Blazing Star Herbal School

website confusion!

It has been brought to my attention that a very old website of mine is being used by a person named "Rodney Wells" to promote his business (melatonin). I have not owned that (blazingstarherbalschool dot org) domain name since he bought from under me in 2003-04. MY classes from that season and logo are still there as is my name. I do not endorse his views/products and am working to have this taken down

Therapeutic Herbalism Apprenticeship 2020- for advanced intermediate students and beyond

 

Please join us in 2020 to continue your studies in Herbalism.

First Day of Class: Thursday March 19th 2020, 9:30-3;3o/4 pm

 

Remaining Class Dates: (all thursdays)

 

March 19

April 2 + 16 +30

May 14 + 28

June 11 + 25

July 9 +23

August 6 + 20

September 3 +17

October 1 +15 + 29

November 5** Please note this is a consecutive date!! +19

December 3+7

 

Make up dates*

Jan 7 + 21

 

All assignments due by March 1st 2021

 

The Therapeutic Herbalism Apprenticeship is geared towards students who have had at least 250 hours of prior herbal training but also for students who work in the medical field and or are caretakers who would like a more holistic and ecological focus. During this 10 month program students continue to gain confidence in their understanding of health and healing while deepening relationships with the plant medicines. Students will become familiar with herbal intakes, and creating holistic health protocols. Students will be expected to continue to improve their medicine making techniques and work on their formulation skills. As always focus is on integrating and balancing physical healing with mental and spiritual health. Great for students who are beginning to think of starting a practice or a business in Herbal Medicine   This program is aimed at the self motivated student who has completed minimally a 10 month intensive program in Herbalism and has had some self study experience.

   

 

This program meets on alternate Thursdays from 9:30 until 4:00pm starting in March 2020 and continuing through Jan 2021.

 

 Though there is a lot of lecture time in this program,  plant connection, meditation, creativity  and medicine making still feature strongly! The Self Care and Deep Nourishment theme explored in great detail during the Beginner Apprenticeship we will continue to feature strongly as  I believe that this is the foundation of good health! There will also be a strong focus on deepening our relationship with plants and we will be studying how several indigenous cultures around the world use plants for healing the spirit as well as the body. Illness is seen as a messenger of disconnection rather than a condition. The goal of the traditional shaman is often not to cure a condition but to remove its cause by restoring in the patient the sense of balance, harmony and reconnection to the sacred and the Earth. It is in the Spirit of the traditional Shaman that I offer this work. 

 

"Nature is not something separate from us. So when we say we have lost our connection to nature, we've lost our connection to ourselves" Andy Goldsworthy

 

 

This program is broken down into the following  study modules:

Module 1 

 -Introduction to Therapeutic Herbalism, Discussion of Resources, Understanding the requirements for graduation and format of this course.

The Cardiovascular System- The Spiritual Heart-our organ of  perception. Importance of heartfelt living and an understanding of true wholistic health! Balancing the Heart Chakra

Pathologies: Spiritual Disease, Hypertension, Myocardial infarction, Coronary artery disease, Atherosclerosis, Peripheral vascular disease, congestive heart failure

 -Detailed Materia- Medica review: Hawthorne Lily of the Valley, Garlic, Prickly Ash, Dandelion leaf, Ginger, Motherwort, Valarian, Amni Visnaga, Gingko, Gotu Kola, Bilberry, Cacao

• Create Protocol for system health
• Spiritual Healing  (*option for independent study)

 

 

Module 2

"All disease begins in the gut" – Hippocrates (over 200 years ago) Research over the past two decades has revealed that gut health is critical to overall health, and that an unhealthy gut contributes to a wide range of diseases including diabetes, obesity, rheumatoid arthritis, autism spectrum disorder, depression and chronic fatigue syndrome.

-The Gastro Intestinal System: a brief overview of the system, Digestive Agni, Gastro-esophageal reflux disease, Gastric/duodenal ulceration, Gall Bladder dysfunction, Hepatitis, Crohn's, Ulcerative colitis, IBS, Parasites, Constipation/Diarrhea, Hemorrhoids

-Detailed Materia- Medica and Review:: Artichoke, Bitter Orange, Catnip, Chamomile, Peppermint, Fennel, Astringents, Bitters, Anththraquinone Laxatives, Meadow sweet, Licorice, Marshmallow, Slippery Elm, Mugwort, Chamomile, Milk Thistle, Wild Yam, Dandelion Root, Grains

- Foods Politics  &  Nourishing Traditions: Gut Healing Nutrition and Recipes, Restorative diets

• Case Studies, and peer review 
•  Create Protocol for system health

Module 3

 -Immunology, Our terrain, your personal ecosystem, the Earth's Immune System, Pathologies of the Immune System- Auto-immunity, Bacterial viral infections, CFS, Fever, Cancer, HIV/AIDS, Lymes

-Detailed Materia- Medica and Review: Immuno-stimulant Mushrooms, Echinacea, Astragalus, Poke Root, Berberine Containing Herbs, Wild Indigo, Willow Bark, Red Clover,  Lycii berries, Teasel

 -Intro to Case Taking and Peer Reviews

- Ecological Health and Healing  (*option for independent study)

 

Module 4

- The Musculo Skeletal System: Understanding bone, connective tissue cardiac and smooth skeletal muscles, Arthritis (osteo, rheumatoid, gout)

Osteoporosis, Injuries, Fibromyalgia, Arthitis

-Detailed Materia- Medica and Review:Comfrey, Arnica, The azulene containing plants, Solomon Seal, Black Cohosh, White Poplar,  Essential Oils, Willow Bark, Osmunda

• Case Studies, and peer review

• - Create Protocol for system health

•  - Integration Clinical Aromatherapy  overview (*option for independent study)

 

Module 5

-The Respiratory System: Asthma, Sinusitis, bronchitis (Chronic, Acute) Hayfever, Allergic Rhinnitis, Occupational Respiratory Disease, Sore Throat, Cough, Colds, Chronic Obstructive airway disease

-Detailed Materia- Medica and Review:- Mullein,  Golden Rod, Coltsfoot, Wild cherry,  Osha, Eucalyptus, Elecampane,  Lobelia, Wild Lettuce, Balm Of Giliad, Grindelia, Sun Dew, Thyme, Elder

• Case Studies, and peer review
• Create Protocol for system health

 

 Module 6

 -The Nervous System and the Brain: Depression & anxiety, Headaches, Migraines Stress, ADHD, Multiple Sclerosis, Neuralgia, Sleep Disorders, Alzheimers

-Detailed Materia- Medica and Review:: Skullcap, Passion Flower, St. John’s Wort, Hops,  Ginseng, California Poppy, Feverfew, Clematis (Virgins Bower) , Kava, Kava, Belladona Containing plants, Indian Pipe,  Jamaican Dogwood, Agrimony, Wood Betony, Blue Vervain,  Linden Blossom

• Case Studies, and peer review 
• Create Protocol for system health 
• Integration Flower Essence Therapy overview (*option for independent study)

   

Module  7

-The Endocrine System: Diabetes, Hypoglycemia, Adrenal Insufficiency, Hypo/Hyper Thyroidism

 -Detailed Materia- Medica and review:Siberian Ginseng, Nettles, Devils club, Seaweeds, Bugleweed, Melissa, Gymnema, Chickweed, Wild Carrot, Ashwaghanda, Blue Flag

• Integration Gems and Crystal Therapy (*option for independent study)
• Create Protocol for system health 
• -Case Studies, and peer review

Module 8

-The Integumentary system (Skin): Excema, Psoriasis, Acne, Fungal Infections, Contact dermatitis Burns, Rashes.

-Detailed Materia- Medica and review:-Burdock, Calendula, Blood root, Tea Tree, aloe Vera, plantain, sarsparilla, Self Heal, Ground Ivy, Yellow dock

 -The Urinary System: Kidney Stones, Cystitis/ interstitial cystitis, incontinence, prostatis,

-Detailed Materia- Medica and Review: diuretics and their mode of action, Cranberry, Buchu, Juniper, Gravel Root, Cornsilk, Uva Ursi, Saw Palmetto

• Case Studies, and peer review
• Create Protocol for system health 

Module 9

-Reproductive System: Menstrual Cycle & problems, Polycystic ovary disease, Endometriosis,  Candidiasis, Vaginitis, Pregnancy and possible disorders of, Breast, Uterine, cervical cancer, Fibroids.

-Detailed Materia- Medica and Review:Vitex, Raspberry Leaf, Evening Primrose and other GLA containing oils, Black Haw Cramp Bark, Blue Cohosh,  Yarrow, Partridge Berry, Shepherds Purse, Dong Quai, Lady’s Mantle

• Completion of Case Studies, and peer review
• Create Protocol for system health 
• Balancing the Chakra (*option for independent study)

Addressed through-out the course are Plant Pharmacology, discussion of the constituents Alkaloids, Glycosides, lipids, Phenols, Polysaccharides, Tannins, Terpenoids, essential oils, saponins. From this discussion students should be able to learn to extrapolate the common medicinal uses from plants based on its constituents. In this section we will also cover dosing in regards to specific considerations such as pediatric, geriatric, Hepatic, effects of smoking and oral contraceptives.

& Medicinal Terminology used to describe the medicinal properties of plants.

 

*** Pre-requisites for this program are to have completed the beginner apprenticeship at BSHS or an equivalent such program at least 250 hours of study***  (Weekly study groups with peers encouraged to really make the most of this program) 

If you are a distance student interested in this course please contact me for more info. 

"To become a true herbalist, means to be sensitive to the being of the herbs, to commune in receptive awareness with the plant-light of the universe. It is to learn to listen when the plant speaks, to speak to the plant as to another human being, and to look upon it as one's teacher".
~Dr David Frawley and Dr Vasant Lad "The Yoga of Herbs”

 

The cost of Therapeutic Herbalism program is $2000

 (A non-refundable deposit of $250 is necessary to hold your spot.)

Pay-in-full  and receive early bird discount and our publication 

The Art of  Connecting with your Plant Ally  (A Guide to a Deeper Connection )

A 50-page visual guide (in PDF form) covering the process of connecting and communicating with your Plant/Herb/Green Ally. Walking you through Sensory Immersions, Plant Sprits/Devas introductions, Practical exercises, Protocols, Worksheets, examples, and personal anecdotes'

or monthly payment plan available.

This class meets every other Thursday 9:30am-4.00pm 

 

Class Preparation/Pre-Requisites

Reading:

1) Braiding Sweetgrass by Robin Wall Kimmerer

2) Thus Spoke the Plant: A Remarkable Journey of Groundbreaking Scientific Discoveries and Personal Encounters with Plants by Monica Gagliano

Assignments:

- Begin to review and tweak your Materia Medica. Have ready to bring to class

 

- If you did not make a "wildcrafting calendar" as part of your initial herbal study please email me and I will send you that assignment. If you did please tweak and have ready to bring to class. 

 

 

    

Therapeutic Herbalism

Full Payment before Dec 30 2019 $1,750.00 USD Deposit $250.00 USD Full Payment after deposit $1,750.00 USD

                                                                                                           

We also accept Venmo and personal checks, and are happy to set up monthly payment plans. 

Apprenticeships are commitments; Commitments of time, Commitments of finances, Commitments with yourself, Commitments with community. Making and keeping a commitment is powerful and the process opens doors to magic, the unknown and deep growth. I am grateful to every student who has chosen to trust Blazing Star Herbal School with furthering their education, I take your commitment seriously and do my best to help you grow as an herbalist and as a human! 

 

"Through my work at Blazing Star, I have come to believe that connection is health. We are part of all that is and all that is is part of us. We are not separate from the ecosystem but a piece of it. I urge anyone who is on the fence to take this training. It will deepen and sweeten your life. 💚"

Lisa Bassi Student 2016-18