Introduction to Herbal Medicine

Get practical with natural remedies.

The Cengage Education Herbal Medicine course is designed to give students a basic overview of herbal medicine. Students will gain the skills and knowledge required for preparing simple infusions, decoctions, inhalations and creams; they will learn about the history of herbal medicine; and will discover how herbal medicine can help treat disorders of the nervous system, the urinary system and the respiratory system.

On completion of your course:

Upon successful completion of all course modules you will be issued a Cengage Education Introduction to Herbal Medicine Certificate.

Key areas of learning:

  • The importance of history in the contemporary practice of herbal medicine
  • The history of herbal medicine including the main proponents
  • Principles of traditional Chinese medicine and Ayurvedic medicine
  • Australian individuals and organisations involved in herbal medicine
  • Principles of herbal treatment
  • Therapeutic treatment strategy according to Mills and Bone
  • Understand the issue of perceived causes
  • Appreciate the critical role of case taking
  • The various types of herbal preparations used in contemporary practice
  • The treatment principles underlying Western herbal medicine and how it applies to treatment of chronic and acute conditions
  • Knowledge of philosophical tradition of science/Western medicine
  • General understanding of the role of herbal medicine within the modern health care system of Australia
  • Awareness of the safety and quality issues, and cautions, contraindications and complications surrounding the use of herbal medicines in the context of the training provided in this course
* Terms and conditions apply
Course Number A0098
Course Type Correspondence
Course Duration Max 18 months
Study Hours Approx 300 hrs
Qualification Cengage Certificate

Learning periods

This course is divided into 3 learning periods.

Assessment details

  • 3 written exams
  • 3 multiple choice exams

Computer Requirements

Internet access may be required for research in some learning activities

Extra learning materials included

  • Holistic Herbal-textbook
  • Green Pharmacy-textbook
  • Materia Medica-manual
  • Principles & Practice of Phytotherapy-textbook

Entry requirements
Cengage Certificate, Statements of Attainment, Certificate I & Certificate II courses

No entry requirements apply to these courses.

English Language Requirements:

If English is your second language and you did not complete the last two years of secondary education in English you are required to provide evidence of English language competence before enrolling. Examples of appropriate evidence are:

Evidence

Example

IELTS

Overall score of 5.5

TOEFL

530 (paper), 197 (computer) or 71 Internet.

Evidence of employment in an English speaking country.

12 month period of employment: Letters of Appointment, Letters of Reference, Testimonials, Performance Appraisals etc

Not sure if you meet the entry requirements?
Please call 1300 853 033


Subjects You’ll Cover

Introduction to herbal medicine:

  • History of Western herbal medicine
  • Growing collecting and preparing herbs
  • Principles of Western herbal medicine
  • Introduction to herbal Materia Medica

Principles of herbal treatment:

  • Principles of herbal treatment
  • Cleansing
  • Heating and cooling
  • Tonification
  • Approaches to using herbs

Introduction to pharmacognosy:

  • Principles of pharmacognosy

Classification of medicinal herbal medicines – Materia Medica:

  • Adapogen
  • Alteratives
  • Anthelminitic

Introduction to case taking. Nature of Acute Diseases:

  • Lymphatic system and immunity
  • Anatomy and physiology of the lymphatic
  • Infection and inflammation

Therapeutic approach to acute disorders, Materia Medica for immunity and support:

  • Treatment principles in acute conditions
  • Materia Medica for the immune system
  • Immune stimulants
  • Anti-Inflammatories
  • Nutritives

The gastro intestinal tract (GIT):

  • Materia Medica for the GIT
  • Bulk demulcents
  • Stimulating laxative
  • Mild purgatives
  • Astringents
  • Vermifuges
  • Antispasmodics
  • Digestive stimulants
  • Bitter tonics
  • Anti-inflammatories
  • Treating acute conditions of the GIT
  • Constipation, diarrhoea pain and loss of appetite
  • Dyspepsia
  • Flatulence
  • Poor digestion
  • Reflux

The respiratory system:

  • Materia Medica for the respiratory system
  • Expectorants
  • Anti-tussives
  • Diaphoretics
  • Anti-catarrhal
  • Treating acute conditions of the respiratory system
  • Sore throat
  • Fever
  • Common cold and influenza
  • Influenza
  • Acute bronchitis
  • Rhinitis/Hay fever
  • Allergic Rhinitis (hay fever)

The integumentary system:

  • Materia Medica for the skin
  • Treating acute conditions of the skin
  • Boils, abscesses and skin ulcers
  • Burns
  • Acute Otitis Media

Herbal treatment principles:

  • Philosophical principles
  • Western herbal medicine’s philosophical principles
  • Western herbal medicine’s therapeutic strategy
  • Therapeutic strategies
  • Constitution
  • Treating the cause versus treating the symptoms
  • Aspects of cause and symptoms
  • Aspects and severity of presenting symptoms
  • Patient’s prerogative

Herbal formulation principles:

  • Formula dosage criteria
  • A thorough approach to designing a herbal formula
  • Herb selection
  • Individual constitution
  • Duration of treatment
  • Preparation of the herb
  • Dosage
  • Herb combination and composition of a herbal formula
  • Safety issues

Dosage and therapeutic principles:

  • Dose information
  • Adult dosage
  • Child dosage
  • Herbal liquid incompatibilitie
  • Drop dosages
  • Prescription records and dispensing

Case studies and treatment plans:

  • Treatment plans
  • Diagnosis
  • Developing and communicating a long-term treatment plan for asthma

Clinical reasoning and the principles of herbal practice:

  • Medical histories

The biliary tract:

  • The biliary tract
  • The liver
  • The gall bladder
  • The pancreas

Materia Medica for the biliary tract:

  • Herbal medicines for the biliary tract
  • Cholagogue
  • Hepatotonic and hepatoproctective

Treating acute conditions of the biliary tract:

  • Liver tonification

Materia Medica for the urinary system:

  • Diuretics
  • Urinary demulcent
  • Urinary astringents
  • Urinary antiseptic

Treating acute conditions of the urinary system:

  • Urinary system disorders
  • Cystitis
  • Urethritis
  • Prostasis
  • Incontinence

Materia Medica for the nervous system:

  • Nervous restoratives/tonics
  • Sedatives
  • Relaxants
  • Analgesics
  • Nervous stimulants
  • Anti-depressants

Treating acute conditions of the nervous system:

  • Stress, anxiety and hyperactivity
  • Depression Headaches

* Fortnightly payment plans also available –     call our Sales team on 1300 853 033 .

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