Materia Medica I

WHS102

Students build relationships with the plant medicines that they will be using to create medicines for their patients. During the classes, students use organoleptic skills to experience the herbs that they are studying, including tasting, smelling and observing. Each herb is tried in various forms including teas and tinctures. Monographs of the herbs are provided and there is discussion and debate amongst students about each herb.

This course examines in depth the following herbs: Angelica sinensis, Allium sativum, Althaea officinalis, Angelica archangelica, Arctostaphylos uva-ursi, Avena sativa, Barosma betulina, Calendula officinalis, Capsicum frutescens, Cimicifuga (Actaea)racemosa, Commiphora mol mol, Crataegus spp., Curcuma longa, Echinacea spp., Filipendula ulmaria, Fucus vesiculosus, Harpagophytum procumbens, Hydrastis canadensis, Inula helenium, Mahonia aquifolium, Matricaria recutita, Panax ginseng, Passiflora incarnata, Piper methysticum, Salix alba, Scutellaria lateriflora, Silybum marianum, Smilax spp., Taraxacum officinalis, Vaccinium myrtillus, Valeriana officinalis and Vitex agnus-castus. Other herbs are introduced, time permitting. Students must complete Materia Medica I prior to taking any other Materia Medica courses. This course is recommended for students during their first two semesters of studies.

Prerequisites: – –    Credits: 3    Hours: 45