southern folk medicine

Southern Folk Medicine

Herbs - History - Health

Explore Southern Folk Medicine with Phyllis D. Light as she shares herbal remedies, healing techniques, and ancestral wisdom—ideal for herbalists of all levels seeking holistic wellness.
"...brings the medicine of granny’s cabin to life in a way that none other can."
RQ
"...teaches a holistic perspective on herbal medicine in an engaging way through storytelling."
L
"...written by someone who lives it, and has lived it throughout her life."
MLW

The reviews above refer to Phyllis' book Southern Folk Medicine.

Get started with the Southern Folk Constitution Assessment!

Discover the wisdom of tradition.

Learn the wisdom of Southern Folk Medicine (SFM), a system which was originally passed down orally among herbalists and midwives in the rural areas of the South. In this rich series, Phyllis D. Light shares the time-tested skills and remedies passed down to her from her ancestors. Southern Folk Medicine is the only system of folk medicine, other than Native American, that developed in the United States.

Phyllis, one of the system’s last active practitioners, has studied and worked with herbs, foods and other healing techniques for more than thirty years. Beginner and advanced herbalists can delight in learning the tools of Southern and Appalachian Folk Medicine. Although the system developed in the South, it is applicable to anyone in any area of the world.
southern folk medicine book by Phyllis d light

Everyone is encouraged to buy the book Southern Folk Medicine by Phyllis D. Light, MA. The class will closely follow the structure of the book and is a great reference for the class.
Class #1: History of Southern Folk Medicine
This class will explore the history and cultural foundations of the development of Southern Folk Medicine. We’ll discuss the influence of Native Americans, the Spanish, Africans, and Europeans, particularly the influence of the British Isles. The historical timeline that we will cover is from Exploration period circa 1400's through the Great Depression.

Class #2: History of Southern Folk Medicine
The class will discuss the shaping of Southern Folk Medicine through the fusion of many peoples and many traditions in a unique geographical landscape and climate. There will be stories of Tommie Bass, Granny Light, Catfish Gray, and other regional healers. We’ll also note the influence of midwives in holding the herbal traditions.

Class #3: Tenets of Southern Folk Medicine
The tenets of Southern Folk Medicine are guidelines or directing principles which provide the foundation of the system. Some of these tenets are common to many different folk systems, some were passed through oral tradition, and some are from personal experience.

Class #4: Understanding the Pairs of Opposites
The concept of Pairs of Opposites is an important concept in Southern Folk Medicine. We’ll discuss hot/cold, wet/dry, bitter/salty, sour/sweet, thick/thin, fire/water, air/earth, and several other concepts. The Pairs of Opposites denote a range and the assessment can fall anywhere within that range. The goal, of course, is to be somewhere in the middle. For example, hot and cold are on opposite ends of the spectrum but between those extremes we might find - frozen, cold, lukewarm, warm, hot. It will be an interesting class.

Q&A and Discussion
In these sessions, we’ll actively discuss the course material. As with any discussion, this will hopefully be an active discussion in real time. You are welcome to participate by video or by audio only to interact with other students as well as the teacher. We’ll take turns sharing our thoughts on the material, answering any questions, and listening to what others have to share.

Class #5: Constitutions - Fire
What are the characteristics of the Fire constitution? Heat, passion, creativity, control, leadership. What organ systems or processes are influenced by Fire? Digestion, gallbladder, liver, mitochondria, Krebs cycle. In this class, we’ll discuss: all this and more. We’ll talk about the taste of bitter, all organ systems and processes affected by Fire, and the personality and traits of the Fire person. The class will discuss excess and deficiency states - too much Fire or too little Fire - and how this affects health and personality. Herbs and foods that help balance the fire constitution will also be covered.

Class #6: Constitutions - Water
What are the characteristics of the Water constitution? Relationships, reflection, belief, sympathy. What organ systems or processes are influenced by Water? All water systems - mucous, lymph, kidneys, bladder. In this class, we’ll discuss: all this and more. We’ll talk about the taste of salty, all organ systems and processes affected by water, and the personality and traits of the water person. The class will discuss excess and deficiency states - too much Water or too little Water - and how this affects health and personality. Herbs and foods that help balance the water constitution will also be covered.

Class #7: Constitutions - Air
What are the characteristics of the Air constitution? Ideas, impulses, inventions, knowledge, will. What organ systems or processes are influenced by Air? Lungs, nerves and nervous system, and all movement in the body. In this class, we’ll discuss: all this and more. We’ll talk about the taste of sour, all organ systems and processes affected by Air, and the personality and traits of the Air person. The class will discuss excess and deficiency states - too much Air or too little Air - and how this affects health and personality. Herbs and foods that help balance the Air constitution will also be covered.

Class #8: Constitutions - Earth
What are the characteristics of the Earth constitution? Design, society, history, building, loyalty. What organ systems or processes are influenced by Earth? Digestion, thyroid, intestines, waste removal. In this class, we’ll discuss: all this and more. We’ll talk about the taste of Sour, all organ systems and processes affected by Earth, and the personality and traits of the Earth person. The class will discuss excess and deficiency states - too much Earth or too little Earth - and how this affects health and personality. Herbs and foods that help balance the Earth constitution will also be covered.

Class #9: What is Your Constitution?
Fill out the Assessment Form and discover your constitutional make-up. We’ll focus on class volunteers and what their constitutional assessment means.

Class #10: Putting It Into Practice
How can you use Southern Folk Medicine in your practice? Phyllis will discuss how she uses it in her practice and with her family. She’ll share case studies and examples. This class will also include a discussions of the importance of the client's story in assessment.

Q&A and Discussion
In these sessions, we’ll actively discuss the course material. As with any discussion, this will hopefully be an active discussion in real time. You are welcome to participate by video or by audio only to interact with other students as well as the teacher. We’ll take turns sharing our thoughts on the material, answering any questions, and listening to what others have to share.

Includes:

Support Materials

Downloadable Slides + View-only Documents 

Video

29 hours of teaching

Certificate

Certificate coming soon
(see more below)

Pay Once = One Year Access

1 year to view and review content, ask questions and discuss

This is for you if you...

want to master a practical, easy-to-use folk medicine system for real-world application.
are curious about the historical influences and evolution of Southern Folk Medicine.
seek to understand a language born from diverse traditions, modeled by a deep understanding of the land the natural phenomenons that influence the body.

Upon completion, you will...

be able to discuss the history and principles of Southern Folk Medicine.
understand the concept of the Pair of Opposites, and how it can be used and benefit the client assessment process.
broaden your holistic perspective, and bolster your assessment toolkit through the understanding of a traditional, nature-centric approach to health and well-being.

Teacher

Phyllis D. Light, MA

As a 4th generation herbalist, Phyllis started with lessons from her grandmother who taught from her Creek/Cherokee heritage. Phyllis has studied and worked with herbs, foods, and other healing techniques for 30+ years. She is the author of Southern Folk Medicine and co-author of Traditional Western Herbalism Pulse Evaluation.

Certificate Included

sample certificate of completion

  • How to Get a Certificate

    • Complete course materials
    • Pass the test with a grade of 70% or better
    • Save or print your certificate!


    Available with subscription and individual course purchases.

  • Accreditation hours

    This course is a total of 36.25 accredited hours
    • 11.25 hours Clinical Skills & Experience
    • 4.75 hours Materia Medica
    • 1.5 hours Basic Human Sciences 
    • 18.75 hours of History, Philosophy, and Therapeutic Paradigms and Applications (Including Energetics) of Various Systems of Herbal Medicine


    *Please check with your accrediting agency whether they will accept accredited hours or certificates from the Matthew Wood Institute of Herbalism

Southern Folk Medicine

Discover the secrets of Southern Folk Medicine and explore how herbs, food, and traditional healing practices can support wellness—no matter where you live.
Looking For A DEEPER JOURNEY INTO HERBALISM?

Check out our certificate courses!