CURRICULUM

Here you can find out what material is included in each of the two years of our Community Herbalism program.

FUNDAMENTALS OF COMMUNITY HERBALISM COURSE CURRICULUM

  • Botany, ecology, plant taxonomy, evolution of plants, botanical vocabulary, plant identification.

  • Herbal actions and energetics, flavors of herbs and their meaning.

  • Wildcrafting procedures and ethics. Ecological responsibility.

  • Tools for fostering connection to place in any environment. Bioregional herbalism.

  • Embodied practices for learning from plants.

  • Making herbal medicines, including harvesting, processing and drying herbs, preparation of medicinal teas, tincturing by various methods, oxymels, elixirs, infused oils & salves, lotions, liniments, medicine balls, smoke medicine, and medicinal mushroom double-extractions.

  • Food as Medicine. Creative ways to consume herbs.

  • History and traditions of Western herbalism.

  • Holistic and Vitalist approaches to the human body in health & disease.

  • Nutrition fundamentals. Working with food allergies and intolerances.

  • Elemental patterns of imbalance in the human body (tissue states). Tools for assessing and addressing these imbalances.

  • Foundational anatomy and physiology.

  • In-depth teaching on over 60  individual herbs: botany & identification, tastes & energetics, actions, uses, formulation, contraindications, and cultivation tips. (Materia Medica)

  • Basic formulation.

  • Herbal first aid.

  • Practical tools for self- and community-care, including herbal support for healthy digestion, stress management, restful sleep, and more. Care for colds, flus, and other common infections.

  • Readings, discussions, and presentations on racial equity, gender inclusivity, decolonization, cultural appropriation, and other topics relevant to herbalism and health care.

  • Focused classes on: Herbalism on a Budget. Herbs for mental health. STI’s and genital care.

Advanced community herbalism course curriculum

  • Phytochemistry:  the science needed to understand herbal actions and best medicine making practices

  • Advanced formulation:  learning how to created nuanced formulas with precise dosage

  • History and lineage

  • In-depth holistic anatomy and physiology for all the organ systems

  • Holistic therapeutic strategies for all the organ systems

  • Formulation for the specific organ systems, learning differential diagnosis for herbs with an affinity for each organ system

  • In-depth teaching on dozens of individual herbs: botany & identification, tastes & energetics, actions, uses, formulation, contraindications, and cultivation tips. (Materia Medica)

  • Holistic approach to mental health

  • The physiology of emotional trauma, holistic tools for supporting people who have experienced trauma

  • Supporting trans health:  framework and tools for supporting transfolk

  • Advanced first aid

  • Readings and discussions on neurodiversity, ableism in health care, and other topics 

  • Applied community herbalism:  how do we ethically serve our communities within our skill sets?

  • Workshop on racial equity in the field of herbalism with Amanda David and Mandana Boushee

  • Tincturing by percolation + making concentrated tinctures (fluidextract)

  • Herbalism & Mutual aid: considerations and best practices 

  • Case studies from our clinical practices

  • Creating individualized protocols for complex conditions

  • Clinical Skills for Community herbalists including but not limited to: 
    scope of practice, boundaries, consent, pattern assessment, creating protocols, triage for complicated cases, reciprocity, when things go wrong, legalities, interview skills, apothecary considerations, referrals

  • Focused classes on grief support, addiction, and more.