Herbal medicine
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Apply natural medicine for the benefit of yourself and others. The demand for trained herbalists is growing. Two-thirds of Americans say that in the next year, they expect to be taking herbs daily, and that this will be a significant part of their health care program. Do you want to learn how to apply effective natural medicine in the lives of clients or those close to you? Are you interested in learning about herbalism from seasoned herbalism experts? The Institute for Health Professionals’ Herbalism Professional Series provides an affordable way to learn about herbalism from experienced leaders in the field.
The program
This online, 3-module series teaches you fundamentals for using herbal techniques as restorative health care. All modules are taught via a live-streaming, online classroom, enabling students to meet together and ask questions of the instructor in real time. The modules can be taken in any order.
Certificate
Upon completion of all three modules, you will receive a Certificate in Professional Herbalism from the Health and Emergency Professions department at PCC. You will then be eligible for a second year of study (Modules 4, 5, and 6) offered through the same instructor, KP Khalsa, at his school.
Fall module: herbal healing
The herbal healing module will teach you about:
- Materia medica, the study of specific herb properties
- Herbal energetics
- Herbal preparations and plant chemistry
- Chinese and Ayurvedic herbalism
- Modern phytotherapy
- Digestive and cardiovascular systems
- Integrative healing: aromatherapy and homeopathy
Winter module: herbs and health
The herbs and health module will include:
- Study of specific herb properties
- Ayurvedic and Chinese herbalism
- Respiratory, urinary, and nervous systems
- Preparations and plant chemistry
- Integrated healing: vitamins and minerals
Spring module: holistic herbalism
The holistic herbalism module focuses on:
- Study of specific herbal properties
- Western herbal energetics
- Preparations and plant chemistry
- Skin and topical therapies
- Chinese and Ayurvedic herbalism
- Reproductive, musculoskeletal, immune, and endocrine systems
- Herbalism for young and elderly
- Integrative healing: diet, cleansing, herbal hydrotherapy
Format
- Students meet in an online, interactive environment on Wednesdays.
- Live-streamed lectures are offered at 2:00-4:45pm (Pacific) and from 5:45-8:30pm (Pacific). Note: Lectures cover identical material, and students can choose to attend either lecture.
- From 4:45-5:15pm and 8:30-9:15pm Pacific, you will have the opportunity to participate in “office hours”. During this time, you can speak with the instructor and pose individual questions or scenarios of your interest. Office hours are not required, but provide a direct line to your instructor in order to assure understanding and receive any necessary clarification.
Is the Herbalism Professional Series for me?
This program is for you if you want to:
- Enhance your herbalism skills
- Become a credentialed professional herbalist
- Enter the rapidly expanding complementary medicine field
- Have a career in natural health or the organic food industry
Possible career opportunities to consider after the training:
- Private practice, consultations
- Consultant, freelance, industry
- Writing
- Education
- Manufacturing
- Wholesaling
- Retailing
- Sales representative
- Import and export
- Research and development
The investment
Time
Each module lasts 1 term, or 3 months. You can complete all 3 terms within a year.
Tuition
- $999 per module
- Additional costs include:
- Book fees, which vary for each term
- Headset with a microphone
Books
The following is the list of books required for the Herbalism classes; the books are utilized in each term of the program, thus only need to be purchased for your first term. Books can be found at new and used bookstores and at most online book sites. Many of these books have older or newer editions. These are acceptable. Read appropriate comparable sections.
The instructor
Karta Purkh Singh Khalsa
Karta Purkh Singh Khalsa, Yogaraj (Ayurveda), AD, DN-C, RH, has over 50 years of experience in alternative health. Khalsa is President Emeritus and Global Ambassador of the American Herbalists Guild, and director emeritus of the National Ayurvedic Medicine Association. He has presented at over 200 national conferences, been featured in over 20 DVD continuing education courses and has authored or edited over 30 books. Khalsa is a professor at Massachusetts College of Pharmacy, faculty instructor in the Botanical Medicine and Ayurvedic Sciences Departments of the National College of Natural Medicine and Bastyr University, where he directs the Ayurveda certificate program. He is the first person to be board-certified in Herbalism and Ayurveda.
He is a state-certified dietitian-nutritionist (New York), a nationally registered herbalist, and holds a doctorate in Ayurveda. Khalsa is the author of over 3,000 published health articles. He was the principal medical formulator for Yogi Tea, an Ayurvedic medicinal tea company; Peace natural products, where he created an extensive line of Ayurvedic body care products; and the principal developer of the Soothing Touch Ayurvedic massage product line.
At Portland Community College, Khalsa is the curriculum creator and principal instructor of the Professional Herbalism program. He lives in the Northwest with his family.
FAQs
Who can enroll?
You must be a high school graduate, and some college experience is recommended. Our students represent a broad demographic: twenty-somethings to retirees, health professionals, those looking to make a career change, individuals without college education, individuals with Master’s degrees, those needing continuing education hours only, etc.
Do I need computer skills to take this program?
Students should have basic to intermediate computer savvy. High-speed internet access (DSL, cable modem, or satellite) is required in order to meet online learning technical requirements.
Do I need to complete work outside of lecture times?
Students should expect to invest a minimum of 2-3 hours of study time for every hour of lecture.
Does this program qualify me to become certified through the American Herbalists Guild?
The PCC Herbal Medicine Program provides the first half of your training toward the American Herbalists Guild recognition. Once you have completed the “Year 1” programs (consisting of all 3 modules, which can be completed in any order), you can complete the remaining 3 modules with our instructor outside of PCC. You will then have obtained substantial academic knowledge toward applying for professional membership in the American Herbalists Guild, the only professional association representing herbalists in the United States.
Is this program transferable or a credit program?
The Herbal Medicine Program curriculum is a continuing education unit (CEU) program. It is noncredit, does not offer a degree, and is not directly transferable to another school (they may count it towards their credit for prior learning). The program does, however, provide high-quality knowledge and skills that can be applied towards many professions and health careers.
Can I qualify for financial aid?
This program does not qualify under Federal Financial Aid. We can, however, accept most grants, scholarships, and educational stipends that you obtain. We also accept third-party payments from employers. Additionally, we offer interest-free payment plans.
Do you offer payment plans?
PCC gladly offers payment options for students. These payment plans are interest-free and can be easily set up once you are registered for the class. To learn more about payment plans, please visit PCC Payment Plans.
You can select your preferred payment plan through your MyPCC account, or by calling the Business Office. They can be reached at 971-722-8888 option #3.
Do I have to complete the modules in any specific order?
No, each module is independent of the others and can be taken in any order.
What is “live-streamed, online”?
The live-streamed classes for Modules 1, 2, and 3 are delivered through Zoom. This allows students to participate in real-time virtual lectures every Wednesday. While students are encouraged to attend all live lectures, recordings of each session are available for students who cannot attend the lectures during the scheduled time.
Have a more specific question?
For more information email Amy Evans at amy.evans3@pcc.edu [opens in new window].
Testimonial
“Taking KP’s class has given me an excellent foundation to know my way around herbs. I value his practical clinical herbalist experience which has served as a guide while I start my own practice. At first, I started listening to podcasts and heard KP interviews at various shows. His experience in managing migraines was especially interesting to me because I have family who suffer from migraines. When I searched the Internet, I learned he offered deep intensive courses long enough to learn something but short enough to be manageable. I also learned he taught the first year of herbalist training under the PCC and signed up for the first course. I work full-time and cannot join the live class all the time but I always try to do so as much as possible. I find if I participate in the class, I retain more. It has been my experience that I get as much back as I put in. I especially enjoyed the exercises where I can bring my opinion on a topic. I have completed all the courses under Year 1 and feel I have come a long way from where I started. My friends and family are starting to reach out to me for advice and I am actually able to help them with some recommendations. I am looking forward to Year 2 where I can further share experiences from my own specific cases.” Consepcion A.
Upcoming integrative healthcare courses
Register now
- Find the CRN of your course from the class schedule.
- Then, register:
- Online: Visit the Continuing Education registration page. If this is your first time registering, create an account. If you are a returning student, click on “Register in MyPCC”.
- Phone: Call 971-722-8888, option 2.
Need help? Get detailed information on how to register and how to pay.