Medicinal Herbs for Health Course

Description

Course Outline:
Introduction to Herbalism: An overview of the history, philosophy, and principles of herbal medicine. This may include discussions on the holistic approach to health, the concept of vitalism, and the relationship between plants and human health.
Botany and Plant Identification: Basics of botany and plant identification, including the anatomy of plants, plant families, and common terminology used in herbalism. Students may learn how to identify medicinal herbs both in the wild and in cultivation.
Medicinal Properties of Herbs: Exploration of the various medicinal properties of herbs, including their actions on the body and how they can be used to support health and treat common ailments. This may include discussions on herbs with anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, adaptogenic, and immune-enhancing properties.
Herbal Preparations: Hands-on instruction in preparing herbal remedies, including teas, tinctures, infusions, decoctions, salves, poultices, and more. Students may learn about different extraction methods, dosage considerations, and storage techniques for preserving the potency of herbal preparations.
Herbal Actions and Therapeutics: In-depth study of specific herbal actions and their therapeutic applications. This may include herbs for digestion and gut health, immune support, stress and anxiety relief, respiratory health, skin care, and women’s health issues.
Herbal Safety and Contraindications: Understanding the importance of safety when working with medicinal herbs. Topics may include proper dosage guidelines, potential herb-drug interactions, contraindications for specific populations, and how to assess the safety and quality of herbal products.
Herbal Formulas and Remedies: Practical guidance on formulating herbal remedies for specific health concerns. Students may learn how to create custom herbal blends and formulations tailored to individual needs, as well as how to modify formulas based on client feedback and evolving health conditions.
Herbal Harvesting and Sustainable Wildcrafting: Ethical considerations for harvesting and sourcing medicinal herbs sustainably. This may include discussions on wildcrafting ethics, responsible harvesting practices, and cultivation methods for growing medicinal herbs at home or in community gardens.
Herbal Medicine Making: Hands-on experience in making herbal preparations from start to finish. This may include harvesting and processing herbs, preparing tinctures and extracts, blending herbal teas, and crafting topical remedies such as salves and balms.
Herbalism in Practice: Practical applications of herbalism in various settings, including home remedies, clinical practice, community herbalism, and herbal product development. Students may learn about the legal and regulatory aspects of practicing herbalism, as well as strategies for integrating herbal medicine into a healthcare or wellness practice.