ONLINE HERBAL IMMERSION PROGRAM OUTLINE AND COURSE HOURS

Herbal Immersion Program Outline (1,200 hours)

Welcome to the Program

• Introduction and Welcome Tour
• Success with Online Learning: Strategies for Continued Inspiration

Module 1: Foundations in Herbalism

• Cultivating Relationships with Healing Plants
• Introduction to Botany: Plant Classification, Scientific Names and Key Terms
• Botany: Floral and Reproductive Parts, Tour of Floral Diversity
• Botany: Leaf and Vegetative Terminology
• Introduction to Five Common Plant Families
• Introduction to Herbal Actions
• Guidelines to Foraging and Wildcrafting
• Native American Plant Gathering Practices with Felicia Cocotzin Ruiz
• Spring Plant Walk in the Appalachian Mountains
• Introduction to Medicinal Preparations
• Harvesting and Drying Herbs
• Edible Flowers
• BONUS LESSON: Poisonous Plants and Notable Constituents
• BONUS LESSON: Foraging Self-Care, Precautions, and First Aid
• Interactive Review of Plant Classification and Key Botanical Terms
• Interactive Review of Vegetative Terms and Leaf Terminology
• Interactive Review of Floral Terms and Five Common Plant Families
• Botany and Plant Families Review with Marc Williams, Part 1
• Botany and Plant Families Review with Marc Williams, Part 2
• Botany and Plant Families Review with Marc Williams, Part 3

Module 1.25: Herbal Safety

• Herbal Safety: Introduction
• Herbal Safety: Essential Oils and Allergic and Topical Reactions
• Herbal Safety: Adulteration, Contamination, and Notable Constituents
• Herbal Safety: Herb-Drug Interactions
• Herbal Safety: Pregnancy and Lactation
• Herbal Safety: Serious Health Conditions and Concerns

Module 1.5: Herbalism in Action

• Identity and Personal, Community, and Cultural Health
• Identity Concepts: Some Definitions & Parameters
• Introduction to Health Disparities
• Health Disparities: The Framework
• Health Disparities: Root Causes and Outcomes
• Strategies to Help Healers and Health Care Workers Combat Disparities
• Mutual Aid and Community Care
• Herbal Accessibility: Uniting Culture and Community Gardens
• Professionalism and Ethics: Relationships, Reputation, Accountability, Attribution, Plagiarism, Confidentiality
• Energetic Plant Medicine

Module 1.75: North American Herbal History and Traditions

• Connecting With Your Own Herbal Lineage & Honoring Other Traditions
• Introduction
• A History of European & North American Colonial Herbal Medicine
• A History of Native American Herbal Medicine
• A History of Black Herbal Medicine from Africa to North America
• A History of Latin American Influences on Herbal Medicine in North America
• Black Herbal Elders with Lucretia Van Dyke

Module 2: From the Ground-up: The Nitty-Gritty of Soil and Organic Gardening, Part 1

• Principles of Organic Gardening
• Planning Your Dream Garden: Design, Pathways, Mulching, Polycultures, and Maximizing Yields
• Growing Healthy Soil (Which In Turn, Grows Healthy Plants)
• Understanding and Building Soil Fertility: Plant Nutrients, Amendments, and Fertilizers
• Botanical Garden Allies: Nitrogen-Fixers, Cover Crops, and Dynamic Accumulators
• Step-by-Step Guide to Creating a New Garden Bed with Tilling
• Container Gardening, Part 1: Vessels, Soils and Herbs
• Container Gardening, Part 2: Wetland Medicinals

Module 3: Common Useful Garden Weeds – the Bounty that Grows in Between

• Daylily – Hemerocallis fulva
• Lamb’s Quarters – Chenopodium album
• Chickweed – Stellaria media
• Violet – Viola spp.
• Purple Dead Nettle – Lamium purpureum
• Creasy Greens – Barbarea verna and B. vulgaris
• Garlic Mustard – Alliaria petiolata
• Dandelion – Taraxacum officinale
• Cleavers  – Galium aparine
• Yellow Dock  – Rumex crispus
• Japanese Honeysuckle – Lonicera japonica
• BONUS LESSON: The Magic and Bounty of Wild and Weedy Herbs and Foods
• Interactive Review: Early Spring Foraging
• Interactive Review: Spring Foraging
• Interactive Review: Summer Foraging
• Interactive Review: Late Summer Herbs
• Natalie Bogwalker’s Review of the Wild Herbs
• Botany Review with Marc Williams: Common Edible Plants, Part 1
• Botany Review with Marc Williams: Common Edible Plants, Part 2

Module 4: Plant Propagation

• Special Strategies for Germinating Herbs: Stratification, Scarification, and Light-Dependent Germination
• Preparing Seed Trays and Sowing Seeds
• Soil Blocks: the Container-less Container
• Bottom Heat for Enhancing Germination
• Root Division
• Stem Cuttings
• Layering
• Seed Saving of Medicinal Herbs

Module 5: Tonic Herbs and Adaptogens

• Introduction to Adaptogens, Alteratives and Tonic Herbs
• Gotu Kola – Centella asiatica
• Tulsi – Ocimum tenuiflorum
• Nettles – Urtica dioica
• Milky Oats – Avena sativa
• Astragalus – Astragalus propinquus
• Ginseng – Panax quinquefolius
• Hibiscus – Hibiscus sabdariffa
• BONUS LESSON: Burdock – Arctium lappa and A. minus

Module 6: From the Ground-up: The Nitty-Gritty of Soil and Organic Gardening, Part 2

• Introduction to Permaculture
• Building and Nourishing a Compost Pile
• Composting Leaf Mold
• Organic Pest and Disease Management
• Season Extension Tips and Tricks
• Woodland Cultivation of Medicinal Herbs
• Preparing Homemade Potting Soil: Our Favorite Recipe

Module 7: Herbs for the Immune System

• Introduction to Immune Stimulants, Immunomodulators and Antimicrobials
• Boneset – Eupatorium perfoliatum
• Spilanthes – Acmella oleracea
• Echinacea – Echinacea purpurea
• Goldenseal – Hydrastis canadensis
• Bee Balm – Monarda didyma and Monarda fistulosa
• Calendula – Calendula officinalis
• Elderberry – Sambucus nigra

Module 8: Introduction to the Digestive System: Herbal Actions and Nutrition

• Introduction to Bitters, Astringents and Carminatives
• Foundations of Nutrition Part 1: Whole Foods, Organic Foods and GMOs
• Foundations of Nutrition Part 2: Macronutrients, Fiber, and Intestinal Flora
• Foundations of Nutrition Part 3: Vitamins and Minerals
• Foundations of Nutrition Part 4: Bioflavonoids in Food and Herbs
• Foundations of Nutrition Part 5: Food Allergies and Intolerances

Module 9: Herbs for the Digestive System

• Anise Hyssop – Agastache foeniculum
• Meadowsweet – Filipendula ulmaria
• Fennel – Foeniculum vulgare
• Mint – Mentha spp.
• Chamomile – Matricaria recutita
• Lemon Balm – Melissa officinalis
• Basil – Ocimum basilicum

Module 10: Herbs for the Respiratory System

• Introduction to Expectorants, Demulcents and Anticatarrhals
• Elecampane – Inula helenium
• Mullein – Verbascum olympicum
• Marshmallow – Althaea officinalis
• Yarrow – Achillea millefolium
• Goldenrod – Solidago spp.

Module 11: Herbs for the Nervous System

• Introduction to Nervines, Hypnotics, Anxiolytics, Antidepressants and Analgesics
• Valerian – Valeriana officinalis
• Skullcap – Scutellaria lateriflora
• Passionflower – Passiflora incarnata
• California Poppy – Eschscholzia californica
• Mimosa – Albizia julibrissin
• Rose – Rosa spp.
• Vervain – Verbena officinalis

Module 12: Herbs for the Ovarian Generative System

• Introduction to Uterine Tonics, Emmenagogues, Hormone Balancers and Uterine Antispasmodics
• Ecology of Estrogen in the Human Body: Xenoestrogens, Phytoestrogens and Estrogen Metabolism
• Black Cohosh – Actaea racemosa
• Vitex – Vitex agnus-castus
• Motherwort – Leonurus cardiaca
• Red Raspberry – Rubus idaeus

Module 12.5: Herbs for the Testicular Generative System

• TCM Terms, Anatomy, and Patterns
• 5 Plants for the Testicular Generative System
• Herbs, Foods, and Conditions

Module 13: Medicine Making – Core Preparations

• Infusions and Decoctions
• Tinctures
• Herbal Honeys and Syrups
• Herbal Vinegars
• Flower Essences

Module 14: Food as Medicine – Bringing Healing Herbs into the Kitchen

• Infused Culinary Oils
• Infused Culinary Vinegars
• Fire Ciders: Spicy Medicinal Vinegars
• Goo Balls: Herbal Nut and Fruit Confections
• Compound Culinary Butters
• Herbal Finishing Salts
• Herbal Sauces
• Wild Herbal Pestos, Hummus and Pâté
• Medicinal Mushroom Concoction
• Herbal Popsicles, Iced Teas and Granitas
• Herbal Bone Broth/ Immune Tonic Soup
• Herbal Meads, or Honey Wines
• Herbal Bitters
• Herbal Shrubs: Sweet and Sour Fruit Infusions
• Fancy Pants Ice Cubes
• Herbal Simple Syrups
• Cocktails and Mocktails

Module 15: Topical Herbal Preparations and Natural Body Care

• Infused Oils and Salves
• Compresses and Poultices, Herbal First Aid
• Introduction to Hydrotherapy
• Introduction to Aromatherapy
• Floral Skin Serum
• Body Butter
• Salt Scrubs
• Bath Salts
• Aromatherapy Sprays
• Aromatic Massage Oils

Module 16: Herbal Livelihoods and Career Paths

• Heart-Centered Herbal Businesses
  • Introduction to Module 16
  • The Heart of Livelihoods: Business Ethics and Inspiration
  • Herbal Livelihoods
  • The Nitty-Gritty of Herbal Businesses
  • Herbal Products Businesses
  • Further Learning and Networking
    –
• Herbalist Paths: Community Herbalism
  • Brandon Ruiz of the Charlotte Herbal Accessibility Project: Growing Community Gardens and Culturally-Significant Plants
  • Chuck Marsh of Useful Plants Nursery: A History of Earthaven Ecovillage
  • Ellenie Cruz of Asc3nsion Art: Urban Herbalism, Birthwork, Ancestral Healing, and Social Justice
  • Leah Penniman of Soul Fire Farm: Ending Racism and Injustice in our Food & Medicine Systems
  • Lorna Mauney-Brodek: Running a Mobile Free Herbal Clinic
  • Meshell Orozco: Tools for the Herbal Birthworker
    –
• Herbalist Paths: Herbal Education
  • Ayo Ngozi Drayton: Clinical Herbalism and Traditions of the African Diaspora
  • Chuck Marsh: Connecting to Your Life’s Purpose
  • Dr. James Duke: The Evolution of Green Farmacy Garden
  • Joe Hollis’ Permaculture in Action: Spotlight on Mountain Gardens and Paradise Gardening
  • Larken Bunce of the Vermont School of Integrative Herbalism: Directing and Teaching a School of Herbal Medicine
  • Marc Williams of Botany Everyday & Plants and Healers International: Herbal Organizations for the People
    –
• Herbalist Paths: Product-Based and Land-Based Businesses
  • Amy Hamilton of Appalachian Seeds and Nursery: Cultivating a Medicinal Farming Business
  • Asia Suler of One Willow Apothecaries: Starting An Herbal Products Business with Heart
  • Permaculture Principles with Chuck Marsh
  • Kauai Farmacy Gardens: Bioregional Farm-to-Apothecary
    –
• BONUS: Holistic Business Practices for Kindred Healers
  • Mindset
    • Sora Surya No: Claiming Your Authentic Voice
    • Maya Gaddie: Self-Care In Entrepreneurship: A Sustainable System for Resilience and Work-Life Balance
  • Marketing
    • Meghan Gemma: The Art of Authentic and Creative Copywriting
    • Catherine Campbell: Heart-Centered Marketing
    • Sonia Thompson: Inclusive Marketing
    • Sarah Benoit: Email Marketing
    • Sarah Benoit: Social Media Marketing Strategy
    • Michelle Martello: Your Website Matters
  • Strategic Skills; Business Adulting for Rainbow Unicorns
    • McCayne Miller: Business Adulting
    • Maya Gaddie: Diversifying Your Income Stream
    • Maya Gaddie: Product-Based Businesses
    • Michelle Warner: Networking That Pays

Module 17: Siting Reference Guide: Regional Profiles and Habitat Lists

• Arid Lowland Climates with Monica Rude
• Cold Temperate Climates with Deb Soule
• Arid Mountainous Climates with Kathi Keville
• Rocky Soils in Mid-Continental Climates with Steven Foster
• Subtropical Climates with Emily Ruff
• Mediterranean Climates with Richo Cech
• Woodland Medicinals: Chinese and Eastern North American Herbs with Joe Hollis
• Wetland Herbs
• Shade Herbs
• Arid Climate Herbs
• Hot & Humid Climate Herbs

Course Hours

• Medicine Making – 150 hours
• Botany and Plant Identification – 80 hours
• Materia Medica (Herbal Therapeutics) – 300 hours
• Herbal Actions – 40 hours
• Nutrition – 75 hours
• Herbal Safety: Drug-Herb Contraindications and Potential Side Effects – 45 hours
• Soil Science: Plant Nutrients, Amendments, Composting, and Soil Flora – 40 hours
• Foraging and Ethical Wildcrafting – 150 hours
• Organic Herb Cultivation – 150 hours
• Herbal Business Basics: Marketing, Legalities, and Inspiration – 90 hours
• Herbalism in Action – 50 hours
• North American Herbal History and Traditions – 30 hours

Total: 1,200 hours