Phyllis D. Light - The Herbal Practitioner Training Program

The Herbal Practitioner Training Program

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The Appalachian Center for Herbal Studies offers two certificate programs of instruction and training, both with an emphasis in Southern and Appalachian Folk Medicine: Basic Herbal Program and a Herbal Practitioner Program. The Basic Herbal Training program is a one year program with an emphasis in Traditional Western Herbalism and Southern and Appalachian Folk Medicines. The Basic Herbal Training Program looks at ways to build and maintain good health and reduce risk factors for chronic diseases. The program focuses on foods and herbs which help us achieve these goals.

The Herbal Practitioner program is a two year program (Intermediate and Advanced levels) with an emphasis on clinical skills, intake, and assessment with an emphasis on Southern and Appalachian Folk Medicine. This can also be followed by a year of Mentorship for those interested in becoming community or clinical herbalists. The Practitioner Herbal Program takes a deeper look at the functioning of the human body, disorders and ailments and the role herbs and foods in rebuilding health.

Not everyone taking the programs at the Appalachian Center for Herbal Studies are interested in becoming practitioners. Many people take the classes in order to better serve their families and friends, others take the classes out of curiosity or an interest and love of plants. Some take the classes to come home to their Southern and American roots and hold forth these traditions for future generations. Therefore, anyone is welcomed to take any of these programs regardless of the desire to become a practitioner or not. For those wishing to further their herbal education with a view to becoming a practitioner, the completion of homework assignments and full class attendance is required. For those wishing to take the courses for personal interest, the fulfillment of homework is not required but strongly encouraged.

Both Intermediate and Advanced Herbal Training programs are advanced levels of study. Pre-requisites to these programs include studies from an approved herbal program or the completion of ACHS Basic Herbal Training Program. In the Basic Herbal Training Program we look at how to keep the body healthy; in the Intermediate and Advanced Programs we look at what to do when something goes wrong.

The Herbal Practitioner Program, Intermediate and Advanced levels, is a two year certificate program, held for nine months each year, one weekend per month, beginning in March and ending in November. Class times are 9:30 am - 5:00 pm on Saturday and 9:30 am - 5:00 pm on Sunday. Tuition is $2,160 for nine months, or $240.00 per month. The course is 135 hours ($16.00 per hour) and includes most materials. There is a limited number of barter or work exchange programs available. Please contact the school if you need overnight accommodations.

The Intermediate and Advanced Programs will also include guest lecturers and teachers. (See further down for dates and information about study on the Advanced Level)

Intermediate Level (2nd year):

• Principles of Vitalism

• Galenic Medicine - four elements, four humors, degrees, qualities

• Doctrine of Signatures

• Deeper Workings and Functions of the Organ Systems;

• Basics of the Endocrine System;

• Herbal Remedies for Specific Health Issues

• Foods for Specific Health Issues;

• Supplement Approaches for Specific Ailments;

• Specific Herbal Actions and Properties of Selected Herbs;

• Creating Herbal Formulas;

• Principles and Practices of Southern and Appalachian Folk Medicine;

• Southern Folk Medicine Blood/Constitutional Types;

• Ayurvedic Body Types and Constitutions, an overview;

• Plant Walks and Herb Identification;

• Herbs: wildcrafting, growing, gathering and processing

• Herbal Remedies - making teas, brews, tinctures, salves, oils, food, oils, flower essences

• Assessment Techniques - face, hair, nails, tongue

• Case Analysis;

• Listening skills;

• Southern Folkways and Wisdom: moon signs, weather signs, dowsing.

The following books are required for the course. They can be purchased fairly inexpensive as used books on Amazon.com and there will be copies available in the library.

Medical Herbalism by David Hoffmann

Botany In A Day: The Patterns Method of Plant Identification by Thomas J. Elpel

Recommended reading. I will also have the books available in the school library.

Trying to Give Ease: Tommie Bass and the Story of Herbal Medicine by Crellin and Philpott

The Book of Herbal Wisdom by Matthew Wood

Intermediate class dates for 2010

Saturday and Sunday

March 13 and 14

April 24 and 25 (joint class)

May 8 and 9

June 12 and 13

July 10 and 11

August 21 and 22

September 11 and 12

October 16 and 17

November 6 and 7

Advanced Level:

• History of Healing

• Self-Actualization Support System (SASS) - an practitioner model for intake and assessment

• Assessment Language and Legal Issues for the Practitioner

• Male and Female Reproductive System

• The Endocrine System Continued: Subtle Workings and Major Influences

• Advanced Southern and Appalachian Folk Medicine practices

• Southern Folkways: moon signs, weather signs, dowsing

• Herbal Protocols

• Herb/Drug Contraindications and Interactions

• Signs, Stories and Listening Skills

• Psychospiritual Aspects of Herbs

• Advanced Assessment Techniques

• Energy Techniques in Practice

• Creating Individual Formulas

• Clinical Studies and Herbal Research

• Ethics in practice

• Plant walks and Field Identification

• Working with Healthcare Workers

• Community Outreach

• Reflexology

• Energy medicine techniques

• Case Analysis and Clinic

These books will be available in the school library and will be used in the class:

The Essential Guide to Herbal Safety by Mills and Bone

Principles and Practice of Phytotherapy by Mills and Bone

Green Pharmacy by Barbara Griggs