Apprenticeship Checklist & Policies

Foraging group CMHS herbal apprenticeships

Thank you for joining our amazing Apprenticeship Program (amazing because the program is amazing and so are our apprentices!). This page will help you prepare for your apprenticeship by taking next steps and gathering important materials. We are so glad that you are going to join us on this wonderful adventure, and are so looking forward to working with you!

In order for you to be prepared to get the most out of your apprenticeship here at the Cedar Mountain Herb School, please read all of the sections, so that there are no surprises.

You should already be familiar with the terms of service you agreed to when you purchased the course, but if it slipped through when you registered, please make sure to read it.

Start gathering your books, tools, and supplies that you’ll need early. Then look at it all and smile with delight thinking about all the cool things you’re going to learn and all the remedies you’ll make!

Course Materials

Full Apprenticeships

Every apprentice must procure copies of the following before the start of the program:

 

Plants of the Pacific Northwest Coast for Seattle-based apprenticeships

Plants of Southern Interior British Columbia and the Inland Northwest Central WA and Idaho plant guide for North Idaho-based apprenticeships

Medicinal Plants of the Pacific West

(Other books and resources will be recommended to you throughout the program.)

 

Not required but strongly recommended for those wishing to go deeper in understanding plant constituents:

Herbal Contraindications and Drug Interactions Plus Herbal Adjuncts w/Medicines

Phytochemistry and Pharmacy for Practitioners of Botanical Medicine

Herbal Constituents, Foundations of Phytochemistry

Apprenticeship Primer

Every Student in the Apprenticeship Primer must procure copies of the following before the start of the program:

 

Plants of the Pacific Northwest Coast for Seattle-based apprenticeships

Plants of Southern Interior British Columbia and the Inland Northwest. Central WA and Idaho plant guide for North Idaho-based apprenticeships

(See the Full Apprenticeship list for other optional but recommended reading.)

Selection of reference books recommended for CMHS apprentices

SUPPLIES LIST & HOUSING INFORMATION:

Housing is not provided. Students must make their own housing and travel arrangements. Students will need to acquire the tools, equipment, jars, and menstrua needed for harvesting and making medicine.

The following is a list of supplies to acquire in order to successfully harvest plants and make effective herbal remedies. Students will be given a “what is needed” list for each lesson, whether for in-person harvesting and medicine making or homework to be done outside of the lessons. Bear in mind that not all supplies may be needed each lesson/homework.

Tools & Equipment for Outings

  • Sharp chopping knife, paring knife, scissors and cutting board
  • Clippers
  • Fabric grocery bags or basket
  • Camp chair
  • Lunch, water/nonalcoholic beverage, snacks
  • Notebook and pencil/pen
  • Masking tape or stick on labels and sharpie pen
  • You will need a Discover Pass and a Northwest Forest Pass if your program is in Washington State
  • Hand sanitizer

Menstrua & Other Remedy Making Ingredients

Students will be advised what will be needed for each lesson. Note that not all supplies will be needed for each lesson, but it will be good to have everything on hand.

  • 151 proof alcohol (unflavored) vodka or rum
  • 100 proof alcohol vodka
  • 80 proof brandy of choice
  • Olive oil and any other fixed oils of choice (note that fixed oils and their attributes will be discussed during programs)
  • Witch hazel (unscented) – with alcohol (alcohol free is not appropriate)
  • Apple cider vinegar (unpasteurized)
  • Raw, local honey (liquid, not spun)
  • Spring or filtered water
  • Food grade vegetable glycerin (optional)
  • Beeswax, shea butter, coconut oil
  • 70% isopropyl alcohol

Basic Equipment

You don’t need a lot of fancy equipment to get started, however, having a stocked working environment makes remedy making fun. Feel free to improvise as you learn!

  • Wide mouth jars with screw top lids – plastic or other non-metal lid preferred (you will need both pint and half-pint size jars; expect to use a couple of dozen each during your program)
  • Metal sieves (for straining)
  • Wide mouth funnel
  • Small funnel for pouring remedies from big jars into little bottles
  • Functional (sharp) chopping and paring knives
  • Scissors
  • Spoons, chopsticks
  • Bowls (with spouts are handy)
  • Filters such as nut bags for straining herbs from menstrua
  • Blender or food processor
  • Dedicated coffee grinder or mortar and pestle
  • Measuring cups, spoons for both dry and liquid ingredients
  • A kitchen scale that measures ounces, grams and liquid milliliters
  • Crockpot, Instant Pot or yogurt maker (for macerating oils)
  • Blender
  • Dehydrator with fan and adjustable temperature control
  • 1/2 or 1 oz dosing bottles with droppers (amber or colored glass)
  • 2 oz spray bottles (clear for hydrosols)
  • 1, 2, or 4-ounce salve jars (amber or colored glass)

Small bottles and jars can be found in-person at local natural food stores and online at Amazon and Aroma Ready Products.

LIMITED ENROLLMENT:

There are many who wish to attend our programs and enrollment is limited to keep our wildcrafting footprint light. The apprenticeship programs at CMHS are for students who are committed to be present each day of the program/s and completing all assigned work.

Upon registration, apprentices will be required to create a student profile. That is the only place where valuable course info is posted including weekly lessons, what to bring, where to meet, important announcements. Supplies needed to acquire in order to successfully harvest plants and make effective herbal remedies are listed for the student to start gathering the books, tools, and supplies needed in plenty of time before the program begins.

REFUND & MISSED CLASSES POLICY:

There are absolutely no refunds, transfers, or make-up days for missed classes or dropping the programs 1 month or less from the start of the program, and/or once the program begins. The responsibility of attending each valuable class rests solely upon the student. Students who attend CMHS apprenticeship programs take coveted places in the program that other students would be thrilled to utilize. If a student drops out 1 month or more before the start of the program, they will receive their fee minus a 20% processing fee. No exceptions will be made.

Please feel free to contact us with any questions you might have!