HOODOOU

Big Mama’s House · School of Herbal Studies

ROOTS & REMEDIES

What the grandmothers carried, taught with care.

An 800-hour herbal studies pathway that centers African American herbal history while following AHG Education Guidelines — every lesson with measurable objectives, a knowledge check, a safety note and hours counted by AHG subject area on your transcript.

The Founding Cohort

The first 50 students to enroll in any level lock in founding tuition until completion. After that, tuition returns to the standard rate.

… of 50 seats left

Choose your level

Level 1 · 100 hours

Foundations of Herbal Studies Certificate

$497

Founding Cohort · standard $999

Modules 1–7: safety and ethics, African American herbal roots, botany, actions and energetics, 20 kitchen and yard herbs, medicine making and reading the evidence.

Level 2 · 700 hours

Herbal Studies Practitioner Diploma

$3,997

Founding Cohort · standard $5,997

Modules 8–20: anatomy and physiology, nutrition, medical terminology, 120+ herbs by system, world traditions, Black healers in the Americas, pharmacy, field botany, research and practice management.

Level 3 · 800 hours

Bundled 800-Hour Pathway (Level 1 + Level 2)

$4,997

Founding Cohort · standard $6,997

All 20 modules — the full 800 hours mapped to the eight AHG subject areas — in one enrollment.

Breakout certificates

Two separate add-on courses, $199 each. Recommended after Level 1 or equivalent herbal foundations.

Breakout Certificate · 24 hours · Adults 21+

Cannabis Studies

$199

Ethnobotany, chemistry, extraction and therapeutic use — from African and Asian roots to the endocannabinoid system, the evidence, the law and justice.

Herbal Formulation Breakout Certificate · 22 hours · Adults 18+

The Formula Kitchen

$199

Combining herbs with purpose: simples, pairs, triangulation and the triune strategy — building, safety-screening, preparing and documenting a complete formula.

Hours by AHG subject area

Subject areaLevel 1Level 2Total
Materia medica36224260
Basic human sciences0150150
History, philosophy and energetics2298120
Nutrition and medical terminology08080
Pharmacy, pharmacognosy and dispensing146680
Botany and plant science144660
Practice management and ethics82230
Current evidence-based research61420
Total100700800

The curriculum

Level 1 · Module 1 · 12 hoursHerbal Safety, Scope and Ethics

First, do no harm

AHG: Practice management and ethics 8 · Materia medica 4

  • 1.1 · Welcome, Orientation and How Your Hours Count1h
  • 1.2 · The Law and the Herbalist2h
  • 1.3 · Words That Get You in Trouble: Compliant Claims2h
  • 1.4 · First, Do No Harm: Contraindications and Special Populations3h
  • 1.5 · Herb-Drug Interactions 1012h
  • 1.6 · When to Refer and the Ethics of Care1h
  • 1.7 · Case Study: Sassafras and the Safrole Story1h
Level 1 · Module 2 · 16 hoursRoots of African American Herbalism

What the grandmothers carried

AHG: History, philosophy and energetics 16

  • 2.1 · Plant Knowledge of West and Central Africa3h
  • 2.2 · Seeds of Survival: Plants Across the Middle Passage2h
  • 2.3 · Enslaved Healers and Plantation Medicine3h
  • 2.4 · Root Doctors and the Southern Folk Pharmacy3h
  • 2.5 · The Big Mama/La Madame Tradition: Granny Midwives and Kitchen Healers3h
  • 2.6 · Reclaiming the Legacy: Ethics and Community Health Today2h
Level 1 · Module 3 · 14 hoursBotany and Plant ID I

Know the plant before you use the plant

AHG: Botany and plant science 14

  • 3.1 · Why Botany Matters: Safety Starts with the Right Plant1h
  • 3.2 · Plant Parts and What We Use2h
  • 3.3 · Botanical Names: Latin Without the Fear2h
  • 3.4 · Plant Families I: Mint, Aster and Carrot3h
  • 3.5 · Plant Families II: Rose, Pea, Mustard and Onion2h
  • 3.6 · Using a Key and a Field Guide2h
  • 3.7 · Starting Your Plant ID Journal2h
Level 1 · Module 4 · 12 hoursHerbal Actions and Energetics

How herbs work, and how they feel

AHG: Materia medica 6 · History, philosophy and energetics 6

  • 4.1 · What Is an Herbal Action?1h
  • 4.2 · Actions for Digestion2h
  • 4.3 · Actions for the Nerves and Rest2h
  • 4.4 · Actions for Tissues and Defense1h
  • 4.5 · Taste as a Teacher2h
  • 4.6 · Hot, Cold, Dry, Damp: Western Energetics2h
  • 4.7 · Energetics Around the World and on the Porch2h
Level 1 · Module 5 · 26 hoursMateria Medica I: 20 Kitchen and Yard Herbs

The herbs already in your cabinet and your yard

AHG: Materia medica 26

  • 5.1 · How to Read an Herb Profile2h
  • 5.2 · Calming and Digestive Herbs4h
  • 5.3 · Warming Kitchen Spices4h
  • 5.4 · The Mint-Family Aromatics3h
  • 5.5 · Yard Herbs for Skin and Wounds4h
  • 5.6 · Nourishing Greens4h
  • 5.7 · Respiratory and Seasonal Herbs4h
  • 5.8 · Monograph Workshop and Review1h
Level 1 · Module 6 · 14 hoursMedicine Making I

From the stove to the shelf

AHG: Pharmacy, pharmacognosy and dispensing 14

  • 6.1 · Apothecary Setup, Sanitation and Sourcing2h
  • 6.2 · Water Preparations: Infusions and Decoctions2h
  • 6.3 · Tinctures: Folk Method and Ratios3h
  • 6.4 · Infused Oils2h
  • 6.5 · Salves and Balms2h
  • 6.6 · Syrups and Oxymels1h
  • 6.7 · Labeling, Storage and Shelf Life2h
Level 1 · Module 7 · 6 hoursReading the Evidence I

Tradition, testimony and trials

AHG: Current evidence-based research 6

  • 7.1 · Tradition, Testimonial, Trial: Kinds of Evidence1h
  • 7.2 · Study Types and the Evidence Pyramid2h
  • 7.3 · Finding Research You Can Trust2h
  • 7.4 · Putting It Together: Evaluating a Claim1h
Level 2 · Module 8 · 75 hoursAnatomy and Physiology I

Knowing the body you are supporting

AHG: Basic human sciences 75

  • 8.1 · Introduction, Homeostasis and Body Terminology6h
  • 8.2 · Chemistry and the Cell9h
  • 8.3 · Tissues and the Integumentary System10h
  • 8.4 · The Skeletal System10h
  • 8.5 · The Muscular System10h
  • 8.6 · The Nervous System and Special Senses12h
  • 8.7 · The Endocrine System8h
  • 8.8 · The Cardiovascular System10h
Level 2 · Module 9 · 75 hoursAnatomy and Physiology II, Pathology and Biochemistry

How the body works, and how it breaks down

AHG: Basic human sciences 75

  • 9.1 · The Lymphatic and Immune Systems12h
  • 9.2 · The Respiratory System10h
  • 9.3 · The Digestive System12h
  • 9.4 · The Urinary System and Fluid Balance8h
  • 9.5 · The Reproductive System10h
  • 9.6 · Pathology: How Disease Happens12h
  • 9.7 · Biochemistry Basics8h
  • 9.8 · Case Worksheet3h
Level 2 · Module 10 · 55 hoursNutrition and the Anti-Inflammatory Kitchen

Food is the first medicine

AHG: Nutrition and medical terminology 55

  • 10.1 · Foundations of Nutrition8h
  • 10.2 · Macronutrients10h
  • 10.3 · Vitamins and Minerals10h
  • 10.4 · Inflammation and Diet10h
  • 10.5 · Southern and African Diaspora Foodways8h
  • 10.6 · Therapeutic Dietary Patterns6h
  • 10.7 · Meal-Plan Project3h
Level 2 · Module 11 · 25 hoursMedical Terminology

Speak the language of the chart

AHG: Nutrition and medical terminology 25

  • 11.1 · Word Parts: Prefixes, Roots and Suffixes6h
  • 11.2 · Terms by Body System10h
  • 11.3 · Reading Lab Reports5h
  • 11.4 · Charting and Abbreviations4h
Level 2 · Module 12 · 80 hoursMateria Medica II: Digestive, Nervous, Cardiovascular, Respiratory

Forty herbs, four systems

AHG: Materia medica 80

  • 12.1 · Herbs for the Digestive System22h
  • 12.2 · Herbs for the Nervous System22h
  • 12.3 · Herbs for the Cardiovascular System18h
  • 12.4 · Herbs for the Respiratory System18h
Level 2 · Module 13 · 80 hoursMateria Medica III: Immune, Musculoskeletal, Skin, Urinary, Reproductive

Forty more herbs, five systems

AHG: Materia medica 80

  • 13.1 · Herbs for the Immune System18h
  • 13.2 · Herbs for the Musculoskeletal System16h
  • 13.3 · Herbs for the Skin14h
  • 13.4 · Herbs for the Urinary System14h
  • 13.5 · Herbs for the Reproductive System18h
Level 2 · Module 14 · 64 hoursMateria Medica IV: Special Populations, Interactions, Toxicology

Where safety gets serious

AHG: Materia medica 64

  • 14.1 · Pregnancy and Lactation12h
  • 14.2 · Infants and Children10h
  • 14.3 · Elders and Polypharmacy10h
  • 14.4 · Herb-Drug Interactions in Depth16h
  • 14.5 · Toxic Plants and Toxicology12h
  • 14.6 · Interaction-Screening Case Exam Prep4h
Level 2 · Module 15 · 60 hoursWorld Herbal Traditions and Energetics

Many roads, one earth

AHG: History, philosophy and energetics 60

  • 15.1 · What Makes a Healing System?6h
  • 15.2 · West and Central African Healing Traditions12h
  • 15.3 · Southern Folk Medicine and Hoodoo Root Doctoring10h
  • 15.4 · Western, Physiomedical and Eclectic Herbalism10h
  • 15.5 · Ayurveda8h
  • 15.6 · Traditional Chinese Medicine8h
  • 15.7 · Indigenous North American Traditions: Learning with Respect6h
Level 2 · Module 16 · 38 hoursBlack Healers and Herbal History in the Americas

Say their names

AHG: History, philosophy and energetics 38

  • 16.1 · Plantation Medicine and Medical Exploitation8h
  • 16.2 · Granny Midwives: Catching Babies, Keeping Knowledge8h
  • 16.3 · Hyatt's Field Records as Herbal History6h
  • 16.4 · Gullah Geechee and Louisiana Traditions8h
  • 16.5 · Research Presentation8h
Level 2 · Module 17 · 66 hoursPharmacy and Pharmacognosy II

The chemistry in the jar

AHG: Pharmacy, pharmacognosy and dispensing 66

  • 17.1 · Plant Chemistry: Alkaloids, Glycosides, Polyphenols, Terpenes16h
  • 17.2 · Pharmacology and Dosing12h
  • 17.3 · The Art of Formulation14h
  • 17.4 · Advanced Preparations8h
  • 17.5 · Dispensary Management and Quality8h
  • 17.6 · Labeling Law and Good Manufacturing Practice8h
Level 2 · Module 18 · 46 hoursBotany II: Field ID, Look-alikes, Ethical Wildcrafting

Walk the land with respect

AHG: Botany and plant science 46

  • 18.1 · Plant Families II10h
  • 18.2 · Toxic Look-alikes10h
  • 18.3 · Field ID Practicum14h
  • 18.4 · Ethical Wildcrafting and At-Risk Plants8h
  • 18.5 · Growing Your Own Apothecary Garden4h
Level 2 · Module 19 · 14 hoursEvidence-Based Botanical Research II

Read the study, not the headline

AHG: Current evidence-based research 14

  • 19.1 · Research Design4h
  • 19.2 · Statistics for Herbalists4h
  • 19.3 · Bias and Critical Appraisal4h
  • 19.4 · Appraisal Project2h
Level 2 · Module 20 · 22 hoursPractice Management, Law and Ethics

Building a practice with integrity

AHG: Practice management and ethics 22

  • 20.1 · Ethics and Scope of Practice5h
  • 20.2 · Client Intake and Informed Consent5h
  • 20.3 · Records and Confidentiality4h
  • 20.4 · Business Basics for Herbalists5h
  • 20.5 · Document Portfolio3h
BreakoutCannabis Studies
  • C1 · Ethnobotany and History of Cannabis5h
  • C2 · Phytochemistry of Cannabis5h
  • C3 · Extraction and Product Quality4h
  • C4 · The Endocannabinoid System4h
  • C5 · Pharmacology, Therapeutics and Safety4h
  • C6 · Law, Ethics and Justice2h
BreakoutThe Formula Kitchen
  • F1 · Foundations of Formulation4h
  • F2 · Pairs: Two-Herb Combinations3h
  • F3 · Triangulation: Building a Complete Formula6h
  • F4 · Preparation, Delivery and Dosing Principles4h
  • F5 · Triune Strategy, Practicum and Ethics5h

Accreditation status

  • ✦ AHG: Aligned with American Herbalists Guild Education Guidelines — 800 hours mapped to the eight AHG subject areas. AHG does not accredit schools; your transcript documents your hours for a Registered Herbalist application.
  • ✦ CPD: Built to CPD standards (measurable outcomes, scored assessments, stated hours). CPD accreditation is being applied for.
  • ✦ IACET: Built to the ANSI/IACET Standard. CEUs (10 for Level 1, 70 for Level 2, 2.4 and 2.2 for the breakouts) will be awarded once Hoodoo University becomes an IACET Accredited Provider.
  • ✦ Every certificate and transcript lists your name, modules, instructors, dates, hours by AHG area and CPD hours.

This program is for educational purposes only. It does not qualify anyone to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease, and it is not a license to practice medicine. Always consult a licensed healthcare provider before using herbs, especially if pregnant, nursing, taking medications, or managing a health condition.