Herbalism and Plant Medicine - Seeds, Leaves and Flowers

This course combines horticulture and growing with the benefits of traditional natural remedies and herbs. 

This is a course that covers the fundamentals of herbs, herbalism and the way in which we can use herbal remedies to heal and restore our bodies.  

This course runs with the seasons and available foraging material for a spring course.

Course 2 looks at Berries, Bark, Mushrooms and Trees.

 

A week-by-week breakdown

Each week we will look at one particular system of the body and consider the use of medicinal plants to address the ailments of that system i.e. herb ID & story, harvesting, preparation, application and storage. We will look at complications and contra-indications. 

 (Coursework, assignments, assessments – to be discussed, ; homework is asking students after each session to think about what they can do themselves  in terms of herbs, diet & lifestyle – Steps - to improve their health and skills in relation to each area and replicating what has been demonstrated/taught) 

1)  Introductions: to tutors (covering experience, qualifications, journeys, etc.), and to each other. 

What will we be learning? 

• The scope of herbal medicine, history and its application
• The tools and language to understand how nature can grow and heal us.  

(Domestics)  

2) Skin and lymphatic health, the use of cleansing herbs and infused oils to support common ailments of the skin and lymphatic system.

• Herb ID & story, harvesting, preparation, application and storage.
• Introducing ‘Steps’, a holistic approach to addressing our health and well-being. 

3) Introducing the Muscular and Skeletal system and inflammation; strategies in dealing with pain and to ease inflammation.

• Herb ID & story, harvesting, preparation, application and storage. 

4) Horticulture 

5) Introduction to the Respiratory System

• Common ailments and allergies affecting these systems
• How herbs support our respiration and relieve allergies. 
• Herb ID & story, harvesting, preparation, application and storage. 

6) Horticulture 

7) Exploration of the digestive system

• The importance of good gut health with respect to the different body systems e.g. brain/gut health.
• Herb ID & story, harvesting, preparation, application and storage. Block weeks.  

8) Horticulture 

9) Introduction to the Urinary System

• How herbal teas can support the function of the kidneys, bladder, prostate.
• Herb ID & story, harvesting, preparation, application and storage. 

10) Introducing the heart and herbs that improve cardiac health and circulation.

• Herb ID & story, harvesting, preparation, application and storage. 

11) Exploring the nervous system and how herbal medicine recognises and addresses the link between the psychological and physical parts of ourselves.

• Herb ID & story, harvesting, preparation, application and storage. (sleep/stress) 

12) The wandering mind, a continuation of the nervous system

• How supporting the vagus nerve by the use of herbs can improve our mental health.
• Herb ID & story, harvesting, preparation, application and storage. 

13) Healthy hormonees: How hormones - a key part of the endocrine system - influence our well-being, giving us the biggest highs and lows in life. 

• Herb ID & story, harvesting, preparation, application and storage.  

14) Immunity: quick and effective ways to support your immune system from plants growing in the garden, exploring alternatives to antibiotics.

• Use of inhalations, cough remedies and vapour rubs in particular.
• Herb ID & story, harvesting, preparation, application and storage. 

15) Sustainability 

• the importance of growing plants that are sustainable, and alternatives to endangered medicinal plants. 

16) Case histories and quizzes

• Successes and fails of making herbal medicines. 

17) Overviews and recaps, drawing together.