We delve into applied herbal therapeutics for particular body systems, imbalances, and ailments. An in-depth look at body systems will include a focus on cardiovascular, respiratory, digestive, urinary, endocrine, lymphatic, immune, reproductive, nervous, musculo-skeletal, and cutaneous and their holistic relations, along with specific conditions and how they manifest. Allopathic medical terminology will also be referenced. Students will also gain a deeper understanding of pathology, anatomy and physiology.

*All Year 2 applicants that have not taken an approved Anatomy & Physiology course will need to do so during their incoming year. An additional fee for this course will be added to the cost of your tuition.

Over 60 medicinal plants and mushrooms are reviewed in depth, including plants & fungi that grow in North America as well as medicinal herbs from other regions. Teachers introduce students an abundance of other botanicals throughout the curriculum. Students will build their own materia medica based on their studies, and will learn about herbal monographs and components: Latin name, common name, botanical information, herbal actions, energetics, system affinities, current and historical uses, specific indications, and herbal toxicity and safety.

Traditional systems for holistic and energetic assessment are studied in depth. We focus on Vitalist Western European/ Greek / American systems and tissue states, as well as the applied energetics in Ayurveda and Traditional Chinese Medicine. Students will have applied instruction on pulse, tongue, palpation, face and body assessment techniques from a variety of perspectives. Students will also learn various traditional assessment techniques including the diagnostic indications refined and taught by William LeSassier.

Over 60 additional medicinal plants and mushrooms are reviewed in depth with specific indications, including plants & fungi that grow in North America as well as medicinal herbs from other regions. The focus in the 2nd year will include their effect on specific imbalances and patterns. Students will continue to build their own materia medica based on their studies. The following components are covered for each herb: Latin name, common name, botanical information, herbal actions, energetics, system affinities, current and historical uses, specific indications, and herbal toxicity, safety, and interactions.

Students learn to craft personalized herbal formulas for individuals and the principles of formulation. Students will be introduced to the triune system of formulation developed by William LeSassier and refined by subsequent herbalists. Additional topics covered include synergies and plant compatibility in formulation, compounding and the forms of herbal remedy most appropriate to a specific formula, dosing, and how phytochemistry affects herbal activity and formulation decision-making. Pharmacognosy and phytochemistry are presented more in depth as they relate to safety and efficacy in formulation as well as herb-drug interactions.

Students will learn about traditional methods, considerations and rituals for gathering herbs and the ethical use of endangered plants in remedies. Common and uncommon herbal preparations are considered in depth along with special considerations for particular herbs and methods for herbal delivery. Students also learn the basics of formulation and management of a personal apothecary.

We will cover in more depth the commonly used preparations that were introduced in year 1, and additionally:

- Succus

- Herbal pills

- Syrups, herbal honey

- Suppositories

- Flower essences

- Homeopathy

- Essential oils / aromatherapy

- Herbal baths and soaks

- Herbal douches & enemas

- Herbal nasal irrigation

- Herbal smoke and inhalants

- Herbal skin care: hydrosols, lotion, scrubs

- Topical: plasters

Macro-nutrients, vitamin, mineral and other food constituents will be covered along with indications and ailments caused by deficiencies. This will include the use of food and supplements for specific diets such as to promote wellness in the case of GI ailments, food sensitivities, and other diseases. Traditional food preparations for particular ailments will be covered as well.

Students continue to hone skills in field botany and identification, as well as participate in regional field trips and outings. Plants will be studied from a number of perspectives including ‘Goetheian’ science, the Doctrine of Signatures and Western botanical science.

This class introduces students to some of the basic skills and techniques necessary for a productive practice. Students will be exposed to and also learn to develop:

– Intake forms and the intake process – Counseling skills and strategies – Traditional assessment, including tongue, face, pulse, drop testing, etc. – Constitutional assessment, including tissue states – Interpreting lab results – Research skills and resources needed to address specific clients’ needs – Developing holistic and herbal protocols – Formulation and dosing strategies

Students will also begin to learn the basic skills needed to build an herbal practice as a small business, including: – Ethics, including informed consent, confidentiality, and disclosure – Record keeping – Legal issues – Business management

Students will gain an accurate understanding of the legal framework surrounding herbal medicine in the United States. We will place our discussion of the current day within the historical context of 19th and early 20th century legal and political challenges faced by Eclectic and other practitioners, and will cover three key areas: the rights and restrictions of herbalists (1) as unlicensed practitioners, (2) as educators, and (3) as small-scale manufacturers or home medicine makers. Within this framework we will discuss the First Amendment and freedom of speech, state laws governing medical practice, relevant aspects of DSHEA (Dietary Supplement Health and Education Act) including website language and product claims and descriptions, and Good Manufacturing Practices, along with the various roles of federal and state agencies including FDA, FTC, and state medical boards.

Included in the curriculum and tuition, we offer extra Q&A sessions, which enable students to meet with the core faculty in a more intimate setting and ask any questions they may have. The sessions are held outside of classroom hours and are optional; however, students receive additional credit hours for attending the sessions. Dates and times of sessions are announced at the beginning of the school year so that students can plan ahead if they would like to attend a session.