This Intro to Herbalism course lasts approximately three months. New lessons are released every two weeks after registration to help students remain engaged and motivated to complete the course! You will have full access to the online course for 6 months following registration. All digital materials you wish to keep for future reference must be downloaded by that time.
This introductory course is where science and tradition meet. You will learn how to stock your medicine cabinet with a variety of herbal remedies for yourself and your family – and know why and how those remedies work. Whether you grow your own plants and create unique tinctures and oils to add to your cabinet, or you want to make sure the product you are buying online is worth the money, this course is for you. In only three months, you will learn the history of health and herbalism, the role that science has played in natural health over the last century, how to identify wild plants and grow your own, and how to source safe and effective pre-made products. Most importantly, we will discuss how these remedies work, their pharmacological actions, and learn the terminology to understand outside resources so that your learning can continue beyond this course. In addition, all of our courses at Natural Abundance contain information for safe use during the perinatal period (pregnancy, birth, postpartum & lactation) and for use with babies and children.
COURSE CONTENT
Unit 1: History Of Health & Herbs
- Pre-historic Medicine and Early Health Theories
- Roman Empire and Medieval Medicine
- Modern Medicine Milestones
- Creating Your Own Materia Medica
- Herbal Actions: Speaking the Language of Herbalism
- Nutritive/Tonic Herbs: Mini-Monographs
- Unit 1 Projects
Unit 2: Integrative Medicine
- Alternative, Complementary, and Integrative Medicine
- Types of Plant Medicine
- Additional Non-Medical Treatment Modalities
- Working with Your Care Provider
- Nervine Herbs: Mini-Monograph
- Adaptogenic Herbs: Mini-Monographs
- Unit 2 Projects
Unit 3: Herbal Methodology
- Defining Herbal Medicine and its Relationship to Pharmaceuticals
- Identifying Plants: Beginner’s Botany
- Learning Herbs by Plant Families
- Antispasmodic Herbs: Mini-Monographs
- Antimicrobial/Antiseptic Herbs: Mini-Monographs
- Unit 3 Projects
Unit 4: Building Your Apothecary
- Sourcing Quality Herbal Plants and Products
- Growing Your Own Medicinal Herbs
- Harvesting, Drying, and Storing
- Anti-inflammatory Herbs: Mini-Monographs
- Febrifuge and Expectorant Herbs: Mini-Monographs
- Unit 4 Projects
Unit 5: Methods Of Application
- Aqueous Solutions
- Oil-Based Extracts
- Tinctures, Glycerites, and Vinegars
- Utilizing Whole Plant Material
- Demulcent/Mucilaginous Herbs: Mini-Monographs
- Detoxifying Herbs: Mini-Monographs
- Vulnerary Herbs: Mini-Monographs
- Unit 5 Projects
Unit 6: Creating Your Own Herbal Formulas
- Demystifying Dosages
- The Right Remedy for the Right Ailment
- Treating Symptoms vs Treating the Root Cause: Layering Approaches
- Toxicity and Safety
- Formulas for Health and Healing
- Formulas for Skin Care and Beauty
- Formulas for Cleaning and Household Care
Final Exam
Bonuses:
- The Intro to Herbalism course comes complete with downloadable, printable herbal flash cards to begin memorizing plants with their scientific names, actions, uses and safety information.
- Video lessons will be added throughout Fall 2023 to each unit starting with Unit 1. Once they are added, students will be able to choose their preferred method of learning: reading, watching or listening to the lesson content. *Coming soon!*
- While you are enrolled in the course, you will have free full access to our virtual Herbal Hour classes. That means a total of 6 FREE classes, including bonus PDF handouts and class recordings. (A $54 value!) After registration, check your Welcome lesson for instructions.
