About Us

Founded in 1985, Self-Heal School is located in Ocean Beach, a small coastal community in San Diego, California. It’s a place of discovery where people learn about how plants and plant medicines, informed food choices, regular exercise, meditation practices, and a balance between meaningful work and play can lead to a life of fulfillment and wellness.

What is herbal medicine?
Herbal medicine, or phytotherapy, is the use of plants and plant extracts for healing. The therapeutic principles of medicinal plants have been used in medicine for thousands of years. Most pharmaceuticals in use today are based on principles originally isolated from plants. Our knowledge of plant medicines derives mainly from European and Native American traditions, enriched by Chinese, Ayurvedic, and other traditions.

Classes
Our classes normally meet one evening each week to accommodate students with day jobs. We also host workshops and plant identification walks on weekends.

Our Staff

jane richmond

Jane Richmond has been enjoying creating healing spaces for women on their path to wholeness through her classes in herbs, nutrition, prosperity consciousness and energy healing, as well as her through her writing, hosting annual women’s retreats and in her private clinical practice. Jane has co-directed Self-Heal School for fifteen years as well as supervising the Self-Heal Herbal Clinic. Her classes and workshops are always transformational, informative and fun. Jane is available for private health consultations as well as readings and energy healings.

john finch

John Finch has been using herbs for more than thirty years, completing Professional Training in 1984 with the great folkloric herbalist Rosemary Gladstar. Rosemary instilled in him a love for the plants and the Earth. A master teacher and medicine-maker, John produces herbal products, writes for publication, and has been a guest on radio and TV presentations. Holding a post-secondary teaching certificate for twenty years, he teaches herbal medicine and nutrition at local massage colleges, as well as Self-Heal School. He enjoys bringing herbs to life in the classroom as well as leading identification walks in local canyons and mountains. John’s classes are fun, empowering and engaging.