Before You Join the Conversation

Every community works best when everyone understands the ground rules.

The Inner Garden group was created with a specific purpose: to support The Green Guild students in their herbal studies. It’s a space for curiosity, for dialogue, for sharing what you know and learning from others. But before you take part, we ask that you read this policy in its entirety.

Here’s the heart of what the group is for:

• Discussions about Green Guild course units and lessons
• Questions or feedback on course projects and exercises
• Plant studies: identification, uses, verification, and personal experiences
• The making of herbal preparations—tinctures, teas, salves, and more
• Exploration of herbalism across cultures and traditions
• Anatomy, physiology, and body systems, as they relate to herbal practice
• Broader herbal topics: formulation, history, theory, and practical application
• Nutrition, superfoods, fermented foods, and supplements—always within the holistic frame of herbalism
• Agriculture: growing, cultivating, and harvesting herbs
• Networking opportunities (with one important note: please share your social media links or business promotions only in the designated Networking post created weekly by a moderator)
• Celebrating accomplishments
• Introductions (a designated Introduction post will be open for you to share who you are and what brings you here)

In short: this is a space for learning, sharing, and connecting. Keep the focus on herbs, on practice, and on the community we’re all building together.

The Shape of Our Conversations

Every community is defined not just by what is discussed, but by how it’s discussed.

In this group, discussions must be respectful, civil, and constructive. No exceptions.

To support that, all posts are reviewed by moderators before they appear in the group. This isn’t about policing thought. It’s about care. It gives moderators the chance to guide posts gently—helping to rephrase questions when needed, making sure we avoid medical language, photographs of health conditions, or requests for recommendations about specific individuals. In short, it helps keep the space safe and aligned with the group’s purpose.

And what about the discussions themselves? Participation is always voluntary. If a topic doesn’t feel right for you, simply step away. If, however, you see something that concerns you—the subject matter, or perhaps the tone—use the menu in the upper right corner of the post to flag it for a moderator’s attention.

For anything else—questions, concerns, or even constructive feedback—the best way to reach us is through the Contact Us page.

Because how we talk to each other matters just as much as what we’re talking about.

What This Space Is Not For

Sometimes it’s easier to define a community by what it chooses not to include. These boundaries aren’t meant to limit curiosity—they’re here to protect the focus of our conversations.

So, in this group, please refrain from:

• Asking for recommendations for a specific person
• Giving or requesting medical advice
• Posting photos of health issues or injuries
• Advertising or promoting a business
• Discussing religion—whether promoting or refuting particular beliefs
• Discussing politics—whether promoting or challenging a party or partisan view

Each of these, in its own way, pulls the conversation away from what we’re here to do: explore herbs, share experiences, and learn together.

Further explanation of these points appears below.

Zero Hate: Where We Draw the Line

Every community needs boundaries. This one is no different.

Some actions don’t just disrupt a group—they dismantle it. Which is why the following behaviors are absolutely not allowed here, and may lead to immediate removal:

• Hate speech of any kind
• Racism
• Foul language
• Hurtful, shaming, or disparaging comments
• Name-calling
• Taunting, heckling, or trolling
• Inflammatory posts or comments
• Sarcasm meant to wound, or implied insults hidden behind emojis
• Posting violent, traumatic, or graphic images
• Singling out another participant in a negative way
• Repeating behaviors a moderator has asked you to stop
• Blocking an admin or moderator, or disregarding community guidelines in any form

In other words: think twice before you post. If your words don’t serve kindness, learning, or constructive dialogue, they don’t belong here. Students who use this group for anything other than respectful, informative discussions are not aligned with its purpose—and will be removed.

It’s important to be clear: participation in the Inner Garden Facebook group is optional. It is free-of-charge, and it is not part of the formal Green Guild curriculum. Removal from the group—for any of the reasons listed above—does not entitle you to a refund for your course. Likewise, choosing not to participate in the group doesn’t affect your enrollment. The Green Guild reserves the right to close the group entirely at any time, for any reason.

If you are enrolled in a course and either choose not to participate or are removed from the group, you will still have full access to instructors via our Contact Us page.

Why We Don’t Allow Recommendations for Specific People

It’s tempting to ask, “What herb would you recommend for this person with this condition?” But we don’t allow these kinds of questions, for two reasons:

1. Herbs are not drugs. They work best when seen as part of a bigger picture—diet, lifestyle, constitution, and context. Asking about a single person’s condition oversimplifies what herbalism is really about.
2. To avoid practicing medicine. By law, that practice is restricted to those with a certified medical license.

That said, you can still ask meaningful, well-phrased questions. For example:

• “Which herbs have anti-inflammatory actions that can support cardiovascular health?”
• “What herbs are traditionally used for children with a wet cough?”

This framing invites discussion, experience, and education without crossing into medical practice. And it leaves you with a list of plants you can go on to research in trusted sources before deciding what’s right for you or anyone else.

Our Thoughts On Medical Advice

Let’s make something very clear: this forum is not the place to give—or to receive—medical advice.

If you are facing a serious ailment, consult with a clinical or registered herbalist, or a licensed medical practitioner trained in the use of herbs. If you have a medical condition, seek medical help. A proper diagnosis matters, because without it, you’re working in the dark.

And if you’re already taking prescription medication, do not stop without consulting your prescriber. Herb–drug interactions are real, and they matter. Some herbs are contraindicated in certain conditions. That’s why your responsibility, always, is to do your own research before using any herb.

On Politics

This forum is not a political stage. Posts or comments supporting or refuting political parties—or positions tied directly to political parties—will be deleted without debate. Continued posting of political content will result in removal from the group.

On Cannabis

Hemp and cannabis have a long history of use. But laws around them are complicated, and often shifting.

Because of this complex and changing legal landscape, Green Guild teachers cannot participate in discussions about cannabis, whether hemp or THC-rich.

On Advertising

This is not a space for business promotion, fundraising, or sales.

Once a week, a moderator will open a thread called Networking. That’s the place to share your blog, your business page, or your entrepreneurial pursuits. Anywhere else in the group, business names, links, logos, or promotions are not allowed.

Keep in mind: the purpose of Networking posts is to inform and inspire peers—not to market or sell.

A Reminder

All information shared in the Inner Garden Facebook group is for educational purposes only. Neither the Green Guild nor its teachers make medical claims, nor do they diagnose or treat medical conditions.

As members, you are responsible for your own research into the safety and use of herbs and supplements. Please refrain from giving or asking for recommendations or advice about someone else’s health.

Before stepping into the conversation, each participant is asked to answer a few simple approval questions: They’re not just a formality. They’re here to make sure we’re all on the same page about what this community is—and what it isn’t.

When you join, you’ll be asked:

• Which courses are you enrolled in?
• What email did you use when registering for a course that includes Inner Garden access?
• Have you read the and accepted the guidelines?

Your Agreement as a Participant

By joining, you acknowledge a few essential points:

• Participation in the Inner Garden group is voluntary. It’s not required, and it’s not considered part of the Green Guild curriculum.
• You have read, understood, and agreed to abide by all group guidelines. If something is unclear, you’ll ask for clarification rather than assume.
• All posts must stay focused on herbs, health, or wellness.
• Every contribution must be respectful, civil, and constructive.
• Hate speech, racism, shaming, or disparaging comments are not tolerated. Violating this rule may lead to immediate removal.
• You may not ask for recommendations for a specific person (or animal), nor post photos of individual health issues or injuries. Posts that encourage others to suggest herbs for a particular case will be moderated.
• You understand that use of this platform is conditional, and participation can be ended if the guidelines or platform rules are violated.
• Photos of health concerns or medical problems are not allowed, under any circumstance.

Think of this as a shared commitment. These guidelines aren’t hurdles—they’re the framework that allows this community to thrive.