UNIT 1: HERBAL BASICS

Lesson 1: Welcome and Introduction

• Introduction to the Course
• Welcome to the Course (VIDEO)
• Introduction: Why Herbs?
• Why Herbalism? (VIDEO)
• Ancient Greek and Roman Medicine
• Chinese Medicine
• Ayurveda
• Herbal Energetics
• Introduction to Energetics and Tissue States (VIDEO)
• How Do Herbs Work?
• Herbal Glossary
• Whole Herbs and Synergy

Lesson 2: From Field to Apothecary

• Choosing Good Quality Herbs
• How to Store Herbs
• How to Store Herbs (VIDEO)
• Supplies for Making Herbal Preparations
• How to Properly Clean Used Supplies and Storage Containers (VIDEO)
• Store-Bought Herbal Preparations

Lesson 3: Herbal Teas and Tinctures

• The Art of Brewing Tea (VIDEO)
• Infusions and Decoctions
• How to Make a Decoction (VIDEO)
• Tea Infusion Demonstration (VIDEO)
• The Tea Booklet
• Tincture Making
• Understanding Solvents (VIDEO)
• Tincture Demonstration (VIDEO)

Lesson 4: Syrups and Topical Applications

• Syrups
• How to Make a Syrup (VIDEO)
• Topical Water Extracts
• Making a Sore Muscle Bath Soak (VIDEO)
• Making an Herbal Respiratory Steam (VIDEO)
• Topical Infused Oils, Salves, and Balms
• Making an Infused Oil (VIDEO)
• Crushed and Chewed Herbs and Poultices
• Onion Poultice (VIDEO)
• Internal vs. External Preparations

Lesson 5: Herbal Actions

• Understanding Herbal Actions (VIDEO)
• Herbal Actions Chart

Lesson 6: The Herbs All Around Us

• Trees Used in Herbalism
• Mushrooms
• Seaweed

Lesson 7: Anatomy Overview

• Anatomy of Body Systems and Homeostasis
• Anatomy Introduction (VIDEO)
• The Heart (VIDEO)

Lesson 8: Offshoot: Materia Medica and Herbaria

UNIT 2: KITCHEN HERBS

Lesson 1: Wellness in Your Kitchen

• Spicing Things Up
• Spices as Antimicrobials
• Sizing Up Your Spices
• Herb Tasting with Kitchen Spices (VIDEO)
• Meet Your Spices

Lesson 2: Kitchen Materia Medica

• Kitchen Herbs Used for Digestion
• Making Bitters (VIDEO)
• Making Wellness Shots (VIDEO)
• Kitchen Herbs Used for Respiratory Infection
• Kitchen Herbs Used for Inflammation
• Kitchen Herbs Used for the Nervous System

Lesson 3: Kitchen Preparations

• Infused Vinegars
• Making an Herbal Vinegar (VIDEO)
• Infused Honeys
• Making Infused Honeys (VIDEO)
• Culinary Infused Oils
• Kitchen Herbs (VIDEO)

Lesson 4: Herb Gardening

• Kitchen Dooryards
• Apothecary Gardens (Physic Gardens)
• Benefits of Growing Your Own Herbs (VIDEO)
• A Few Gardening Tips
• Easy To Grow Herbs for the Beginning Gardener
• Guidelines for Growing
• Guidelines for Harvesting
• Preserving Herbs
• How to Harvest Various Plant Parts (VIDEO)

Lesson 5: Wildcrafting

• At-Risk Plants
• Guidelines for Wildcrafting
• A Few Favorite Wild Herbs
• Wild Greens Pesto (VIDEO)
• Seasonal Wildcrafting
• Plant Identification (VIDEO)
• Herbal First Aid Pocketbook

Lesson 6: Offshoot: Bringing it Home

UNIT 3: HERBAL SUPPORT FOR COMMON COMPLAINTS

Lesson 1: Immune System

• Overview of Immune Function
• Immune Response
• Components of the Immune System
• Immunomodulants
• Immune Stimulants
• How to Use Immune Herbs with Autoimmune Conditions (VIDEO)
• Recipes for Immune Health
• Making Fire Cider (VIDEO)

Lesson 2: Body Ecology: Building A Healthy Terrain

• Supporting the Body with a Healthy Digestive System
• Choosing Foods that Support Healthy Terrain
• Speaking of Food, How Should I Eat?
• Cleansing and Detoxification to Support Terrain
• Minimizing Exposure to Environmental Toxins in the Home
• Tonic and Adaptogen Herbs
• Making Herbal Bliss Balls (VIDEO)

Lesson 3: Respiratory Health

• The Respiratory System
• Common Respiratory Complaints
• Aromatic Herbs for Respiratory Support (VIDEO)
• Cold and Flu Recipes
• Herbal Approaches for Colds and the Flu (VIDEO)

Lesson 4: Herbs and Children

• The Wild and Wonderful Just Beyond the Back Door
• Creating a Children’s Garden
• Herbs in Childhood
• Examples of Dosing Herbal Preparations for Children (VIDEO)
• Common Imbalances
• Herbal Support for Fevers (VIDEO)
• Children’s Herbal Recipes
• Treats for Children

Lesson 5: Herbal Support for Reproductive Health

• Nourish and Balance: Foundational Tonic Herbs
• The Moon Cycle: Menstruation and Health
• How to Make a Biphasic Formula (VIDEO)
• Pregnancy
• Making Ginger Mint Lollipops for Nausea and Tummy Troubles (VIDEO)
• Herbal Support for Lactation (VIDEO)
• Menopause
• Herbal Support for Prostate Health

Lesson 6: Offshoot: Vitamin D

UNIT 4: HERBAL SUPPORT FOR THE NERVOUS SYSTEM

Lesson 1: Overview of the Nervous System

• Central Nervous System
• Peripheral Nervous System
• Enteric Nervous System

Lesson 2: Stress

• The Acute Stress Response
• Chronic Stress
• Herbal Support for Stressful Times
• Using Nervines for Stress Support (VIDEO)
• Making a Relaxing Herb-Infused Milk (VIDEO)
• Using Aromatherapy for Stress Management (VIDEO)
• Lifestyle Considerations for Stress Management
• Stress and the Nature Deficit Link (VIDEO)
• Stress (VIDEO)

Lesson 3: Headaches

• Types of Headaches
• Herbal and Lifestyle Support to Address Headaches
• An Energetic Approach to Headaches (VIDEO)

Lesson 4: Sleep

• Insomnia
• Herbal Support for Healthy Sleep
• Making a Sweet Sleep Linen Spray (VIDEO)
• Lifestyle Strategies
• Sleep Hygiene and Herbs (VIDEO)

Lesson 5: Offshoot: The B Vitamins

UNIT 5: BODY CARE

Lesson 1: Introduction to the Skin

• Anatomy of the Skin
• Skin Health
• Common Skin Conditions
• Herbal Actions that Support Healthy Skin
• Other Considerations
• Topical Applications

Lesson 2: Body and Bath Recipes

• Internal Health = External Health
• First…Self-Acceptance
• Topical Herb-Infused Oils
• Salves and Balms
• Making a Calendula Salve (VIDEO)
• Body Butters
• Salt and Sugar Scrubs
• The Comforts of a Bath
• Making Bath Salts (VIDEO)

Lesson 3: Face and Hair Recipes

• Cleansers
• How to Make an Oatmeal Cleanser (VIDEO)
• Moisturizers
• Making Face Cream (VIDEO)
• Toners
• Hair Care
• Ten Common Body Care Ingredients to Avoid

Lesson 4: Offshoot: Healthy Aging

UNIT 6: THE HOLISTIC APPROACH

Lesson 1: Introduction and Overview

• Conventional Allopathic Medicine
• The Roots of the Holistic Model
• Introduction to Ayurveda (VIDEO)
• Introduction to Chinese Medicine (VIDEO)
• The Holistic Approach to Herbalism
• Integration

Lesson 2: The Holistic Body

• Developing a Theoretical Framework
• The Power of the Mind
• Holistic Approaches in Practice
• The Holistic Approach (VIDEO)

Lesson 3: A Brief History of Western Herbalism

• Early Herbalism
• Early Western Herbalism
• The Eclectics
• The First Hospitals

Lesson 4: Integrating the Holistic Approach

• The Next Steps
• Mindfulness Exercise (VIDEO)

Lesson 5: Course Conclusion

• Congrats on Finishing the Course (VIDEO)