Live Oak School of Natural Healing
Contact Dawn Gates, Master Herbalist, Aromatherapist, to register for classes @ Dawnsenchantedgarden@yahoo.com or 352-669-1963 or 407-967-6042. Dawnsenchantedgarden.com
I am offering 3 different certification programs for people who want to learn about herbs The one is the Lay Herbalist Certification which is for people who want to use herbs to heal their family and friends or who want to practice before starting the Herbalist Certification program. The next is the Herbalist Certification Program which will give the student the ability to become a practicing herbalist. In the near future I will be offering a Master Herbalist Certification Program which will give the experienced herbalist an education in the complexities of herbal medicine.
Herbalist Certification Programs
I get asked all the time about how to learn about herbs in order to treat family, friends, and clients. A good way to start is by reading books, but that only gives you so much knowledge. The best way to learn how to become an herbalist is to study with one directly. A good herbal certification should include basic anatomy, physiology, biology, medical history, plant identification, diagnostic techniques (pulse and tongue testing), and education on over 150 herbs their uses, contraindications, chemical compounds, and history. The program I have developed contains all of these elements and meets The American Herbalists Guild standards for herbal certification programs.
Classes in Herbalist Certification Program
Introduction to Herbalism Intensive- A beginning course in herbalism n the certification program or a good class for someone to treat family and friends. In this class we cover 50 herbs and their medicinal properties (6 class hours).
Advanced Herbalism: Herbal Materia Medica-This is an advanced class in herbalism. In this class we will be studying 100 herbs (in depth), discussing case studies,medicinal uses, standard dosages, contraindications, recipes and specific usage by disease, and doing more hands on learning (24 class hours)
Dis-ease by Organ System- In this class students learn basic anatomy, physiology dis-eases by organ system, Chinese and aryvedic methods of treatment. (8 class hours)
Making Herbal Medicine - In this class students learn how to make their own herbal medicines including basic formulations. (2 class hours)
Herbalism in Chinese, Western, and Ayurvedic cultures.
In this class we will be discussing the three major herbal medicine systems and their basic concepts including the 5-element system, the doshas and western herbal disease concepts. As well as some of the history and greatest texts in herbal history. (4 class hours)
Diagnostics 101- how to diagnose illness by looking at the face, tongue, and skin. Students in this class will also learn about pulse testing and learn several types of Chinese pulses. (4 class hours)
Advanced Diagnostic Methods-this is an advanced class about facial/body diagnosis. In this class we will deeply explore what the different colors and lines are on the face, hands, and tongue. We will also go into diagnosing by looking at the ear, hands, and nails. We will also introduce the student to the 32 different pulses that are used by TCM practitioners (10 class hours).
Herbal Detoxification- In disease there is often a starting point. The healthy body is able to ward off disease, but often in todays world there are food and environmental pollutants which surround us. In this class we will cover some of the toxins that surround us every day, the best way to detoxify, and the best detoxification herbs for each organ system. (2 class hours)
Advanced Herbal Detoxification
In this class we will be discussing in depth detoxification methods and concepts such as seasonal detoxification, herbal chelation therapy, enemas, complex herbal combinations aimed at certain disease patterns and contraindications to detoxification. (4 class hours).
How to Start an Herbal Business- In this class we will discuss the ways to start a practice including setting up a herbal pharmacy, attracting and keeping clients, marketing, bookkeeping, and legal issues.(2 class hours)
Certificate Program Name: Lay Herbalist Certification
Contact Hours: 36 (12 class, 24 study and practice)
Course Duration: The program is self-paced without a time limit. The average time 6 months
Prerequisites: None
Program Description: This program covers hands-on herbal preparation, health conditions and corresponding herbal therapies, Materia Medica.
Cost: $400.00
Certificate Program Name: Certified Herbalist
Contact Hours: 152 (66 class, 86 study and case conference analysis)
Course Duration: The program is self-paced without a time limit. The average time 18-24 months.
Prerequisites: None
Program Description: This in-depth program covers the history of herbal medicine, hands-on herbal preparation, health conditions and corresponding herbal therapies, extensive Materia Medica, terminology, case studies, and other topics related to herbalism. Students will learn about the three main traditions of healing: Chinese, Western, and Ayurvedic, including herbal suggestions for over 100 medical conditions based on these healing modalities. Growing and cultivating medicinal plants and making herbal remedies at home will also be covered.
Cost: $1,000.00
Certificate Program Name: Certified Master Herbalist
Contact Hours: 225
Course Duration: The program is self-paced without a time limit. The average time 24-36 months.
Prerequisites: Certified herbalist certification or 5 years experience
Program Description: This in-depth program covers the history of herbal medicine, hands-on herbal preparation, health conditions and corresponding herbal therapies, extensive Materia Medica, herb research, terminology, advanced case studies, and other topics related to herbalism. Students will learn in depth about the three main traditions of healing: Chinese, Western, and Ayurvedic, including herbal suggestions for over 180 medical conditions based on these healing modalities. Herbal apprenticeship, Growing and cultivating medicinal plants and making herbal remedies for clients including how to create your own formulary and how to create complex herbal medicines.
Quizzes- Are not graded but is aimed at giving the student direction in their education and as assistance to the final exam.
Final Examination: The final examination must be completed and submitted in order to obtain a grade and herbalist certification for the Certified Herbalist and Master Herbalist programs. The exam is open book and will encompass the entire program. Final examination must be requested within 1 class of finishing the program and will be graded according to a standard scale of:
A = 90 100%
B = 80 89%
C = 70 79%
D = 60 60%
F = 0 59%
A minimum score of C must be obtained to receive Herbalist certification. Retakes of test will be permitted until passing score is achieved.
Herbalist and Master Herbalist Certification Program
Online classes are sent out in modules (or groupings) to facilitate the learning process.
Book Report: Students must write a minimum of 2 pages (maximum of 10 pages) on 5 herbs from a class of herbal medicine and discuss their actions in relation to the organs, 5 tastes, and constitution. References should be listed at the end of publication. Master Herbalist students will be required to write an additional paper based on research articles.
Case Conferences- As you begin using herbal medicine to treat people (friends, family, or clients) it will be required that you document at least 5 cases and turn them in according to the protocol (listed with the herbal documentation form). These will not be given a grade but will be gone over and discussed with the student. Master Herbalist students must document 15 cases including follow-up appointments.
Herbal Remedy Making: Students must select two herbal remedies and make it from scratch, compiling a list and giving details on the process. Master Herbalist students must make 6 different herbal remedies.
Final Examination 100 points
Book Report 50 points
Herbal Remedy Making 50 points
Reading list
James Green, Ajana Green- The Herbal Medicine Maker's Handbook: A Home Manual (All Levels)
Dorothy Hall- Creating Your Herbal Profile (Herbalist and Master Herbalist Certification)
Wynn Kapit, Lawrence M. Elson-The Anatomy Coloring Book (Herbalist and Master Herbalist Certification)
Ted Kaptchuk- The Web That Has No Weaver: Understanding Chinese Medicine(Herbalist and Master Herbalist programs).
Springhouse publishing- Anatomy and Physiology Made Incredibly Easy! (Herbalist and Master Herbalist programs).
Michael Tierra- Planetary Herbology: An Integration of Western Herbs into the Traditional Chinese and Ayurvedic Systems. (Herbalist and Master Herbalist programs).
Mathew Wood- The Book of Herbal Wisdom: Using Plants as Medicine.(Herbalist and Master Herbalist programs).
Mathew Wood- Vitalism: The History of Herbalism, Homeopathy and Flower Essences (Herbalist and Master Herbalist programs).
Books are mandatory unless noted and questions from books will be discussed in forums and may be used in the final exam.
Students enrolled in the certification program will receive a glossary of medical, botany, and herbal terms, a book of native plants, and a copy of Dawn's manuscript/book.
Cost of the online "Lay Herbalist" Program is $500.00
Cost of the online "Herbalist Certification Program" is $1,000.00
Payment plan is available.
Cost of the Master Herbalist program will be $1200.00
