About You and About Us
Our Story and Teaching Philosophy
At Plant Rhythms Herbal Academy (PRHA), we believe the study of plant medicine is both an ancient art of healing and a living, evolving practice. For generations, people have turned to the plant world for nourishment, healing, and guidance. Our work is devoted to helping students reconnect with this wisdom in a way that is practical, respectful, and deeply embodied.
Our Approach to Learning
Plant Rhythms trainings are designed to offer a comprehensive and experiential education in herbal medicine and biofield awareness. We bring together traditional plant knowledge, modern understanding, and intuitive development so students can grow into capable and grounded practitioners.
Learning takes place through multiple pathways, including:
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Direct connection with NZ native and wild plants
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Practical herbal medicine making
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Structured teaching and guided study
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Experiential and sensory awareness practices
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Reflective and integrative learning
This layered approach allows knowledge to move beyond theory into lived understanding. Students are supported to develop clarity, skills and confidence of practice as they progress.
Who Should Study Herbal Medicine?
Certificate in Herbal Medicine
Our Certificate students often share a deep respect for Nature and a sincere desire to learn how to work with plants safely and effectively. Many arrive with a quiet knowing that plant medicine has something important to offer their lives and communities.
The Certificate goes into tremendous practical depth and is a comprehensive foundation for skill development in the herbal medicine field, ensuring students are confident with using tree and herbal medicines right away. The program can be completed by itself, as a stand alone, and also sets the stage for the Dipoma program, and is considered the important first step towards becoming a professional medical herbalist.
Diploma in Biofield Therapies of Herbal Medicine
The PRHA Diploma of Biofield Therapies can be completed over a 6 month to 2 year period and is structured for the person who wants to extensively further their depth of knowledge and skills so that they are comfortable and adept at working with all kinds of people who may be faced with a. myriad of health problems.
The two specific requirements essential for any student to have success along this path are:
Good time management with the Self directed case studies. The course will provide structure, insight and support, though each student needs to be fully responsible for following the set projects and assignments.
The second is that they will to attend a the Certificate program for a second time in a different role- as a developing practitioner sharing their findings, insight and the kind of understanding that only comes with experience.
A Pathway of Growth
The NZ Native Tree and Wild Plant Shamanic Herbal Apprenticeship forms the essential foundation of the Plant Rhythms Herbal Medicine Education pathway. It provides students with practical skills, plant familiarity, and intuitive confidence that can stand alone as meaningful learning or prepare them for further study.
For those who feel called to continue, the PRHA Herbal Diploma in Biofield Therapies offers a more advanced professional pathway. Diploma students deepen their knowledge through case studies, thesis work, and guided feedback, strengthening their ability to work responsibly with real people and real situations.
Throughout the training journey, students are encouraged not only to study the plants, but to build a living relationship with them. We believe this direct experience is what supports the development of safe, perceptive, and effective herbal practitioners.
To learn more about The NZ Native Tree and Wild Plant Shamanic Herbal Apprenticeship it can be found here
About Us
About PlantRhythms Herbal Academy
The team at the PlantRhythms Herbal Academy are renowned and dedicated natural medical health professionals who have a lifelong passion for the energetics and science of herbal medicine.
Beginning at the Certificate level and progressing through our courses, our intention is to support, inspire, and stimulate anyone who is ready to study herbal medicine. We bring in in depth mentoring for our PRHA Biofield Diploma students as we want to assist those who are dedicated and ready to commit to this work to become knowledgeable and effective natural health practitioners.
Natural herbal medicine incorporates the old ways of healing and understanding. It is our intent that any of our students, whatever level they train to, gain extensive skills, health and confidence and thus are able to bring more healing, love and peace into the world.
Natural health professionals are frequently brought in as guest speakers
in the areas of:
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Womb massage and healing
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Traditional Chinese medicine
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Acupressure
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Rebirthing techniques (Breathwork)
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Other women's centered therapies
Meet the Herbal Team
Amy McComb
Director and Senior Lecturer
Amy has been in full-time practice as a medical herbalist for the last 30 years, bringing a steady depth of clinical experience, wisdom, and care to her work with clients and students alike.
With a strong passion for environmental education and the old ways of healing, Amy has taught and written extensively on herbs, health, and a wide range of healing modalities for publications, students, and practitioners of medical herbalism. Over the years she has held influential roles within the natural health and education space, including teaching at Wellpark College of Natural Therapies, directing multiple herbal training programs, and serving as an editor for the New Zealand Journal of Natural Medicine.
As the director and principal lecturer of PRHA, Amy is responsible for shaping and delivering the clinical herbalism program, and has trained more than 1,000 natural herbal health practitioners. Her teaching journey has also taken her beyond Aotearoa, with experience as a herbal tutor and outdoor program educator in Canada, Costa Rica, and New Zealand. This blend of clinical practice and experiential learning sits at the heart of her approach.
Amy plays a central role in mentoring and providing personalised guidance for students throughout the Certificate and Diploma programmes.
Isha Davies
Administrative Assistant
Isha has dedicated herself to both the arts and the healing arts for many years, weaving creativity, care, and grounded practical skill into everything she does.
A deeply enthusiastic and committed student, she has spent years building a broad foundation of experience and qualifications across multiple fields. Her background includes program management and coordination, creative design, consulting, and editorial work, each shaped by strong attention to detail and a genuine desire to create work that is both meaningful and useful.
Isha is passionate about holistic education and the kind of learning that empowers people to trust their own process, deepen their knowledge, and step into their full potential, whether they are on a path of herbal healing, creative practice, or both.
At PRHA, Isha oversees course coordination, supports students throughout their learning journey, and ensures every learner has the materials and resources they need to feel confident and well supported.
Litsa Katsoules
Course Coordinator
Litsa has an exceptional background; she has worked as management consultant in the corporate space, run mind body spirit festivals for years, was a breath and a birth coach and is a death adoula.
She has a life long interest in holistic wellbeing, is a strong humanitarian and we are grateful for her gifted involvement with PlantRhythms and in particular with the New Energy range.
Litsa is our expert executive assistant ensuring the smooth running of the PRHA education.
Litsa has been closely involved in the development of PRHA since its foundation,
and is active with constructive guidance and technical support with various administrative matters. She helps ensure our students are well supported on their learning journey.
At PRHA, Litsa takes responsibility for coordinating the courses, and ensuring students get all the learning materials they need to be well- resourced for their journey in learning herbal healing!