The Professional Herbalist Training Program™
The PHT Program is a three hundred hour intensive course which is held over a period of five months. The class meets from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. from Tuesday through Thursday and 11 am to 5 p.m. on Fridays. The dates for the 2008 PHT Program are February 5th through June 27th, 2008. There will be a one week break during the program. Applicants are currently being accepted. If you would like to apply, refer to the application page.
The Professional Herbalist Training Program Curriculum
PHT Class of 2000
Herbal Materia Medica Class covers numerous medicinal herbs with an emphasis on the west coast herbs. In addition, the class also covers herbs that grow throughout the United States, as well as multiple Chinese herbs. This class provides an in depth exploration of each plant discussed including the following: the medicinal uses of the plant based on clinical observation, optimum extraction methods and doses, Latin and common names, harvesting techniques, habitat and locality, energetic properties, and contraindications. Many plants will be covered in the field. A minimum of 160 and up to 200 plants, mushrooms, and seaweeds, are included in the curriculum.
Physiology and Systems Class covers the function of each organ system and the endocrine system. Students gain a deeper understanding of the workings of the human body, as well as the effects of numerous hormones. The systems normally covered in this class include the following components: the digestive system and the liver, the nervous system, the kidneys, the urinary system, the adrenals, male and female reproductive systems, the respiratory system, the cardiovascular system, the immune and the lymphatic system, tissues and membranes, the muscular system, the integumentary system, and the thyroid. This class assists the students in making educated decisions for their clients and it also aids in their ability to communicate with conventional medical practitioners.
Aristolochia
Herbal Therapeutics Class covers strategies for treating common health imbalances and pathologies for each system that is covered. This class incorporates Western and Eastern therapeutic approaches including the use of Western and Chinese herbs, Chinese patent formulas, aromatherapy, nutrition, and other tools. Students gain an understanding of the energetic properties of the herbs and how they can be used to bring balance to the individual and his or her respective condition(s).
Constitutional Medicine Class covers a holistic approach for treating clients. Physiology is the foundation for understanding western constitutional energetics. In addition, this class provides an introduction to Ayurvedic and Chinese constitutional philosophies. This class covers patterns of excess and deficiency, tongue diagnosis, and physiognomy, as well as additional diagnostic tools.
Herbal Pharmacy is a hands-on class in which students learn the art and science of preparing herbal medicine. The medicine making techniques which are normally covered include the following: medicinal tea preparation, fresh and dry plant extracts, percolation, acetum and glycerin extracts, medicinal oils and salves, suppositories, cough drops, syrups, douche and enemas, elixirs and cordials, flower essences, capsules, natural body care, and nutritional herbal formulas. Numerous formulas and recipes will be shared in class. Students have the opportunity to experiment with the medicines created in class.
The Tincture Pharmacy
Kitchen Pharmacy Class trains students to incorporate common medicinal herbs and spices into the diet to maintain radiant health. This class covers Mediterranean herbs, Chinese herbals tonics, Eastern Indian spices, seaweeds, cultured foods, wild edibles, and delicious erotic herbal treats.
Aromatherapy Class covers methods of application of essential oils for both internal and external treatments. Students become familiar with the therapeutic uses of numerous essential oils. Students also become familiar with quality distinction, terminology, and contraindications. This class covers aroma medicine for the treatment of nervous system imbalances, muscle tension and injuries, first-aid, common infectious illnesses, and common female reproductive conditions. Students sample numerous essential oils.
Fieldtrips allow the student to spend time with the plants in their natural habitat observing numerous ecosystems. The herb walks cover coastal plants at the beach and in the redwoods. The class will attend the local wild flower show, which displays hundreds of species of plants from Humboldt County (the first Friday in May.) The class may also visit HSU greenhouses and a local organic farm. Sustainable harvesting methods will be discussed, but the emphasis of the herb walks will be to learn about the plants.
Gardening 101 Class informs students about herbs which can be easily cultivated in Humboldt County. Students spend some time in the garden harvesting edible and medicinal herbs and making medicines with them.
The NWSBS garden
PHT Class on a fieldtrip
Botany Class provides an introduction to terminology, as well as basic plant identification techniques.
Clinical Practicum Class trains students how to conduct an intake with a client and it presents students with examples of intake forms. Students learn about holding a safe space for their clients and client confidentiality is discussed. Students gain an understanding of creating energetically balanced formulas, which take into consideration the client’s constitution and condition. The emphasis is on holistic and constitutional treatment of clients. In addition, the class covers formulation and compounding, dosages, pathology, boundaries, clearing, and grounding and centering.
Business Practicum Students research and gain an understanding of what it takes to establish their own practices and pharmacies. Advertising, networking, community outreach, education, and ethics will also be discussed.
The Tuition for the PHT Program is $3200. The fee includes both the tuition fee of $3000 and the books and material fee of $200.