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.

Discover your Southern Folk Medicine body type.

Experience 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.
Introductory Classes: Southern Folk Medicine Blood Types 1 & 2
In this system, blood types aren’t tied to modern categories like A, B, or O. Instead, they describe the movement and qualities of blood—helping you recognize patterns, habits, and herbal remedies that restore balance.

Class #1: History of Southern Folk Medicine
Step into the roots of Southern Folk Medicine. Phyllis guides you through the cultural influences of Native Americans, the Spanish, Africans, and Europeans—especially traditions from the British Isles. Together, we trace the timeline from the age of Exploration in the 1400s through the Great Depression.

Class #2: History of Southern Folk Medicine
Discover how Southern Folk Medicine takes shape through the blending of many peoples and traditions within a unique landscape and climate. You hear stories of beloved regional healers like Tommie Bass, Granny Light, and Catfish Gray, and explore the essential role midwives play in preserving herbal wisdom.

Class #3: Tenets of Southern Folk Medicine
Learn the guiding principles that form the foundation of Southern Folk Medicine. Some tenets appear across many folk traditions, others survive through oral transmission, and still others grow out of personal experience.

Class #4: Understanding the Pairs of Opposites
Dive into the central concept of Pairs of Opposites: hot/cold, wet/dry, bitter/salty, sour/sweet, thick/thin, fire/water, air/earth, and more. These pairs describe ranges rather than absolutes, and the aim is balance in the middle. For example, between hot and cold lie frozen, cold, lukewarm, warm, and hot. Together, we explore how these ranges shape health and assessment.

Q&A and Discussion
Join Phyllis in lively conversations that bring the material to life. These sessions build on the original live classes, giving space for your questions and insights.

Class #5: Constitutions - Fire
Step into the fiery constitution—full of heat, passion, creativity, control, and leadership. Fire governs digestion, the gallbladder, liver, mitochondria, and the Krebs cycle. In this class, we explore the taste of bitter, the traits of Fire personalities, and what happens in excess or deficiency. You also discover herbs and foods that restore balance to Fire.

Class #6: Constitutions - Water
Explore the watery constitution—centered on relationships, reflection, belief, and sympathy. Water flows through the mucous membranes, lymph, kidneys, and bladder. We explore the salty taste, the traits of Water personalities, and the effects of too much or too little Water. You also learn which herbs and foods bring harmony to this constitution.

Class #7: Constitutions - Air
Uncover the airy constitution—driven by ideas, impulses, inventions, knowledge, and will. Air rules the lungs, nervous system, and movement throughout the body. We explore the sour taste, the traits of Air personalities, and what imbalance looks like. You also discover herbs and foods that keep Air in balance.

Class #8: Constitutions - Earth
Ground yourself in the earthy constitution—focused on design, society, history, building, and loyalty. Earth influences digestion, the thyroid, intestines, and waste removal. We explore the taste of sour, the traits of Earth personalities, and what happens in excess or deficiency. You also learn which herbs and foods strengthen Earth’s stability.

Class #9: What is Your Constitution?
Take the Assessment Form and uncover your constitutional make-up. We work with class volunteers to bring the assessment to life, interpreting real examples in real time.

Class #10: Putting It Into Practice
See Southern Folk Medicine in action. Phyllis shows you how she applies it in her own practice and with her family, sharing case studies and real-world stories. This class also highlights the vital role of the client’s story in any assessment.

Q&A and Discussion
Join Phyllis in lively conversations that bring the material to life. These sessions build on the original live classes, giving space for your questions and insights.

Includes:

Support Materials

Downloadable Slides + View-only Documents 

Video

29 hours of teaching

Certificate

Certificate Included
(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.
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