Medicinal Herbs

Overview

Many plants or plant combinations are poisonous. For this reason, it is essential that before using an herb, you are able to POSITIVELY identify it. This course provides an excellent foundation for developing a sound knowledge of medicinal herbs.

Aims of the Medicinal Herbs course from the Warnborough College

• Define the term “medicinal herb” according to both horticultural and naturopathic meanings.

• Compile a resource file of different sources of information regarding medicinal herbs.

• Distinguish between different plant families which common medicinal herbs belong to.

• Prepare a plant collection of different medicinal herb varieties.

• List different medicinal herbs which were often used more than one hundred years ago, but are no longer commonly used.

• Identify modern trends in the use of herbs in medicines in your country.

• Discuss the role of home remedies in modern society.

• Discuss the role of the naturopath in modern society.

• Summarise the history of medicinal herbs since early civilisation, to modern times.

• Explain the characteristics of different types of chemicals found in medicinal herbs.

• Write brief definitions to explain the mode of action of different herbal medicines.

• Write an essay describing the chemical actions which different herbs have upon the human body.

• Explain various factors which can influence the effectiveness of active constituents of a herb.

• List herbal remedies derived from different commonly grown herbs.

• Identify the morphological parts of different herbs which are used medicinally.

• Explain thoroughly how to prepare different types of simple medicines, including a: *Poultice *Infusion *Decoction *Tincture.

• Develop a list of safety procedures to follow when preparing a given herbal medicine.

• Explain methods to administer six different herbal medicines which are safe and appropriate for an unskilled person to make and use at home. (ie. medicines which do not have any dangerous risks if prepared or administered incorrectly).