Berkeley Herbal Center Testimonials

Here is my email I sent to the staff upon my departure.

“I feel as though I can no longer continue being a part of the apprenticeship program at Berkeley Herbal Center due to a number of reasons including what I believe to be; 

A lack of change in structure to accommodate the needs of what is said to be the largest class that the center has had yet as well as the support and needs of staff in order to do so. 

An absence of protocol or transparency of protocols for safety and expectations/rules before trips (Ex. Students are not allowed to go on trails alone, insert safety reasons/liability, etc.).

A lack of transparency on the effects/actions of a plant/remedy before taking it (Ex. We were asked if we wanted to do a plant sit and given a Calamus tincture after our collective conversation regarding concerns on the Anza Borrego trip with little to no knowledge on the effects, constituents, herbal actions, what Calamus is normally used for, etc.).

Among many other things, like general disorganization and a consistent change of plans without much notice beforehand.

Additionally, I feel as though I am not receiving the hands-on, community-driven, space to learn and thrive due to how information is presented to us. I knew what I was getting into when I signed up for this program, that this is a two-part, two year course made into a 8 month intensive course. I’m aware there is a certain structure that must be in place so that everyone can receive this information and retain it within the time of this course. I mean not to criticize the information being given itself but the manner in which it is presented to us not aligning with the mission statement or goal, the reason we are all here. My issue lies with the flood of information, then ten monographs and a test, rinse & repeat. To me it’s not that this is a difficult ask, all of this is doable, it’s the fact that this structure is similar to standard institutionalized schooling which I thought by attending BHC I was getting further from. It was my expectation that we would not be inside taking notes most of the time, all day but rather we would be hands-on connecting with our plant kin and deepening our reverence for the Ohlone people and their land we visit/occupy daily, to learn what it means to take on the responsibility of being an herbalist and how to hold that with grace, etc. Where is the knowledge on basic first aid, survival, the specific plants around us and their application? If part of the course, why not in the beginning/sooner? 

-A suggestion perhaps 

I also believe some of our teachings regarding spirituality are not the most inclusive. While we are all adults and can choose to opt in or out of certain practices, I do believe it’s important that these things are optional and that it is made known to avoid unintentional pressure to participate. I’ve spoken to some of my classmates and a few have mentioned not being spiritual at all and some even being religious. They expressed that they will just wait until the plant sit or meditation is finished so we can move on. 

 Most notably I experienced racial fetishization by a classmate I hadn’t met prior from the Village Herbalist Program during our trip to Anza Borrego, which I mentioned during our discussion once we returned. Ashley & Lucky both acknowledged what I had experienced was “unacceptable” (their own words) and told me I “should have said something sooner”. Though, there was no follow up conversation, email, etc. on what action was/will be taken to prevent things like this from happening in the future, not even just to check in.

Everything thus far and my experience in the desert left me realizing the expectations I held for this program were far too vast. 

Overall, I’m 19 years old and this is quite a large investment of time, finances and dedication, not only of my own but those who are supporting me in my pursuit of education as well. It’s extremely disheartening to join a program that promises community and accessibility that’s only accessible behind a pay wall. (Books, the medicine making book, the program itself, trips, etc).

Myself and I’m sure many others within this program are here because we want to make a difference in our communities and this world in what little ways we can, with what we have. Especially those of us from marginalized communities don’t have the privilege to change plans on a whim, to dedicate a large portion of their finances and then some. I speak for myself and my classmates when I say we are caretakers, workers, parents, some living paycheck to paycheck, some without consistent food on the table, multi-family homes, land stewards, organizers, business owners and so much more, whose time and money aren’t disposable.

I believe the expectations of BHC students and the system in which BHC functions cannot be considered accessible to all without these considerations.

My decision to leave the program was not made easily. I’ve made so many meaningful connections with the students, I’ve learned some undoubtedly valuable information on plants, the body and its systems, and even myself. My connections with my peers deepened through our collective experience and the support we shared with one another during our time in Anza Borrego. 

Yet, I find the shortcomings and challenges I’ve encountered throughout my time here at the center outweigh those experiences drastically. 

I find the intentions and the vision behind Berkeley Herbal Center a wonderful start, but myself and many others were seeking much more.

I appreciate & thank the staff who advised me and helped make my experience a little easier  for their time and contributions.

Sincerely, Musa-Rose Garcia”

I loved the community and some of the information is very valuable but not the way that it is taught.

If you’re looking for a place to become a clinical practitioner this could be the program for you.

The structure of the classroom looks like; Class begins at 10:00 am we do about an hour or so of note taking (depends on the teacher and the topic), 20min or so break, back to lecture, lunch, hands on activity, go home. The schedule/structure changes frequently and there is a lot less medicine making than you would expect.

I personally as at QTBIPOC person, was looking to be a part of a community created with people like me in mind, connect more with my roots, plant medicines, the earth and to be in a more community focused environment. During my time at BHC I felt the increasing lack of support even after expressing what I had experienced in the desert and in the classroom thus, lead me to leave.

If you’re looking for something more QTBIPOC focused, hands on, inclusive and affordable there are many options that I’ll list below:

https://www.tierrarituals.com/qtbipoc-curanderismo

https://www.ixaltednaturalbody.com/path-of-the-folk-herbalist

https://www.instagram.com/floripondio_endoflife?igsh=MTc4MmM1YmI2Ng==

https://www.instagram.com/solidarity.apothecary?igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==

For the past several months the practitioners at BHC have been able to give me herbs to replace various pharmaceuticals. Not only do I feel better in my body, more balanced, and more clear, I am so happy to be able to use the earth’s medicine for healing vs. chemically altered drugs. Eternally grateful for BHC and their knowledgeable practitioners.

Leaving a note to let you know I was here!

Enjoyed my visit…. continued blessings!

Steve Zuwala

Counry Music Artist

BMI|NSAI|GMA|CMA

www.SteveZuwala.com

I wasn’t all that impressed with the presentation on psychedelics. I felt the presenter was disorganized and unprofessional, and although some information was informative, she did not deliver what was promised.

Love being a student here. I’m really enjoying the material, the staff, and my fellow students.

It was so much fun and interesting spending two days with Alexandra, first at Silbey Park identifying the many herbs and trees growing even in just a small area, then on the second day, foraging some nourishing oats, dandelion leaves, and wild onions at Alexandra’s home and turning them into delicious pesto, soup, seasoning powder, and more. The next time I walked in my nearby park, I had a much greater appreciation for all of natures beauty growing there. Alexandra’s love and knowledge in wild herbs is apparent in her ability to turn them into culinary delights. I look forward to the summer weekend.

I was late for my foraging class on Aril 23,2022 at John Sibley Park in Oakland. Happy that the instructor taught the entire class around

the “Sibley Park Staging Area” or I might have missed the entire class. I enjoyed the class and thought that Alexandra was very knowledgeable

about the plants with giving us a strong spiritual connection and generosity of the earth. My only regret was that we did not received any

handouts or written recipes for me to use in the future.

I have been going to BHC for close to 20 years. I have used their clinic services and have taken classes and gone on several field trips with them. Everyone I have met at the clinic has been very supportive, caring, and helpful. I highly recommend them! Their clinicians are also very good- they really listen to you, spend time getting to know your history, and offer advice and treatments that are gentle, tailored to your individual needs, and are great at following up to make sure you are doing well. It’s a great part of the herbal community in the Bay Area!

My name is Alexandra Hudson and I am a California-born wild foods educator and clinical herbalist. I live in the Santa Cruz mountains with my partner where we tend our forest and offer classes to the public. I went through the Foundations / Therapeutics / Clinic I / Clinic II program and then worked as a supervisor in the Student Clinic, while teaching classes primarily on food and relationship to students at the school.

These days I work primarily with wild foods, teaching foraging and cooking classes to groups and individuals around the Bay Area, and writing recipes for local publications and for private companies by crafting new recipes for their commercial production.

My time with Berkeley Herbal Center helped me develop the foundation of my relationship with plants that is at the root of my work. I came to the school seeking to be able to quickly assess a client and connect them with the plants necessary for their healing. What I found was this and so much more.

BHC teaches a multi-dimensional approach to plant medicine and lifestyle that involves scientific rigor, folk knowledge, plant spirit medicine, and experiential knowledge of the plants. This cross-weaving helped me develop a framework that I use in my classes and recipe development, and as I come across new plants in my environment. Exposure to teachers who think in different yet complimentary ways wove a story of belonging that holds me and guides me in all areas of my life.

The Berkeley Herbal Center has strong roots in the local herbal community, and going through their extended programs helped me and many of my classmates develop our sense of place in the world of plant medicine work. My education was a springboard for my current work and I know that I would not have the confidence to pursue my plant medicine-oriented dreams in the way I do if not for my work with the school. I am grateful for this education and the school and would recommend their programs to anyone wishing to dive into their plant medicine learning in a powerful, hands-on, community-rich way.

I first came to BHC as a client and was immediately impacted by the energy of the space. It is safe and loving, and facilitated by beautiful souls who seek out to carry out a mission of bringing holistic wellness to the people. It was truly an eye-opening and heart-opening experience to see how the herbal formulations and lifestyle recommendations of the clinicians catalyzed my health and put me on a healing journey. I have now completed the Foundations Program and am currently finishing up the Therapeutics Program with the goal of becoming a Certified Herbalist. The education has provided a very strong base in knowing plants and their applications. The instructors have been great and I love how they each provide a unique perspective to practicing herbalism. Another thing I love about BHC, is that it fosters this idea of no competition – We are all unique healers, bringing forward the strengths that each of us carry, that can help meet the needs of a diverse world in need of diverse healing. BHC has welcomed me into a community of like-minded plant people and healers. This sense of tribe and purpose has been so transformative and I look forward to continuing on this path.