Beginning Spring, 2010 (one Thursday & Friday monthly, 7:00pm-10:00pm)

Immerse yourself in the traditional healing art of the West: herbal medicine. For those wishing to practice as herbalists, this year-long program of classroom and directed self-study teaches the ins and outs of the theories underlying traditional Western herbal medicine, concepts of pathology and disease identification and the art of medicine making. You will nourish your healing abilities and leadership qualities, and gain valuable skills in working with a variety of people, plants, and problems on your journey to becoming a herbal healer!

Tuition includes all course materials and examination and certification fees.

The course instructor, Bill Courson, is a graduate ayurvedic practitioner and teacher of ayurveda, and is a certified herbalist, a member of the School of Natural Health Sciences (UK) with certification in advanced herbal medicine and is certified as a Herbal Information Specialist by the American Botanical Council. He has been involved in herbal healing since childhood, and is the author of numerous lectures and articles on the subjects of Eastern and Western traditions in herbal medicine.

The course includes instruction in the following areas:

* Module 1: History, philosophy & systems of Western traditional herbal medicine.
* Module 2: Ancient herbal principles; Ethnic herbal lineages. Thomsonian herbalism; Physicomedicalism; Eclecticism. Energetic, holistic herbal practice vs. non-energetic allopathic practice.
* Module 3: Phytochemistry (herbal therapeutics & biochemistry); categories of herbal action; formulations; routes of administration; dosages; herbal interactions and precautionary considerations
* Module 4: Cardiovascular & respiratory systems
* Module 5: Musculo-skeletal systems & nervous system
* Module 6: Genito-urinary/male & female reproductive systems
* Module 7: Endocrine system; Immune response system
* Module 8: Skin & integumentary-connective tissue
* Module 9: Digestive systems: gastrointestintinal tract, liver, gall bladder, pancreas/spleen, tissue micronutrition, metabolic issues
* Module 10: Detoxification & revitalization protocols; hematopoetic and lymphatic systems
* Module 11: Herbal protocols for psychological issues
* Module 12: Survey of flower essence therapy, homeopathy and other vibrational healing modalities

Successful completion of the course, which requires completion of three examinations and a comprehensive final as well as a research paper, awards the Diploma in Herbal Medicine credential.

Time: 7:00 PM to 10:00 PM: one Thursday & Friday monthly
Tuition: ($1,500.) includes all course materials, examination fees and certification.
Location: Sai Ayurvedic College & Ayurvedic Wellness Center, 9000 S.W. 137th Avenue, Suite 220, Miami, FL 33186.
Contact: (305) 380-0652