Herbal Medicine from Coursera

There is strong demand for alternatives to pharmaceuticals for a variety of common illnesses due to concerns of safety, efficacy, and a desire for more “natural” products. Despite this growing interest, “conventional” healthcare providers may have little to no knowledge about herbal medicines, which is further compounded by the sometimes misleading information in the media and on the internet. This course provides the necessary background for providers to begin to incorporate herbal medicines into their practice, particularly in regards to their therapeutic properties, efficacy (or lack thereof), and safety concerns, including quality control and potential adverse effects.

Continuing Education Credit

This course has been designed to meet Minnesota Board of Nursing continuing education requirements for 16 contact hours and may be eligible for CE credit from other professional boards that allow self-documenting of continuing education activities. It is your responsibility to check with your regulatory board to confirm this course meets your local requirements and, if necessary, to provide them with the certificate of completion you get if you pay for and fulfill all the requirements of this course.

What's inside

Syllabus

Herbal Medicines in Healthcare

Using Botanicals Safely

How Do Botanical Medicines Work?

Botanical Medicines for Mental Wellbeing, Women's Health, and Musculoskeletal Pain

Botanical Medicines for Upper Respiratory and Skin Conditions

Skills Workshop: Final Project

Botanicals for GERD, GI and Liver Disorders, and UTIs

Good to know

Know what's good

, what to watch for

, and possible dealbreakers

Introduces learners to the therapeutic properties of herbal medicines, a rapidly growing field

Provides a strong foundation for healthcare providers who want to incorporate herbal medicines into their practice

Covers a wide range of herbal medicines for various common illnesses, including mental wellbeing, women's health, musculoskeletal pain, upper respiratory and skin conditions, GERD, GI and liver disorders, and UTIs

Provides guidance on the safe and effective use of herbal medicines, including quality control and potential adverse effects

Instructed by Amy Taylor, MD, who has expertise in herbal medicine

May require learners to have some prior knowledge in healthcare or herbal medicine

Reviews summary

Empowering learners with herbal medicine

Learners say this course provides a comprehensive foundation in herbal medicine. According to students, it thoroughly covers topics like botanical actions, safety considerations, and appropriate applications. The course emphasizes evidence-based research and clinical relevance. Learners highly recommend this course for those seeking a solid introduction to herbal medicine.

Learners highly recommend this course for those seeking a solid introduction to herbal medicine.

"Learners highly recommend this course for those seeking a solid introduction to herbal medicine."

Learners appreciate the course's focus on clinical relevance, which helps them understand the practical applications of herbal medicine.

"The course emphasizes clinical relevance."

The course emphasizes evidence-based research, ensuring that learners are equipped with scientifically sound information.

"The course emphasizes evidence-based research."

This course provides a strong foundation in herbal medicine, covering essential concepts such as botanical actions and appropriate applications.

"This course provides a comprehensive foundation in herbal medicine."

"It thoroughly covers topics like botanical actions, safety considerations, and appropriate applications."

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Herbal Medicine with these activities:

Review topics of botany and other natural medicinal topics

Show steps

Review topics of botany and other natural medicinal topics in advance, this could help solidify the foundational knowledge before the course begins.

Show steps

Review the different parts of a plant and their functions.
Learn about the different ways that plants can be used for medicinal purposes.
Research the different types of herbs and their potential health benefits.

Start a journal to track your progress in learning about botanical medicine.

Show steps

Starting a journal to track progress and takeaways from the course can help with active recall and knowledge gaps.

Browse courses on Herbal Medicine

Show steps

Choose a notebook or journal.
Write down your thoughts, questions, and insights about the course material.
Review your journal entries regularly.

Discuss botanical terms and definitions with peers.

Show steps

Discussing botanical terms and definitions with peers can help clarify any misunderstandings and reinforce the learning.

Browse courses on Herbs

Show steps

Meet with a group of peers to discuss botanical terms and definitions.
Share your own understanding of the terms and definitions.
Discuss any questions or concerns that you have about the terms and definitions.

Four other activities

Expand to see all activities and additional details

Show all seven activities

Practice identifying different types of herbs.

Show steps

Physically looking at and identifying different herbs and plants can help commit this information to memory.

Browse courses on Herbs

Show steps

Visit a local herb shop or botanical garden.
Look at different types of herbs and try to identify them.
Take notes on the different characteristics of each herb.

Review the book "The Herbal Medicine-Maker's Handbook" by James Green.

Show steps

Reviewing this extensive handbook on herbal medicine preparations can expand your understanding of the therapeutic properties of various plants.

View The Herbal Medicine-Maker's Handbook on Amazon

Show steps

Read the book.
Take notes on the different herbal preparations described in the book.
Try out some of the recipes in the book.

Follow tutorials on how to prepare your own herbal medicines.

Show steps

Following tutorials and attempting to prepare medicines can provide hands-on, practical application of the information learned.

Browse courses on Herbal Medicine

Show steps

Find a reputable source for herbal medicine tutorials.
Follow the instructions in the tutorials carefully.
Experiment with different herbs and recipes.

Create a poster or infographic on the different uses of botanical medicine.

Show steps

Creating a visual aid such as a poster or infographic can aid in information retention and practical application of herbal medicines.

Browse courses on Herbal Medicine

Show steps

Choose a topic related to the uses of botanical medicine.
Research the topic and gather information.
Create a poster or infographic that presents the information in a clear and concise way.

Career center

Learners who complete Herbal Medicine will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Clinical Herbalist

Clinical Herbalists treat a wide range of conditions using herbal medicines. They typically work in private practice or in conjunction with other healthcare providers. This course provides a solid foundation in the therapeutic properties, efficacy, and safety of herbal medicines, which is essential knowledge for Clinical Herbalists. The course also covers topics such as quality control and potential adverse effects, which are important considerations for anyone working with herbal medicines.

See salaries and explore the career path for Clinical Herbalist

Naturopathic Doctor

Naturopathic Doctors are licensed healthcare professionals who use a variety of natural therapies, including herbal medicine, to treat and prevent illness. This course provides a strong foundation in the scientific basis of herbal medicine, which is essential for Naturopathic Doctors. The course also covers topics such as safety and efficacy, which are important considerations for anyone working with herbal medicines.

See salaries and explore the career path for Naturopathic Doctor

Medical Herbalist

Medical Herbalists are healthcare professionals who use herbal medicines to treat and prevent illness. They typically work in private practice or in conjunction with other healthcare providers. This course provides a strong foundation in the scientific basis of herbal medicine, which is essential for Medical Herbalists. The course also covers topics such as safety and efficacy, which are important considerations for anyone working with herbal medicines.

See salaries and explore the career path for Medical Herbalist

Pharmacist

Pharmacists are responsible for dispensing medications and providing information about their use. They may also work in research and development of new drugs. This course provides a foundation in the scientific basis of herbal medicine, which can be helpful for Pharmacists who want to learn more about natural therapies. The course also covers topics such as safety and efficacy, which are important considerations for anyone working with herbal medicines.

See salaries and explore the career path for Pharmacist

Physician Assistant

Physician Assistants are healthcare professionals who work under the supervision of a physician. They perform a variety of tasks, including taking patient histories, performing physical exams, and prescribing medications. This course may be helpful for Physician Assistants who want to learn more about herbal medicine and how it can be used to treat and prevent illness.

See salaries and explore the career path for Physician Assistant

Nurse Practitioner

Nurse Practitioners are healthcare professionals who provide primary care to patients. They can prescribe medications and perform a variety of procedures. This course may be helpful for Nurse Practitioners who want to learn more about herbal medicine and how it can be used to treat and prevent illness.

See salaries and explore the career path for Nurse Practitioner

Registered Dietitian

Registered Dietitians are healthcare professionals who provide nutrition counseling and education. They can help people improve their health and manage chronic conditions. This course may be helpful for Registered Dietitians who want to learn more about the role of herbal medicine in nutrition and health.

See salaries and explore the career path for Registered Dietitian

Health Coach

Health Coaches help people improve their health and well-being. They may work with individuals or groups to provide support and guidance on a variety of health-related topics. This course may be helpful for Health Coaches who want to learn more about the role of herbal medicine in health and well-being.

See salaries and explore the career path for Health Coach

Massage Therapist

Massage Therapists use massage techniques to promote relaxation and relieve pain. They may also work with clients to improve their overall health and well-being. This course may be helpful for Massage Therapists who want to learn more about the role of herbal medicine in relaxation and pain relief.

See salaries and explore the career path for Massage Therapist

Yoga Instructor

Yoga Instructors teach yoga classes to help people improve their physical and mental health. They may also work with clients to develop personalized yoga practices. This course may be helpful for Yoga Instructors who want to learn more about the role of herbal medicine in yoga and how it can be used to enhance the benefits of yoga practice.

See salaries and explore the career path for Yoga Instructor

Herbal Product Developer

Herbal Product Developers create and develop herbal products, such as supplements, teas, and tinctures. They may work for companies that manufacture and sell herbal products. This course provides a strong foundation in the scientific basis of herbal medicine, which is essential for Herbal Product Developers. The course also covers topics such as safety and efficacy, which are important considerations for anyone working with herbal medicines.

See salaries and explore the career path for Herbal Product Developer

Herbal Educator

Herbal Educators teach about the uses and benefits of herbal medicine. They may work in a variety of settings, such as schools, community centers, and health food stores. This course provides a strong foundation in the scientific basis of herbal medicine, which is essential for Herbal Educators. The course also covers topics such as safety and efficacy, which are important considerations for anyone working with herbal medicines.

See salaries and explore the career path for Herbal Educator

Herbalist

Herbalists use herbal medicines to treat and prevent illness. They may work in private practice or in conjunction with other healthcare providers. This course provides a strong foundation in the scientific basis of herbal medicine, which is essential for Herbalists. The course also covers topics such as safety and efficacy, which are important considerations for anyone working with herbal medicines.

See salaries and explore the career path for Herbalist

Acupuncturist

Acupuncturists use acupuncture to treat a variety of conditions. They may also work with clients to improve their overall health and well-being. This course may be helpful for Acupuncturists who want to learn more about the role of herbal medicine in acupuncture and how it can be used to enhance the benefits of acupuncture treatment.

See salaries and explore the career path for Acupuncturist

Chiropractor

Chiropractors use spinal adjustments to treat a variety of conditions. They may also work with clients to improve their overall health and well-being. This course may be helpful for Chiropractors who want to learn more about the role of herbal medicine in chiropractic care and how it can be used to enhance the benefits of chiropractic treatment.

See salaries and explore the career path for Chiropractor