Are you an herbalist who's looking to enhance your connection with the natural world?


Are you seeking a deeper understanding of plant energetics and somatic practices?


Are you open to building a deeper and more intuitive relationship with plants?


Do you desire to grow as an herbalist, practitioner, or plant enthusiast?


If you answered "yes" to any of the questions above, then this immersive in-person class is for you!

Sensory Language and Energetics

How can we develop a language to describe the sensations of experience?

What if we could communicate with plants using our senses?

In this in-person class, we'll explore the philosophy of energetics as a sensory language, informed by the information our senses communicate with our nervous systems.

We'll engage our senses, cultivate mindfulness, and connect with our bodies using tissue state energetics to develop a vocabulary that enables a more intimate and experiential relationship with plants.
a jar of violet flowers

What are somatic practices, and how can they enhance our connection with plants?

Somatic practices focus on the internal physical perceptions and experiences of the body. 

In this class, we'll delve into "plant-centered somatics," the intentional act of taking a remedy and tuning in to how it feels in our bodies.  

During this process you'll discover how somatic practices can help improve the connection between the mind and the body, and enhance self-awareness. 

Herbal Energetics: A Holistic Approach

Why is it essential to understand the energetics of herbs?

Every herb has a unique combination of properties and qualities based on its chemical constituents. By exploring the energetics of herbs, we can better understand how they interact with the body and an individual's unique constitution or state of balance. This holistic approach to herbalism unites traditional knowledge, pharmacology, and energetics, providing a comprehensive understanding of the healing powers of plants.
an Althaea flower

Join Us on This Sensory Journey

June 24-25, 2023

This class is an opportunity to nurture and develop plant connections, enhance your skills as a clinical herbalist, and deepen your appreciation for the wisdom and healing powers of plants. 

By exploring the world of western herbal energetics and plant-centered somatics, you'll become a better herbalist, a better person, and a better steward of the plants we all love so much. 

Join us on this sensory journey, and unlock the full potential of your relationship with the natural world.

June 24-25, 2023

Lowgap, NC

Join Thomas Easley and Mel Kasting for a weekend intensive hosted at the ESHM campus on Wellspring Mountain, a beautiful 500-acre botanical sanctuary located in the Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina.
a paved road heading toward a mountain in the distance

FAQ

  • Who is this live weekend for?

    This class is open to everyone who's interested in deepening their understanding of plant energetics and somatic practices!

  • Where will I stay?

    You can book cabins and camping spots on Wellspring Mountain via HipCamp. Just enter the class dates (under available sites) to see what’s available. There are also AirBnBs and hotels in the area, but we suggest staying at Wellspring to get the most out of your weekend. See link to reserve lodging below.

  • Can my family travel with me?

    Families are welcome at Wellspring Mountain!

  • What's on the agenda for the intensive weekend?

    We'll take plant walks, engage in ethical wildcrafting, make medicine with summer medicinals, and do blind tea tastings and somatic exercises each day. These activities will be held in our beautiful outdoor classroom space (weather permitting), allowing us to connect with nature on a deeper level.

  • Are masks required for class?

    While most of our time will be spent outside, we require masks in all indoor community areas.

Register Now

for the Western Herbal Energetics and Plant-Centered Somatics class!

Your Teachers for the Intensive Weekend

Thomas Easley, RH

ESHM FOUNDER & DIRECTOR

Thomas Easley, RH (AHG), is a Clinical Herbalist and the founder of the Eclectic School of Herbal Medicine. With a passion for herbal medicine ignited in 1996, Thomas has dedicated his life to helping others through a unique approach that integrates Traditional Western Herbalism, Clinical Nutrition, and modern medical sciences.

Mel Kasting, RH

CLINICAL PROGRAM DIRECTOR AND FREE CLINIC MANAGER

Mel is a passionate clinical herbalist, clinical mentor, poet, activist, emergent facilitator and amateur wild foods chef living back in her hometown of St. Louis, Missouri after 16 years exploring the wild and mountainous parts of this country. Through her clinic work, art and class facilitation, she explores the intersections of herbalism, botany, society, and somatic experiencing to support plant-centered botanical medicine and the celebrate of the teeming diversity life brings.

Lodging and Amenities

at the ESHM Campus

Our campus on Wellspring Mountain in Lowgap, NC offers a variety of lodging options, from cabins to camping spots. Restrooms, showers, laundry facilities and a community kitchen are available for all guests.
a camper parked next to a community lodge building

Don't miss out!

We'd love for you to join us for this in-person class.

Space is limited, so sign up today before enrollment closes!