About VCIH

Vision and Mission

We envision a world in which herbs return to a central role in the daily rhythms of home and community life. We believe that herbal medicine has the power not only to heal the individual, but also to address the broad dysfunctions in our culture that have at their root a deep disconnection from Nature. Even as individuals become more empowered and knowledgeable in self-care, we recognize the need for well-trained practitioners to address more complex health concerns and to help identify other useful therapies, both conventional and traditional. Ultimately, we seek to bring about a system of healthcare wherein primary care is Nature-based and practiced in the home; the tools of technological medicine serve as secondary resources; and the herbalist acts as a bridge between the two. This model ensures the individual’s central role, utilizes the simplest and least invasive treatments, and emphasizes the co-evolutionary and interdependent relationship between humans and our environment.

Based on this vision our mission is to:

• educate and empower individuals to use traditional remedies as viable options in caring for themselves and their families;
• emphasize partnership with a clinical herbalist or other practitioner as an important adjunct to self-care;
• provide high-quality education for aspiring family and clinical herbalists;
• offer financially accessible health consultations to the community, creating an opportunity for collaborative practice among experienced herbalists, as well as a forum for education of clinical students;
• integrate and collaborate with other modalities and advance the role of the herbalist as an integral part of an effective healthcare model;
• renew deep connection with nature, encouraging a culture of ecological awareness, respect and interrelationship.

Founded in 2007, VCIH is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization offering free and sliding-scale herbal consultations through our community clinics, as well as affordable classes that empower individuals to take care of themselves and their families, whenever appropriate. We also provide comprehensive herbalist training programs, which include clinical experience gained through collaborative practice in the community clinic.

VCIH grew out of the Sage Mountain Free Herbal Clinic (a collaborative learning and practice experiment founded in 2001 and located for six years in Barre, Vermont) as well as the collective teaching and clinical experience of the founding directors, Betzy Bancroft, Larken Bunce and Guido Masé.

Originally located in Montpelier, in 2020, we moved to the campus of Goddard College which ceased operations in 2024. Located in Plainfield, Vermont the historic, 100+ acre rural campus will remain home to VCIH and other community organizations, even as the ownership and purpose of the campus undergoes transition.

Our building includes individual practitioner offices, a classroom, student lounge and library, office areas, lab and apothecary. Outside, we have a small greenhouse, four gardens and a large event tent that serves as our outdoor classroom. While most of our programming and all clinical offerings are currently delivered virtually, our Roots Apprenticeship program and our in-person intensives for Family and Clinical students take advantage of our lovely location and the beautiful lands that host us.