Self-Training Syllabus for Herbal Medicine

This is a guide to training yourself in medicinal herbal practice. By completing the assignments (and researching the information necessary), you will have a comprehensive grasp of herbal medicine.

High-Level Outline

1. Identification, Taxonomy and Resources.
2. Growing And Propagating Medicinal Herbs.
3. History Of Medicinal Herbs.
4. Main Medicinal Herbs.
5. Herbal Remedies.
6. Preparing Herbal Remedies (Infusions, decoctions, poultices, etc).
7. Poisonous Plants and Naturally-occuring Substances.

Summary of Competencies Developed

1. Identify and distinguish between medicinal herbs (at least 50 different plants).
2. Discuss the history of medicinal herb usage.
3. Compare the chemical components of different medicinal herbs and their effects on the human body.
4. Prepare simple and safe herbal remedies.
5. Be aware of the potential dangers involved in dealing with plants.
6. Prepare a landscape plan for a herbal garden.
7. Develop a production plan for medicinal herbs.

Assignments

1. Prepare a herbal catalogue that contains:
• A resource file of different and favourite sources of information regarding medicinal herbs.
• A dried plant collection of different medicinal herbs.
• Herbal remedies and recipes derived from different commonly grown herbs (from historical and published resources).
• Summaries of at least twenty commonly occurring plants which contain poisonous substances (botanical and common names, dangerous parts of the plant, poisonous substances, mode of action of poison, remedies).
• List of herbs that should never be taken internally.
• List of herbs which should never be used by pregnant women.
• List of herbs which should never be used by children.
2. Write a medicinal guide that contains:
• Instructions on how to prepare different types of simple medicines (Poultice, Infusion, Decoction, Tincture and at least three other types).
• A list of safety procedures to follow when preparing herbal medicines.
• Safe and appropriate methods to administer different herbal medicines (ie. medicines which do not have any dangerous risks if prepared or administered incorrectly).
• Specific examples and precautions when dealing with unknown herb materials.
• Descriptions of the chemical actions which different herbs have upon the human body.
• List of factors which can influence the effectiveness of active constituents of a herb.
• The morphological parts of different herbs which are used medicinally.
3. Write a historical research paper that covers:
• Definition of the term "medicinal herb" according to both horticultural and naturopathic meanings.
• Different plant families to which common medicinal herbs belong.
• The history of medicinal herbs since early civilisation, to modern times.
• Different medicinal herbs which were used frequently in the past, but are no longer commonly used.
• Modern trends in the use of herbs in medicines, including existing and new legislation.
• The role of home remedies in modern society.
• The role of the naturopath in modern society.
• The characteristics of different types of chemicals found in medicinal herbs.
• Brief definitions to explain the mode of action of different herbal medicines.
4. Write a horticultural manual that covers:
• Guidelines for the culture of a variety of medicinal herbs.
• Natural pest and disease control methods for medicinal herbs.
• Propagation techniques for different medicinal herbs.
• Cultivation of medicinal herbs in a log including a summary of the condition of the plant, growth, and cultural practices carried out.
• A list of criteria for selecting the most commercially viable variety medicinal herbs.
• A list of at least thirty different varieties of medicinal herbs which are readily available for purchase as seed or tubestock.
• Comparison of different varieties of medicinal herbs to determine a commercially viable variety to grow in your locality.
• Tasks to be undertaken in the production of a selected medicinal herb variety (soil preparation, planting, growing practices, harvest and post harvest).
• A production schedule for a medicinal herb variety which designates tasks to be undertaken systematically at each stage of crop development.
• The facilities which would be required to produce a specified commercial medicinal herb crop (equipment, materials, land).
• Cost estimate for producing a specified medicinal herb crop, itemising the cost components into categories.
5. Practicum
• Grow a herb garden (indoor or outdoor) with at least ten medicinal herbs.
• Propagate and grow the plants to a marketable stage and condition.