how to become an herbalist

Herbal Medicine Diploma - Syllabus

Plant identification in Herbal Medicine Course

Part 1:

Biomedicine, Naturopathy Study & Herbal Medicine I

Biomedicine

The aim of Biomedicine is to get students to understand how the body works, most common diseases, medical diagnostics, differential diagnostics and red flag symptoms. This way a future practitioner understands medical conditions, especially dangerous conditions and is able to decide what he can treat and when to refer to a specialist.

Medical Doctors, Dentists, Nurses, Physiotherapists, Pharmacists, Midwives, Chiropractors, Osteopaths, etc., may not be required to take Biomedicine – please contact CNM for more information and to see if you qualify for direct enrolment. Graduates with an ITEC diploma (e.g. massage, aromatherapy, reflexology etc.) will need to do the Biomedicine year in order to get a CNM diploma.

Medical Terminology and Definitions.
Anatomy, Physiology and Pathology of all Organ Systems.
Infectious Diseases, Allergies and How the Immune System works.
Pharmacology, Laboratory, Drug interactions.
Diagnostics, Differential diagnostics and Examination methods.
Red Flag symptoms, Legal Requirements, When to refer to an expert.

Herbal Medicine I

History, philosophy and treatment theories of Western herbal medicine
Herbal actions and their therapeutic applications
Safety considerations for herbal medicine
Social, political and legal context for herbal practice
Plant anatomy and physiology
Basic horticulture
Ecological issues and sustainability in herbal medicine
Energetics (Greco-Roman, Ayurveda, Traditional Chinese Medicine, American traditions)
Clinical Observation
Practitioner Development & Ethics I
Research & study skills I

Naturopathy Study

Naturopathy

Pioneers of Naturopathy, Naturopathic Principles, Healing Power of Nature.
Treating the Cause – not the Symptom. How not to Suppress symptoms.
The Laws of Cure. Fundamentals of Cure, How the Body can Heal itself.
Hydrotherapy: The many cures of Water (external & internal applications).

TCM (Traditional Chinese Medicine)

The 4 Pillars of TCM Diagnostics (pulse, tongue, face, nails).
Acupuncture Channels, their relation to organ functions. Yin - Yang Theory.
The Energetics of Food (warming, cooling, dehydrating, moistening).
Chinese Diets to strengthen a patients individual constitution.

Naturopathic Nutrition

Principals of Naturopathic Nutrition, Micro and Macro Nutrients. The nutritional benefits of different foods with knowledge of macro and micronutrients.
How to apply Nutritional Therapy in your practice.
Let Food be your Medicine and Medicine be your Food (Hippocrates).
Food combination, Superfoods, Various Diets, The CNM Naturopathic Diet. How to make healthy food choices.
Specific Foods for particular Ailments, Cooking for Health, Case studies.

First Aid Homeopathy

The Laws of Cure, Homeopathic Case taking and Prescription.
First Aid Homeopathic Remedies and Applications, Case Studies.

Herbal Medicine

Identifying, collecting, drying, storing and preparing herbs. Herbal safety.
Application of herbal medicines (internal and external) for therapeutic benefits.
Herbal formulas and naturopathic treatments for specific diseases.

Iridology

Iridology as a diagnostic tool. Case taking, assessment and diagnosis.
Constitutional Iris types, signs and markings in the iris.
Using iridology to choose best treatment in Naturopathic practice.

Naturopathy

Part 2:

Naturopathic Principles & Herbal Medicine II

Naturopathic Principles

Naturopathy & Detoxification
Bach Flower Therapy
Tissue Salts
Bodywork (Acupressure, Reflex therapies)

Herbal Medicine II

Biochemistry
Pharmacology
Herb drug interactions
Botany & Plant identification
Quality assessment of herbal medicines
Preparation of internal and external herbal medicines
Herbal medicine materia medica
Clinical examination skills
Pathology
Clinical Observation and Experience
Practitioner Development & Ethics II
Research & study skills II

Herbal Medicine Lecture - Vulnerary Herbs

Part 3:

Herbal Medicine III & Dissertation

Herbal Medicine III

Herbal Therapeutics
Eyes, ears, nose, throat and face
Lower respiratory system
Gastrointestinal system
Musculoskeletal system
Genitourinary system
Cardio-vascular system
Blood and lymphatic system
Nervous system
Endocrine system
Immune system

Female and male reproductive systems
Fertility
First aid and acute treatments
Dermatology
Obstetrics
Paediatrics
Oncology
Geriatrics
Clinical Practice
Clinical Management
Practitioner Development & Ethics III

Dissertation