Green Medicine: A 4-Month Training in Herbalism

Led by Peeka Trenkle, AHG, DSH with guest teacher Drew DiVittorio, Dipl Ch

Herbal medicine has been in use for thousands of years, each culture having its own unique system based on the herbs of its bio-region. In the last hundred years we have steadily moved away from our ability to use herbs in a daily way for nourishment and healing and have all but lost the ability to use herbs medicinally for treatment of acute illness. We no longer cultivate physic gardens in which families used to grow their own medicine or keep recipe books of remedies that healed illnesses in our communities. Foraging of wild plants for food has also largely been lost as a skill. Industrialization has led to a fear of nature, and several generations have now grown up believing that natural and herbal remedies are quaint but impotent and that pharmaceutical drugs are the only effective treatment for illness.  All the work of healing has been delegated to the "experts," both mainstream and alternative.

This course will give you a comprehensive overview of Western herbs for medicinal and nutritional uses, and our guest speakers will broaden the scope by presenting in-depth information from other various cultures. We will cover each of the body's systems, the anatomy and physiology of each system and its functioning. You will learn about herbs for tonification, herbal treatment programs for illnesses relating to each system and how to prevent illness, promote vitality and maintain balance in the body through the use of herbs.

We will also cover the history of Western herbalism and how we got to where we are now, and the legal considerations of being an herbalist. In addition, we'll discuss the use of herbs in an ecological context so that we can wisely choose the most effective herb and not be using endangered or threatened species.

The herbal materia medica in this course primarily focuses on herbs from the northeast United States, including a few from other regions of North America, in order to foster a bioregional understanding: our region can, in fact, produce all the plants necessary for our healing.

Note: A certificate of completion will be given upon completion of course requirements.

Note: There will be a $30 materials fee for course manual, payable to the instructor at the first session.

COURSE SCHEDULE
Monday sessions (all led by Peeka Trenkle) will be from 7:45-9:45pm. Saturday & Sunday workshops will be from 10am-5:30pm. The field trip will be from 11am-4:30pm.

A Brief History of Western Herbalism
Monday, April 5

Preparations & Dosages
Monday, April 12

The Digestive System & Liver
Monday, April 19

The Respiratory System
Monday, April 26

Herbal Pharmacy: Making Herbal Products
A one-day hands-on workshop with Peeka Trenkle in making extracts, salves, balms, poultices, etc. There will be an $8 materials fee.
Sunday, May 2

The Nervous System & Brain
Monday, May 3

The Endocrine System
Monday, May 10

The Circulatory System: Blood & Lymph
Monday, May 17

Basic Chinese Diagnostic Techniques
with Drew Divitorrio
An introduction to Chinese diagnositic technqiues including pulse taking, tongue and complexion examinations, and reading symptoms and signs.
Saturday, May 22

The Skin
Monday, May 24

Women's Reproductive System
Monday, June 7

Men's Reproductive System
Monday, June 14

Herbal Treatment & Management of Chronic Illnesses: Eastern & Western Approaches
A one-day workshop with Drew DiVittorio.
Saturday, June 19

Seasonal Healing: Herbal Therapeutics and the Cycle of the Year
Monday, June 21

Musculo-Skeletal System
Monday, June 28

Herbal Energetics
Peeka Trenkle will discuss simple techniques for matching herbal qualities with the energetics of an individual’s symptoms, using concepts from Chinese, Ayurvedic and Western herbal systems.
Saturday, July 10

Urinary Tract & Kidneys
Monday, July 12

Materia Medica/Herbal Medicine Chest
Monday, July 19

Case Taking Skills I
Monday, July 26

Case Taking Skills II
Monday, August 2

Field Trip with Peeka Trenkle
We will identify, taste and study herbs and wild foods at Stephen and Robin Larsen's beautiful Stone Mountain Farm in the mid-Hudson valley. There will be an $8 fee.
Sunday, June 6

REGISTRATION AND FEES
A 4-Month Training
April 5-August 2, 2010
& June 6 field trip

Full Payment: 10WHG25LA   Approved for CEUs
$1,200 (No Member Discount)

Payment Plan: 10WHG25LB   Approved for CEUs
$1,350 (No Member Discount)

Automatic credit card payments only.

A nonrefundable deposit of $375 is due upon registration. Three further payments of $325 are due May 3, June 7 and June 28.

CEUs are approved for Nurses & Bodyworkers.

FREE INTRO Class on Monday, March 15, 7:45pm

Peeka Trenkle, AHG, DSH, is an herbalist and homeopath, a professional member of the American Herbalists Guild and a long-time natural health advocate. She has taught the Open Center's Green Medicine training since 1996.

Drew DiVittorio, Dipl Ch, is a national board certified Chinese Herbologist. He received his diploma in Oriental Medicine from the School of Classical Chinese Herbology in NYC. He has a private practice in New York City and Connecticut. www.drewsherbshop.com