Herbal Alchemy
The Art & Science of Herbal Medicine-Making
Learn to turn medicinal herbs into syrups, creams, balms, and other traditional preparations—with a clearer understanding of what you are making and how.
A fragrant herbal syrup. A smooth massage cream. A small jar of balm.
There is a particular satisfaction in knowing how to make something yourself—and understanding what went into it.
Over six Monday evenings, John Finch draws on more than 40 years of herbal teaching experience to guide you through the preparation methods, ingredient choices, and practical math of medicine-making.
Join him in San Diego or live on Zoom, and give your interest in herbs a place to grow into usable skills.
Beginners welcome. Course materials and recordings included.
Reserve Your Place With a $40 Deposit
Complete course: $200. Your deposit counts toward tuition.
Your Course at a Glance
- Dates: November 9–December 14, 2026
- Schedule: Mondays, 7:00–9:30 p.m. Pacific
- Length: Six live classes • 15 hours of instruction
- Instructor: John Finch
- Attend: In person in San Diego or live online through Zoom
- Location: Self-Heal School, 961 Orma Drive, San Diego, CA 92106
- Tuition: $200
- Deposit: $40 reserves your place
- Balance: $160, payable in full or installments, due on or before December 14, 2026
- Experience: No previous herbal training required
For the Part of You That Wants to Make It Yourself
Perhaps you have collected herbal books, grown a few medicinal plants, or made your first teas and tinctures.
Now you want to understand more: how to work with different preparations, calculate proportions, and choose a suitable form for an herbal formula.
This course welcomes both first-time students and people ready to expand their herbal skills. You can begin with curiosity or bring the questions that have emerged from your own practice.
What You’ll Learn
Across six weeks, you’ll explore:
- Herbal delivery systems: Understand the considerations behind choosing a syrup, cream, paste, or another preparation.
- Dilutions and proportions: Work through the practical math of medicine-making, including measurements, ratios, and dilutions.
- Syrups and elixirs: Follow the preparation of herbal cough syrups and other liquid formulas, with attention to ingredients and proportions.
- Massage creams and balms: See how ingredients are combined to create topical preparations and develop their texture.
- Electuaries and herbal jellos: Discover traditional herbal pastes made by blending powdered herbs with honey, along with gelled herbal preparations.
- Herbal boluses: Explore these traditional suppository-style preparations, including their form, assembly, and place in herbal practice.
- Percolation: Observe this herbal extraction method and learn how the process works.
Build a broader range of preparation skills—and understand the choices behind what you make.
Reserve Your Place With a $40 Deposit
See the Craft in Motion
Measurements become easier to understand when you see them used. Texture becomes clearer when you watch ingredients come together.
Through live demonstrations, John explains the details that connect a written formula to a finished preparation. Ask about a step while it is happening, follow the calculations, and hear the reasoning behind the method.
The class is welcoming and conversational, with room to learn at your own starting point.
Meet Your Instructor: John Finch
More Than Four Decades of Herbal Teaching
John received his formal herbal training with Rosemary Gladstar, whose teaching helped nurture his connection with plants and the natural world.
For more than 40 years, he has taught people how to work with herbs and make preparations for themselves, their friends, and their families.
He brings that experience into an approachable classroom, combining practical instruction with a deep appreciation for the plants themselves.
What’s Included
- Six live, interactive classes with John Finch
- Fifteen hours of instruction and preparation demonstrations
- Opportunities to ask questions directly
- Course handouts and booklets, with PDFs for online students
- Class recordings for review or catching up
The school provides the materials used in demonstrations. No herbs or equipment are required to attend and follow the lessons.
Join Us in San Diego or Live on Zoom
In person: Learn alongside John and your classmates at Self-Heal School, San Diego, CA 92106.
Live online: Watch the demonstrations and participate in questions and conversation through Zoom.
Both options follow the same schedule: Mondays, 7:00–9:30 p.m. Pacific.
What Students Say About Learning With John
John makes it fun to learn the basics of herbal medicine-making. John rocks!
— Peter M.
This is a great class and John is a phenomenal teacher! I still use the knowledge gained.
— Megan Ortiz
This is a great course, you will learn more than what you can find on the Internet from an experienced herbalist.
— Dr. Toni Comacho
Questions Before You Begin?
Do I need previous herbal training?
No. Beginners are welcome, and John explains the methods and calculations during the demonstrations.
Is this useful if I have already taken Herbalism 101?
Yes. Herbal Alchemy explores additional preparation formats, along with delivery systems, dilutions, and proportions.
Can I take this course on its own?
Yes. Take it as a stand-alone course or as part of your continuing studies at Self-Heal School.
What if I miss a class?
Registered students receive access to recordings so they can catch up or revisit a demonstration.
Will I need to buy supplies?
No supplies are required to attend. Online students receive PDF course materials.
Can I pay in installments?
Yes. Your $40 deposit is applied toward the $200 tuition. Pay the remaining $160 in full or installments, with the balance due on or before December 14, 2026.
What happens after I register?
We will email your confirmation and attendance information, including Zoom details for online participation.
Make the Craft Your Own
The next time you open an herbal recipe, bring a clearer understanding of the ingredients, measurements, and method to the page.
Herbal Alchemy gives you six evenings to build that understanding with John Finch—and preparation skills you can continue practicing yourself.
Begin with the herbs that interest you. Learn how to work with them. Make the craft your own.
November 9–December 14, 2026
Mondays, 7:00–9:30 p.m. Pacific
San Diego or live on Zoom • $200 tuition
Reserve Your Place With a $40 Deposit
In-person space is limited. We would love to welcome you to the class.
Self-Heal School of Herbal Studies & Healing
619-224-1268
[email protected]
selfhealschool.com