Clinical Herbalist Diploma Program

Herbal medicine is the oldest continuously practiced form of healthcare on the planet. The World Health Organization (WHO) indicates that over 80% of the world’s population still relies upon local medicinal plants as a primary form of health care. Even though herbal medicine is not yet part of the health care system in Canada, modern medicine draws from it such that 30% of pharmaceuticals are derived from medicinal plants.

While the practice of herbal medicine has largely been ignored by medical science, there is an increasing awareness among the public of both the efficacy of herbal remedies and the need to look at disease and health in a radically different way. Herbal medicine embraces the concept of “wholism”, an idea that suggests that each unit of living matter or reality is made up of unified wholes that are greater than the simple sum of the parts. This view of the body is especially important in the treatment of illness for it recognizes the myriad number of factors that can influence the health of the body, including diet, lifestyle, attitudes, spirituality, genetics and the environment.

Clinical herbal medicine is the use of medicinal plants, nutritional science, and time-honoured health practices in a clinical environment, assisting the client to overcome illness and regain health. A Clinical Herbalist uses several methods to assess the health status of a client, including case history, physical examination, and interpretation of lab results, as well as several other highly specialized techniques such as pulse and tongue diagnosis, and iridology. The Clinical Herbalist Diploma program at Wild Rose College provides for all of the training and skills the successful candidate will need to establish a practice in wholistic healing.

CLINICAL HERBALIST PROGRAM

YEAR 1

Semester 1	Semester 2
Introductory Biology & Biochemistry**	Herbology II**
Botany & Plant Identification	Anatomy & Physiology**
History of Herbal Medicine*	Nutrition I
Herbology I**	Herbal Pharmacy
Research Skills*	Farm Project (Spring)

* Courses that are now available by correspondence. **Courses that are now available by correspondence and on-line.

COMPLETION OF YEAR ONE EARNS ‘PRACTICAL HERBALIST’ DESIGNATION. NO ELECTIVE COURSE WORK OR THESIS REQUIRED.

YEAR 2

Semester 1	Semester 2
Iridology*	Essential Pathology *
Traditional Ayurvedic Medicine*	Western Materia Medica II *
Western Materia Medica I*	Nutrition II*
Farm Project (Fall)	Traditional Chinese Medicine
Wildcrafting I	Wildcrafting II
36 Elective Hours	Thesis Project I
100 Hours Clinical Practicum

* Courses that are now available by correspondence. **Courses that are now available by correspondence and on-line.

COMPLETION OF YEAR 1 & 2 EARNS ‘MASTER HERBALIST’ DESIGNATION. 36 HOURS OF ELECTIVE COURSE WORK AND THESIS REQUIRED. CLINICAL PRACTICUM HOURS OPTIONAL FOR M.H. DIPLOMA.

YEAR 3

Semester 1	Semester 2
Applied Phytotherapeutics I*	Applied Phytotherapeutics II
Pharmacotherapeutics	Herbal-Drug-Nutrient Interactions
Eastern Materia Medica I*	Eastern Materia Medica II
Counselling & Ethics	Physical Exam & Case History
Business Skills	Energetic Assessment
Additional 30 elective hours	Thesis Project II
200 Hours Clinical Practicum

* Courses that are now available by correspondence.

'CLINICAL HERBALIST’ DESIGNATION EARNED UPON COMPLETION OF YEAR 1, 2 & 3, 300 CLINICAL PRACTICUM HOURS, A THESIS, AND 66 HOURS OF ELECTIVE COURSE WORK. STUDENTS ARE EXPECTED TO EARN THE ADDITIONAL PROGRAM ELECTIVE HOURS IN COMPLEMENTARY AREAS SUCH AS RAYID, HOMEOPATHY, REFLEXOLOGY AND BACH FLOWER REMEDIES. THESE COURSES MAY BE TAKEN AT ANYTIME OVER THE SEVEN SEMESTERS OR IN AN ADDITIONAL SEMESTER BRINGING THE TOTAL AMOUNT OF TIME TO COMPLETE THE DIPLOMA TO FOUR YEARS OR EIGHT TERMS

For Current Course and Semester Costs Click Here (PDF)

Program Details

It is recommended that students hold a high school diploma if they intend to undertake the Clinical Herbalist program. Basic English competency is expected. The College recognizes University and College level science courses for transfer credit, however all herbal components must be completed through Wild Rose College*.Students have the option of completing courses through in-class instruction, by correspondence or through on-line delivery, but please note that not all courses and requirements are achievable via distance learning. Those students who do not live near the Calgary are will need to consider making travel arrangements to fulfill "hands on" courses or look for substitute courses in their area. The total cost of the program is dependent on which course format students choose to complete their studies.

* Herbal education received elsewhere will be considered on an individual basis.

Please consult our current Classroom Courses listing in the online store to get details of program courses which are next available in-class. A time table of classroom courses outlining over which semesters courses are to be held is found at the bottom of this page. Read through the Program Course descriptions to see which courses have a correspondence equivalent then look-up the correspondence courses in the online store to get more details including prices. Please continue to check with the College for up-dates regarding new on-line and correspondence courses applicable to all of the College’s diploma programs. Please take the time to read through our Course Policies where you can find information on transferring course work, study duration and writing exams outside of the College.

Progam Courses

INTRODUCTORY BIOLOGY & BIOCHEMISTRY:

This introductory course is an overview of basic concepts such as inorganic and organic chemistry, cellular function, chemical and biological evolution, and ecology. This course is currently being re-written for correspondence and will be available in the new year.

BOTANY & PLANT IDENTIFICATION:

Botany and plant identification are absolutely essential skills in the repertoire of clinical herbalists. This course provides an overview of plant nomenclature and taxonomy, as well as plant structure, morphology and anatomy. This class will also show you how to use a plant key. This is a hands-on course and will not be available in a distance learning format.

HISTORY OF HERBAL MEDICINE:

This course is an anthropological overview of the origins and development of herbal medicine all over the world, to modern times.

HERBOLOGY I:

Folklore and modern herbal research combine in this exceptionally complete course – the cornerstone of the diploma programs. Learn basic botany for identifying plants, review each body system’s function and design, and discover herbal formulas for the treatment of each system. Both the novice and the studying practitioner will benefit from this course. It provides essential groundwork for practice and practical information for self-treatment. Also available in correspondence format.

HERBOLOGY II (Pharmacognosy):

In this advanced course, the chemical properties of herbs are discussed, as well as their responsibility for the therapeutic and nutritional values. Expanded knowledge is presented on the reasons for various biological effects of herbs with up-to-date research material. The energetics and alchemy of botanicals is also reviewed. Also available in correspondence format.

RESEARCH SKILLS:

This course is designed to introduce to the student the research skills needed by a professional herbalist, including research methods, presentation, and memory and concentration skills. Included as well is an overview of research tools available on the world-wide-web, and a review of the important texts and academic journals most commonly used by herbal researchers.

IRIDOLOGY:

Iridology is the science of assessing the status of bodily health by examining the iris of the eye. Discovered in Europe in the 19th century, it was brought into practical clinical usage in the 1940’s by Dr. Bernard Jensen. Students will learn the technique of identifying the presence of inflammation, its degree of severity, inherent body strengths and weaknesses, drug accumulations, infections, nutritional deficiencies, poor circulation, tension, toxemia, and acidity levels. Photographic slides are used extensively. Also available in correspondence format.

HERBAL PHARMACY:

This course is a thorough review and practical exposition of herbal remedy preparation, including bolus, infusion, decoction, infused oil, salve, liniment, cream, pessary and suppository, fomentation, bath, powder, pill, capsule, maceration, percolation, fluid extract, and spagyric tincture. Students will have the opportunity to practice the skills they have learnt under direct supervision. This is a hands-on course and will not be available in a distance learning format.

WILDCRAFTING I & II:

This course introduces the basic concepts of ethical and sustainable wildcrafting, as well as orientation and map-reading techniques, data collection, and harvesting methods. This is a hands-on course and will not be available in a distance learning format.

FARM PROJECT (Spring & Fall):

This course is an introduction to the basic methods of sustainable agriculture, including soil preparation and amendments, planting, composting, and harvesting. This is a hands-on course and will not be available in a distance learning format.

ANATOMY & PHYSIOLOGY:

This course is a comprehensive review of the major physiological systems of the body and an introduction to anatomical terminology and surface anatomy. This course will be taught over two semesters. This course is currently being re-written for correspondence and will be available in the new year.

ESSENTIAL PATHOLOGY:

This course provides an overview of basic pathological concepts, including cell injury, inflammation, repair, regeneration and fibrosis, immunopathology, neoplasia, developmental disease, hemodynamic disorders, environmental and nutritional pathology, and infectious and parasitic disease.

TRADITIONAL AYURVEDIC MEDICINE:

This course provides an overview of the theory and practices of TAM, including the Five Element theory (panchabuthas), humoral and structural theories (tridosha and sapla dhatu), constitution (prakriti), daily and seasonal regimens (dinacharya and rutacharya), dietetics, pharmacology (dravyguna), the causes of disease (nidana), diagnostics (pariksha), and the principles of treatment.

TRADITIONAL CHINESE MEDICINE:

This course provides an overview of the theory and practices of TCM, including the Yin-Yang theory, the Five Elements, the nature and function of qi, blood, and the body fluids, the functions of the internal organs, the causes of disease, diagnostic techniques, and principles of treatment.

WESTERN MATERIA MEDICA I & II:

A review of the fundamental therapeutic approaches of Western herbal medicine, and a review of the medicinal plants contained in its material medica, including remedy preparation, formulation, dosage, indications and contraindications.

EASTERN MATERIA MEDICA I (TAM):

A review of 75 different medicinal plants used on the subcontinent of India, Pakistan and Tibet, including remedy preparation, formulation, dosage, indications, and contraindications.

EASTERN MATERIA MEDICA II (TCM):

A review of 75 different medicinal plants used in China and Japan, including remedy preparation, formulation, dosage, indications, and contraindications.

NUTRITION I:

This course provides an overview of macronutrients, micronutrients and phytochemicals utilized by clinicians in the treatment of disease. This course is currently being re-written for correspondence and will be available in the new year.

NUTRITION II:

This course is a review of the clinical application of dietetics and nutritional supplementation. This course is currently being re-written for correspondence and will be available in the new year.

PHARMACOTHERAPEUTICS:

This course provides an overview of pharmocodynamics and the most commonly used pharmaceuticals that an herbal clinician is likely to encounter in his or her practice.

HERBAL-NUTRIENT-DRUG INTERACTIONS:

This course is a review of the biological interactions between plant-based therapies and nutritional supplements with modern pharmaceuticals, and contraindications therein.

APPLIED PHYTOTHERAPEUTICS I & II:

This course is a thorough review of the primary nutritional and herbal protocols used in the treatment of dysfunctions in each of the primary bodily systems. This course is divided into 14 modules, with each module consisting of a pathophysiological review of the system, differential diagnostics, allopathic treatment and holistic protocols.

COUNSELLING & ETHICS:

This course is an overview of the helping model, introducing concepts and practices such as listening and attending skills, empathy and probing, effective challenging, and goal development.

BUSINESS SKILLS:

A step-by-step review of the primary methods required in setting and maintaining a clinical practice.

PHYSICAL EXAMINATION & CASE HISTORY

A practical introduction to the elements of case history taking and basic physical examination techniques, such as pulse, blood pressure and heart sounds, as well as methods to assess respiratory, gastrointestinal, auditory, musculoskeletal and neurological function. Included is a review of the primary diagnostic tests used in allopathic medicine and by laboratories specializing in complimentary medicine, and how to analyze them.

ENERGETIC ASSESSMENT

A thorough review and practical demonstration of a variety of complimentary energetic assessment techniques that can be used along with objective assessment and case history, including advanced iridology, kinesiology, and pulse and tongue diagnosis.

CLINICAL PRACTICUM 300HRS

The practical application of all the clinical skills studied by the student. In the first 100 hours a group of students will observe a consultation. In the next set of 100 hours a single student will sit with a practitioner during a consultation, and will be asked to begin to perform some of the clinical skills he or she has learned. In the final 100 hours the student will conduct a client interview him or herself, under the supervision of a practitioner.

THESIS I:

Students must complete a 5-7 page monograph on any herb not covered in Western Materia Medica I and II, by the end of the second year of course work.

THESIS II:

Students must complete an 8000-12,000 word paper on the pathology and treatment of any health condition not previously covered in Applied Phytotherapeutics. Students may also make application for a different thesis, but must receive prior written approval before choosing a different topic. Thesis project II must be finished and handed in by the student before the completion of the clinical practicum.

Details of the Clinical Herbalist Diploma program are subject to change.

April 2006