Foundational Herbalism Syllabus 

June 29th - October 5th, Thursdays

Weekly Recorded Lecture Drop

Live weekly Q & A via Zoom 

6-7 PM (PT)

15 weeks

 

How to use herbs to increase your family's quality of life thru wellness

 

Prerecorded videos included, with an additional 15 hours of course material

Common Nutrient Deficiencies

Eat Your Weeds

Kitchen Plant Medicine

 

Week 1 - Live online Via ZOOM

Introduction to class and content

Overview of SLACK communication

Overview of the format of the course

SCH theory and ethics in herbalism

Outlining culture of SCH - ecosystem

Going over the booklet of notes

Sourcing raw materials - supplier list and codes for discounts

Inviting them to be active members

Home activity - introduce yourself on SLACK and explore the dashboard

 

Week 2

Smoke as medicine

Smoking blends, Incense, Burnables

Herbal focus aromatics, antiseptics, concepts of intention

Herbs including Resins

Subtle relationship - energetics of relationship with plants

Home Activity - plant meditation - breathing in the plant, could be burned dried leaf or resin or smelling fresh aromatic leaf 

 

Week 3

Tea Formulation

Formulating tea for medicinal function, flavor, mouth feel, etc

Overview of demulcents, astringents, diuretics, diaphoretics

Highlight herbs/tea blends - Chai, Tulsi, Hibiscus, 

Home Activity - infusion and decoction of the same plant - notice difference

For this week, you will prepare two 

 

Week 4

Diuretics/Diaphoretic

Formulating for UTI, Bladder Infection

Red Flags for Kidney issues

Renal System, Diuretics, 

Uva Ursi, Pipsessewa, Yarrow, Corn Silk

Home Activity - Drink pint-quart of diuretic infusion throughout the day - Nettles, Oatstraw, Clover, Yarrow, Dandelion

 

Week 5

Digestive issues

Upset stomach, nausea, gas, bloating, constipation, etc

Bitters, Aromatics, 

Home Activity - eat bitter/aromatics before each meal - pay attention

Documenting digestive function before bitter/aromatics and after

 

Week 6

Cleansing - What’s it really mean

Liver, Colon, Microbiome Hydration, Reducing insult 

Milk Thistle, Rumex, Fiber, Oregon Grape root

Home Activity - Do a nourishing cleanse - eat whole foods and take out all insults

Alcohol, refined sugar, fast food, preservatives, artificial, etc for 3 days to 1 week.

 

Week 7

Beauty Care - herbs for skin health

Liver, Microbiota, Hydration

Topicals and internal allies

Herbal focus internal use Burdock, Milk Thistle, Turmeric

Home Activity - face and/or scalp rinse or hand/foot bath with tea, 

flax seed for dry skin, thyme tea for fungal feet, or black pepper for sore hands or feet

 

Week 8

Herbs and the oil solvent

Salve making - infusing herbs in oil 

Oils, Butters, Wax options

Highlight Calendula, Comfrey & Plantain, and oil-soluble herbs

Home Activity - Infuse culinary herb into oil for topical or culinary use - rosemary or thyme or oregano

 

Week 9

Alcohol extracts - Tinctures

Maceration, ratios, percolation

Percentage & Proof

Alcohol soluble herbs, aromatics & resins

Home Activity - Make a maceration or liniment

 

Week 10

Cold/Flu/Sinusitis/Bronchitis

Acute vs Chronic

Lymphatics, Alteratives, 

Home Activity - Meditate on your body’s specific response to illness, write out your system's response to getting sick (symptoms), and when do you get sick? Seasonal? Stress? etc 

 

Week 11

Sweet Medicinals & Acetums

Honey, Cordials, Elixirs

Vinegars - Fire Cider, Sour syrups, mocktails, 

Dry infusions of Sugar/Salt, etc

Home Activity - Making Fire Cider and using marc, AND Making an infused honey

 

Week 12

Allergies

IgE mediated histamine response

 differences between allergies and intolerance

Herbal focus - Nettles, Chamomile, Yerba santa & Goldenrod

Honey - respiratory herbs

Home Activity - making honey (local honey) infusion - garlic or horseradish?

 

Week 13

Emotional Wellness with herbs

-Grief, Depression, etc

Hypericum, Melissa, Rose, Albizzia

Discussion of self-care - 6 Pillars of health

Home Activity - Outline your self-care routine (daily, morning, night, etc)

 

Week 14

Calming Herbs & Cannabis exploration of function

Catnip, California Poppy, Kava, Skullcap

Cannabinaceae, Hops

CBD, THC, Endocannabinoid system

 

Week 15

Stress, Adaptogens and Noortropics

Adaptogen mushrooms, Reishi, Cordyceps, etc, Ashwagandha, Holy Basil, Ginsengs, etc. 

Bacopa, Rosemary, Gotu Kola, etc

Home Study - Gratitude and final sharing