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The University Of Natural Medicine Presents: Practical Western Herbalism

Course Description:

Experiential and hands on, this series of classes is designed to give students a basic knowledge of the principals of Western Herbalism and the skills necessary to identify, grow, collect and prepare plants useful for common ailments and for food.

Plant identification will follow the weeks and months of the growing season, as it is easiest to identify and remember plants in bloom. Participants are encouraged to bring a camera, sketchpad and/or a plant press. Plant identification manuals and books will also be available for purchase

The medicinal and nutritional properties of each plant and the systems and organs of the body for which each plant has an affinity will be learned. Apprentices will not only gain knowledge of traditional medicinal uses of plants, but some methods used by indigenous peoples to elicit the spirit of a plant in order for it to teach them.

A portion of this program will be devoted to planting and tending an herb garden. Herbs contained in this garden either do not grow in this region or are endangered and need to be cultivated rather than collected in the wild.

Plant gathering will take place when each plant is at its optimal for use as food or medicine (i.e. medicinal potency, edibility). Proper Identification and techniques for drying, preserving, and making medicinal preparations (infusions, decoctions, tinctures, oils, syrups, & salves) will be acquired. While wild gathering, the principals of ethical wild crafting will be discussed and instilled in participants.

COURSE TITLE: Practical Western Herbalism

COURSE NUMBER: PWH 710

Total University Credits Awarded: 7 (can apply toward any University degree)

Instructor: Carol Ewert, Clinical Herbalist, with Dr. Adiel Tel-Oren, Dean

Course Location: River Haven Community, Colfax, Wisconsin (one hour East of the Twin Cities). For directions go to www.RiverHaven.org

About Carol Ewert:

Carol has obtained her BA from the University of Illinois with a major in Psychology and a split minor Sociology/Biology and did post graduate work in Social Work at Jane Addams School of Social Work in Chicago.

Carol has studied herbalism for more than 20 years. She began her formal herbalist studies with Adam Seller in California at the Pacific School of Herbal Medicine. Then, after serving a two-year Apprenticeship at the New Mexico Herb Institute under the direction of Tieraona Low Dog, M.D., she received her certification as a Clinical Herbalist. Dr. Low Dog, whose roots are in the plant medicine teachings of the Lakota tradition, is an internationally known speaker and is currently Director of the Fellowship for the Program on Integrative Medicine at the University of Arizona, College of Medicine. Under Dr. Low Dog’s supervision, Carol worked directly with clients at the school’s clinic. The Institute’s certification program included workshops offered by nationally recognized experts in the field of herbalism such as David Hoffmann and Amanda McQuade-Crawford. In the deserts and mountains of New Mexico and Colorado, Carol studied herb identification and collection in the wild with famed herbalist and author Michael Moore through the Southwest School of Botanical Medicine. In addition, she has participated in workshops offered by several nationally and internationally known herbalists and authors such as Susan Weed, Matthew Wood and Rosemary Gladstar.

In addition to her more than 1,200 hours of formal education, Carol has completed over 3,000+ hours of self-study, research and fieldwork. She is a member of the Herb Research Foundation and the North Country Herbalist's Guild.

Having taught classes and leading herb identification walks in West Central Wisconsin for the past 13 years, she has been interviewed on the radio and has had numerous articles written about her work in local newspapers, as well as in the Country Today. In addition, she has been invited to teach classes through the Wisconsin’s Department of Natural Resources and the local chapter of the Department of Agriculture.

By teaching, Carol seeks to reawaken the knowledge of healing derived from a relationship with the earth through using plants for medicine and as wild food.

Course Curriculum and Requirements

A. Books needed for this course:

1) The New Holistic Herbal, David Hoffmann

2) Sacred Plant Medicine, Stephen Harrod Buhner

3) Medicinal Plants, Steven Foster/James A. Duke, PhD

(Peterson Field Guides)

B. Course Method:

Each weekend will include herb identification and foraging Walk, collection and preparation techniques of plants ready for harvest and meals & recipes that incorporate wild foods. Classes dealing with disorders or diseases will include the physiology of those body system/systems affected.

Homework will consist of readings from David Hoffmann’s and Stephen Buhner’s books as well as various handouts. In addition to reading assignments from books and handouts, students will be asked to research a specific herb discussed at each class and present that information at the following class.

C. Course Schedule for 2009:

Classes will be held on the following weekends between 6:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. on Fridays, 9:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. on Saturdays and 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon on Sundays at River Haven Community in Colfax, Wisconsin.

June 5, 6, 7 - Introduction to Herbalism - An overview of what herbalism is, as well as the history of Western Herbalism will be presented, using specific examples.

June 26, 27, 28 – The Action of Herbs – Herbalists categorize herbs by looking at what kinds of problems can be treated with their help. Terms such as Alterative, Analgesic, Anodyne, Anti-microbial, Anti-spasmodic, Sedative will be defined and examples of herbs possessing these actions will be presented

July 10, 11, 12 – Herbs for the Immune System & Herbs for Stress, Anxiety and Sleep Disturbances - Herbs used for toning the immune system as well as for the treatment of ailments containing an infectious component including those used for colds and flu will be discussed. Herbs useful for alleviating insomnia, stress, muscle spasms, and general nervous system issues will be covered.

July 24, 25, 26 – Herbal Tonics and Herbs for Longevity – Herbs useful to strengthen the body as well as the systems each affects will be discussed.

August 14, 15, 16 – Herbal Preparations – Students will learn how to prepare oils, tinctures, honeys, glycerites, vinegars, capsules, and salves using herbal ingredients.

September 11, 12, 13 – Herbs for Detoxification and Sacred Plant Medicine – Herbs that help the body rid itself of toxins will be presented. In addition, Earth-centered spirituality and indigenous methods of herb identification and use will be discussed.

October 10, 11 – Review and Practical/Theoretical Exam (Pass/Fail)

For course participants, accommodations At River Haven are available at a reasonable extra cost, with some work-exchange opportunities (construction, working in the garden, and more!). Please contact Carol 715-861-1067 for additional information.

Practical Western Herbalism Course- 7 credits - total cost $875.

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Practical Western Herbalism Course for $875

This entitles registrants to a $10 discount on the Foraging Weekend activities occurring on each weekend of the course (tubing in the Hay River, experiencing Ancient Thai Breathing-Meditation technique, Infrared Sauna, Campfire with music, and more

Aaron Perdue will provide an introduction to Thai Breathing-Meditation he has been teaching in Hawaii; you will learn how to observe your breathing and its effects on the body and the mind, how to enhance it, how to deal with intruding thoughts, and how to develop greater awareness in daily life. You will also experience "walking meditation" to supplement the breathing meditation and improve your focus.