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Alquimia – Centre of Healing Arts

student making medicine during the wild herbalism course

Wild Herbalism & Medicine Making Course

A 3-Day Foraging & Remedy Intensive

Step into the ultimate classroom. Our immersive 3-day course in Wild Herbalism & Medicine Making invites you to step off the beaten path and dive deep into the green world. 
 
Nestled in the vibrant heart of Costa Rica, this hands-on weekend intensive bridges ancient plant wisdom with practical, modern kitchen alchemy.
Whether you are looking to deepen your personal wellness routine or take your first steps toward a professional botanical practice, this journey will give you the confidence to trust the medicine growing right under your feet.
 

From Forest Floor to Apothecary Jar

True herbalism starts with relationship. Over three immersive days, you will learn to quiet your mind, awaken your intuition, and listen to our oldest teachers: the plants. We blend rigorous botanical science with ancestral folk traditions for a well-rounded, unforgettable learning experience.

What You Will Master

  • Ethical Foraging: Learn the sacred laws of respectful harvesting.
  • Plant Identification: Decode the forest to safely spot potent botanicals.
  • Remedy Crafting: Brew your own professional-grade tinctures, salves, and teas.
  • Mushroom Wisdom: Discover the healing power of medicinal fungi.
  • Botanical Science: Understand how plant compounds interact with the body.
students foraging in the wild at Alquimia Herbalism School

The Journey: Day-by-Day Exploration

  • Day 1: Grounding & Gathering
      • Welcome and orientation setting under the forest canopy.
      • The Art of Seeing: Sensory plant identification walk and introduction to ethical foraging. 
      • Botanical Science 101: Understanding active plant compounds and how they interface with human biology. Exploring local traditions & remedies for common ailments.

  • Day 2: Kitchen Alchemy & Deep Crafting
      • Morning field study: Harvesting roots, leaves, and fungi. Identification of edible herbs.
      • Medicine Making Intensive: Hands-on formulation of professional-grade tinctures, double-extraction mushroom remedies, and therapeutic salves and creams.
      • Ancestral Folk Traditions: Following traditional recipes and crafting fermented brews.

  • Day 3: Integration & The Modern Apothecary
      • Formulating for specific body systems and personal wellness routines. Balancing plants and plant energetics.
      • The Finished Jar: Labeling, preservation, and the ethics of a professional botanical practice.
      • Preparing our first-aid herbal kit with local herbs.

     

    DURATION: 3 full days 

    DATES:  View Calendar

    LOCATION: Costa Rica

    APPLICATIONS: Open year-round

    Program: Theoretical classes are normally held in the morning, while practical work and activities take place in the afternoon. Forest trips and foraging times are scheduled according to the weather. We set aside extra hours for personal advice and tutoring. 

    FOOD: mainly vegetarian, delicious homemade food (vegan, gluten-free and lactose-free meals can be tailored on request)

    ACCOMMODATION:  private house with shared bathroom 

    FACILITIES: ceremonial space, forest paths, gardens, a lab for practical work, classroom.

    YOUR TEACHER: Elisa Fusi  VIEW BIO

    FEES: $ 490

    INCLUSIONS: food (3 meals per day), accommodation in a private house with a shared bathroom, theoretical lessons, practical work, forest trips, workshops, field training, all the educational material in PDF  format, personal advice, use of the facilities at the Center, and everything listed under the program.

    Fees do not include: transfers and airline tickets.

    • LIMITED SPOTS AVAILABLE
    • SPARE TIME: students may use extra time to explore the forest and surroundings, do artistic activities, go hiking, or request tutoring. 
    • DISCOUNTS: students receive discounts for booking multiple courses/retreats.
    • Extension of Stay: possible after consultation.
    • Note: After the reservation has been made, no refund can be given.

    Are You Ready to Answer the Call of the Wild?
    Spaces for this immersive, high-touch weekend intensive are strictly limited to ensure an intimate learning environment. No prior experience is required—only an open mind and a desire to reconnect with the Earth.

    APPLY NOW
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    Do you need more information? Please, contact us.