Herbal Summer School 2025
Nature’s Medicine Chest: A Botanical Symposium for Today’s World
July 11th & 12th
July 11th: 5:00 pm – 8:00 pm MT / 7:00 – 10:00 pm ET
July 12th: 10:00 am – 3:00 pm MT / 12:00 pm – 5:00 pm ET
Your instructors:
Dr Michael Gaeta, DAc, MS
Charlotte Kikel, MS, ACN, MCPP
Dustin Strong, CHN, ACN
Dr. Scott J. Vrzal, DC, DBBP, DMBBP, DMBM, DAAIM
Erin Smith, MSc
Home Learning Program Based on Our Seventh Symposium in Phytotherapy for Today’s World
Empower Your Patients with Natural Treatments: Join Our Herbal Summer School
Empower your practice with our Herbal Summer School: comprehensive, up-to-date, and designed for success. Plant medicines hold unique promise and potential to help us meet the unprecedented demands of modern life.
Early Bird Pricing Through July 4th!
The Gaeta Institute’s annual Herbal Summer School will give you the knowledge, tools, and practical strategies to improve your patient care and outcomes with an integrated approach to blending phytotherapy and food-based nutritional support. Learn traditional applications and current research on how plant medicines can increase resilience and well-being for acute, corrective, and preventative care.
Imagine being able to provide more effective, natural treatments to your patients, enhancing your practice’s reputation and success.
When you sign up for our Herbal Summer School, you’ll receive:
- Access to all course materials: This includes video lessons, reading materials, and practical exercises.
- Live Q&A sessions: Get your questions answered directly by our expert instructors.
- Access to our private community: Connect with fellow practitioners and continue your learning journey even after the course ends.
Course Description:
The brilliant Austrian philosopher Rudolph Steiner wrote a century ago that, “for every human illness, somewhere in the world there exists a plant which is the cure.” As human beings are more challenged than ever by environmental toxicity, manmade radiation, chemicalized foods, pharmaceutical overuse, and the vibrational intensity of a great human awakening and the cycles of purification needed for its expansion, our need for the wisdom contained in plant medicines has grown in order to meet those challenges.
In our sixth year of Herbal Summer School, we will delve deeply into Nature’s Medicine Chest, where Life’s wisdom expresses itself in the blessings of botanicals. Specifically, you will learn how to optimize fertility and pregnancy to create a resilient next generation; the importance of medicinal mushrooms to not just survive but thrive in this awakening yet toxic world; how to mitigate and possibly reverse the catastrophic damage caused by covid vaccines; and many other topics of immediate and practical importance. Look forward to an engaging, interactive program, informed by traditional herbal practice and current research, that will greatly enhance your ability to care well for yourself, your family and patients.
Dr Michael Gaeta’s Topics:
Herbs and the Mind: botanicals for improving cognition, memory and emotional well-being
We are in the midst of a mental health crisis. Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, dementia, depression, memory loss, anxiety and poor sleep are impairing the well-being and mental clarity of millions. Learn the herbs that are proven to make a difference in mental and emotional health.
Babies and Botanicals: phytotherapy for enhancing male and female fertility
Poor diet, stress, manmade radiation, environmental endocrine disruptors, covid shots and more are making it harder for couples to enjoy their sexual lives, and bear healthy children. Learn how to help create a vital present and resilient future with phytotherapy.
Undoing Covid Carnage: herbal and nutritional approaches to prevent and reverse the global catastrophe of mRNA injections
Easily the most devastating class of injections ever unleashed on humanity, mRNA injections have killed at least 17 million people worldwide, and injured hundreds of millions. The harm and body count grow daily, as the delayed effects of the genocide jab become more prevalent. Here you will learn the specific natural medicine strategies for ameliorating the damage, and helping protect those who were deceived, coerced and frightened into taking these shots.
Charlotte Kikel’s Topics:
Freedom from Fear: Using Herbs Wisely During Pregnancy & Breastfeeding
“The unexamined life is not worth living.” -Socrates
There is a fine line between protecting a fetus and acting out of unwarranted fears. Nowhere is this more prevalent than a pregnant woman considering the use of herbal medicine. Seemingly healthy women, well-versed in holistic care can become absolutely paranoid about using herbs during pregnancy and breastfeeding but this stress is avoidable. In this webinar, we will address what herbs are welcomed during this sacred time, along with what to avoid. We will also discuss how to deal with acute situations affecting the mother, like a common cold, digestive distress and anxiety. The goal of this webinar is to provide solid information so that a mother can make truly educated decisions about what to put into her body and avoid the chaos of unnecessary fears. Hope you can join us!
Dustin Strong’s Topics:
Introduction to Herbal Longevity Strategies
Overview of longevity-focused herbal medicine and frameworks (Ayurveda, TCM, Functional Medicine)
Deep dive into Gotu Kola – history, active compounds, clinical research
Applications of Gotu Kola in Practice
Use in cognitive decline, mental health, vascular healing, skin/tissue regeneration
Dosing, safety, contraindications, and synergy with other herbs (e.g., bacopa, ashwagandha)
Medicinal Mushrooms for Longevity & Resilience
Introduction to Lion’s Mani- history, constituents (hericenones, erinacines), mechanisms of action
Clinical applications – cognition, neuropathy, gut-brain axis, product forms, dosing considerations
Scott Vrzal’s Topics:
Herbs for the Seven Headache Patterns
The advantage of head pain is that it gives a strong indication of the body’s priority for optimized health. Gallbladder, stomach, estrogen, thyroid, pituitary, large intestine, and cortisol/ulcer problems can manifest as head pain. Identifying the cause of these referred pain areas can lead to immediate and empowered change. Offering immediate relief of headaches exceeds patient expectations with virtually guaranteed referrals. Learn what herbs may be indicated for the 7 different headache patterns.
Erin Smith’s Topics:
Nurturing our Nervous System: Lesser Known Herbs for Support During Times of Stress
Between global uncertainty and our modern busy lives, we all are feeling more stress and anxiety. Learn about some lesser known nervine herbs to nourish and support our nervous systems in times of stress and emotionally challenging times.
“Dr Michael Gaeta is a GREAT teacher. I am just getting into the benefits of using nutrition and herbal medicine to help patients. I’m looking to continue learning with Michael and figure out how to implement this info to help myself, my family, friends and patients! Thank you for all of your knowledge and wisdom!” – Dr Brianna Salvia, DC
“This was a great seminar for me, as I am using more herbs. I appreciate the in-depth, concise, to-the-point info – thank you! I also liked the up to date info and how herbs had been traditionally categorized, and how they can cross over into other clinical areas and applications. ” – Bonita Grandal, LAc
“Great topic, a lot of information and clinical pearls. Deep dive into herbal formulas and protocols. I‘d like more seminars with Michael. Thank you, Michael” – Dr Lana Volkova, MD
Bonuses
As a Wholistic Health Practitioner, we understand that you’re always looking for ways to enhance your knowledge and provide the best care to your patients. That’s why, in addition to the Herbal Summer School online course, we’re offering you some exclusive bonuses that will further enrich your learning experience.
Bonus 1: Exclusive Webinars with Renowned Herbalists
We’ve arranged for you to have access to exclusive webinars with some of the world’s leading herbalists. These experts will share their latest research, insights, and practical tips, giving you a unique opportunity to learn from the best in the field.
Bonus 2: Comprehensive Herbal Reference Guide
You’ll also receive a comprehensive Herbal Reference Guide. This guide is packed with detailed information about a wide range of herbs, their uses, and their health benefits. It’s a valuable resource that you can refer to time and time again.
Bonus 3: Access to a Private Community of Like-Minded Practitioners
Finally, you’ll gain access to a private telegram community of other Wholistic Health Practitioners who are also passionate about herbalism. This community is a place where you can ask questions, share your experiences, and learn from others.
We understand that as a Wholistic Health Practitioner, you’re committed to providing the best possible care to your patients. You’re always looking for ways to expand your knowledge and stay up-to-date with the latest developments in natural health. That’s why we’ve designed the Herbal Summer School online course specifically for practitioners like you.
About Michael Gaeta:
Dr Michael Gaeta’s phytotherapeutic journey began 36 years ago at his Long Island school’s herbal pharmacy, and in the herb shops of Chinatown, in Queens and downtown Manhattan, New York. His passion and dedication to using herbs to optimize human flourishing has only grown since. He loves blending traditional practices with modern research, to the benefit of his family, patients, and functional medicine students.
About Charlotte Kikel:
Charlotte Kikel is a wife, mother, nutritionist, herbalist, lifetime student, and a lover of dark chocolate and all things healing. When her health crashed in 2002 and she realized the medical system couldn’t help her, she started examining what it means to be fully alive.
She studied whole food nutrition at Bauman College in Santa Cruz, CA and then attained a Master of Science degree in Western Herbal Medicine from the Maryland University of Integrative Health. She is a Board-Certified Holistic Nutritionist, Functional Diagnostic Nutritionist, registered as a professional member of the American Herbalist Guild, and currently enrolled in the Electromagnetic Radiation Specialist program at The Building Biology Institute in Santa Fe, New Mexico.
In 2018, Charlotte published her first book, Eat in Peace to Live in Peace: Your Handbook for Vitality. Charlotte now lives happily in Santa Fe, New Mexico, with her husband and son.
About Dustin Strong:
Dustin, with years of clinical practice and founder of the Strong On Health Wellness Center, is a renowned figure in health and wellness. He’s a featured practitioner and author in esteemed health publications such as Selene River Press Self-Help Nutrition Blog and Texas Runner and Triathlete Magazine. Dustin serves as a guest expert on various platforms, including video series, podcasts, and interviews. Notably, he’s been featured on “Yes, And Yoga” on Prime Video, the “Happy Accidents” Podcast, and in publications like Mansfield NOW Magazine and Voyage Dallas Magazine, where he’s recognized as a local “Hidden Gem” in the DFW area. Recently, Dustin was honored as a Healthcare Hero by the Fort Worth Business Press.
In addition to his one-on-one work with clients, Dustin is an experienced consultant to other healthcare professionals with difficult cases or who wish to incorporate nutrition more fully into their practices. He is also a sought-after educational speaker whose seminars are approved for professional continuing education credits in all 50 U.S. states.
Dustin has also developed multiple whole food-based, organic-focused products, including Strong On Health Healthy Handfuls, a line of raw, organic, sprouted nuts, The Strong On Health Box, a health and wellness subscription box available throughout North America, and The Sugar Stopper®, which was carried by Central Market, other retail outlets and in healthcare practitioners’ offices nationwide.
Dustin is a graduate of the University of Wisconsin-Madison, is certified as an Applied Clinical Nutritionist by Parker University, is certified as a Holistic Nutritionist by American Fitness Professionals and Associates (AFPA), and is Board Certified by the American Association of Drugless Practitioners. Dustin is also a trained and accomplished vocalist and performer.
About Scott Vrzal:
Dr. Scott Vrzal, driven by debilitating headaches in his youth, pursued a chiropractic career. Initially misdiagnosed and advised to consult a psychiatrist, he embarked on a mission to understand headache root causes. With over 30 years of expertise, Dr. Vrzal refines pain patterns, advocates drug-free solutions, and shares his prescriptions. His thriving practice reflects a personal commitment to health, performance, and relieving patients’ pain.
Dr. Vrzal is a graduate of the Los Angeles College of Chiropractic and holds advanced diplomates in Biologically Based Practices, Manipulative and Body-Based Practices, and Mind-Body Medicine. He is also certified in Applied Kinesiology and has logged hundreds of hours in neuro-emotional technique, functional biochemistry, and herbal therapy.
A passionate educator and seminar leader, Dr. Vrzal teaches regularly on topics such as headaches, hormones, concussion, autoimmune issues, and athletic performance. His book, The Headache Advantage, was released in December 2024.
An avid competitive cyclist, mountain biker, and former “Mr. Natural California,” Dr. Vrzal lives what he teaches—bringing the same energy, clarity, and commitment to his patients that he brings to the racecourse.
About Erin Smith:
Erin Smith is an herbalist and ethnobotanist with more than 30 years experience working with medicinal plants. As an ethnobotanist, she worked internationally supporting the work of indigenous communities to promote their traditional knowledge and community based conservation efforts. With 15 years of experience in the herbal product industry, she has specialized in sustainability and social impact, product development, and herbal science and research.
She is on the Board of the American Herbal Product Association, AHPA’s ERB Foundation, and Advisory Board for American Herbal Pharmacopoeia. Passionate about sustainability within the herbal industry and broader herbal community, she is Chair of the Sustainability Committee of the American Herbal Products Association and a Stewardship Council member for the Sustainable Herbs Initiative. She is founder and President of ES Botanical Consulting, which supports the herbal product industry with innovative formulation and product development, education, and sustainability and ethical sourcing.