Therapeutic Herablism:

Correspondence Course

Therapeutic Herbalism Overview

Traditional Roots of Herbalism

Course Overview

Therapeutic Herbalism is a foundational course in Western Herbal Medicine designed for those who want to deepen their understanding and skill. Drawing on the comprehensive correspondence course written by David Hoffmann, this program provides both a practical framework and an in-depth exploration of the principles of herbal medicine.

Through this study, you will gain a solid working knowledge of the foundations of green medicine and the art of herbal practice. The course emphasizes applied learning, guiding you to integrate herbal wisdom into a holistic approach to health and well-being.

What You’ll Experience

▸ An introduction to the therapeutic possibilities of herbal medicine within holistic care

▸ Exploration of herbal actions, physiology, and biochemistry

▸ Guidance in selecting and applying herbs within a holistic model

▸ Insights into the relationship between Herbalism and other healing modalities

▸ A practical framework for conducting research and accessing herbal information

▸ A strong foundation in both theory and hands-on application

The Curriculum

Introduction: The role of herbal medicine and its integration with other therapeutic practices

A Model of Wholistic Usage: How to approach herbs within a holistic context

Actions: A detailed study of herbal actions, mechanisms, and affinities with body systems

Course Materials: Ten lessons, over 800 pages of content, an index, and a sturdy binder

Certification

Upon successful completion of all lessons and assignments, you will receive a certificate in Therapeutic Herbalism, acknowledging your achievement and competence in this foundational practice.

Your Journey Awaits

Therapeutic Herbalism is both practical and transformative. It equips you with the knowledge and confidence to apply the wisdom of herbs with care, clarity, and purpose. Whether you choose to integrate this study into personal life, community practice, or professional pathways, this course is an invitation to step into the living tradition of Western Herbal Medicine.

Curriculum: Therapeutic Herbalism

“Ordinarily, pharmacology stops with the individual constituent, but when the synergistic influence of several major constituents working together is evaluated, we understand the plant that treats it as a whole entity—and that is holistic in approach.”~David Hoffmann

- Herbalism, Gaia in Action
- The Gaia Hypothesis
- What are Herbs?
- Herbs, Holism and the paradigm shift
- Therapeutic Ecology
- Complimentary, Alternative or Orthodox?
- Herbalism and Homeopathy
- The International Context of Herbal Medicine
- Intrinsic qualities of Traditional Medicine
- Integration of Traditional & ‘Western’ Medicine
Selection Criteria
- Assessment of the herb’s impact
- Using herbs within the context of a therapeutic system
- A model of holistic Herbal Medicine
- The Actions of Herbs
- Non-Therapeutic selection of criteria
- Classification of Medicinal Plants
- Botany, Pharmacy and Dispensing
- Taxonomic Classification
- Classification of chemical structure
- Classification of Physiological Effect
The Formulation and Preparation of Herbal Medicines
- Internal Remedies- Water-based preparations
- Dry-based preparations
- External Remedies
- Dosage and formulation criteria
- Dosage for children and elders
- Sources of Phytotherapeutic Information
- Emergency Applications
- Actions Strengths and Chemistry Immunity
- Holism and Phytotherapy
- Medicinal Formulations
- Research Updates
- Traditional Pharmacology
- The Digestive System
- The Cardio-Vascular System
- The Lower Respiratory System
- The Upper Respiratory
- The Nervous System
- The Urinary System
- The Reproductive System
- The musculoskeletal System
- The Skin
- Immunity, Holism and Phytotherapy
- Phytotherapy and Children
- Phytotherapy and the Elderly
- A-Z Herbal
- Herbalism, Gaia in Action
- Botany, Pharmacy and Dispensing
- Classification of Medicinal Plants
- Emergency Applications
- Actions Strengths and Chemistry Immunity
- Holism and Phytotherapy
- Medicinal Formulations
- Research Updates
- Traditional Pharmacology
- Immunity and Phytotherapy
- Materia Medica
- Phytotherapy for Children & the Elderly
Projects & Assignments
- Clinical Case Studies
- Formulation Protocols
- Botanical Profile
- Writing a Research Thesis

Part I (The Long-Distance Course) Is the home study part of the course. Study the material and do the lessons at your own pace. Send in the lessons through postal mail or email. We’ll check your lessons, comment, and give you feedback on your progress.

Part II (The Advanced Study & Research) Thesis Project offers you the opportunity to dive deeper into the teachings. Choose an area of study that you feel particularly drawn to in the course that sparks your passion, invites your curiosity, and beckons you to explore. Write a 5,000-word thesis and conduct a research project to be submitted within the course study time. Also, we ask you to offer to your community and document a couple of workshops or lectures to build understanding, expertise and confidence.

One-on-One Sessions

These sessions are available to both support and deepen the learning experience of this course. Three sessions of 40 minutes each can be done over the phone or through Zoom. These are available to guide and advise you on your research thesis project. You must book these sessions in advance once you have sent in your proposed thesis topic.
Your Guide & Adviser: Shantree Kacera

Homework

Homework is sent in upon each lesson’s completion and returned to you. Please keep us posted as to how you’re doing with your projects.

Time Completion

You may complete these lessons on your schedule. But to utilize them to their fullest, we recommend you set up a scheduled time to do each lesson; one evening a week or an afternoon on the weekends will keep your momentum going. The average time to complete the course is about one year. Some students have completed the material in 6 months, while others may take a few years.

We do ask that you complete the course in two years. After the two-year period, if the student fails to complete the course within the allotted period, the time-extension fee is $100 for an additional year.

Questions

One of the specialties of these lessons is the personal attention given to your questions and homework. We invite your comments, favourite herbal recipes, and suggestions.

Certificate

Each student who completes the lessons and ALL the homework will receive a beautiful Herbal Certificate. The Certificate awarded states that you are acknowledged for conducting a thorough, in-depth study of herbalism. This course’s reputation is outstanding and is recognized as superior among other professional herbalists, herbal schools, and holistic centers.

Lessons 1-10 & Beautifully Designed Course Binder

The Therapeutic Herbalism Correspondence Course comes in a specially designed binder. The binder makes keeping your lessons, homework, and other course material easy. The binder will be sent out as soon as we receive your tuition.

Course Books Included

Conscious Living Manual ~ Shantree & Lorenna Kacera
The Holistic Herbal ~ David Hoffmann, MNIMH
Medical Herbalism: The Science & Practice of Herbal Medicine: Principles and Practice ~ David Hoffmann FNIMH, AHG
Adaptogens: Herbs for Strength, Stamina & Stress Relief – David Winston & Steven Maimes
Dictionary of Herbalism ~ Simon Mills, MNINH