Colorado School of Clinical Herbalism is here to guide you through your journey to become a certified clinical herbalist, nutritionist and/or flower essence practitioner. Our comprehensive program prepares students for a life-long journey of personal wellbeing, healthfulness, vitality, and service to others. Below is a quick glimpse of how it works. You can complete our entire program in less than 2 years and be ready to enter a new exciting and growing career field in the science of herbal medicine.
The classroom training we offer at Colorado School of Clinical Herbalism begins with the 370-hour Fundamentals of Medical Herbalism program (both day and evening tracks) where we learn the tools, terms, and concepts necessary for a solid foundation in Vitalist Western herbalism. The centerpiece of Fundamentals is a 144-hour class integrating physiology, pathology, herbal actions, and Materia Medica. Beginning with the basics of the Vitalist paradigm of healing, we move through the various tissues and organ systems of the body, and the herbs and foods that influence them. Also included are classes in:
- Holistic nutrition
- Field botany
- Plant identification
- Herbal medicine-making
- Flower essences
- Herbs of commerce.
Our classroom studies continue with the 540-hour Advanced Herbalism program. In Advanced, we learn to apply the tools and concepts from Fundamentals and engage in a deeper study of the roots of chronic disease and the influence of Vitalist nutrition and lifestyle practices. We study pharmacology, phytochemistry, toxicology, and safety (side effects and contraindications). Units include Detoxification, Insulin Resistance, and Chronic Inflammation. We also practice advanced herbal pharmacy and formulation, and we begin to develop the clinical skills necessary to meet with clients. The Advanced Program prepares the student for the professional practice of Vitalist herbalism and clinical nutrition.
The Clinical Herbalism Program is designed for second-year students who wish to further develop and apply the skills learned in the Fundamentals and Advanced Herbalism programs at CSCH. Student clinicians learn by coaching multiple clients in Vitalist herbalism, nutrition, and lifestyle changes; develop interview and assessment procedures with live clients; share case write-ups, critiques, and evaluation with senior faculty members and their peers; practice safety and referral screenings; study scope of practice requirements and limitations; create health and wellness educational materials for clients and the public; develop practical apothecary and herbal pharmacy skills, and engage in public teaching opportunities.
The Nutrition certificate program (taken concurrently with the Clinical Herbalism program) focuses on the use of whole foods and medicinal foods to address the sources of chronic disease. In a series of 8-weekend seminars, we cover topics including Food Intolerances and Chronic Inflammation, Food and Mood, the Biochemistry of Nutrition, Sports and Exercise, Obesity and Insulin Resistance, and Eating Disorders. Students practice nutritional education with their clients and write a clinical thesis/capstone project.
The Bach Flower Essences Certificate Program (taken concurrently with the Clinical Herbalism program) completes the student’s training in the vibrational/emotional healing powers of the Bach flower essences. With weekly Materia Medica projects, FE client visits and cases, and a monthly FE Round Table, students will gain hands-on experience in using the essences to help clients evolve throughout their healing process.
The Rocky Mountain Field Botany course is designed to provide a thorough introduction to field botany, positive plant identification, wild-crafting ethics, and sustainable harvesting and preservation techniques for the beginning to intermediate student. The main focus is a hands-on experience, along with a variety of lecture formats and labs. Classes meet on Fridays in the late spring and summer, with two weekends (Fri, Sat, Sun) field trips. Classes will be conducted mainly outdoors, on private lands at various altitudes, and in a variety of local ecosystems.
What is your path?
Students may take Fundamentals and stop there, or Fundamentals followed by Advanced, or Fundamentals through Clinic for complete certification. During Clinic, students may also complete their Nutrition and/or Flower Essence certificate programs. Rocky Mountain Field Botany is a stand-alone course that may be taken with or without any of the other programs.
Why choose Colorado School of Clinical Herbalism?
Other programs don’t provide the intensive, practical, and science-based curriculum we offer at Colorado School of Clinical Herbalism. We are an approved school educator by the State of Colorado’s Division of Private Occupational Schools (DPOS) and a Member School of the American Herbalists Guild.
About
The Colorado School of Clinical Herbalism, Inc., offers certificate programs in Fundamentals of Medical Herbalism, Advanced Herbalism, Clinical Herbalism, Nutrition, and Flower Essences. We teach Western herbalism and integrated nutrition in the Vitalist tradition. Click Here to Learn More.
