Wheel of the Seasons: Aligning with the 5 Elements using Herbal Medicine

In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), the year is divided into five seasons, each governed by a natural element—Wood, Fire, Earth, Metal, and Water. Each season influences our health, emotions, and energy in unique ways, and by aligning with these natural rhythms, we can cultivate balance and vitality throughout the year.

This 5-class workshop series will explore the wisdom of TCM’s seasonal cycles and the power of herbal medicine to support body, mind, and spirit. Through engaging discussions, hands-on harvesting and garden time, and seasonal lifestyle guidance, you’ll learn how to:

✔ Understand the energetic shifts of each season and their impact on health
✔ Select and prepare herbs to nourish and harmonize with the changing elements
✔ Incorporate seasonal foods, teas, lifestyle practices, and herbal remedies to optimize well-being
✔ Work with nature’s cycles to strengthen immunity, digestion, and emotional balance

Participants in the full 5-class series will also receive a 2026 Seasonal Eating Calendar with 12 months of TCM diet and lifestyle advice to keep you attuned all year-round!

Whether you’re a wellness practitioner, herbal enthusiast, or simply curious about TCM’s approach to seasonal living, this series will provide practical tools and timeless insights to help you stay in sync with nature’s rhythms.

Join for a single class or purchase the entire series (15% discount). Receive an additional 15% discount on series passes until March 18th!

Spring is the season of new beginnings, expansion, and vitality, governed by the Wood element. In this session, we’ll explore herbs that support the liver, enhance detoxification, and promote flexibility—physically and emotionally. Learn how to work with spring’s upward-moving energy to clear stagnation, boost circulation, and harness the season’s momentum for renewal and growth.

Summer is ruled by the Fire element, representing joy, heart health, and full yang energy. This session focuses on herbs and foods that cool excess heat, support cardiovascular health, and balance the emotions. We’ll also discuss ways to stay hydrated, energized, and emotionally centered during the most active season of the year.

Late Summer is a transitional season governed by the Earth element, associated with digestion, grounding, and nourishment. In this class, we’ll explore herbs that strengthen the spleen and stomach, regulate digestion, and enhance gut health. Learn how to cultivate stability and balance as the seasons shift and prepare for the descent into autumn.

Autumn is the season of release, refinement, and preparation for rest, ruled by the Metal element. This session will focus on lung and immune-supportive herbs to fortify defenses, clear the airways, and prepare the body for the colder months ahead. We’ll also explore the emotional aspect of autumn—learning how to embrace change and let go of what no longer serves us.

Winter is the most yin time of year, a season of deep restoration, introspection, and conservation, governed by the Water element. In this session, we’ll explore herbs that nourish the kidneys, support adrenal health, and build resilience for the year ahead. Learn how to embrace restorative practices, warm foods, and strengthening tonics to stay balanced through the cold and dark months.

This workshop series will take place at Innisfree Farm —a vibrant, living classroom where traditional wisdom meets hands-on learning. With over 200 medicial plants, this setting offers a unique opportunity to experience herbal medicine where it grows.

Throughout the workshop series, you’ll have the chance to:
🌿 See, touch, and smell the herbs we discuss in class, deepening your connection to their properties and energetics.
🌱 Harvest and prepare herbal remedies using fresh, locally grown plants.
🌞 Learn in a natural environment that encourages observation, interaction, and seasonal awareness.
🍃 Engage all your senses in the study of herbal medicine, making learning more tangible and memorable.

Host or Publisher Alina Baker, Medical Herbalist