Course 5 | Herbal Therapeutics

A wide-ranging and detailed look at the use of herbal remedies in the home health setting: from the function of the human body and specific health concerns to herbal strategies and lifestyle changes to restore health.

Beginner

Length: 19 hours

Instructor: David Caudwell | BSc, Medical Herbalist

This course is only available with the following programs:

  • Home Herbalist Online

    Mini-Certificate Program

    view course
  • Community Herbalist Online

    Full Certificate Program

    view course

Meet your course instructor

David Caudwell | BSc, Medical Herbalist

David Caudwell completed his studies in Herbal Medicine at the College of Phytotherapy in South East England and was awarded a BSc (Honours) from the University of Wales. After graduating David settled in Sussex, dividing his time between practice, clinic management and teaching responsibilities at the college where he trained. He has taught for the Universities of Wales and East London, and for the “Discovering Herbal Medicine” program run by Dr. Anne Walker. David is a member of The College of Practitioners of Phytotherapy, a professional body of herbalists established to champion the role and development of traditional herbal medicine in the modern world. David has a lifelong passion for wildlife, the outdoors and the world’s indigenous medicine systems, which has led to travel on five continents. In his practice, David takes a particular interest in Women’s Health, Fertility Issues and Cancer Care. Listen to David on episode 14 of Pacific Rim College Radio

Course description

The Therapeutics course introduces therapeutic approaches to common, pre-diagnosed health concerns. Graduates can apply knowledge gained from this course to assist family and friends, work in the natural health sector, and to pursue comprehensive, professional training in herbal medicine.

This course introduces students to body systems, including anatomical and physiological principles that underpin all herbal treatment strategies. Emphasis is placed on maximizing health via lifestyle and diet.

With these foundations in place, the course introduces health challenges common to each body system and beneficial herbal remedies. Students learn to create customized health formulations – in the form of tinctures, teas, capsules, topical oils, and creams – and dietary and lifestyle advice.

Students learn how to determine the effectiveness of remedies for any given condition and study the limitations of community herbal medicine – in other words, knowing when to refer to a healthcare professional.

This course consists mostly of theory alongside references to actual case histories.

Upon completion of this course, you will have the ability to:

• Provide an overview of human anatomy and physiology for all major body systems, from the digestive and cardiovascular systems to the urinary system and the skin.

• Outline the body’s fundamental health requirements.

• Demonstrate the common disease challenges of each body system.

• Present the most commonly used herbs within each body system.

• Provide simple herbal strategies based on a person’s individual health concerns.

• Demonstrate how to formulate appropriate herbal remedies for specific and common health conditions.

• Highlight the important role of dietary and lifestyle changes in meeting common health challenges.

• Show the role of supplementation in supporting health-related goals.

• Demonstrate the roles of Herbal Tonics and Adaptogens

Lesson plan

Section I | Welcome

1. Introduction

2. Course outline

3. Introduction to therapeutics

4. Introduction to herbal actions

5. Introduction to formulating and dosing

Section II | Digestive system

6. Anatomy & physiology

7. Pathophysiology

8. Therapeutic approaches to indigestion

9. Therapeutic approaches to nausea

10. Therapeutic approaches to heartburn

11. Therapeutic approaches for liver function

12. Therapeutic approaches for gut flora

13. Therapeutic approaches for bowel function

Section III | Cardiovascular system

14. Anatomy & physiology

15. Pathophysiology

16. Cardiovascular disease risk factors

17. Therapeutic approaches for prevention of cardiovascular diseases

18. Therapeutic approaches for high blood pressure

19. Therapeutic approaches for thread veins and minor varicosities

Section IV | Respiratory system

20. Anatomy & physiology

21. Pathophysiology

22. Therapeutic approaches for maintenance and protection

23. Therapeutic approaches for colds

24. Therapeutic approaches for coughs

25. Therapeutic approaches for sore throats

26. Therapeutic approaches for hay fever

27. Therapeutic approaches for convalescence

Section V | Nervous system

28. Anatomy & physiology

29. Pathophysiology

30. Therapeutic approaches 

31. Therapeutic approaches to stress

32. Herbal strategies for stress

33. Therapeutic approaches to fatigue

34. Therapeutic approaches to insomnia

35. Therapeutic approaches to tension headaches

Section VI | Musculoskeletal system

36. Anatomy & physiology

37. Pathophysiology

38. Therapeutic approaches for support

39. Therapeutic approaches for soft tissue

40. Therapeutic approaches for joint pain

41. Demonstration: cream making

42. Therapeutic approaches for back pain

Section VII | Reproductive system

43. Anatomy & physiology

44. Pathophysiology

45. Therapeutic approaches to menstrual cramps

46. Therapeutic approaches for menopause

47. Therapeutic approaches for prostate health

Section VIII | Urinary system

48. Anatomy & physiology

49. Pathophysiology

50. Therapeutic approaches for support

51. Therapeutic approaches for urinary tract infections

52. Therapeutic approaches to midlife urinary tract function

Section IX | Skin

55. Anatomy & physiology

56. Pathophysiology

57. Therapeutic approaches for support

58. Therapeutic approaches for eczema

59. Therapeutic approaches for acne

60. Tonics & adaptogens

Section VI | Musculoskeletal system

61. Anatomy & physiology

62. Pathophysiology

63. Therapeutic approaches for support

64. Therapeutic approaches for soft tissue

65. Therapeutic approaches for joint pain

66. Demonstration: cream making

67. Therapeutic approaches for back pain

Section X | Tonics & adaptogens

68. Understanding tonics

69. Tonics by system

70. Understanding adaptogens

71. Comparing adaptogens