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As an herbalist, I am enthralled by plants.

I have studied and worked with traditional herbal remedies for over 30 years. I rely on my intuition, too. And I love how science brings it to light – it enlightens the whole picture.

But when I hear the word “phytochemistry,” my psyche pushes back.

Overwhelming, intimidating, scary, too hard…

These words float in the ether when I think about studying the chemistry of plants.

And yet, I’m ready to step into the mystery of phytochemistry because I believe it’s essential to my work as an herbalist.

Why?

🌿 I’m intrigued by the power of plant medicine. I want to understand the inner workings of plants and make sense of how they interact with the body. 

🌿 As an herbalist, I want to speak this language. Fluency expands my ability to understand recent scientific research and fills in the gaps, adding color to an expanding tapestry of plant wisdom. 

🌿 I want to deepen my relationship with plants as a healer.  Doing the hard work to know your partner’s true self is a labor of love. This applies to our relationship with herbal remedies.

☀️ Understanding the hidden workings of plants informs your intuition. Informed intuition empowers our skills as healers.

I am captivated by the magic of plants. The more I understand WHY and HOW a plant brings healing, the stronger my intuitive work becomes. The unseen inner world of the plants – the phytochemistry – is where magic and alchemy occur. When we zoom in, a light shines to guide or inform our medicine-making.

I am honored to present Empowered Herbalism: Building Confidence Through Science, Tradition, and Practice with special guest Chanchal Cabrera. 🌿

What's Inside this Program?

Are you fascinated by herbal remedies and curious about how they truly work? 

Have you dabbled in the science of plants but would benefit from a mentor who makes complex, abstract concepts easy to understand and applicable to your herbal practice?

In this program, Chanchal Cabrera draws on decades of clinical experience and brings the mysterious world of phytochemistry to light. 

Whether working with herbal remedies for yourself or others, understanding the plant’s internal makeup enlightens your thought process, helping medicine makers choose the appropriate solvents and healers the best combination of herbs for optimal healing.

Knowing what’s in your herbal allies is crucial for understanding how they work in the body. This knowledge doesn’t just enhance your grasp of herbal medicine—it empowers you to use them more effectively in a clinical or home setting.

Whether you’re a motivated beginner or a seasoned practitioner, this program will build and expand your knowledge. Explore the “how” and “why” of using herbs, and learn how to craft customized herbal protocols for yourself, your family, or your community.

Gain a fresh perspective on plant medicine and strengthen your holistic, client-centered approach to healing.

You will learn:

  • How to demystify the world of phytochemistry and understand how essential plant molecules can help you make better remedies.
  • 10 categories of herbal chemistry and how herbs function in the body
  • A unique model for crafting herbal formulas, including appropriate solvents
  • Key constituents, actions, and applications of a wide range of plants
  • Identifying related compounds in unrelated plants
  • Safety concerns, contra-indications, and appropriate dosing of herbs
  • Risks and benefits of herb-drug interactions
  • How to create safe and effective herbal formulas

What's in the Curriculum?

The live classes starting February 20, 2025, are on Tuesdays and Thursdays at 6 PM - 7:30 PM Eastern Time, plus time for questions.

They are all recorded, with replays being posted the next day, and you have access to them forever.

Thursday, February 20, 2025

💧 Sweet & Juicy: Mucilage, Plant Sugars, & Fiber

Dive into the sweet and juicy world of mucilage, plant sugars, and fiber – key water-soluble components in many medicinal plants. These natural substances profoundly interact with our bodies, promoting gut health, supporting immune function, and more.

You will learn:
  • The Microbiome and Fiber Fermentation: Learn how the gut’s ecosystem thrives on plant-based fibers, creating a powerhouse of health benefits in the gut and the body, and how to determine which types of fibers have specific healing effects.
  • Immune Modulators/Regulators: Polysaccharides are sugar compounds that play a crucial role in enhancing deep immune responses, making them one of our most potent immune defense agents.
  • Soothing and Moistening Agents: Complex polysaccharides act as soothing agents, protecting and healing skin and mucous membranes. Learn how to identify and tell the difference between plants that are “demulcents” and “emollients.” 
  • Calming Expectorants and Diuretics: Learn how some plants help clear the airways and promote healthy fluid balance in the respiratory system.
  • Getting to know Mucilage: Learn the texture, taste, and look of plants that contain mucilage. This skill will help you recognize which plants contain this valuable phytonutrient.

Tuesday, February 25, 2025

💪🏼 Firm & Toned: Tannins – Nature’s Astringent Agents

Have you ever had a cup of black tea that made your mouth feel dry? Or chewed a sprig of yarrow with the same effect? Plant tannins are widespread worldwide and have an astringent action, which is helpful in tightening and toning tissues. 

You will learn:
  • The Astringent Principle: How do tannins work? Understand the biochemical pathways and how they work on a cellular level to restore tone to tissues.
  • Identify Major Clinical Applications of Tannin Herbs: From digestive health to wound healing, learn how to apply tannin-rich plants for healing.
  • Preparing Tannin-rich remedies: Learn how to extract and harness the full power of tannins for maximum healing effectiveness.
  • Side Effects and Contraindications: Understand the potential side effects, contraindications, and the safest methods for dosing tannin herbs. 
  • Targeting Specific Tissues: Learn how tannins target specific tissues, providing tailored therapeutic actions.

Thursday, February 27, 2025

📁 Case Review: Healing Varicose Ulcers

In this case review, we will explore the healing potential of mucilage and tannins, showcasing real-life examples of their practical application in managing and treating varicose ulcers, a relatively common condition. 

Understanding Varicose Ulcers

Varicose ulcers are a common complication of chronic venous insufficiency, where poor blood circulation causes fluid buildup in tissues and damage to the skin. These painful sores are often slow to heal and significantly affect quality of life. 

While modern treatments like compression therapy and surgical interventions are commonly used, herbal remedies with natural compounds also play a crucial role in wound healing.

When used together, mucilage and tannins can create a synergistic effect, supporting the healing of varicose ulcers from multiple angles. 

In this case, drawn from her clinical practice, Chanchal will show how herbal poultices provide mucilage for moisture and soothe the wound, as well as tannins to tighten the skin, reduce swelling, and prevent infection. She will also discuss internal systemic remedies for circulation and healing. This holistic approach leads to faster healing and more effective long-term results.

Tuesday, March 4, 2025

🌈 Cool & Protective: The Power of Flavonoids

Flavonoids bring color to the world of plants. They influence numerous pathways in the body, making them invaluable for healing. Explore the biochemistry of flavonoids –– how they function in the body and how their antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties dramatically support the healing process. 

You will learn:
  • Antioxidant Action: Flavonoids neutralize harmful free radicals, protecting cells from oxidative damage.
  • Vascular Tonic: Many flavonoids support healthy blood vessels, improve circulation, and reduce blood pressure.
  • Anti-inflammatory: Flavonoids like quercetin (found in onions and apple peels) and apigenin (found in chamomile) have powerful anti-inflammatory effects, making them beneficial in conditions like arthritis or asthma.
  • Anti-cancer Properties: Flavonoids have been shown to inhibit cancer cell growth and prevent metastasis, providing a natural adjunct to cancer treatment.
  • Neuroprotective: Discover flavonoids that support brain health, improving cognitive function and reducing the risk of neurodegenerative diseases.

Thursday, March 6, 2025

🕺🏼Movers & Shakers: Hydroquinone, Naphthaquinones, and Anthraquinones (say that 3 times! 😋)

These water-soluble compounds have specific actions and are often used short-term for dramatic effects. 

  • Hydroquinone is a simple aromatic compound found in bearberry known for its antioxidant and antimicrobial properties. 
  • Naphthaquinones, commonly found in plants like black walnut (Juglans regia), possess potent antimicrobial and antifungal properties. They are used for parasitic infections, fungal conditions, and to support gut health. They also provide a cytotoxic option for cancer treatment.
  • Anthraquinones are well-known for stimulating bowel movements. Found in herbs like Aloe vera, Cascara sagrada, and Senna, anthraquinones are often used to treat constipation by promoting bowel motility and fluid secretion in the colon.
  • Risks and Cautions: Understand the potential risks associated with anthraquinone herbs, such as electrolyte imbalances, dependency, and irritation of the digestive tract. Learn how to safely dose these herbs to avoid adverse effects.

Tuesday, March 11, 2025

📁 Case Review: Healing Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD)

Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD), which includes conditions like Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis, is a challenging diagnosis that affects millions of individuals worldwide. Beyond the physical discomfort and symptoms, patients often find themselves relying on steroids or immunosuppressive drugs to manage their digestive health.  

In this case review, drawn from her clinical practice, Chanchal will discuss the interplay of diet, herbal remedies, and integrative therapies to guide patients back to balanced digestion without over-relying on pharmaceutical solutions. This case review highlights the power of combining nutritional adjustments, herbal support, and mind-body techniques in managing IBD. By addressing the root causes of digestive imbalances and supporting the body’s natural processes, patients can experience lasting relief and regain control over their gut health.

Thursday, March 13, 2025

💃🏽 Rhythm & Blues: Salicylates, Lignans And Coumarins

Plants rich in phenolic compounds have a wide range of benefits. Salicylate-rich plants address inflammation and pain, while lignans and coumarins support liver function, hormone balance, and healthy blood viscosity. These plants are invaluable to the herbalist.

You will learn:
  • How herbs like willow bark and meadowsweet can replace synthetic aspirin to reduce inflammation and alleviate pain. Herbal salicylates provide a gentler alternative to pharmaceutical painkillers, with fewer side effects like stomach irritation. Salicylates can bring relief by targeting inflammation, whether it’s a headache, muscle soreness, or joint pain. Healthy gut flora is essential for the optimal metabolism of salicylates. 
  • Coumarins, found in herbs like sweet clover and tonka bean, also possess anti-inflammatory properties by enhancing blood flow, reducing swelling in the body, and supporting circulation, making them valuable for inflammatory conditions of stagnation and poor circulation.
  • How lignans benefit the gut, hormonal health, and liver function. They:
    • Support gut health as a prebiotic
    • Balance hormones: phytoestrogenic effects, regulate hormonal fluctuations
    • Support liver function: antioxidant, adaptogen

Tuesday, March 18, 2025

🐅 The Warriors – Diterpenes, Triterpenes, And Saponins 🫧

These compounds fight cancer and inflammation, and their powerful adaptogenic properties help the body cope with stress. Explore how these plant chemicals work, their biochemical pathways, and how to use them effectively to restore balance, fight cancer, and promote healing. 

You will learn:
  • Why saponins are often anti-inflammatory.
  • How triterpenes are adaptogenic – mimicking cortisol to down-regulate immune responses and stress responses.
  • The array of actions of diterpenes, from thyroid support (coleus) to anti-cancer (yew). 
  • The pharmacology of steroidal and triterpenoid saponins and their clinical use. 
  • How endocrine normalizers and balancers work
  • A tonic/balancing herb for each major endocrine gland in the body
  • The role of adaptogens for chronic and acute stress 
  • How terpene-rich herbs treat cancer, parasites, and inflammation.

Thursday, March 20, 2025

📁 Case Review: Osteoarthritis And Osteoporosis 🦴

A Holistic Approach to Joint and Bone Health

Osteoarthritis and osteoporosis are two of the most common age-related conditions that affect millions worldwide. They can be debilitating, causing pain, stiffness, and reduced quality of life. 

In this case review, Chanchal will share real-life challenges to managing osteoarthritis and osteoporosis, focusing on the latest treatments and natural interventions. From dietary modifications to herbal remedies and exercise, she will explore how to create a personalized, well-rounded care plan that empowers patients to take control of their health.

Some of the topics covered include:
  • Physical therapy and Exercise: strengthening muscles around the affected joints
  • Herbal support for osteoarthritis and osteoporosis
  • The importance of an anti-inflammatory diet
  • Bone-supporting nutrients, including vitamin D and calcium.
  • Topical pain relief
  • Integrating mind-body practices

Tuesday, March 25, 2025

🌲Smooth Operators: Volatile Oils And Resins

Volatile oils (essential oils) are highly concentrated plant extracts obtained through steam distillation, cold pressing, or solvent extraction. Terpenes and phenylpropanoids give these oils potent therapeutic effects. Learn how the chemical structure of these oils determines their energetic properties—such as their ability to cool, heat, calm, or stimulate.

Resins, such as frankincense, myrrh, and thuja, are sticky, aromatic substances that certain trees and plants produce to defend against injury.

In this class, Chanchal will also share a case review of seborrheic dermatitis with practical applications of volatile oils.

You will learn:
  • How oils can be classified – by action, constituents, and family
  • 5 categories of volatile oils
  • Therapeutic actions of volatile oils and resins
  • Potential side effects and contra-indications of volatile oils and resins

Thursday, March 27, 2025

🤔 Final Wrap-Up and Q&A

Let’s review the material and take plenty of time for questions.

This program also includes the following bonus materials…

Study Guides and Class Transcripts

Certificate of
Completion

Lifetime
Access

About Your Teacher

Chanchal Cabrera

Chanchal Cabrera MSc, FNIMH, RHT, (RH) AHG

Author of Holistic Cancer Care and presenter of the popular BotanicWise program, Building Resilience, Chanchal has spent years studying the inner workings of plants. In her wait-list practice, she infuses traditional herbal ways with science and intuition to bring healing to her patients.

Chanchal is a medical herbalist and has been in clinical practice for 35 years with a specialty in holistic oncology. She held the faculty chair in Botanical Medicine at the Boucher Institute of Naturopathic Medicine in New Westminster from 2004 to 2016, and she publishes widely in professional journals and lectures internationally on medical herbalism, nutrition, and health.

Chanchal is also a certified Shinrin Yoku (forest bathing) practitioner, a certified Master Gardener, and a certified Horticulture Therapist. Chanchal lives on Vancouver Island, British Columbia, where she and her husband manage Innisfree Farm & Botanic Garden, a 7-acre internationally registered botanic garden specializing in food and medicine plants, and where they host apprenticeships in sustainable food production and herbal medicine. The farm also hosts Gardens without Borders, a federally registered not-for-profit society established to run the botanic garden and provide horticulture therapy.
Are you ready to step into the mystery of phytochemistry and empower your skills as a healer?

Empowered Herbalism: Building Confidence Through Science, Tradition, and Practice

gives you the tools you need to start today!

  • Study Guides, Slideshows, and Class Transcripts
  • A vibrant active community to support you
  • Personalized Certificate of Completion
  • Lifetime access to program
$ 450
Get Started Now!

100% Worth It!

We are so committed to our programs we will happily refund your full tuition price within 30 days of purchase if you are unhappy with it.

Need Help or Have Questions?

Program Overview

This course will take place within BotanicWise’s virtual Mighty Network Community.

The BotanicWise virtual community is compatible with all devices so you can conveniently access all class materials at home or on the go. You can download the Mighty Networks App directly from the App Store or Google Play Store by searching for "Mighty Networks." The iOS app is compatible for both iPhone and iPad, and the Android app is designed to work perfectly on your favorite Android device. Otherwise, you can use Text Me the App, the prompt at the bottom of your Personal Settings page of your Mighty Network account.

Who Is This Program Perfect For?

This program is intended for everybody who studies and uses herbal medicine, for yourself, for your friends and family, or for clinical application. Understanding phytochemistry and the constituents of the remedies is a critical part of safe and effective clinical practice. If you know what you are trying to get out of the plant, you will know the best solvent and medicine-making methods, the optimal herbal combinations for synergy and complementary actions, the correct dosing, and the possibilities and risks of herb-drug interactions. Knowing what is in the herbs enables you to know how they work in the body, and this greatly deepens your understanding of herbal medicine and clinical practice.

This is an intermediate to advanced level program intended for people who have already studied some herbal medicine or other clinical health care systems and have a foundation knowledge of herbs, nutrition, or medicine.  It will build and layer the information, explaining how and why the herbs are used and how to build custom programs for patients. Senior students and newly qualified practitioners will gain confidence and expertise; experienced clinicians will deepen their understanding and knowledge of plant medicine in holistic, patient-centered care.

This is an online program that requires a computer, laptop, or device with internet access. If you lack the technology or know-how to participate online, this program may not be an option for you..

Tuition and Guarantee

Full tuition for this in-depth course is $450.

Yes, we offer partial scholarships depending on financial need. Click here to complete our Scholarship Application.

There is no expiration date for access to course materials.

No, there is no need to renew membership. Your tuition includes ongoing access to course materials.

Yes! We offer a 100% “Worth It” guarantee. We are so committed to our programs we will happily refund you the full tuition price if you are unhappy with the course. Refunds must be requested within 30 days of purchase.

We accept all major credit cards as well as PayPal. We also offer customizable payment plans through Partia.ly (found on our checkout page).

Last Little Details

In addition to class Q&A sessions, students will receive all the presentation slides with references, many pages of supplemental readings. Access to these materials never expires.

Yes! Classes include live Q&A sessions, plus you may reach out with questions at any time via the BotanicWise community chat feature.

Please reach out to the BotanicWise Team with any questions using contact form below!

Still have questions? Send us a message!

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