The Art of SIMPLING
DEVELOP YOUR HERBAL INTUITION
ONE DAY (AND PLANT!) AT A TIME
Simpling is a form of traditional herbal study that is often skipped over in formal herbal programs. It is a tried-and-true method for developing deep relationships with plants, and the more you repeat it…
… the more quickly the puzzle pieces of herbalism will start fitting together.
Your
Guide
Hi, friend — I'm Meagan!
When I first began to study herbs, I tried to cram as much information into my head as possible:
As you can guess, that didn’t work too well. I continually found myself forgetting things and having to return to herbal books and online searches, again and again — relying on these resources instead of my own intuition and knowledge. Sound familiar?
in my hustle to learn it all, I neglected the foundational piece of the herbalism puzzle —
the plants!
Memorizing the best herbs for common conditions will only take you so far. The secret sauce of learning to use herbs is to spend time with individual plants, work with them one-on-one, and let them teach you their secrets. Then the puzzle pieces will start to fit together, your other herbal studies will begin to make more sense, and you won’t feel quite as overwhelmed.
WHAT TO EXPECT from
the art of simpling
01 — In-Depth Herbal Lessons
Explore the art of studying one herb at a time through in-depth lessons that guide you through the process of getting to know your chosen plant.
02 — Hands-On Herbal Activities
Bring your lessons to life with practical activities and exercises, including written and video instruction for making a variety of herbal preparations.
03 — Journaling and Reflection
Use thoughtful journaling prompts and guided exercises to dig deeper into each lesson, reflect on your observations, and develop a more personal connection with the plant you're studying.
04 — Create Your Own Herbal Monograph
Follow step-by-step instructions to create your own herbal monograph—a useful reference documenting what you've learned about your chosen herb. Begin building your personal herbal materia medica as you study.
05 — Learn from Experienced Herbalists
Hear from respected herbalists, including Rosemary Gladstar, Phyllis D. Light, Rosalee de la Forêt, and Kiva Rose Hardin, as they share their perspectives on simpling, traditional herbal study, and developing herbal intuition.
06 — Guidance Along the Way
Have questions as you work through the course? You'll have email access to Meagan for course-related questions as you deepen your understanding of your chosen herb.
07 — A Beautifully Designed Course PDF
Keep a beautifully designed, downloadable PDF of the course, along with a printer-friendly version, so you can revisit the material and repeat the simpling process with other herbs as your knowledge grows.
08 — Bonus Learning Materials
Enjoy additional digital bonus materials designed to support your simpling journey and help you continue exploring the plants you study.
09 — Flexible, Self-Paced Learning
Work through the course at a pace that fits your life. Study a little at a time or set aside a longer session when your schedule allows. Revisit the lessons and course materials as you continue building your herbal knowledge.
WHAT YOU'LL LEARN IN THIS COURSE
Building Your Herbal Foundation
Lay the bricks for a solid and long-lasting herbal foundation. You’ll choose the one special herb that you’ll be working with throughout the course, and we’ll set you up for success by sharing safety notes, recommended supplies, and more.
Getting Messy in the Kitchen
Dive into lessons accompanied by daily, hands-on exercises. Pour yourself a steaming mug of tea, enjoy the written lesson waiting in your inbox, and then be prepared to move on to your kitchen or apothecary to start whipping up some herbal magic. You'll even find an exclusive interview with herbalist and best-selling author Rosalee de la Forêt.
Treasures Found in Water
Move on to one of my favorite and most approachable herbal preparations - tea! We’ll also discuss herbal actions and energetics and how they apply to various water-based preparations.
Getting to The Sweet Stuff
Wrap up water-based preparations and move on to the sweeter side, using honey and sugar to create syrups, electuaries, and pastilles. Then hear from fourth-generation herbalist, Appalachian healer, and author Phyllis D. Light.
Putting It All Together
Strain and bottle the herbal oils and tinctures you made earlier in the month. We will also expand our herbal monographs, learn how to carry our herbal practice into the future, and hear exclusive advice about herbal intuition and simpling from the “godmother of American herbalism,” Rosemary Gladstar. (Yes, THE Rosemary Gladstar!)
Wrapping Up
Finish your herbal monograph and discuss ways to apply what you’ve learned to future experiences. We'll also hear from folklorist, author, and herbalist Kiva Rose Hardin of Plant Healer magazine.
BY THE END OF THIS COURSE
You will have thoroughly studied one single plant, created an herbal monograph to use for future reference, made and used a variety of herbal preparations with your plant to get to know it better, learned how to use your plant in different situations, and ultimately…
… further developed your herbal intuition, which will call this plant back to you time and time again over the years to come
— no books or online searches needed!
Is The Art of Simpling Right for You?
BEGINNER HERBALISTS
If you're new to herbalism and aren't sure where to start, this course will help you build a foundation for studying individual herbs. You'll learn through clear lessons, guided activities, and step-by-step instructions for making herbal preparations.
DABBLING HERBALISTS
If you've been using herbs here and there but want to understand them more deeply, this course will help you bring structure to your studies and become more intentional about the plants you choose to work with.
EXPERIENCED HERBALISTS
Even if you've studied herbs for years, there's always more to discover about an individual plant. Simpling offers a way to move beyond memorizing facts, refine your understanding, and cultivate a more personal relationship with the herbs in your practice.
register for the summer session now
This was just what I needed! I've been wanting to get to expand my knowledge and wisdom of herbs, and I feel this course did just that. I now have the tools to use with any herb I choose to study. This was an immense help!
PAT DEAN
The format of this course was perfect for me! I loved that the lessons came directly to my inbox each day, serving as a reminder that they were there. Each lesson was short enough to complete in a day, but I liked that I was also able to save the lessons and tackle them all over the weekend if I needed to. Another thing I really enjoyed was the various learning styles incorporated into this course, such as the text lesson itself, the writing exercises that made me think deeply, and the hands-on projects for personal experience. Thank you, Meagan, for creating a fun course that really took me back to a more traditional practice of herbalism. I really enjoyed it, and I can't wait to do it again with you next year!
MAGGIE WINSTON
I really enjoyed this course. It was organized and thoughtfully put together, and I feel that it really wove aspects of traditional and modern herbalism together so well. Thank you so much! I loved the bite-sized lessons, and the interviews with the herbalists was such a nice way to end each week. And wow—what a list of inspiring herbalists! I loved hearing their thoughts on studying herbs one at a time and developing one's herbal intuition. So good! I also enjoyed having access to you via email. Thanks again for sharing this information. I now feel like I have a good foundation for getting to know a new herb and developing a personal relationship with it.
SHARON H.
01
rosalee de la forêt
“Getting to know one plant at a time helps you to form a deeper relationship with that plant. It’s not unlike getting to know a person. With time you learn what they like, what they don’t like. How they thrive, what challenges they have. What their gifts are and how to play it safe.”
02
ROSEMARY GLADSTAR
“One will always develop a deeper and more meaningful relationship with a plant if we approach them as individuals and get to know their qualities and many characteristics before mixing and blending it with other herbs.”
03
PHYLLIS LIGHT
“I was taught that it was better to know everything a few plants could do rather than knowing one thing a hundred plants could do. Simpling is about learning to use the plants around you in their fullest capacity."
register today
and get started right away
Build a Deeper Relationship With the Herbs You Use
You don't have to memorize every herb to become a more confident herbalist. Start with one.
The Art of Simpling will guide you through a repeatable process for studying an individual plant, exploring its properties and preparations, and creating your own herbal monograph to reference as your knowledge grows.
Ready to slow down, study deeply, and see where one plant can take you?
Enroll today for $87 and begin your simpling journey!
FAQ
WHEN CAN I GET STARTED?
You can enroll anytime! Once your purchase is complete, you'll receive instructions for accessing the course and can begin whenever you're ready. Gather your supplies, choose your study herb, and work through the lessons at your own pace.
WHAT SUPPLIES WILL I NEED FOR THIS COURSE?
You will need an email address, a computer, tablet, or phone to read your lessons on, a printer to print worksheets and the final PDF, if desired, as well as a journal with a pen or pencil to create your monograph and take notes. You will need access to the herb that you choose to study (preferably in fresh and dried form), along with common kitchen supplies like jars, strainers, spoons, etc. (supply list here). It will be helpful to have access to study aids, such as herbal books, an online herbarium, and/or Google.
HOW DOES THIS COURSE WORK?
The course includes written lessons, hands-on activities, journaling prompts, and guidance for creating your own herbal monograph. Follow the material at a pace that works for you, and revisit the lessons and downloadable course PDF as you continue your herbal studies.
IS THERE A CLASS SCHEDULE? I'M A BIT STRAPPED FOR FREE TIME.
No set class schedule or deadlines! You can study a little at a time or set aside longer sessions when your schedule allows. The course is designed to fit into your life, so you can learn at a pace that feels manageable.
I DON'T LIVE IN THE UNITED STATES. WILL THE HERBS COVERED IN THIS COURSE APPLY TO ME?
Absolutely! This course teaches the framework I use to get to know a single plant so well, you don't need to rely on reference books or online searches to know how to use it. The herb you choose to study is totally up to you. I recommend choosing an herb that is local and accessible to you.
THE PAYMENT IS IN US DOLLARS. DO YOU ACCEPT PAYMENTS IN OTHER CURRENCIES?
Yes! Your currency is automatically converted when you check out. If you would like to check the current exchange rate, this useful online currency converter is my favorite.
CAN I SHARE THE EMAIL LESSONS OR COURSE PDF WITH OTHERS?
Obviously, no! This course is copyrighted material and is only available to the person who purchased it. I’ve worked hard to create this course, and you paid good money to have access to it, so please, make sure that you respect my copyright.
With that said, if I see emails being forwarded, I will remove you from the course immediately without a refund. Thanks for understanding.
DO YOU OFFER REFUNDS?
Due to the digital nature of this course, refunds are not available after purchase.
YOUR HERBAL TEACHER
Meagan Visser
Meagan Visser is a registered nurse turned herbalist who lives in the Southern Appalachian Mountains of East Tennessee with her husband and four sons. Herbalism has been the primary form of healthcare in her home for the last 16 years, and she teaches others how they can do the same on her website, Growing Up Herbal. She is also an herbal educator at the Herbal Academy and teaches local herbal workshops in her small town. You can further connect with her on her website or on Instagram @growingupherbal.