Formulary: Step-By-Step Formulating Herbal Medicines
In this quick 24-minute class, herbalist Holly Bellebuono guides you through her proven formulary method for blending herbs as medicines. Having used this method for more than 3 decades, Holly teaches it as a foundation tool for herbalists seeking a practical, hands-on approach to deciding which herbs to include in a remedy.
There are many approaches to herbal combinations and formulas. In her experience, Holly has learned formulas through a number of the world’s traditions and cultures, which encompass global methods such as Chinese, Ayurvedic, Western, and more. Holly’s approach centers on four primary roles that an herb will play in a formula, making it easy for an herbalist of any level to determine the efficacy of an herb and the effect it will have.
Learning to heal with herbs and natural strategies is one of the smartest things you can do for your own health, for your loved ones, and as part of a career path. Herbal remedies and nutritive foods complement the best therapies and can be used in a wide range of situations, both personal and professional.
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What You'll Learn...
In this class, Holly introduces formulary concepts such as simples and polypharmacy and walks you through the basic ideas behind herbal combinations. The class is based on herbal actions – a comprehensive course taught by Holly specifying the use of medicinal herbs by action or effect. Note: this class is included in both the “Herbal Actions” course and the comprehensive “Community Herbalist Certification Program.”Â
Here, you will:
- Get Holly’s top four “tiers” or parts of an effective herbal formula
- Learn basic safety concerns, dosage and other blending tips
- See dozens of examples of herbs that qualify in each tier – with gorgeous photos for easy identification
- Learn how to complement a tier with additional or supportive herbs for a creative and useful remedy
- Get examples of a wide range of categories of herbs to include, such as nervine, digestive, warming, and more
- Enjoy a step-by-step walk-through showing how to think about building a formula
- Get helpful sample recipes for formulas you can try and customize to your needs
It's hard to pick the most helpful part! So much of it was helpful. Learning the actions of the plants, and pairing it with the actions needed for optimal health was a standout for sure! This line of thought makes sense, and takes a lot of the guesswork out of which herb to use (or from just using the same herb over and over again). It also opens up the opportunity to use different herbs with the same actions, but are specifically geared toward a body system. I think learning some of the specifics has helped boost my knowledge and comfort with many new herbs. Combining all this knowledge with a 4-tier formula creates a well rounded herbal support plan. And I love breaking up the tiers into different intake forms...teas, tinctures, foods, syrups, elixirs, cordials, oxymel, infused honeys, pestos, soups, stews, salads and dressings! It makes it fun and interesting and opens up so many opportunities to meet the client where they are at, and what resonates with them. It makes staying healthy fun!
- Tarah Gibbon -
Holly authentically speaks and teaches from the heart, yet with razor sharp, no-nonsense mental clarity—it is impossible not to be transformed after you’ve studied with her.
- Keya Guimaraes -
I love Holly, she’s a plant fairy! Such a wonderful personality and disposition. It’s the first time I’ve worked with her, and it was amazing. I would do it again in a heartbeat, and I hope to be part of many more of her workshops.
- Rosalina Diaz -
What You’ll Get
- 30 Minute Video Training
- PDF of Slides
- BONUSES: Tip Sheets for Formulating - Safe Herbs Creativity Guide, Herbal Formulary Tip Sheet, Liquid Extract Tip Sheet, Salve Making Tip Sheet, and Tea Blending Tip Sheet
About Holly Bellebuono
Herbalist Holly Bellebuono is known for taking complex subjects in chemistry and anatomy and making them easy to understand—and especially for relating how our beloved edible and medicinal plants can be used to benefit a wide range of ailments and issues. Holly is a proponent of tonic herbs and nourishing support, meaning she advocates supporting health using gentle herbs and foods. And when gentle herbs aren’t enough, Holly teaches the skills needed to apply more active plant medicine in powerful and supportive ways to achieve results for both acute and chronic conditions.
In addition to teaching about herbal medicine for more than 30 years, Holly is an entrepreneur and business coach who has directed award-winning businesses including an apothecary, an herbal medicine school, and environmental and educational nonprofit organizations. Her published books include Women Healers of the World (awarded Book of the Year by The International Herb Association), The Essential Herbal for Natural Health, An Herbalist’s Guide to Formulary, Llewellyn’s Little Book of Herbs, and The Healing Kitchen. Holly has lectured about healing and women’s empowerment in Canada, Costa Rica, England, and across the United States. She is the founder of The Selle Entrepreneur Network, a welcoming community where creative women connect. Clients rely on Holly to teach meaningful and detail-oriented botanical therapeutic courses, to lead empowering and soul-connecting retreats, and to coach business owners with purpose and impact.
The Bellebuono School of Herbal Medicine is an official school of The American Herbalists Guild.
