Foundation Course
Herbs for Health Diploma Course
A ‘Foundation in Plant Medicine’
at DILSTON PHYSIC GARDEN
At this summer of discovery learn…
the remarkable medicinal power of plants
how to make your own safe home herbal remedies
some of the science & medicine behind herbal medicine
Scroll down for Course Details or: Download Course Handbook (836KB pdf)
'Foundation in Plant Medicine' Course: 10-day diploma only £450
*Please note that we have a maximum of 15 participants per course, so we advise early booking to avoid disappointment.
To book the 10-day Foundation Course email nslperry@gmail.com
or complete the Foundation Course Information & Booking Form and send it - with your deposit of £225 - to Dilston Physic Garden, Corbridge, Northumberland, NE45 5QZ.
This new and innovative Foundation Course series on the power of medicinal plants was a huge success in its first year. Each course is informative, friendly and fun and are complete beginner’s guides - no previous knowledge needed
Discover the remarkable medicinal properties of the plants that grow around you
Learn to use medicinal plants to the treat minor ailments and health issues you encounter in everyday life: make your own Home Herbal Remedies for you and your family.
Uncover some of the fascinating facts behind the principles of herbal medicine.
All our courses are provided by qualified Medical Herbalists and other professionals.
We have 1 scholarship available for 2014 - please email nslperry@gmail.com with why you would like to receive a scholarship.
*The Foundation Course in Plant Medicine takes place over 10 days at the inspirational centre for learning and training, Dilston Physic Garden, set in the beautiful Tyne Valley. It is a hands-on series of courses, on completion of which you receive a Diploma (Dip. Plant Med.) Certificate.
NOTE: The Foundation Course in Plant Medicine is NOT a practitioner course and does not qualify you to become a herbal medicine practitioner or a qualified Medical Herbalist or to individually prescribe herbal medicines in any form – always consult a qualified Medical Herbalist before taking any herb. It does however give you an in depth and working knowledge of herbal medicine.
“May I just say that it has been an amazing summer in the garden and the learning experience has been inspirational. It's quite rare to get interests and belief systems in such a balanced impartial environment that respects a wide range of scientific & holistic backgrounds. That has very much been a positive impact on a personal note. I have enjoyed learning all aspects of herbs, botany and medicine from a great team of people and have been inspired to go on a journey with herbs in some capacity, wherever it leads me to. Thank you once again for sharing your knowledge and passion of herbs, I have found it to be inspiring and informative and will take much information with me.”
Sally Evans, Foundation in Plant Medicine 2012
Foundation Courses 2013
Hedgerow Medicine: Introduction to Herbal Medicine Part I
With Ross Menzies Saturday 25th May 2013 10am-4pm
Hedgerow Medicine Parts 1 & 2 bring herbal medicine alive by focusing on local plants that can be gathered from the wild or easily cultivated. Both sessions are very practical and students will learn how to identify a range of medicinal plants and the techniques used to gather and prepare them. Experience the joy of making a wide range of traditional medicines and preparations using simple ingredients. At the core of these modules is an approach to plant medicine that is deeply respectful of the plants and the wider environment. The Hedgerow Medicine modules will lay the foundations for other modules introducing many of the skills and ideas that will be used or developed as the course progresses.
Ancient Folklore to Modern Medicine: Historical Context of Herbal Medicine
With Jill Schnabel Sunday 26th May 2013 10am-4pm
A look at the rich and fascinating folklore that surrounds many of our medicinal herbs and its place in the context of modern medicine. Herbal Medicine is the oldest form of healing. This course explores some of the earliest historical evidence for the use of plants as medicine and then traces a timeline through to the modern day. Alongside the learned scientific evidence of herb use that led to modern medicine there will be a special focus on domestic herbal traditions and how these can enrich our view of many herbs. Throughout the day we shall be working with herbs from the Physic Garden via guided walks, observations, tastings, quizzes and individual worksheets.
Nature's Pharmacy Part I: Discover your Digestion
With Anne Larvin Saturday 8th June 2013 11am-5pm
A day learning about the crucial and central role of the digestive system in health and disease and finding out how herbs can help both specific problems and promote healthy digestion. Did you know that the gut contains more immune cells than any other area of the body? Did you know that the digestive system produces more serotonin (which affects mood and sleep among many other things) than the brain does? In this full day course we will look at how the digestive system works and find out about its crucial role in our overall health and well- being. The course will give an overview of the anatomy and physiology of the gut and explore herbal strategies can help with specific digestive problems from the mouth downwards, including such problems as indigestion, reflux, IBS, food intolerances, constipation and infections. A range of herbs will be reviewed along with explanations of how they work and how they can be used in the home. Many of the herbs to be discussed are suitable for a range of effects in the body and these will also be highlighted during the day. This one day course links in with the 2 other day courses on Nature’s Pharmacy – Skin & the Nervous System, and Cardio & the Respiratory System – although each 1 day course can be taken on its own.
Green Fingers: Growing, Cultivation, Drying, Seed Saving
With Jill Schnabel Sunday 9th June 2013 10am-4pm
This module is about the joys and skills of gardening and how these can both enhance our relationship with herbs and enrich our understanding of their healing potential. From seed sowing and nurturing your herbs in the garden to gathering herbal medicines in the form of leaves flowers seeds and roots. This course covers the basic techniques of organic growing and then looks in detail at selected medicinal herbs, with specific tips and guidelines for successful production. This module is about the joys and skills of gardening and how these can both enhance our relationship with herbs and enrich our understanding of their healing potential.
Hedgerow Medicine: Introduction to Herbal Medicine Part II
With Ross Menzies Saturday 22nd June 2013 10am-4pm
Please see details in Hedgerow Medicine Part I above.
The Plant Itself: Be engrossed in Botany, Plant Families & Ecology
With Jill Schnabel Sunday 23rd June 2013 10am-4pm
The mysterious botanical world of plants: what we know about them as living organisms and how we strive to categorize and label them as a way of understanding them better. Using the wealth of plants found in Dilston Physic Garden this course will delve into the realms of botany, ecology and plant classification systems as a way of stimulating and expanding our perception of plants and how to work with them. Understanding modern plant classification and becoming familiar with Latin names of herbs can be an invaluable tool in understanding plant relationships....Several of the major plant families (e.g. rose family, daisy family, mint family) will be examined in detail with a focus on their botanical, medicinal and healing qualities. Alongside conventional scientific methodologies space will also be given to discuss alternative ‘energetic’ approaches to plant study. We shall be considering the varying life cycles of different herbs with an opportunity for seed sowing and individual projects.
Nature's Pharmacy Part II:
Uncover secrets of a healthy Skin and Nervous system
With Ross Menzies Saturday 6th July 2013 10am-4pm
The skin – discussion of its important functions. Students will explore how the skin is associated with other bodily systems and how skin problems may be locally caused but also often associated with imbalances in the body. Students will learn how to maintain good skin health and will also explore how diet, fluid intake and lifestyle can have a great influence upon the health of the skin. A number of useful and effective herbs will be studied that can be used to correct a range of skin problems. The nervous system – students will consider the functions of the nervous system and will explore some of the common imbalances - stress is perhaps the most common imbalance having many disruptive effects on a person’s state of health and well being. A range of techniques to reduce stress will be practiced alongside a comprehensive study of herbs that can be used to calm and strengthen the nervous system.
Nature's Pharmacy Part III: Maintain Cardiovascular & Respiratory Health
With Anne Larvin Sunday 7th July 2013 11am-5pm
A day learning about the cardiovascular and respiratory systems in health and disease, and finding out how herbs can help both specific problems and promote healthy heart and lungs. A brief overview of the anatomy and physiology of the cardiovascular and respiratory system will ‘set the scene’ for exploring some of the home herbal remedies that can be used to treat specific conditions. Plants to maintain a healthy heart and lungs will be reviewed but we will also look more widely at herbs to treat conditions such as headaches and migraines, varicose veins, and Reynauds disease. Respiratory conditions discussed will include seasonal infections (and how to treat them with or without antibiotics), allergies such as hayfever, sinus conditions, and excess catarrh. The course will also review the different methods of delivering herbal treatments from poultices to tinctures; from inhalations to infusions. A range of herbs will be included in this 1 day course along with explanations of how they work and how they can be used safely in the home. Some of the herbs to be discussed you will have already met on the other Nature’s Pharmacy courses, others will be new but all will be discussed specifically in terms of their effects on the cardiovascular and/or respiratory systems.
Clinical Perspectives: Any Questions?
With a panel of professionals Saturday 7th September 2013 10am - 4pm
A session that consists of a morning of Medicinal Flora Monograph Presentations and an afternoon open dialogue with a panel of professionals from different perspectives in the fields of plants, science and medicine. This will give you broader perspectives on plant medicine in medical practice: from self medication of herbal medicines, to the integration of science into the practices of general practitioners.
Optional Subject
Your choice Course from the Workshop Courses - Details & Dates as stated, please note dates are currently for 2012 courses. This course is for Foundation Course participants only. It is an Optional Module that allows you to discover more on an area that interests you most. Select your own choice of subject from the Workshop Courses available. Please note Foundation in Plant Medicine students can only select the courses marked with a ‘ * ’.
MORE INSPIRATIONAL WORKSHOP COURSES!
You can also book a single Workshop Course - just visit our Workshop Course page to see more and to book an inspirational course for 2012.