Growing, Harvesting and Sustainable Sourcing of Medicinal Plants
WHS233
In this 3-part weekend course, students learn about growing, harvesting (including wild harvesting if applicable to region) and sustainable sourcing of medicinal plants. As the field of Herbal Medicine is growing and expanding, concerns regarding ethics of sourcing our plants is imperative for continued survival of our medicinal plants. This course focuses on plants that can grow in the bioregion of Vancouver Island plus plants in the Pacific Northwest bioregion for wild harvesting. Discussions consist of at-risk plants from the United Plant Savers list, Development of Good Wild Crafting Practices, land access, and social movements towards sustainable transparent sourcing. The course includes in-class theoretical lectures and discussions, fieldwork for practical methodology, and take-home readings. This course relies heavily on field trips including plant identification and growing at the People’s Apothecary, Krista’s permaculture herb garden, and in the forest. Students must be prepared to attend field trips in all weather conditions.
Monographs outlining specific growing, harvesting and sustainable sourcing cover plants including:
Achillea millefolium (Yarrow)
Agrimonia eupatorium (Agrimony)
Alchemilla vulgaris (Lady’s Mantle)
Althae officinalis (Marshmallow) – discussion regarding Ulmus rubra (Slippery Elm)
Ambrosia chamissonis (Ragweed) *
Angelica archangelica (Angelica)
Arctium lappa (Burdock),
Artemisia absinthum (Wormwood)
Artemisia suksdorfii (Coastal Sagewort) *
Artemisia vulgaris (Mugwort)
Avena sativa (Oats)
Calendula officinalis (Calendula)
Caulophyllum thalictroides (Blue Cohosh) *
Cimicifuga racemosa (Black Cohosh) *
Crataegus spp (Hawthorn) *
Echinacea spp (Purple Coneflower)
Filipendula ulmaria (Meadowsweet)
Glycyrrhiza glabra (Licorice)
Grindelia integrifolia (Gumweed) *
Humulus lupulus (Hops)
Hypericum perfoliatum (St. Johns Wort) *
Inula helenium (Elecampane)
Leonurus cardiaca (Motherwort)
Mahonia aquifolium (Oregon grape) * – discussion regarding Hydrastis canadensis (Goldenseal)
Melissa officinalis (Lemonbalm)
Mentha piperita (Mint)
Plantago lanceolata (Plantain) *
Populus balsamifera/ trichocarpa (Cottonwood) *
Prunus serotina (Cherrybark)
Rubus idaeus (Raspberry Leaf)
Rumex crispus (Yellow Dock)
Sambucus nigra (Elder) *
Scuttelaria lateriflora (Skullcap) *
Silybum marianum (Milk Thistle)
Stacchys officinalis (Wood Betony)
Tanacetum parthenium (Feverfew)
Taraxacum officinale (Dandelion)
Thuja plicata (Cedar) *
Urtica dioica (Nettle) *
Usnea spp (Old Man’s Beard) *
Valeriana officinalis (Valerian)
Verbena hastata (Blue Vervain)
Verbena officinalis (Vervain)
Withania somnifera (Ashwanganda)
* Bioregional medicine of the Pacific Northwest
Prerequisites: BMS112, WHS111 Credits: 3 Hours: 45
