Certified Practitioner of Medicinal Herbalism

Prerequisites:

ANAT   101      Anatomy

PHYS   101      Physiology

PTH     101      Pathology

3 classes, 6 credit hours

CLASS CODE    CLASS TITLE                                       

HERB 101        Introduction to Medicinal Herbalism

HERB 201        Indigenous Herbal Medicine

HERB 301        Wild Plants and Local Herbal Medicines

HERB 401        Herbal Diagnosis and Prescription

HERB 501        The Botanica Materia Medica 1

HERB 502        The Botanica Materia Medica 2

HERB 550        Biochemistry of Herbal Medicines

HERB 601        Herbal Medicine and Interactions

HERB 650        Ayurvedic Herbalism

HERB 701        The Practicing Herbalist

10 classes, 20 credit hours

 

Bachelors Degree in Medicinal Herbalism

Prerequisites:

ANAT   101      Anatomy

PHYS   101      Physiology

PTH   101      Pathology

HH       101      Holistic Health and Hygiene

PTH     201      Human Pathology and Immunology

GYN     101      Gynecology and Obstetrics

ME       101      Medical Ethics and Medical Jurisprudence

TCM     401      Advanced TCM Herbal Medicine 1

TCM     402      Advanced TCM Herbal Medicine 2

7 classes, 14 credit hours

CLASS CODE    CLASS TITLE                                       

HERB 101        Introduction to Medicinal Herbalism

HERB 201        Indigenous Herbal Medicine

HERB 301        Wild Plants and Local Herbal Medicines

HERB 401        Herbal Diagnosis and Prescription

HERB 501        The Botanica Materia Medica 1

HERB 502        The Botanica Materia Medica 2

HERB 550        Biochemistry of Herbal Medicines

HERB 601        Herbal Medicine and Interactions

HERB 650        Ayurvedic Herbalism

HERB 701        The Practicing Herbalist

10 classes, 20 credit hours

One year of supervised clinical study

 

COURSE DESCRIPTIONS

HERB 101                    Introduction to Medicinal Herbalism

The class explores the origins of medicinal herbalism in prehistory and ancient civilizations, from medicinal herbs found in the frozen body of a 5,000 year old prehistoric Swiss “caveman” to the widespread use of herbs in indigenous tribes and the written herbal records of ancient India, Mesopotamia, Egypt and Greece. Students learn the biochemical properties of commonly used herbal medicines and how they affect the body, and then the contemporary use of herbalism as a tool for healing mind, body and emotional balance is discussed.

HERB 201                    Indigenous Herbal Medicine

The use of herbs as natural medicines is an essential part of humanity’s history. Contemporary indigenous medicine people use native plants for healing as well as to attain insight and meditative calm. This class reviews Native American herbalism, South American shamanism and its use of wild plants, and the use of herbs in prehistory and indigenous Asian, African and Australian cultures. Ethical and legal issues of indigenous rights regarding the use of local plants and medicinal knowledge are also reviewed.

HERB 301                    Wild Plants and Local Herbal Medicines

Students learn about the medicinal properties, safe preparation, identification, and traditional uses of common wild plants. Students explore “wildcrafting,” the art of using healing plants that grow wild, and discover how to find useful herbs in their area. The class reviews precautions involving the use of wild plants and examines methods for identifying safe sources as well as danger signs that indicate the possible contamination of soil and plants. Herbal medicines that can be used as part of everyday health are discussed as part of every herbal practitioner’s toolkit.

HERB 401                    Herbal Diagnosis and Prescription

Client intake and case taking is thoroughly reviewed as essential for ensuring that each client receives the most beneficial treatment program. Students gain knowledge about herbal remedies that are used to treat the most common ailments, followed by an examination of pathology and the biochemistry of herbs. Students learn the use of herbs for treating specific organs and body parts, herbal treatments for rare medical conditions, and herbs that work to maintain general overall health.

HERB 501                    The Botanica Materia Medica 1

Students examine hundreds of herbs and their properties with a focus on those proven to be effective and most widely used for healing. Students receive a thorough grounding in the extensive body of knowledge of herbal medicine and learn how to select the correct herb for the appropriate condition. Identifying the useful parts of plants, testing for potency, the preparation of herbal tinctures and the steps for preparing a plant for inclusion in an herbal remedy are explored in depth.

HERB 502                    The Botanica Materia Medica 2

Students continue their study of the herbal Materia Medica, examining lesser used herbs that play important roles in herbal medicine, herbs used for psychological and emotional health, herbs used in pregnancy, childbirth and post-natal care, pediatric and childhood herbalism, herbalism and gerontology, and herbal medicine for special needs populations.

HERB 550                    Biochemistry of Herbal Medicines

This class explores the chemical properties of herbs and how they impact the body, and teaches the constituent components of herbal medicines. Students learn plant biology in a holistic way that views each plant as connected to the whole ecosystem, and develop a perspective of human health as part of a healthy natural world.

HERB 601                    Herbal Medicine and Interactions

Herbal medicines have been proven safe and effective, but their potency requires herbalists to be aware of potential interactions with vitamins and medications as well as side effects and contraindications. Students learn the way herbs interact with vitamins and drugs and review methods for detecting adverse reactions and contraindications for the use herbal remedies.

HERB 650                    Ayurvedic Herbalism

Students are introduced to ayurvedic theory of the three body types, or doshas, and learn ayurvedic herbal philosophy and its time tested formulations of herbal combinations. Herbal formations for specific conditions and types of clients are reviewed along with sources for acquiring effective ayurvedic medicinal herbs.

HERB 701                    The Practicing Herbalist

Students learn to identify reliable sources for obtaining safe and effective herbal medicine as well as the benefits and challenges for herbalists who cultivate herbs and prepare their own herbal medicines. Legal issues involved in all aspects of herbalism from the harvesting of wild plants to prescribing herbal medications are reviewed, along with a discussion of ethical issues and the differences between pharmaceutical production of herbs and wildcrafting. Methods for integrating herbal medicine with other traditions of holistic healing are discussed, followed by a detailed review of the steps involved in setting up a successful and healing herbal medicinal practice.