Why I Signed Up for a Home Herbalist Course (and How I Plan to Share the Journey)

Lately, I’ve felt a growing pull to reconnect with nature — not just through walks along the Dorset hedgerows or time in the garden and allotment, but by truly understanding the plants that surround us and the ways they can nurture and heal. That curiosity has blossomed into something more meaningful, and I’ve recently taken the plunge and signed up for a home herbalist course.

For as long as I can remember, I’ve been fascinated by herbs. Not just for how they smell or taste, but for the way they seem to hold a kind of quiet wisdom — how a simple plant can calm, soothe, or restore balance. I’ve always had jars of dried herbs in the kitchen and an ever-growing collection of teas, but lately I’ve felt this deeper pull to really learn what I’m working with.

So, I finally decided to do it — I signed up for a Home Herbalist course run by Dr Sam Watts.

Reconnecting with the Roots

Part of the reason I joined is because I’ve been craving a stronger connection with nature and the old ways of caring for ourselves. So much of modern life feels fast and fragmented, but herbalism asks you to slow down, to observe, and to build relationships with plants.

It’s not just about “using” herbs — it’s about understanding them, their energies, their stories, and their rhythms. I love that this kind of learning feels both ancient and completely relevant to how I want to live today: with more awareness, intention, and respect for the natural world.

Taking Health Into My Own Hands

I’ve also realised how much I want to take a more active role in my own wellness. Not in a “ditch modern medicine” kind of way (there’s absolutely a place for that), but in a way that helps me support my body day to day.

Learning to make simple remedies — a tea for sleep, a balm for dry skin, an infusion for immune support — feels like such a nurturing skill to have. It’s empowering, creative, and deeply satisfying to know that something growing in the garden (or even in a pot on the windowsill) can become part of your medicine cabinet.

Beginning My Home Apothecary

As I dive deeper into herbalism, I’m also dreaming about starting my own little home apothecary — a cosy corner filled with jars of dried herbs, tinctures, and handmade remedies. I imagine shelves lined with glass jars, each one labeled and full of colour: rose petals, calendula, peppermint, chamomile, and all the plants I grow or gather with care. It’s not about having a huge collection, but about building it slowly and intentionally — learning each herb as I go, understanding its character and purpose before adding it to the shelf. I want it to be a space that feels alive and personal, a reflection of my growing relationship with the plants themselves.

How I Plan to Share What I Learn

I’m not doing this course just for myself — I want to share what I learn along the way. Herbalism has always been about community and shared knowledge, and I’d love to contribute to that in my own small way.

I will share simple recipes and DIY remedies that anyone can make at home.

I’ll reflect on what I’m learning — the moments of joy, the challenges, and the discoveries.

Herbalism has always been rooted in community — in passing down knowledge, stories, and traditions from one person to another.

I don’t want my learning to stay tucked away in a notebook; I want it to grow outward. By sharing my experiences, recipes, and reflections, I hope to inspire others to reconnect with nature too — to realise that healing, creativity, and calm can often be found right outside our doors.

For me, sharing is part of the practice — it keeps the learning alive, open, and ever-growing, just like the plants themselves. More than anything, I want this space — my little corner of the internet — to be a place where curiosity and connection grow.

A Learning Journey

I’m still at the very beginning of this path, but it already feels like something that fits. There’s so much to explore, and I’m excited to see how this journey unfolds — how it might deepen my connection with nature, with my own health, and with the people around me.

Here’s to learning, sharing, and growing — one herb at a time.

Sue