bird Pricing until Dec 1 2025Tuition Only
$1250 | COURSE & LUNCH
7 Day in-Person Retreat | May 12-18
Includes all learning materials, daily nourishing lunch, and 7 days of non-stop experiential learning.
Why join us in Guatemala?
Develop Real Skills: Create your own herbal medicines under expert guidance, leaving with practical, actionable knowledge you can use right away
Personalized Attention: Benefit from one-on-one instruction thanks to our small group sizes, ensuring a deeper, tailored learning experience
Immerse in Nature: Study in Guatemala's breathtaking and wildly lush ecosystem, bringing the learning to life in a unique way
Comfort Your Way: Choose from a variety of lodging options to suit your personal preferences
Build a Community: Connect with like-minded herbal enthusiasts, building lasting relationships and networks
WANT TO TALK TO A HUMAN?
Click on the link below to schedule a time to speak to one of our facilitators, have all your questions answered so that you feel ready to join us in Guatemala. We love getting to know our future students.
FAQs
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During this immersive retreat, you will gain foundational herbalism skills, including:
Medicine-Making: Prepare tinctures, salves, and herbal teas.
Plant Identification: Learn to identify and sustainably harvest medicinal plants.
Herbal Energetics: Understand the healing properties of herbs and how to use them for specific ailments.
Hands-On Experience: Learn to create herbal medicines that you can easily integrate into your daily life.
Personalized Attention: With small course sizes, you'll receive tailored guidance from our experienced instructors.
Immersive Setting: Enjoy learning in the natural beauty of Guatemala, where the environment enhances your experience.
Build Connections: Form meaningful relationships with a supportive global community of herbal enthusiasts.
Practical Skills for Life: Gain confidence in using herbalism to support both personal and community well-being.
These skills will empower you to create natural remedies for yourself and your community, building confidence in your ability to integrate herbalism into everyday life.
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This training is an intimate in-person container happening on beautiful Lake Atitlan, Guatemala at Casa Curativa in the tiny Lake town of Tzununa.
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You will be flying into Guatemala City’s Aurora Airport. From the airport, the Lake is a 3.5 hour drive depending on traffic. Recommended to arrive late in the day, and perhaps even plan to spend a night in nearby. Antigua, before coming to the Lake to break up the trip a little bit.
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We have private car we can arrange for you for $100 USD, or you can take a public shuttle from the airport or anywhere in Guatemala City or Antigua. If you would like to book a private shuttle you will receive the information you need in an email after you enroll in the course, or through WhatsApp if you prefer.
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Lake Atitlan, Guatemala is similar in altitude to Boulder, CO yet enjoys a temperate tropical climate year round. Temperatures rarely exceed 85 F/25 C. This is basically the land of eternal spring.
Bring long pants and socks (there are tiny biting bugs), and long sleeve shirts and a sweater for the evening. It can get a little chilly in the evenings.
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If you're interested in exploring additional in-person herbalism courses at Casa Curativa, we offer a variety of transformative experiences. Discover other immersive retreats and workshops that align with your interests and goals.
If you are interested in other In-Person Herbalism Courses at Casa Curativa: Explore our other courses, here.