Herbal Certification Course

This foundational class offers a beginner-friendly introduction to herbal healing. Starting with our relationship to mother nature and what she provides then moving into the history of medicine. You’ll be guided through your Heal Your Body Naturally binder as a resource for the next five weeks and beyond. We will learn how to find and properly store herbs, preparation techniques, applications, as well as when to use herbs and recommended dosages. This class is mandatory.

This class covers the foundations of digestion—how structure, function, absorption, elimination, and the nervous system work together to support gut health, and why it’s essential for overall well-being. Students learn to recognize common issues like bloating, constipation, heartburn, and sluggish digestion, and how to choose simple herbs to support the gut. The focus is on building practical skills and confidence in creating safe, effective herbal formulas for everyday digestive concerns.

We’ll explore the liver– its basic anatomy, key functions, and look at herbs that assist the balance of this mighty organ. Following the liver, we’ll shift to the skin, the largest organ and a powerful pathway for herbal application. We’ll discuss common skin ailments as well as topical remedies like salves, essential oils, and compresses.

In this class we dive into our body’s amazing ability to heal and detoxify! We will discuss the immune and lymphatic system functions, different types of herbs that help support the body through imbalances, and foundational healthy lifestyle practices the body needs to thrive—including the impact of mindset and emotional patterns. We will also learn how to make Fire Cider, a trusted ancestral medicine with a rich history.

Did you know the nervous system is the communication highway for all functions in the body? It is responsible for everything from your heart beating to your mood, and everything in between. In this class, we will touch on the basic functions and dysfunctions of this very important system. We will also learn about different nervous system loving herbs and which are best for specific imbalances.

Bonus classes! Educators will expand on the nervous system and how it relates to the mind and body. We include bonus teachings on somatic tools such as Reiki, Qi Gong, Meditation, Sound Healing, and Herbal Fumigation to encompass this.

The urinary system consists of the kidney, bladder, ureters, and male and female exit apparatus. Water, minerals, vitamins, and blood store and release through the system. Bacteria, viruses, fungi, and hardened minerals affect the health of this organ system. Herbs that assist the delicate balance will be covered and common ailments will be discussed.

This class explores the sacred rhythm of the reproductive body as an intelligent, cyclical system—not a problem to fix. We walk through menstrual cycles, fertility, postpartum, perimenopause, and male reproductive health with an emphasis on nervous system support, nourishment, and honoring physiology through herbal care. Students learn how to work with the body’s wisdom, crafting simple, grounding formulas that support hormones, blood, and spirit with confidence and reverence.

In this class we’ll be identifying the parts and functions of the heart and circulatory systems and we’ll explore how stress impacts these systems and discuss healthy choices that ignite our healing. Together, we will cover lifestyle, dietary, and herbal tools as forms of empowerment for overall well being. Come with an open heart as we dive not only into the physiological aspects of the heart, but also its emotional and spiritual dimensions.

This class explores the lungs as both a physical and emotional gateway where breath, immunity, and grief often meet. We cover the basics of respiratory anatomy alongside common concerns like colds, coughs, asthma patterns, and seasonal allergies, with an emphasis on soothing inflammation and strengthening resilience. Students learn how to build simple, effective herbal protocols that open the breath, support immune response, and restore vitality with steadiness and care. 

In these portions of the course, we demonstrate how to make infused oils, salves, syrups, and tinctures. The teacher guides each preparation step-by-step while students observe, creating space for real-time learning, deeper understanding, and meaningful questions along the way.

After each class, students are given homework to recreate the medicines at home, choosing your own blend of herbs based on what we’ve discussed. As part of this process, you’ll reflect on your choices—reviewing the material and explaining why you selected each herb. This reinforces your understanding of how herbs work and builds confidence in your ability to formulate with intention.

We also explore yoni steams and sitz baths, where you’ll have the opportunity to create your own custom blend. You’ll formulate your mixture and prepare a 1 oz bag to take home, offering a personalized medicine to continue your practice beyond the classroom.

Kylie Prouty is one of SW Herb’s own teachers and the Senior Herbalist at SW Herb. She is a forever student and researcher, a nourishing homemaker, and a rebel of imposed systems. Over 13 years ago, she became aware of the toxins present in our modern food and consumer products, sparking a mission to rediscover how our ancestors supported health and well-being. After years of teaching others how to create toxin-free homes, Kylie completed SW Herb’s certification course, advanced formulations class, and apprenticed for over two years under the founder, Kathy Gould. She has worked with herbs for six years and founded Valley To Rim Wellness, where she formulates medicinal teas and herbal products and works with clients through nutrition, lifestyle habits, and circadian rhythm support. She is deeply passionate about reminding people that we are nature—and that our bodies respond intelligently to every situation. Her goal is to help people move beyond symptom treatment and uncover the root cause of imbalance.

Brenna Membrila, is one of SW Herb’s Own Teachers. She is a Vitalist Practitioner and Educator, is a community centered herbalist whose journey started as an apprentice under Kathy Gould at SW Herb. Since then she has operated multiple local apothecaries, completed practitioner programs and opened her own plant centered business. Her focus is in whole family health, medical astrology and astroherbalism, birth/postpartum support and in healing one’s mind, body and spirit. As an educator she enjoys bridging ancient healing systems such as Ayurveda, Traditional Chinese Medicine, alchemy and physiomedical traditions. 

Cindy is a certified Qigong Instructor with over 15 years of study, practice, and training under the guidance of Taoist grandmasters, martial arts masters, Western physicians, yoga masters, shamanic healers, and numerous other teachers. Her teachings encompass self-care protocols rooted in Taoist alchemy. She shares healing techniques to align and balance energy within the body, mind, and spirit, ultimately leading to enhanced well-being, vitality, and longevity. In 2019, Cindy completed the SW Herb Certification Program in Mesa, Arizona. Since 2022, she has served as a volunteer apprentice at the SW Herb shop, where she passionately shares her experiences and teachings to continue the mission of discovering the herbalist and alchemist within oneself. 

Katie Brown is a sound practitioner, herbalist, recovery peer mentor, and devoted mother of two daughters. She is passionate about supporting others in reconnecting with their bodies, their healing, and their inner resilience.

In 2010, while living on the Islands of Hawai’i, Katie’s healing path deepened through herbal medicine, movement, sound therapy, and creative expression through art and dance.

In 2019, she made the life-changing decision to remove alcohol from her life and focus fully on healing childhood wounds through inner child work, plant medicine, meditation, movement, and sound therapy. She later completed her herbalism certifications and apprenticed for nearly five years under her cherished mentor, Kathy Gould, at SW Herb Shop in Mesa, Arizona. Katie is especially passionate about natural birth and supporting mothers in feeling empowered and cared for through pregnancy, postpartum, and motherhood.

Katie believes life’s most challenging experiences can become powerful teachers. Her work is rooted in creating safe, heart-centered spaces where people feel supported in their healing and guided back to the joy that already lives within them.

Angelica earned her Herbal Certification in 2014 from SW Herb and grew up using plants as everyday medicine, learning to prepare remedios (remedies) as a natural part of daily life. This early relationship with the plants shaped her deep respect for ancestral healing traditions and continues to guide her work today. In 2020, Angelica began apprenticing with Kathy Gould, further refining her skills and deepening her understanding of plant medicine and holistic care. She is a practitioner of Mexica medicine, honoring Indigenous wisdom that views healing as an interconnected process of mind, body, and spirit.

Angelica studied Auriculotherapy in 2017 and now offers this gentle medicine at SW Herb. Rooted in Traditional Chinese Medicine, auriculotherapy supports deep nervous system calming, emotional release, and energetic balance. This work invites the body to return to harmony, supporting rest, regulation, and healing on both physical and spiritual levels.

Javante is a multidimensional healer, guide, and energy cultivator whose work transcends traditional Reiki. With over 8 years of experience and 5 years actively teaching Reiki alongside his wife Betty, Javante holds sacred space for deep energetic transformation that reaches beyond technique—into the unseen realms where real healing begins.

Rooted in the practices of Meditation, Qigong, and Self-Healing, Javante has developed a unique system of energy cultivation that activates profound shifts in the physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual layers of the self. His mission is to guide others to remember who they are—powerful, sovereign beings capable of self-healing, alignment, and true fulfillment.

John began his healthcare career in 1989 at Mercy Hospital in San Diego while attending Physical Therapy school, working across trauma care, wound care, and a wide range of medical specialties before moving into rehabilitation with a focus on head injuries, spinal cord injuries, and stroke recovery. He later specialized in orthopedics, working in surgical settings, professional sports, and hands-on manual therapy, and retired from clinical practice in 2008. Following retirement, John shifted his focus to alternative oncology care and research, with an expanded commitment to whole-person healing encompassing body, mind, and spirit health, informed by self-study in quantum physics, plant-based wellness, holistic psychology, and energetic hands-on healing. Since 2011, John has worked with Southwest Herb in several capacities, supporting its mission of education and community-centered plant medicine.

Connor McDonnell, Herbalist and general manager of Rainbow Bliss Botanicals, is a community herbalist who has run a successful local apothecary for 13 years. He is trained through apprenticeship and first hand experience with the plant and fungi world. He holds many certifications through different niche courses. His focus stems in male vitality, respiratory health, mycology, mixology and biochemical and psychoactive mechanisms of the plants. As an educator, Connor offers a wealth of research knowledge along with first hand experience with the plants.

Natalija is a Holistic Healthcare Practitioner, Clinical Herbalist, and Herbal Medicine Educator with over 20 years of experience in natural healing and integrative wellness. She holds a degree in Holistic HealthCare (2008) which includes Western Herbalism certification, along with certifications in yoga teaching, nutritional coaching, and Reiki Master/Teacher training. Her work includes clinical herbalism, herbal formulation and education, yoga and meditation, Reiki training, nutritional support, and facilitation of private ceremonies and guided journeys. As an educator, she guides students to reconnect with nature’s living wisdom, release old patterns, and awaken their innate healing capacity by attuning to the rhythms of the natural world.