Notes for Grown Ups
Junior Herbalist Club – Notes for Grown-Ups
The Junior Herbalist Club (JHC) was founded in 2014 as a local initiative in Lancashire and has since grown into a nationally and internationally recognised extracurricular course, now expanding into Australia as well as the UK. Proudly supported by the National Institute of Medical Herbalists (NIMH) in the UK and the Naturopaths and Herbalists Association of Australia (NHAA), JHC provides children and teens with engaging, hands-on learning experiences in herbal medicine, led by trained professionals.
🌿 Bringing Herbal Wisdom to a New Generation
Historically, knowledge of hedgerow medicine was commonplace, with people confidently identifying and using plants to treat minor ailments. Unfortunately, much of this wisdom is being lost. JHC aims to revive this knowledge, helping children and teens explore the healing power of plants and understand their importance in health and wellbeing.
Children are naturally curious learners—free from preconceived ideas about how plants work. Just as we understand that oranges contain vitamin C or bananas are rich in potassium, children can readily learn that chamomile soothes the nervous system, peppermint aids digestion, and comfrey supports wound healing. Even if they don’t become professional herbalists, they will carry this valuable knowledge into adulthood and pass it on to future generations.
📚 A Structured & Engaging Learning Experience
JHC is a three-level curriculum designed to adapt to children and teens as they grow in confidence, skill, and understanding:
✅ Level 1 & Level 2 – Introduces children to medicinal plants in a safe and supervised environment. Through hands-on activities, they make lavender bags, sun teas, infused oils, cordials, bath bombs, lip balms, and more! Learning is woven into fun, incorporating English, Maths, Biology, Chemistry, Botany, Latin, and Cookery, all while improving fine motor skills and fostering confidence.
✅ Level 3 – Designed exclusively for teens, this advanced level takes a body systems approach, exploring how medicinal plants support different parts of the body, such as the digestive, respiratory, nervous, and immune systems. Students work on more complex formulations, developing real-world herbal skills and deeper scientific understanding.
Each fully trained Medical Herbalist running a JHC adapts the delivery to their group, offering sessions weekly, in blocks, or as part of a school/after-school program.
🔬 What Students Learn
Each session focuses on a specific medicinal plant. Children and teens will:
🌱 Identify common plants in gardens, parks, and hedgerows, distinguishing between safe and toxic species.
📖 Learn plant history & folklore, including storytelling and fun anecdotes.
⚗️ Explore plant chemistry and understand their healing properties.
🛠️ Make herbal remedies to take home using safe, supervised techniques.
📄 Complete worksheets to build a portfolio of learning over time.
🎓 Graduation & Recognition
By the end of their JHC journey, students will have gained:
✔️ Confidence in identifying and using medicinal plants.
✔️ A solid foundation in herbal first aid and medicine-making.
✔️ An appreciation for plant folklore, sustainability, and nature conservation.
Students who attend at least 8 out of 10 sessions per level will receive a certificate and badge upon completion.
📍 Find a JHC Near You!
JHC is in high demand, and places are strictly limited. Early booking is advised to avoid disappointment.
👉 Visit the Registered Junior Herbalists section to find your local club.