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Year 1: Foundations / The Family Herbalist
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Holistic Physiology 40 hours
Specific analysis of the body systems, down to the tissue, cellular, and sub-cellular levels and including histology, coupled with an ongoing attention to integrating body systems into broader patterns of function (e.g. mechanisms for homeostasis; fluid and electrolyte regulation; exercise and the stress response; endocrine regulation). There will be a focus on nutrient and herbal metabolic pathways as the relevant systems are explored.
All classes held on Thursdays, during the following weeks: Sept 11th through Sept 25th 2:00-5:00; Oct 9th through Oct 30th 2:00-5:00; Nov 6th 1:00-5:00; Nov 13th through Nov 20th 2:00-5:00; Dec 4th through Dec 18th 2:00-5:00

Exploring the Medicinal Landscape/Field Trip 24 hours
Offers a chance to spend extended time interacting with plants in their own environments--including woodland, field, wetland, and bog--throughout the growing season. Each class will consist of a field trip to a local area rich in plant diversity where students can practice botany skills and become familiar with plants in the context of their ecological communities.
All classes held on Thursdays, during the following weeks: May 8th 1:00-6:00; May 29th 9:00-1:00; July 31st 9:00-6:00; Sept 4th 2:00-5:00; Oct 2nd 2:00-5:00

Observation, Intuition & Intention: Many Ways to Learn from Plants 12 hours
Learning plants’ personalities through all our senses: sight, taste, touch, smell, and inner listening or intuition. Through experiential exercises, students will learn to interpret how aspects of plants, such as habitat, form, and taste relate to their medicine. Teachings are based on the principle that personal connection with our materia medica is essential to understanding it from an energetic perspective.
All classes held on Thursdays, during the following weeks: May 29th 3:00-5:00; June 12th 3:00-5:00; June 26th 3:00-5:00; July 10th 3:00-5:00; July 24th 3:00-5:00; August 7th 3:00-5:00

Experiential Apprenticeship 96 hours
An in-depth and personal approach to herbalism, conducted in the garden and surrounding woodlands, providing the student with practical grounding in the herbal arts. It will include: cultivation; ethical wild-harvesting; stewardship of native botanical populations; harvesting, drying and processing herbs; herbal preparations: teas, tinctures, salves, massage oils, lotions, hydrosols; introductory botany and plant identification; bioregional ecology and economics; sustainable living. Students will share their home preparations at the annual medicine show.
All classes held on Thursdays, during the following weeks: May 15th 9:00-5:00; May 22nd 9:00-1:00; June 5th 9:00-5:00; June 12th 9:00-1:00; June 19th 9:00-5:00; June 26th 9:00-1:00; July 10th 9:00-1:00; July 17th 9:00-5:00; July 24th 9:00-1:00; August 7th 9:00-1:00; August 14th 9:00-5:00; Sept 4th – Sept 25th 9:00-1:00; Oct 2nd – Oct 30th 9:00-12:00

Practical Botany for the Herbalist 10 hours
An introductory primer on the basics of field botany and plant physiology. Students will learn the key system of plant ID and to apply the knowledge of plant families to herbal practice.
All classes held on Thursdays, during the following weeks: Jan 24th 3:00-5:00; Feb 7th 3:00-5:00; May 8th, 9:00-11:00; May 22nd 2:00-4:00; November 6, 9:00-11:00

Energetic Systems 40 hours
Includes an overview of energetic approaches to healing, pathology, and therapeutic substances around the world. There will be a specific focus on the Galenic qualities of heat and moisture and an exploration the elements of air, fire, water and earth, plus the Quintessence and its relationship to the doctrine of Vitalism.
All classes held on Thursdays, during the following weeks: Jan 24th – March 13th 9:00-12:30; March 20th – April 10th 9:00-12:00

Materia Medica I 40 hours
In-depth review of forty core botanical medicines, including: botany, harvesting, identification, preparation, dosage, indications and contraindications, phytopharmacology, energetics, historic and modern use, sustainable use, and relevant research. Students will research and prepare personal monographs.
All classes held on Thursdays, during the following weeks: March 13th, 1:30-2:30; March 20th 1:00-3:00; March 27th 1:00-3:00; April 3rd 1:00-3:00; April 10th 1:00-5:00; May 8th 11:00-12:00; May 29th 2:00-3:00; June 12th 2:00-3:00; June 26th 2:00-3:00; July 10th 2:00-3:00; July 24th 2:00-3:00; August 7th 2:00-3:00; Oct 2nd – Oct 30th 1:00-2:00; Nov 6th 11:00-12:00; Nov 13th 9:00-2:00; Nov 20th – Dec 18th 9:00-12:00 (with 11/27 off)

Food as Medicine 20 hours
An exploration of whole-food nutrition as our first medicine and the role of specific foods in our materia medica. Students will learn a variety of techniques for preparations that are both therapeutic and practical, and discuss the major components of a balanced and healing diet. The coursework balances theoretical and practical instruction and reviews current topics in nutrition.
All classes held on Thursdays, during the following weeks: Jan 31st 3:00-5:00; Feb 14th –21st 3:00-5:00; Feb 28th 2:30-5:00; March 6th 3:00-5:00, March 20th 3:00-5:00, March 27th 3:00-5:30; April 3rd 3:00-5:30

Introduction to Plant Chemistry, Herbal Actions 10 hours
An overview of traditional botanical actions and their connection to our modern concept of basic plant constituents. This class will serve as a basis for understanding the therapeutic activity of plants in the human physiology, and will rely on practical exercises to ground its theoretical framework.
All classes held on Thursdays, during the following weeks: Jan 24th – Feb 21st 1:30-3:00; Feb 28th 1:30-2:30; March 6th 1:30-3:00

First Aid 4 hours
Review of the most important herbs and techniques for handling common and non-life-threatening injury and trauma. Students will learn how to prepare a basic first aid kit including oils, salves, disinfectants, homeopathic preparations, and flower essences and how to apply its components.
All classes held on Thursdays, during the following weeks: Nov 20th 1:00-2:00; Dec 4th – Dec 18th 1:00-2:00

Year 1 Total: 296 hours

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