Welcome to the Florida School of Holistic Living
We are a nonprofit educational organization at the intersection of teaching herbalism, holistic living and environmental consciousness. For over 20 years, we’ve guided students along their plant paths through training, classes, and workshops. In recent years, we’ve added virtual offerings to our schedule as well, making it possible to grow our community.
Growing healthier communities
begins one seed at a time.
Learn More About Our Programs
Herbalism Training
Our three-part Core Curriculum:
Roots of Herbalism
Family Herbalist Program
Community Herbalist Program
Live Classes
Herbalism Workshops
Continuing Education Units
Wild Weeds Plant Walks
In-Person and Virtual Classes
Single Classes & Class Series
Evergreen Classes
We record our most popular live classes and offer them as on-demand virtual classes you can complete from the comfort of your own home, on your schedule!
Current Herbalist Trainings with Open Registration
Our three-part core curriculum guides you along your herbalism journey to becoming a Community Herbalist. Learn more about our Herbalist Trainings here or select the class you’re ready for below.
Want to Know More?
Learn more about our Community Herbalist Training Programs
Featured Live Classes
Outside our Herbalist Training Program, we offer classes throughout the year intended for students of all levels of experience. All classes at the Florida School of Holistic Living are designed to support your education to a better quality of life, and most offer continuing education units for licensed Massage Therapists, Nurses, Midwives, Dietitians, and Acupuncturists. Below are our upcoming live in-person and online classes.
Coming Up with The Natural Nurse®
Dr. Ellen Kamhi, PhD & RN, teaches online with us throughout the year. Known as The Natural Nurse® she has extensive background and knowledge in holistic caretaking, health, and herbal remedies. Her classes make for excellent sources of continuing education for nurses, midwives, dietitians, massage therapists, and acupuncturists. CEUs are available on most of her classes when you select the CEU add-on at checkout.
See our full list of live classes.
Choose the one that’s best for you!
Discounted Tuition & On-Demand Sales
We offer early bird discounts on tuition for all our classes when you register before a certain date. And, throughout the year, we like to share select sales on our evergreen on-demand classes. Subscribe to our newsletter and follow us on Instagram and Facebook for announcements on ways to save!
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Product on sale
Wild Weeds Plant Walk in Central Florida with Maggie- January 9, 2027Original price was: $35.00.$25.00Current price is: $25.00. -
Product on sale
Wild Weeds Plant Walk in Central Florida with Shay – December 5, 2026Original price was: $35.00.$25.00Current price is: $25.00. -
Product on sale
Roots of Herbalism – In-Person – Orlando – March 13-14, 2027Original price was: $297.00.$277.00Current price is: $277.00. -
Product on sale
Roots of Herbalism – In-Person – Orlando – January 16-17, 2027Original price was: $297.00.$277.00Current price is: $277.00. -
Product on sale
Roots of Herbalism Home Study + Family Herbalist Program – Virtual – Spring 2027 – Live, Online via Zoom – Distance-Learning BundleOriginal price was: $1,447.00.$1,358.00Current price is: $1,358.00. -
Product on sale
Family Herbalist Program – Virtual – Spring 2027 – Live, Online via ZoomPrice range: $200.00 through $1,111.00 -
Product on sale
Family Herbalist Program Orlando – In-Person – Spring 2027Price range: $200.00 through $1,111.00
Follow Your Plant Path
Find the right classes for you!
The gifts of nature
and teachings of ancestors
bring us health and peace through
the challenges of modern life.
Dig your fingers in the soil with us,
and let’s plant seeds of healing together…
Free Video Classes available on YouTube!
Check out our monthly Plant Profiles, previous classes and class highlights, recipes, Q&A sessions, and much more on our YouTube channel!
We’ll See You In The Garden
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- Sage
Contributed by Samantha Johnson Latin Name & FamilySalvia officinalis – Lamiaceae Common NamesGarden sage, green sage, common sage, red sage Sage’s Habitat & Botanical ID The well-known garden sage (Salvia officinalis) is native to the hillsides & scrublands of the Mediterranean, where it grows in sunny, dry areas with rocky, well-drained soil. In the home garden, sage grows best in full sun (6-8 hours/day) and well-drained, moderately dry soil that doesn’t stay consistently wet. Sage is relatively drought-tolerant once established, and prefers deep, infrequent watering. A light layer of mulch can help conserve moisture during periods of high heat, but should be kept away from the base of the plant. Sage requires little fertilization, and excessive nutrients can result in leggy growth and less flavorful leaves. In Central Florida, sage can be planted from fall through early spring. A semi-woody, short-lived perennial shrub, sage typically grows up to 2 feet tall and 2 – 3 feet wide. A member of the Lamiaceae, or mint family, it has characteristic square stems and opposite leaves. The leaves are highly aromatic, fuzzy, softly hairy, pale green, ovate, simple, and entire, although different cultivars display a variety of leaf colors and forms. The flowers grow in whorls along upright spikes and are typically pale purple with the characteristic two-lipped form of the mint family. USDA Hardiness Zone: 8 – 11 Parts Used of Sage for Herbalism Aerial parts before flowering, mainly leaves. Sage’s History and Traditional Uses Garden sage (Salvia officinalis) has been cultivated and used as both a culinary spice and medicinal herb for centuries. Its long-standing reputation as a valued medicinal plant is reflected in the Medieval saying, “Cur moriatur homo cui salvia crescit in horto?” or, “Why should a man die when sage grows in his garden?” The ancient Greeks and Romans valued sage, using its leaves as a seasoning, digestive aid, and preservative for meat. Over time, its use spread throughout Europe and the Mediterranean and eventually to other parts of the world, where sage became incorporated into regional systems of traditional medicine. The leaves of S. officinalis have traditionally been prepared as teas, decoctions, tinctures, powders, oils, and compresses. These preparations have been used for a wide range of purposes, including digestive and respiratory complaints, sore throats, gum and mouth ailments, nervous tension, excessive sweating, and menstrual health. Sage has also remained an important culinary herb, valued not only for its distinctive flavor but also for its traditional association with digestion. Today, sage leaf is a familiar culinary herb found in spice cabinets around the globe and is widely cultivated in gardens throughout the temperate regions of the world. In the United States, it is perhaps best known for its starring role in Thanksgiving stuffing and other poultry dishes. Beyond its culinary and medicinal uses, Salvia officinalis also has a history of use in European and African-American folk traditions for energetic cleansing and spiritual purification. Sage’s Energetics Warming, drying Sage’s Actions Indications With Sage Systems Supported by Sage Major constituent groups reported in Salvia officinalis include: These constituents offer a scientific context for sage’s traditional use as an antispasmodic, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antimicrobial herb. Preparations for Using Sage Harvest fresh leaves in late spring or early summer, before flowers emerge. Use fresh or dried. Sage leaves are a staple in many poultry seasoning recipes and can add delicious flavor and medicinal benefits to a meal. Sage pairs particularly well with heavy, fat-dense meals, as it promotes digestion. If you purchase sage leaves from the grocery store, be sure they smell and taste vibrant. Therapeutic dosage of sage:1 – 2 grams as tea 3 x dailyTincture dried aerial parts 1:5, 30% ethanol, 1.5 – 2 mL 3 x daily Prepare sage leaves as a tea on their own or blended with other supporting herbs. Be sure to cover your tea while it is steeping to capture the aromatic volatile oils. Drink 4 – 8 ounces of tea up to 3 x daily or use the warm infusion as a gargle for sore throats, laryngitis, or inflammation of the mouth & gums. A powder of dried sage leaves may be applied as a toothpowder. Witch hazel infused with sage leaves can be applied topically for skin inflammation, infections & varicose veins. Sage & Lemon Tea Recipe – 1 tablespoon dried sage leaves– slice of lemon– 1 ¼ cup boiling water– honey Pour boiling water over sage leaves and lemon. Let steep for 5 minutes. Strain & sweeten with honey to taste. Contraindications and Warnings with Sage Contraindicated during pregnancy. Can dry up breast milk, so should be avoided in nursing people unless desired. Salvia officinalis contains the constituent thujone, which can be toxic in excess; it is therefore recommended to use internal therapeutic doses of sage on a short-term basis. Other Uses Sage flowers provide abundant pollen and nectar to a variety of pollinators. Related Species There are a wide variety of Salvia species valued as spices and medicinal herbs such as pineapple sage (Salvia elegans) and Greek sage (Salvia fruiticosa). Salvia sclarea, or clary sage, is known for its distinctive aroma and its essential oil, which is widely used in aromatherapy and perfumery. White sage (Salvia apiana) A close relative of garden sage, white sage is native to the southwestern US & northwestern Mexico. White sage has significant cultural and ceremonial importance to Indigenous peoples of its growing region. Widespread commercialization and over-harvesting have raised concerns about appropriation, sustainability, and access to wild populations. Make & use your own cleansing smoke bundles of garden sage for a homegrown, sustainable alternative to white sage. References (2026, February 20). A Beginner’s Guide to Growing Sage. UF IFAS Extension. https://blogs.ifas.ufl.edu/pascoco/2024/06/06/spice-up-you-life-a-beginners-guide-to-growing-sage De La Foret, R. (2017). Alchemy of Herbs. Hay House Inc. Ganora, L. (2021). Herbal Constituents: Foundations of Phytochemistry (2nd ed.). HerbalChem Press. Hoffman, D. (2003). Medical Herbalism: The Science & Practice of Herbal Medicine. Healing Arts Press. Lee, M. E. (2014). Working the Roots. Wadastick Publishers. Image 1: Tiefnig0815, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons Image 2: By Roberta F., CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=4127532 - Black-Eyed Susan
Rudbeckia hirta, commonly known as Black-eyed Susan, is a familiar wildflower of Florida and one of several Rudbeckia species found throughout the state. - Licorice
The Greek name, glykyrrhiza, of which the genus was derived, means sweet root.
