Foundation Course Overview
Materia Medica:
- In-depth study of the Medicinal Uses of over 90 of the most important herbs in Western Herbalism.
- Study of native and naturalized medicinal plants of the Pacific Northwest.
- Comprehensive plant monographs that include energetic, historical, scientific, folk and exploratory uses of medicinal plants.
- Experiential plant assessment including taste, temperature, energetic qualities, direction of action, physical, emotional/psycho-spiritual effects.
- Study of selected medicinal plants from other herbal traditions including Chinese Medicine, Native American, Ayurveda and others.
Herbal Practitioner Skills:
- Holistic Evaluation Skills (tongue analysis, pulse analysis, and reading the body)
- Clinical interviewing and case taking
- Constitutional Assessment
- Small group practice in assessment, herbal recommendations, case taking, evaluation skills.
Traditional Energetics:
- Herbal wisdom traditions from around the world
- Understanding energetic patterns in nature, and utilizing this knowledge to differentiate the energetic qualities of medicinal herbs
- Using clinical skills to assess the nature of the presenting energetic imbalance and matching it to an appropriate herbal remedy.
- In depth discussion of the history of herbalism and natural health
Plant Identification:
- Northwest medicinal plant and mushroom ID field trips
- Plant identification utilizing field guides
- Toxic plant and mushroom education
Field Trips:
- Field trips into our beautiful Northwest bio-regions with classes in the ethics of wild-harvesting
- Tools, skills and practices for wild-crafting medicinal herbs and mushrooms
Medicine Making:
- Classroom experience creating various herbal preparations including infusions, decoctions, tinctures, oils, salves, lotions, liniments, vinegars, hydrosols, cordials
- Education on plant constituents.
