Florida School of Holistic Living

Bishop's Teacher College
13575 58th Street North, Suite 200, Clearwater

We offer online and on-site educational programs, from beginner to clinical level.

The Florida School of Holistic Living is a 501c3 nonprofit educational organization with the mission of cultivating sustainable community by empowering individuals through philosophy-in-practice education that promotes holistic living.

Operating as usual

Photos from Florida School of Holistic Living's post

01/08/2025

🌟 It's Roots Roundtable night, and it's not too late to join us!

Roots Roundtable is for current students and graduates of our Roots of Herbalism class. We meet monthly from October through April. All meetings are live via Zoom, and replay recordings are available.

About tonight's guest teachers:

Heather Jenkins, a dedicated herbalist from Central Florida, is passionate about holistic health, energetic healing, and the art of medicine-making. With a bachelor’s degree in Communication and an MBA in Finance and Accounting, Heather brings a wealth of knowledge and experience from her over 20-year career in state government and K-12 education. One of her greatest joys is sharing her expertise and the tinctures, herbal oils, teas, and foods she lovingly prepares in her kitchen, helping others support their body, mind, and spirit.

Heather began her formal herbal training at the Florida School of Holistic Living and is currently completing the Community Herbalist training under Emily Ruff. Heather enjoyed getting to know the herbs with Roots of Herbalism and building a strong foundation while learning to better care for her family utilizing herbs and nutrition in Family Herbalism with Maggie O'Halloran. Heather has also studied making herbal infused oils and salves with Jamie Pawelek and Kami McBride. In addition, she has further immersed herself in the herbal world with Flower essences and Moon medicine taught by Emily Ruff. Rosemary Gladstar, Tami Sweet, Jody Noe, 7Song, and Jim McDonald have all been influential in her studies

Heather believes that healing occurs on multiple levels, mind, body, and spirit. Oftentimes health challenges and imbalances take time to manifest and will take time to heal. She focuses on a balanced holistic approach to living and health.

In her spare time Heather enjoys cooking, making medicine in her kitchen, spending time with family and friends, and exploring the outdoors with her Rhodesian Ridgeback Makula. She has a love for both the Mountains and the Ocean.

Leslay Durant is studying to be a northwest metro Atlanta area herbalist with a passion for plants, fruit trees, and gardening. She has 2 undergraduate degrees in Accounting and Taxation, and a Graduate degree in Childhood Education and She recently completed a Real Estate course and is now studying to sit for the exam.

Leslay began her formal training in herbalism at the Florida School of Holistic Living and is currently completing the Community Herbalist training under Emily Ruff. She also plans to continue her education in herbalism by enrolling into alternative medicines such as Chlorine Dioxide, hydrogen peroxide, sound frequencies, and Reiki practices.

Leslay’s greatest joys include walking in her garden while talking to her plants and trees. Observing mountain formations and ancient geographical sites. Long country road rides and family trips and researching conspiracy theories.

Leslay’s favorite Maya Angelou quotes exhibits her philosophy of life. “I've learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.” and “Forgive yourself for not knowing what you didn’t know before you learned it.”

01/07/2025

This class sold out last time, so get your seat before it's too late!

Date: January 25, 2025 Time: 2pm – 4pm EST
Tuition: $40 / Early Bird is $35 through January 10, 2024 (This Friday!)

Herbal salves and oils are a wonderful way to apply plants' medicinal properties directly to the skin, our largest organ.

This class will explore various herbs and their benefits to topical use, types of oils and other ingredients, and step-by-step instructions on creating an herbal oil and making it into a salve.

We will discuss the process of making oils from fresh and dried plants and how to alter a basic recipe to make lip balms from your herbal oils.

This class is great for beginners and those who want to hone their skills and perhaps learn some tips and tricks for creating consistent products to share with friends and family.

As a bonus, you will get your own salve to take home with you!!!

01/06/2025

🌿✨ Save big with our special bundle for the Roots of Herbalism Home Study and our Spring 2025 Virtual Family Herbalist Program! Order this week to get your Roots Homestudy samples and workbook before the Family class starts!

🎉 This flexible distance-learning bundle is perfect for those eager to start their herbalism journey while balancing their busy schedules or distance from our Orlando home campus.

About these classes:

📚💚 In the Roots of Herbalism home study course, you’ll dive into ecological herbalism, herbal nutrition, and holistic health practices. Learn to create herbal preparations like tisanes and tinctures with the help of fascinating video content, workbooks, and sample herbs included in your materials. You’ll explore over twenty herbs and gain hands-on experience right from home!

🌱✨ Our Family Herbalist Program empowers you to address everyday health challenges with a comprehensive herbal curriculum. It’s ideal for those aspiring to be their family's primary care provider, focusing on prevention and holistic solutions for both acute and chronic conditions.

Don’t miss this chance to deepen your herbal knowledge and skills! 💚🌿

01/03/2025

It can be hard to remember to take a moment to step away from our responsibilities and rest our minds in nature.

In this video, our FSHL Bookkeeper, Chris, reminds us to step away when we're feeling overwhelmed and take a moment for ourselves.

Thank you for this reminder, Chris, and for sharing your beautiful mountain view! 🌄

About Chris:

She lives in Oro Valley, Arizona, just north of Tucson, where she grew up among the Catalina Mountains and Sonora Desert. Those landscapes were her playground and sanctuary. After spending over twenty years in the Washington DC area, she learned to appreciate the changing seasons but always longed to return to the desert.

In 1985, she moved to Orlando with her twin toddlers and completed her BA in art history at Rollins College. She taught kindergarten and third grade before becoming a bookkeeper for her partner's janitorial business. Gardening and painting helped her unwind, as nature has always inspired her.

Since 2010, she's worked as the bookkeeper for the Florida School of Holistic Living, engaging deeply in herbalism through various classes and workshops, and she's attended the Florida Herbal Conference several times. After moving back to Arizona in 2023, she's thrilled to be surrounded by the beauty of nature again and is so happy to be able to continue working with an incredible team from the place that makes her feel the most alive.

01/02/2025

🌱✨ Meet Aloe Vera!

Latin Name: Aloe vera (A. barbadensis)

Common Names: aloe, burn plant, first aid plant, and more!

This incredible succulent hails from the Saudi Arabian peninsula and sub-Saharan Africa, thriving in well-draining sandy soils like those found here in Florida! Known for its healing properties, Aloe Vera loves the sun but appreciates a little shade during the hottest days. 🌞💚

With fleshy, spiky leaves and beautiful tubular flowers that attract hummingbirds, this plant is a must-have for any garden. 🌼

✨ Let’s not forget the amazing benefits! Use the gel for minor skin irritations, from burns to bug bites, and as a soothing remedy for digestive issues.

Remember, always let the yellow latex ooze out before using the gel! Also, avoid internal use if pregnant or nursing.

Join the Aloe love and share your Aloe plants with us! 🌿💖

01/02/2025

Will you join us next week, 1/8/2025, for our first Roots Roundtable of the year? It's not too late to sign up! Visit our website to enroll today!

🤔 What is it?

An opportunity to continue your education through collaboration, discussion, and connection with fellow herbalists.

🤩 What’s included?

Each month from October to May, you’ll enjoy a 90-minute workshop featuring education, connection, and learning. We’ll begin our meeting with a featured guest speaker to discuss our chosen herb to highlight. After discussion and instruction on preparation and its related uses, we’ll open a Q&A session to allow you to bring your questions, concerns, and joys to the table.

Bummed you missed a few meetings? Don't worry! We record all of our gatherings, so you can listen back anytime!

🫶 Why join us?

It’s a chance to stay connected with classmates, meet new herbal friends, and continue to support and be supported by our herbal community.

01/01/2025

🌿✨ Embrace the beauty of nature!

This month at the Florida School of Holistic Living, we're celebrating outdoor spaces and reminding you to take a breather from the hustle and bustle. Our team will share videos of their natural spaces with reminders of the importance of taking a few minutes for yourself.

Step outside, soak up the sun, or breathe in the crisp winter air, and let nature's calming vibes rejuvenate your spirit.

Let's connect with the earth and find our balance together! 🌱💚

If you take a video of your outdoor spaces, please tag us! We'd love to share your natural spaces with our community, too!

01/01/2025

🌿 Exciting news, herbalists! 🌱

🌲 Our January classes are just around the corner, and they’re perfect for those of you who are just starting your herbal journey!

That said, whether you're looking to deepen your knowledge or explore new practices, there’s something for everyone who wants to start 2025 off right!

✨ Wherever you are on your journey, we warmly invite you to join us to connect with nature, learn from experienced instructors, and ignite (or RE-ignite) your passion for holistic living!

12/31/2024

✨ Happy New Year's Eve from your Florida School of Holistic Living Family! ✨

Today, we're looking back at our memories from this past year, and we wanted to extend a heartfelt thank you to our incredible herbal students at the Florida School of Holistic Living!

As we wrap up 2024, we’re filled with gratitude for all the knowledge we shared and the connections we forged.

This year was a beautiful journey of exploring herbal medicine, deepening our learning, and embracing the healing power of plants. Your passion and dedication inspired us all, and we're excited to see how you will carry this knowledge forward into the world.

Here’s to the countless lessons learned and many more adventures to come! 🌿💚

12/30/2024

🌟✨ Our final winter tea blend is the vibrant Winter Sunshine, crafted by talented Community Herbalist, Christina Lynch! ☕️💛

This blend is perfect for brightening those chilly winter days and infusing your cup with warmth and cheer.

Thank you, Christina, for this delightful creation! 🌼

You can follow Christina at and check out blackherbalists.org to learn more about her herbal community offerings!

12/29/2024

12/28/2024

🌟 Back by popular demand!! 🌟

Herbal salves and oils are a wonderful way to apply plants' medicinal properties directly to the skin, our largest organ.

This class will explore various herbs and their benefits to topical use, types of oils and other ingredients, and step-by-step instructions on creating an herbal oil and making it into a salve.

We will discuss the process of making oils from fresh and dried plants and how to alter a basic recipe to make lip balms from your herbal oils.

This class is great for beginners and those who want to hone their skills and perhaps learn some tips and tricks for creating consistent products to share with friends and family.

As a bonus, you will get your own salve to take home with you!!!

Date: January 25, 2025 Time: 2pm – 4pm EST

Tuition: $40 / Early Bird is $35 through January 10, 2024

This class sold out last time, so get your seat before it's too late!

12/27/2024

🌿✨ Exciting news, community! We have a unique opportunity to uplift herbal education at the Florida School of Holistic Living! 🌱💚

Our school is all about empowering individuals to live healthier, happier lives through holistic education. Every day, we witness amazing transformations in our students and the community.

🎉 We're thrilled to share that a generous supporter has pledged to match donations up to $10,000! That means your contribution will *double* and help us expand our outreach and services! 🙌

With your support, we can ensure our programs continue to thrive and reach those who need them most.

Thank you for being a part of our journey! Together, we can grow and empower our community. 🌟

12/26/2024

🌿✨ Dive deeper into the world of herbal education from the comfort of your home!

Our comprehensive Family Herbalist Program curriculum offers in-depth learning about over 150 herbs, including their cultivation, anatomy, nutrition, detoxification, and the art of medicinal formulation.

This program beautifully blends ancient wisdom with modern science, empowering you to cultivate sustainable health practices in today’s world. Building on the foundational skills from our Roots of Herbalism course, you’ll gain the knowledge to care for yourself and your loved ones, making it one of the best investments in your family's long-term health.

Graduates leave equipped to tackle common health issues, embodying our belief that self-care is essential before caring for others.

Join us on this transformative journey this spring, and strengthen your personal practice while laying the groundwork for a future in herbalism. 🌱💚✨

12/24/2024

🌿✨ Our featured winter tea blend today is a delightful winter decoction recipe packed with some of our favorite wellness herbs!

This gem was created and submitted by our amazing office and garden manager, Jaime Pawelek. Thank you, Jaime!

🌱 Don't miss the chance to learn with her in January at her Herbal Oils and Salves making class, which sold out the last time it was offered! Mark your calendars and join Jaime for some herbal magic! ☕️💚

12/23/2024

🌱 Roots of Herbalism introduces students to over twenty herbs and their primary uses. Throughout our weekend together in Ft. Myers, we spend time delving into the characteristics of all sample herbs, tasting each one along the way.

🌿 In this class, we discuss the philosophies of being ecological in herbalism, practicing herbal nutrition, and the foundations of holistic health.

🙌 Plus, this is a hands-on weekend where you'll participate in preparing your own herbal tisanes, tinctures, and teas!

📝 Come prepared to learn a lot, take notes, go home with a new perspective and experience, and begin your herbal journey with a so

🚨 Enroll by 12/26 for early bird pricing!

The Roots of Herbalism 2-Day Weekend Intensive includes:
• A copy of Herbal Recipes for Vibrant Health by Rosemary Gladstar
• Florida School of Holistic Living Course Book
• An opportunity to sample 20+ foundational herbs
• Hands-on medicine making
• A subscription to our remaining 2024-2025 Roots Roundtable season meetups — monthly online live sessions of teachings from current community herbalism students and the chance to meet, share, and collaborate with fellow herbalists

12/22/2024

🌿 Exciting news! We have a fantastic opportunity to boost herbal education at the Florida School of Holistic Living!

A generous supporter has pledged to match donations up to $10,000! This means your contributions will have double the impact! 🙌

🌱✨ To unlock this amazing match, we need your help to raise $10,000 by December 31st, 2024. Every tax-deductible donation you make can truly transform lives! 💚

With your support, our programs will continue to thrive and reach those who need them most. Thank you for being a crucial part of our journey! 🫶

Claim ownership or report listing

Want your school to be the top-listed School/college in Orlando?

Click here to claim your Sponsored Listing.

Our Story

Our programming includes a comprehensive curriculum of natural health and sustainable living workshops, continuing education, and professional training. In addition, we provide the Central Florida community a space to connect with our community, build vibrant health, and deepen our relationship with the earth, through our Bodhi Garden, Community Herbal Clinic, Moon Circles, the Florida Herbal Conference, and ongoing special events.

Philosophy-in-practice education offers students the opportunity to “get their hands dirty.” We emphasize a holistic philosophy in all of our courses, a perspective which honors the whole person and their connection to their environment. We then see k to put that philosophy into practice through hands-on educational opportunities, taking our students into the field to connect with the subjects of which they are learning. By empowering our students with the knowledge and experience to live a more fulfilling, sustainable lifestyle, we hope to contribute to a more equitable, peaceful world for future generations.

Our History

Founded in 1999 as the Florida School of Herbal Studies, the school first focused on introducing the concepts and practices of holistic living through the science and art of herbalism. Classes were offered in Titusville and Orlando under the direction of herbalist George D’Arcy, hosted at local herb stores and healing centers such as Leaves and Roots and Simply Well. The school’s first building and educational gardens were established in 2005 in Winter Park under the direction of herbalist Emily Ruff, relocating to our current neighborhood in Downtown Orlando in Fall 2006.

As the school’s programming grew, so did our curricula, to serve students and assist them in fully integrating ecological herbalism into their lives. These expanded offerings included more diverse subjects of n atural health including holistic nutrition, iridology, healing with rhythm, and various nutritional theories, as well as sustainable living and urban homesteading topics such as beekeeping, permaculture, and organic gardening. The school formally changed its name to the Florida School of Holistic Living in Fall 2007 to better reflect the full scope of its mission and work in the community.

FSHL has been a driving force in Central Florida’s movement towards environmental consciousness and conservation, offering access to education on traditional philosophies and practices, as well as contemporary technologies, that foster living in harmony with the natural world. The school has been an ardent advocate for United Plant Savers, receiving the first Botanical Sanctuary designation in Florida in 2012. In support of local farmers, the school founded the Homegrown Local Food Cooperative in 2007 to build a sustainable agricultural economy in Central Florida. In 2012, in support of our regional herbal community, the school founded the Florida Herbal Conference.

Our Founders

George D’Arcy (1952-2005), herbalist and school founder, was a student and apprentice of Dr. John Christopher, Rosemary Gladstar and seven other herbalists whose training motivated him to found the Florida School of Herbal Studies. Certifications as an EMT, Pharmacy Technician, and Nurse Assistant provided a context to bridge the gap between traditional healings and modern systems of wellness, which allowed Mr. D’Arcy a unique position to consult his clients to wellness with an intimate understanding of modern healthcare. As a graduate of advanced programs at the Tracker School with Tom Brown, Mr. D’Arcy’s teachings focused on integrating wellness with a relationship with our natural environment.

Carolyn Whitford (1944-2010), herbalist and charter school advisor, founded Leaves and Roots in 1993 to ensure the power of the plants remained in the hands of the people. Carolyn was a community visionary whose steadfastness and generosity provided access to herbal medicine to Central Florida residents for nearly two decades. Carolyn was a supportive advisor in the work of the school since its inception, and became active in the work of the organization by hosting classes in the research room of her store starting in 2001.