Herbal Medicine-GRD

Herbal medicine is a complex, multi-disciplinary field that is best understood by embracing varied perspectives and ways of knowing. This course provides an exploration of the historical and modern use of herbal medicine informed by traditional knowledge, modern science, and personal experiences. Students discuss various disciplines of herbal medicine and develop research literacy skills to support a contemporary evidence-informed perspective. Through formative and summative assessments, including scholarly summaries, students develop a framework for their understanding of herbal medicine. [3 credit]

This course investigates approximately 30 of the most commonly used herbal medicines and related supplements in the United States. Each herb will be discussed from the ethnobotanical perspective as well as the modern phyto-therapeutic perspective, with a focus on pharmacological understanding and relevant clinical trials. Special emphasis will be placed on topics relevant to the contemporary clinician, including quality control, interactions, and other safety parameters of each herb covered. This course provides the student with the necessary skills to effectively research herbs not covered in the class. Prerequisite: HRB-600. [ 3 credits ]

This course investigates how the endocannabinoid system provides a foundation for rational cannabis therapeutics and formulation. Students learn the role and mechanisms of the endocannabinoid system in regulating biological functions in health and disease. They gain an understanding of the basic components of the endocannabinoid system including different types of cannabinoids and cannabinoid receptors. The course explores endogenous cannabinoids made by the body as well as the modulatory effects of phytocannabinoids (e.g., THC and CBD) from cannabis and other medicinal plants. [3 credits]

This course identifies balanced research summaries for pharmacological, toxicological, and clinical research on cannabis with attention to different cannabis chemotypes and phytochemicals. Students learn to describe the evidence base for cannabis as a therapeutic intervention for disease and illness and as a tool for promoting health and well-being. They examine evidence and research gaps regarding both benefits and risks of cannabis use, and utilize current evidence to identify safe and effective cannabis-based therapies and inform decision making in case studies. Prerequisite: HRB-610. [ 3 credits ]

This course explores the opportunities for combining cannabis with other medicinal plants to optimize cannabis' benefits and reduce risks. It reviews pharmacological, toxicological and clinical research as well as the traditional use of candidate medicinal plants. Students apply this information to evaluate cannabis-containing herbal products already on the market as well as to design new products. They learn to formulate a cannabis-containing multi-herb blend for a specific purpose and to explain the rationale behind the product. Emphasis is placed on designing CBD-dominant, hemp-based dietary supplements and wellness products. (This is a non-experiential course; there is no hands-on work with cannabis as part of this curriculum.) Prerequisite: HRB-611. [ 3 credits ]

This course prepares students to identify and evaluate the authenticity and quality of cannabis raw material from federally legal types of cannabis and other medicinal plants. Students learn how to interpret assays and specification sheets required to produce good manufacturing practice (GMP) compliant products. They also learn how to apply procedures associated with GMP compliant manufacturing and herbal dispensary function to ensure the purity, strength, composition and to prevent adulteration of products. (Cannabis-specific discussion will focus on federally legal CBD-dominant products. This is a non-experiential course; there is no hands-on work with cannabis as part of this curriculum.) Prerequisite: HRB-612. [ 3 credits ]

This is primarily a hands-on course providing techniques for harvesting and drying herbs and incorporating them into herbal products and medicinal foods. It provides the basic theory and skills required to manufacture high-quality medicinal herb products for oral and topical application. Students learn the foundational principles of extraction, the properties of common solvents (e.g. water, alcohol and oils) and the solubility of various herbal constituents. Students apply their learning by creating herbal foods and extracts for display at a community herbal products show. In addition to making their own "kitchen pharmacy" preparations, students learn how to evaluate the quality of the wide range of herbal products manufactured by the natural products industry. [3 credits]

This course prepares students to integrate herbal medicine into their respective clinical care discipline. In this course, students explore aspects of herbal medicine associated with clinical practice, such as clinical care consulting, product development consulting, service opportunities, and the creation and management of a simple apothecary. Students evaluate herbal products found in the market and apply traditional knowledge to bridge data holes found in modern research evidence. They investigate the real world of herbal and dietary supplements to discern cost, quality, and safety and use the data to make informed decisions for client care. Prerequisites: HRB-759 and RSCH-601. [ 3 credits ]

A strategic understanding of how to organize an herbal product business can help ensure business success. This includes methods used by entrepreneurial startups and mature corporations to validate manufacturing requirements for third party auditors and certification agencies. The course will review how to select contractors for various elements of the product development process, involving manufacturing, lab testing, supply chain, and business services. Students will engage the material by applying each of the major concepts to plan out a future business structure, culminating in the creation of elements of a business and marketing plan. [3 credits]

Sustainable herbal supply chains are essential to creating reliable and ethical herbal products. Production, purchasing and processing of raw herbs represents the initial stage of herbal supplement manufacture. Students apply principles of botany, chemical ecology, and conservation to explore sustainable production via small and large-scale cultivation and wild plant stewardship. Assignments investigate not only functional production but also the business elements necessary to run a successful enterprise. Prerequisite: HRB-605. [ 3 credits ]

Herbal safety considerations are central to responsible clinical care and product development. Students develop herbal safety profiles, including interaction risks and assess how choices made in the pathway from source plant to herbal products affect the safety of herbal supplements and formulas. Emphasis is placed on the integrating data from traditional knowledge, contemporary pharmacology, and toxicology to evaluate causality in suspected adverse herbal events. When data is incomplete, students explore how to exercise professional judgement in the safe production and clinical application of herbal medicine. Prerequisite" HRB-600. [3 credits]

This course develops the ability of the student to identify and evaluate the authenticity and quality of raw herbal material using organoleptic analysis, microscopic and macroscopic identification, and interpretation of assay and spec sheets. Additionally, chromatographic analysis dispensary practices are introduced. Opportunities to extend dispensary training are available within the Internship course. This course combines analytical rigor of quality control with the whole-system aspects of quality assurance in an industry context. Prerequisite: HRB-705. [3 credits]

In this experiential course, students develop optimal strategies for extraction of herbal products based on the effects of pH on solubility, matrix effects, heat and sonication. The influence of thickeners, stabilizers and carriers is also discussed. Students will learn to identify `fit for purpose` analytical methods, to write analytical specification ranges, to communicate with analytical labs, and to analyze lab reports. Woven throughout the course are formulation processes incorporating extraction and analytical methods, which faculty and peers will review. Prerequisite: HRB-656. [3 credits]

In this course, students learn a unique version of pharmacology that emphasizes traditional classifications based on energetics complemented with modern pharmacological principles and knowledge of the chemical structure of the active constituents in herbal medicines as identified by analytical methods. Reviewing the analytic methods used to detect plant compounds, as well as characterizing the chemical structure that contributes to both the biological activity and potential toxicity, students will enhance their understanding of the unique structural features of these phytochemicals. Knowledge of plant chemistry provides the underpinning of the student`s therapeutic approach by linking the beneficial clinical applications of herbs to classes of chemical compounds responsible for the effects. It also provides a rational for choice of methods in the preparation of herbal medicines. In addition to standard principles, less conventional aspects of pharmacology including the concepts of synergy and hormesis, along with emerging sciences such as pharmacogenomics and systems biology will be covered. Prerequisite: HRB-641. [3 credits]

The purpose of this course is to help students further develop their relationship with individual herbal remedies. In the course we will evaluate the differences between herbs used in similar therapeutic scenarios and in the herbal industry. In addition, learning will center around the development of a narrative to tell a story of the medicinal use of the plant, with an emphasis on botanical classification, parts used, modern and traditional uses, pharmacological properties, dosage and safety issues for a core group of herbal remedies. Prerequisite: HRB-605. [3 credits]

In this course, students explore the framework for their clinical experiences as well as develop the peer cohort which will be central to the clinical work in upcoming trimesters. Students connect with peers to examine and discuss clinical herbalism cases and herbal medicine concepts as preparation for case presentations from each student`s clinical practice. This provides a supportive environment to facilitate acquiring skills needed to design a comprehensive wellness plan incorporating herbal and lifestyle recommendations integrating self-awareness and lesson of nature. Students develop the clinical herbalism skills necessary for them to practice safely, effectively and competently in their own independent practice. Prerequisites: HRB-705, HRB-738 and HRB-759. [3 credits]

In this course, students see clients one-on-one in their clinical practices. Students assess their clients and develop the tools to evaluate and develop individualized plans and goals using herbal medicine in response to the changing needs of the client. The plans are subject to peer review as a supportive and refining influence. Students participate in group facilitation sessions and receive peer feedback about their group experiences. Additionally, students gain experiential hours through writing, presenting, and defending a CARE format case study from their own clinical practice while participating in the inquiry and analysis of fellow students` case studies. Prerequisites: HRB-731 and RSCH-601. [3 credits]

This course educates students in the theory and practice of gathering and interpreting health-related information from the perspective of an herbalist. Students in this course learn to conduct a comprehensive health and wellness interview utilizing a bio-psycho-social model of assessment and develop a clinical strategy and formulations utilizing tools and techniques appropriate to the modern herbal practitioner. Through exercises in formulation and continued exploration of clinical herbalism literature in the field, students will hone their skills in developing strategies for specific clients, including the selection of herbs and the integration of dietary, herbal and behavioral recommendations. The course will expand their recognition of and enhance the importance of client rapport and relationship building in herbal medicine. Prerequisite: HRB-641. [3 credits]

In this course, students summarize and synthesize traditional knowledge, pharmacological, and clinical data to make an informed decision about the application of herbal formulas for their specific clinical settings. This course uses case studies to guide students in building the practical skills and applied knowledge necessary for clinical herbalism practice. Each week, you will investigate a faculty-generated clinical case study through peer to peer interaction. A variety of faculty will support you throughout this course to provide ample opportunities for diverse viewpoints. Emphasis is placed on developing a clearly articulated client assessment and clinical strategy with a well-supported rationale, the corresponding clinical formulation and plan. This course helps students utilize both modern physiological and traditional energetic models in the interpretation of patterns of imbalance and restoration of health. Prerequisites: HRN-738 or NUTR-651B and HRB-605 and ISCI-547A. [3 credits]

In this course, students experience herbal product development research in collaboration with the garden and the dispensary. The training in Botanical Pharmacognosy takes place in phases through mentored learning. The first phase starts with a literature review of production attributes such as the chemical ecology of medicinal plants, process, identification of active and necessary fractions, matrix effects, solubility, extract concentration, organoleptic and analytical measurement of active components. The second phase consists of review of the strength of evidence for identified phytochemical fraction, the dosing, and the clinical mode of action. This culminates in the third phase, which is the final write-up of the results for the justification of the development of the botanical product and/or for publication in peer-reviewed journal. Prerequisite: HRB-653. [3 credits]

The capstone course challenges student problem solving skills in collaboration with a small group of peers. Students will work on real world herbal product design problems that originate from industry archives or representing real, current problems faced by a company in the field of herbal manufacturing. It will provide students an opportunity to interact and network with industry experts in strategizing their best solutions. Students are required to present the results of the study to the MUIH herbal community. Prerequisite: HRB-642. [3 credits]

Students are introduced to the framework of materia medica, the study of the properties, uses and administration of individual herbs. Skilled clinicians will discuss their experience, as the class begins a comprehensive review of approximately 150 herbs. The class focuses on developing the skills necessary for students to research and critically appraise traditional and modern evidence. Students begin development of an authoritative herbal monograph that will be completed in Level III. [2 credits]