UNIT 1: HERBAL WISDOM: TRADITIONS AND HISTORY

Lesson 1: Introduction to the Advanced Herbal Course

• Welcome to the Herbal Academy’s Advanced Herbal Course!
• VIDEO: Welcome to the Course with Lisa Olson, RH(AHG)
• The Advanced Herbal Course Companion Textbook
• Here’s How the Course Works
• VIDEO: Navigating the Student Dashboard with Amber Meyers
• VIDEO: The RH(AHG) Application Process with Lisa Olson, RH(AHG)

Lesson 2: The Humoral System

• Origins of Medicine in Greek Mythology
• Medicine in Pre-Hippocratic Greece
• The Hippocratic Legacy
• Aristotle’s Philosophical Contributions to Medicine
• Dioscorides: De Materia Medica
• Galen of Pergamum
• The Rise of Islamic Medicine
• Paracelsus
• Nicholas Culpeper
• Bringing it All Together

Lesson 3: Western Energetics in Contemporary Practice

• Western Herbalism?
• Energetic Systems
• VIDEO: Bridging Energetics and Phytomedicine with Keren Dolan, RH(AHG)
• Four Qualities
• Six Tissue States
• Humoral Temperaments
• Energetics in Action

Lesson 4: Roots of Herbalism in America

• Native American Herbalism
• Herbalism in the American Early Modern Period
• American Medical Botanists
• African American Healing Traditions
• Appalachian Folk Medicine
• VIDEO: Southern Folk Herbalism with Phyllis Light, RH(AHG)
• The Wise Woman Tradition

Lesson 5: The American Botanical Movement

• The Rise of the Sectarian Schism in the American Botanical Movement
• Samuel Thomson and the Thomsonians
• The “Indian Doctors”
• Homeopathy
• The Physiomedicalists
• The Eclectics
• Sectarian Medical Groups Fade Into American History
• Complementary and Alternative Medicine in America Today

Lesson 6: Chinese Medicine

• The Philosophical Roots of Chinese Medicine
• Tao
• Fundamental Concepts in Chinese Medicine
• Practical Applications of Chinese Medicine
• VIDEO: East Asian Medicine Formulas with Jiling Lin, L.Ac

Lesson 7: Ayurveda

• Roots of Ayurveda
• The Five Elements
• The Three Gunas and the Twenty Attributes
• The Three Doshas
• Assessing Your Constitution: Prakruti and Vikruti
• The Seven Dhatus
• Digestion: Agni and Ama
• Srotas: Channels of Circulation
• Samprapti: The Causes of Disease
• Preventative Health and Ayurveda
• The Ayurvedic Approach

Lesson 8: Global Healing Traditions

• World Health Organization Views on Traditional Medicine
• Global Healing Traditions – Unity and Diversity
• African Traditions
• Pacific Traditions
• Latin American Traditions
• VIDEO: Curanderismo with Felicia Cocotzin Ruiz
• Practicing Multicultural Awareness and Sensitivity

Lesson 9: Monograph Project Guidance

Lesson 10: Unit 1 Exercises

 

UNIT 2: BOTANY AND PHYTOCHEMISTRY

Lesson 1: Plant Anatomy and Taxonomy

• VIDEO: Welcome to Unit 2 with Lindsey Feldpausch, RH(AHG)
• Basic Botanical Taxonomy
• Learning the Language of Plants: Botanical Terms

Lesson 2: Plant Identification

• Plant Identification
• VIDEO: Lamiaceae (Mint) family plants with Chris Marano
• VIDEO: Rosaceae (Rose) family plants with Chris Marano
• VIDEO: Fabaceae (Pea) family plants with Chris Marano
• VIDEO: Asteraceae (Daisy) family plants with Chris Marano
• VIDEO: Asclepiadaceae (Milkweed) family, the Malvaceae (Mallow) family, and using a Plant Identification Guide with Chris Marano
• Other Ways to Identify Plants

Lesson 3: Plant Chemistry

• VIDEO: Overview of Secondary Metabolites with Lindsey Feldpausch, RH(AHG)
• Coevolution of Plants and Humans
• Whole Plant vs. Isolated Constituents
• What are Plant Constituents?
• A Few Key Chemistry Terms: Solute, Solvent, and Solubility
• Common Phytochemicals

Lesson 4: Herbal Pharmacology

• Pharmacognosy: An Interdisciplinary Interface of Drug Discovery
• VIDEO: Introduction to Pharmacognosy with Dr. D. Van Der Heyde
• Pharmacology: A General Design for a Complex System
• Pharmacokinetics: Absorption, Distribution, Metabolism, and Excretion
• Pharmacodynamics of Herbal Constituents

Lesson 5: Herb-Drug Interactions

• Terminology
• Pharmacokinetic and Pharmacodynamic Considerations
• VIDEO: Herb-Drug Interactions with Alison Birks, RH(AHG)
• Assessing Risk Factors for Herb-Drug Interactions
• The Hierarchy of Clinical Relevance: Assessing Herb-Drug Interaction Research

Lesson 6: Evaluating Research

• Thinking Critically About Science and Research
• How Research is Presented
• Types of Research
• Applied Critical Thinking: Questions to Keep in Mind
• Where to Find Research

Lesson 7: Unit 2 Exercises

 

UNIT 3: Healing

Lesson 1: The Nature of Healing

• VIDEO: Welcome to Unit 3 with Heather Wood Buzzard
• What is Healing?
• Wellbeing Within Illness
• Concepts in Herbalism
• VIDEO: Incorporating Spiritual Herbalism Into Practice with Lauren Burke
• Foundations of Health
• Physical Health
• Lifestyle Factors
• The Heart of the Matter: Social and Emotional Health
• The Mind and Spirit

Lesson 2: The Mind-Body Connection

• The Power of the Mind
• Traditional Mind-Body Concepts
• Mind-Body Research
• Meaning and Metaphor in Illness
• Integrating a Mind-Body Approach

Lesson 3: Reaching the Spirit

• Relationship and Interconnection
• Illusion of Binary: The Severing of the Subtle and Material Worlds
• Plants as Allies: Concepts and Traditions
• The Science of Plant Intelligence

Lesson 4: Preparations and Practices for Nurturing the Spirit

• From Essences to Entheogens: Plant Preparations With Spirit
• VIDEO: Making Flower Essences with Meagan Visser
• VIDEO: Flower Essences and Clinical Practice with Renee Prince, RH(AHG)
• Practices for Accessing the Spirit
• VIDEO: Tea Drinking Meditation with Anisah Amat

Lesson 5: Essential Oils and Aromatherapy

• What is an Essential Oil?
• Essential Oil Extraction Methods
• Hydrolats/Hydrosols
• Essential Oil Chemistry
• Herbs or Essential Oils?
• The Three Methods of Essential Oil Use
• Special Safety Considerations
• Blending Essential OIls
• VIDEO: Aromatherapeutic Blending with Sherilyn Sigmund-Roach
• Using Essential Oils for Health and Wellness

Lesson 6: Unit 3 Exercises

 

UNIT 4: BLOOD, LYMPH, AND MUCOUS MEMBRANES

Lesson 1: Anatomy Review

• VIDEO: Welcome to Unit 4 with Stacy Karen
• The Cardiovascular System
• VIDEO: Hemodynamics and Blood Function with Dr. David Mitcheson
• The Lymphatic System
• Questions to Ask Clients to Assess Blood and Lymph Health

Lesson 2: General Care of the Blood and Lymph

• Supporting the Blood and Vasculature
• VIDEO: Herbal Vascular Tonics with Erika Galentin, MNIMH, RH(AHG)
• Supporting the Lymphatic System

Lesson 3: Therapeutics for Common Conditions of the Blood and Lymph

• Common Conditions of the Blood
• Common Conditions of the Vascular System
• Common Conditions of the Lymphatic System
• VIDEO: Plant Reflections: Red Root with Phyllis D. Light, RH(AHG)

Lesson 4: Anatomy and Physiology of the Mucous Membranes

• Basic Structure and Function of Mucosa
• Special Functions of Mucous Membranes
• Questions to Ask Clients to Assess Mucous Membrane Health

Lesson 5: General Care of the Mucous Membranes

• Foundations of Function: Moisture and Tissue Integrity
• Understanding Astringency
• Mucosal Vulneraries: Healing From the Inside
• VIDEO: Plant Reflections: Calendula with Erika Galentin, MNIMH, RH(AHG)

Lesson 6: Herbal Therapeutics for Common Mucous Membrane Conditions

• Inflammation
• VIDEO: Inflammation with Tammi Sweet
• VIDEO: Plant Reflections: Goldenrod with Phyllis Light, RH(AHG)
• Bacterial Infections
• VIDEO: Plant Reflections: Goldenseal with Erika Galentin, RH(AHG)
• Viral Infections
• Fungal Infections

Lesson 7: Mucous Membrane Case Study

• VIDEO: Mucous Membrane Case Study with Erika Galentin, MNIMH, RH(AHG)

Lesson 8: Anemia Case Study

• VIDEO: Anemia Case Study with Dr. D. Van Der Heyde

Lesson 9: Unit 4 Exercises

 

UNIT 5: THE ENDOCRINE SYSTEM

LESSON 1: Anatomy and Physiology of the Endocrine System

• VIDEO: Welcome to Unit 5 with Shona Richter MacDougall, RH(AHG)
• Endocrine System Anatomy
• VIDEO: Endocrine System Anatomy with Dr. David Mitcheson
• Hormone Control Mechanisms
• Hormone Regulation
• Questions to Ask Clients to Assess Endocrine Health

 

LESSON 2: Health and Wellness of the Endocrine System

• Chronic Stress
• VIDEO: Study of Psychoneuroimmunology with Pamela Spence, MNIMH
• Diet and Lifestyle Considerations
• Herbal Support
• VIDEO: Plant Reflections: Eleuthero with Erika Galentin, MNIMH, RH(AHG)
• VIDEO: Plant Reflections: Schisandra with Erika Galentin, MNIMH, RH(AHG)
• VIDEO: Adaptogens with David Winston, RH(AHG)

LESSON 3: Adrenal, Thyroid, and Parathyroid Health

• Disorders of the Adrenal Glands
• Disorders of the Thyroid Gland
• Disorders of the Parathyroid Gland

LESSON 4: Blood Sugar Dysregulation and Diabetes

• Etiology, Signs, and Symptoms
• VIDEO: Insulin Resistance and Type 2 Diabetes with Ember Peters, RHP (HANS)
• Conventional Approach
• Diet, Lifestyle, and Herbal Support
• VIDEO: Herbal Therapeutics for Diabetes with Ember Peters, RHP (HANS)

LESSON 5: Thyroid Case Study

• VIDEO: Thyroid Case Study with Pamela Spence, MNIMH

LESSON 6: Endocrine System Case Study

• VIDEO: Endocrine System Case Study with Alison Birks, RH(AHG)

Lesson 7: Unit 5 Exercises

 

UNIT 6: REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH

LESSON 1: Anatomy and Physiology of the Reproductive System

• VIDEO: Welcome to Unit 6 with Lindsey Feldpausch, RH(AHG)
• Reproductive System Diversity
• The Penis and Testes
• The Prostate
• Semen
• The Vulva
• The Uterus, Ovaries, and Vagina
• Reproductive Hormones
• Spermatogenesis
• The Menstrual Cycle

LESSON 2: General Care for Reproductive Health

• Lifestyle Practices
• Diet and Nutrition
• Herbal Reproductive Tonics
• Hepatics
• Nutritives

LESSON 3: Puberty and Adolescence

• Stages of Puberty
• Easing the Transition of Puberty
• Adolescent Acne
• Anxiety and Depression

LESSON 4: The Menstrual Cycle

• The Energetics of Menstrual Cycle Imbalance
• Premenstrual Syndrome (PMS)
• Amenorrhea
• VIDEO: Plant Reflections: Mugwort with Erika Galentin, MNIMH, RH(AHG)
• Dysmenorrhea
• VIDEO: Plant Reflections: Black Haw with Erika Galentin, MNIMH, RH(AHG)
• Menorrhagia

LESSON 5: Menopause

• Framing the Menopausal Transition
• The Clinical Reality: Nuts and Bolts of Change
• An Herbalist’s Perspective
• VIDEO: Plant Reflections: Black Cohosh with Phyllis Light, RH(AHG)
• VIDEO: Plant Reflections: Shatavari with Erika Galentin, MNIMH, RH(AHG)
• VIDEO: Choosing Herbs for Menopausal Support with Erika Galentin, MNIMH, RH(AHG)

LESSON 6: Breast Health

• Breast Anatomy
• VIDEO: Breast Anatomy with Pamela Spence, MNIMH
• Common Breast Conditions
• The Energetics of Breast Tissue

LESSON 7: Prostate Health

• Overview of Prostate Anatomy
• Dietary and Lifestyle Support
• Energetic Considerations
• Prostatitis
• Benign Prostatitis Hyperplasia (BPH)
• VIDEO: Plant Reflections: Saw Palmetto with Erika Galentin, MNIMH, RH(AHG)
• Prostate Cancer

LESSON 8: Uterine and Vaginal Health

• Endometriosis
• Bacterial Vaginosis
• Lichen Sclerosus
• Uterine Fibroids
• Yeast Infections

LESSON 9: Reproductive and Sexual Hormone Imbalance

• Polycystic Ovary Syndrome
• VIDEO: Herbal Support for PCOS with Kelsey Barrett, RH(AHG)
• VIDEO: Plant Reflections: White Peony with Erika Galentin, MNIMH, RH(AHG)
• VIDEO: Plant Reflections: Black Cohosh with Erika Galentin, MNIMH, RH(AHG)
• VIDEO: Plant Reflections: Vitex with Erika Galentin, MNIMH, RH(AHG)
• Testosterone Balance
• Libido

LESSON 10: PMS and Anxiety Case Study

• VIDEO: PMS and Anxiety Case Study with Bevin Clare, RH(AHG)

LESSON 11: Bacterial Vaginosis Case Study

• VIDEO: Bacterial Vaginosis Case Study with Shona Richter MacDougall, RH(AHG)

Lesson 12: Unit 6 Exercises

 

UNIT 7: FAMILY, PREGNANCY, BIRTH, AND CHILDHOOD

LESSON 1: Fertility Awareness and Preconception

• VIDEO: Welcome to Unit 7 with Shona Richter MacDougall, RH(AHG)
• Natural Fertility Awareness: The Basics
• Preconception Care: The Three Month Plan
• VIDEO: Plant Reflections: Maca with Felicia Cocotzin Ruiz

LESSON 2: Fertility Challenges

• Ovulatory Factors
• Uterine Factors
• Sperm Factors
• Erectile Dysfunction
• Unexplained Infertility
• VIDEO: Plant Reflections: Nettle with Felicia Cocotzin Ruiz
• Assisted Reproductive Technology

LESSON 3: Pregnancy and Pregnancy Loss

• Herbs That are Safe in Pregnancy
• Herbs Contraindicated During Pregnancy
• The First Trimester: Common Complaints and Herbal Therapeutics
• The Second Trimester: Common Complaints and Herbal Therapeutics
• The Third Trimester: Common Complaints and Herbal Therapeutics
• Additional Concerns during Pregnancy

LESSON 4: Birth, Postpartum, and Infant Care

• Facilitating Labor
• Postpartum Care
• VIDEO: Plant Reflections: Fennel Recipe with Felicia Cocotzin Ruiz
• VIDEO: Plant Reflections: Chamomile Recipe with Felicia Cocotzin Ruiz
• Infant Care

LESSON 5: Childhood

• Respiratory Infections
• VIDEO: Herbal Support for Lower Respiratory Infections in Children with Alison Birks, RH(AHG)
• Digestive Upset
• VIDEO: Plant Reflections: Lemon Balm with Felicia Cocotzin Ruiz
• Eczema
• Asthma
• Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)
• Dosage

LESSON 6: Eczema Case Studies

• VIDEO: Eczema Case Studies with Pamela Spence, MNIMH

LESSON 7: ADHD Case Studies

• VIDEO: ADHD Case Studies with Pamela Spence, MNIMH

Lesson 8: Unit 7 Exercises

 

UNIT 8: THE MUSCULOSKELETAL SYSTEM

LESSON 1: Anatomy and Physiology of the Skeletal System

• VIDEO: Welcome to Unit 8 with Alison Birks, RH(AHG)
• Connective Tissue
• Bones
• Joints
• Tendons and Ligaments
• Inflammation
• Question to Ask Clients to Assess Skeletal System Health

LESSON 2: Anatomy and Physiology of Muscles

• Muscle Types
• Skeletal Muscles
• Cardiac Muscle
• Smooth Muscle
• Skeletal Muscle Spasm
• Questions to Ask Clients to Assess Muscular System Health

LESSON 3: General Care of the Musculoskeletal System

• Nutrients for Bone Health
• Lifestyle Practices for Musculoskeletal Health
• Reducing Inflammation
• VIDEO: Plant Reflections: Ginger with Felicia Cocotzin Ruiz
• Additional Herbal Support

LESSON 4: Therapeutics for Common Conditions of the Musculoskeletal System

• VIDEO: Structural System with Alyssa Dalos, RH(AHG)
• Osteoarthritis
• Rheumatoid Arthritis
• Gout
• VIDEO: Plant Reflections: Tart Cherry with Felicia Cocotzin Ruiz
• Fibromyalgia
• Tendonitis
• Strains and Sprains

LESSON 5: Managing Pain

• VIDEO: Herbal Support for Pain Management with Erika Galentin, MNIMH, RH(AHG)
• What is Pain, and Why?
• The Anatomy of Pain
• Physiology of Pain
• Types of Pain
• Conventional Approach to Pain Management
• Pain and Clinical Practice
• The Energetics of Pain
• A Holistic Approach to Pain Management
• VIDEO: Plant Reflections: Cayenne with Felicia Cocotzin Ruiz
• Formulation

LESSON 6: Musculoskeletal System Case Study

• VIDEO: Musculoskeletal System Case Study with Erika Galentin, MNIMH, RH(AHG)

LESSON 7: Rheumatoid Arthritis Case Study

• VIDEO: Rheumatoid Arthritis Case Study with Shona Richter MacDougall, RH(AHG)

Lesson 8: Unit 8 Exercises

 

UNIT 9: HEALTHY AGING WITH HERBS

Lesson 1: Longevity, Vitality, and Rejuvenation

• VIDEO: Welcome to Unit 9 with Heather Wood Buzzard
• Embracing Elderhood and Celebrating Long Life
• Energetics of Elderhood
• What Contributes to Aging, Longevity, and Vitality?
• Lesson in Longevity From the “Blue Zones”
• Herbs for Thriving and Longevity

Lesson 2: Considerations for Working With Older Adults

• VIDEO: Working With Older Adults with Erika Galentin, MNIMH, RH(AHG)

Lesson 3: Herbal Support for Aging Skin

• A Brief Overview of the Anatomy and Physiology of the Skin
• What Happens to the Skin as we Age?
• Dietary and Lifestyle Support for Aging Skin
• Conventional Treatment for Aging Skin
• Herbal Support for Aging Skin

Lesson 4: Strengthening the Heart

• Keeping the Heart Healthy as We Age
• Coronary Heart Disease
• Support After Stroke or Myocardial Infarction
• Arrhythmias

Lesson 5: Illness and Disease in Older Adults

• Dementia and Alzheimer’s Disease
• VIDEO: Brain Berries with Mimi Prunella Hernandez, RH(AHG)
• VIDEO: Plant Reflections: Rosemary with Erika Galentin, MNIMH, RH(AHG)
• Parkinson’s Disease
• Osteoporosis
• Gallstones

Lesson 6: Parkinson’s Disease Case Study

• VIDEO: Parkinson’s Disease Case Study with Erika Galentin, MNIMH, RH(AHG)

Lesson 7: Unit 9 Exercises

 

UNIT 10: DIGESTION, DIET, AND WELLNESS

Lesson 1: Digestion: The Foundation of Health

• VIDEO: Welcome to Unit 10 with Stacy Karen
• VIDEO: Digestion: The Foundation of Health with Dana Hutchinson, RH(AHG)
• The Gut Microbiome and Dysbiosis
• Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth (SIBO)
• Peptic Ulcer
• Diverticular Disease

Lesson 2: The Energetics of Food

• VIDEO: Energetics of Food with Ayo Ngozi, RH(AHG)

Lesson 3: The Gut-Brain Connection

• Brief Nervous System Review
• The Gut-Brain Axis
• Gut-Brain Axis out of Balance
• An Herbalist’s Approach to GBA Imbalance
• VIDEO: Probiotics and Prebiotics with Dr. D. Van Der Heyde
• Gut-Brain Axis Support Protocol

Lesson 4: Sugar and its Impact on Health

• What is Sugar?
• The Trouble With Sugar
• Diet and Lifestyle Support for Sugar Cravings
• Herbal Support for Sugar Cravings

Lesson 5: Herbal Support for Food Sensitivities

• VIDEO: Herbal Support for Food Sensitivities with Dana Hutchinson, RH(AHG)

Lesson 6: Supporting Clients who Want to Lose Weight

• Establishing the Big Picture
• Your Scope as an Herbalist
• Dietary and Lifestyle Support
• Herbal Support

Lesson 7: Diverticulitis Case Study

• VIDEO: Diverticulitis Case Study with Sarah Tewhey, L.Ac

Lesson 8: Digestive System Case Study

• VIDEO: Digestive System Case Study with Shona Richter MacDougall, RH(AHG)

Lesson 9: Unit 10 Exercises

Lesson 10: Course Conclusion

• VIDEO: Congratulations with Lisa Olson, RH(AHG)
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