Foundation
Western Materia Medica I
Build on the body systems approach: learn 50+ herbs in-depth that support each body system.
Foundation
Western Materica Medica I builds on your herbal foundation following the body systems approach in Herbology 101 & Herbology Advanced. Learn 50+ herbs in-depth that support each body system, tying together all the pieces of learning herbs and their applications.
50+ Herbs
11 Lessons
11 Quizzes
208 Videos
Final Exam
Lifetime Access to Content with 1 Year to Complete
3 Month Access to Herbal Village
Mobile and desktop compatible
Certificate of Completion
Western Materia Medica I and II covers the broad diversity of medicinal and healing plants used by Western Herbalists. This includes medicinal plants and fungi from all over the world with the exception of China and India, which is covered in Traditional Chinese Materia Medica (TCMM) and Traditional Ayurvedic Materia Medica (TAMM).
We start by exploring physiomedical theory and vibrational aspects of medicine. You then continue on with the systems approach, learning 6 or more major botanicals used for various disorders and diseases for each body system, starting with the Digestive System and ending with the Nervous System.
Western Materia Medica I and II can be seen as the “tying it all together” courses in the area of herbs used by Western practitioners for the betterment of their patients and themselves. Learn to assess the person in front of you in our Practical Herbalist Diploma Program and how to create custom herbal formulations for someone using the herbs in the materia medica.
Students will be expected to be familiar with many herbs already, such as those learned in Herbology 101 as well as have at least an introductory background in pharmacognosy as learned in Herbology Advanced.
Western Materia Medica I & II are bundled into (and prerequisites for graduating from) the Practical Herbalist Diploma program. They may also be taken on their own following Herbology 101 & Advanced (or equivalent).
Lesson 1 – Introduction to Physiomedicalism II 19 Videos
1.1 History of Physiomedicalism
1.2 Physiomedical Theory
1.3 Conclusion
Lesson 2 – Vibration Aspects of Materia Medica II 27 Videos
2.1 The Dimensions of Vibration Medicine
2.2 Plant Alchemy
2.3 Doctrine of Signatures
2.4 Herbs as Teachers
2.5 Hypericum perforatum (St. Johns’s Wort)
2.6 Ceanothus americanus (Red Root)
Lesson 3 – The Digestive Tract II 24 Videos
3.1 Botanicals used in diseases of the digestive tract
3.2 Rhamnus purshiana (Cascara sagrada)
3.3 Lobelia inflata (Lobelia)
3.4 Gentiana lutea (Yellow gentian)
3.5 Foeniculum vulgare (Fennel)
3.6 Filipendula ulmaria (Meadowsweet)
3.7 Ulmus fulva (Slippery elm)
Lesson 4 – The Liver II 14 Videos
4.1 Liver Botanicals
4.2 Silybum marianum (Milk thistle)
4.3 Cynara scolymus (Artichoke)
4.4 Taraxacum officinale (Dandelion)
4.5 Chelidonium majus (Celandine)
4.6 Berberis vulgaris (Barberry)
4.7 Raphanus sativa nigra (Black radish)
Lesson 5 – The Cardiovascular System II 17 Videos
5.1 Botanicals used in diseases of the cardiovascular system
5.2 Aesculus hippocastanum (Horse chestnut)
5.3 Capsicum annum var. minimum (Cayenne)
5.4 Convallaria majalis (Lily of the Valley)
5.5 Crataegus oxyacanthoides (Hawthorn)
5.6 Cytisus scoparius (Scotch broom)
5.7 Zanthoxylum americanum (Prickly ash)
Lesson 6 – The Integumentary System II 17 Videos
6.1 The Skin
6.2 Arctium lappa (Burdock)
6.3 Larrea divaricata (Chaparral)
6.4 Viola tricolor (Heartsease)
6.5 Iris versicolor (Blue flag)
6.6 Smilax spp. (Sarsaparilla)
6.7 Achillea millefolium (Yarrow)
Lesson 7 – The Musculoskeletal System II 22 Videos
7.1 Botanicals used in muscle and joint disease
7.2 Actaea racemosa (Black cohosh)
7.3 Piper methysticum (Kava kava)
7.4 Salix alba (White willow)
7.5 Harpagophytum procumbens (Devil’s claw)
7.6 Urtica dioica (Stinging nettle)
Lesson 8 – The Respiratory System II 17 Videos
8.1 Outline of function
8.2 Verbascum thapsus (Mullein)
8.3 Inula helenium (Elecampane)
8.4 Myrica cerifera (Bayberry)
8.5 Prunus serotina, P. virginiana (Wild Cherry)
8.6 Althaea officinalis (Marshmallow)
8.7 Ephedra sinica (Ma huang)
8.8 Tussilago farfara (Coltsfoot)
Lesson 9 – The Urinary System II 16 Videos
9.1 Botanicals used in diseases of the urinary system
9.2 Arctostaphylos uva-ursi (Bearberry)
9.3 Agropyron repens (Couch grass)
9.4 Chimaphila umbellata (Pipsissewa)
9.5 Equisetum arvense (Horsetail)
9.6 Eupatorium purpureum (Gravel root)
9.7 Juniperus communis (Juniper)
Lesson 10 – The Reproductive System II 23 Videos
10.1 Outline Of Function
10.2 Serenoa repens, S. serrulata (Saw palmetto)
10.3 Angelica sinensis (Dong quai)
10.4 Vitex agnus-castus (Chasteberry)
10.5 Rubus idaeus,R. strigosus (Raspberry)
10.6 Chamaelirium luteum (False unicorn)
10.7 Trifolium pratense (Red clover)
Lesson 11 – The Nervous System II 11 Videos
11.1 Botanicals used in diseases of the nervous system
11.2 Valeriana officinalis (Valerian)
11.3 Turnera diffusa (Damiana)
11.4 Eschscholzia californica (California poppy)
11.5 Avena sativa (Milky oats)
11.6 Scutellaria lateriflora (Skullcap)
Final Exam
Once you’ve completed Western Materia Medica 1, you will have learned 55 herbs in-depth to support 9 systems of the body.
There is a clinical focus here influenced by Vitalist principles and the Physiomedical approach, and Amercian Herbalist Michael Moore’s approach of Excess vs. Deficient states.
You will learn the 5 principles to consider before developing a herbal protocol: reviewing eliminative systems of the body, balance/imbalance of the vascular system, balance within autonomic nervous system, assessing the body for any organ weaknesses or deficiencies, and assessing the energy reserves of the vital force of the body.
You will understand and have detailed plant monographs to refer to regarding the nuance, organ and tissue specificity of the herbs in your materia medica, along with research, history of use, dosages, indications, cautions & contraindications.
Begin Your Herbal Journey Today…
Sign up nowCost: $147
Sign up now
$147.00
Select the printed manuals you would like to have included below. You can order more at any time during your membership.
Ready to take your herbal knowledge to the next level?
Foundation
Ready to commit to the plant path? Sign up for our Practical Herbalist Diploma Program-where Herbology 101 is where you embark on your journey to becoming a practising Herbalist.
Whether you are already working with and admire the magic of plants, or you are starting from the beginning following your curiosity or soul’s longing- the Practical Herbalist Diploma Program will empower you with the knowledge to support yourself, your friends and your family with Herbal Medicine.
Become an Herbalist today.