The study of individual herbs is a core subject in any herbology course. Contrary to contemporary courses on this subject which follow a superficial theoretical approach, the Plant Journaling for Family Herbalists home study course encourages a practical ‘hands on’ approach called ‘plant journaling’ to acquire an in depth working knowledge of herbs.
It is intended for the serious hobbyist, would be professional and professional herbalist and traditional healer, who wants to use a tried and tested approach to acquiring a working knowledge of individual herbs.
A materia medica, or the materials of medicine, is a vital part of any herbologists arsenal and in this course you will learn how to create a materia medica for both personal and professional use.
Upon completion of Plant Journaling for Herbalists you will be able to:
- Apply the Plant Journaling System to record and classify herbology information.
- Adapt the Plant Journaling System to suit your own individual needs.
- Compile your own Family Materia Medicia (Herbal), consisting of detailed scientific herb monographs, for personal and professional use.
- Select reliable sources of herbology information.
Module 1
Plant Journaling Fundamentals
Ask any practicing herbologist (worth the name ), what’s the best way to learn about herbs and the answer will either be: “One herb at a time!” or “Develop intimate relationships with them!”
In this introductory unit you will familiarize yourself with the Plant Journaling system and you’ll discover how this powerful system can help you develop intimate relationships one herb at a time.
Plant Journaling is deceptively simple. But it takes time to develop and hone your skills. Just be patient with yourself and don’t forget to make liberal use of your Plant Journal to share your experiences.
Upon completion of this Module you will be able to:
- Describe Plant Journaling.
- Define your primary and secondary interest areas.
- Cite your information sources in a scientific way.
- Relate from your own experience what you know about Parsley.
- Make a herbarium specimen. (Optional outcome.)
Module 2
Apiaceae Family Monograph and Parsley Taxonomy
As you’ve discovered in the Basic Herbal Medicine Making course, knowing where, and how, a plant fits into the botanical world is immensely valuable to the family herbalist. This week we rekindle your taxonomy and morphology skills and we focus them on the subject of our study in this course – Petroselinum crispum.
Upon completion of this unit you will be able to:
- Begin your own shortlist of reliable sources of information to add to your herbology library.
- Complete the family monograph for the Apiaceae family.
- Complete the taxonomy section of your Petroselinum crispum monograph.
Assignments:
- Complete your Apiaceae Family Monograph
- Complete your Parsley Taxonomy Section
Module 3
Cultivation Journal and Household Uses Journal
With the taxonomy of the herb completed it is time to shift your focus to the cultivation and uses (or applications) of the herb. And to most herbologists this is why they are here. To get their hands dirty, to explore new ways of cooking with the herb, or to make an ointment, tincture or whatever suits the herb best and tickles your fancy.
The entries into the Family Monograph and Individual Monograph Taxonomy sections stay pretty much the same for all herbologists. But for the remainder of your plant journal (monograph) your personal needs take preference.
This week your work on defining your own Master Journal starts in all earnest.
Upon completion of this module you will be able to:
- Explain the various journal entries used for the cultivation of plants.
- Compile your own Master Herb Cultivation Journal.
- Formulate your own definition of Household Uses.
- Journal the relevant entries in you Parsley Monograph
Assignments:
- Complete your Master Cultivation Journal
- Complete your Household Uses Journal
Module 4
Culinary Journal
This section of your journal will help you develop an in-depth understanding, based on firsthand experience, of the culinary attributes of herbs and food in general. Your culinary journal has the potential to forever change the way you think about food.
Building intimate relationships with the culinary herbs and spices via journaling will soon give you celebrity status amongst those who experience your cooking.
Upon completion of this unit you will be able to:
- List the journal entries used in the culinary journal.
- Compile your own Master Culinary Journal.
- Start working on your own healthy indulgence menu planner. Optional.
- Journal the relevant entries in your Parsley Monograph
Assignments:
- Complete your Parsley Culinary Monograph and Master Culinary Journal
Module 5
Materia Medica and Bath & Body Journal
In our final unit we explore the therapeutic and bath and body entries in the plant journal or monograph. And whereas your culinary monograph involved a lot of practical work with the herb, here it is back to research again.
Upon completion of this unit you will be able to:
- List the journal entries in the Materia Medica including bath and body uses.
- Compile your own Master Materia Medica including bath and body uses.
- Journal the relevant entries in your Parsley Monograph using at least two classic materia medicas.
Assignments:
- Complete your Parsley Materia Medica
Time Frame
The course is divided into 5 manageable units or topics. You will need to devote a minimum of 15 hours to this course.
Assignments
Each unit has one or more short assignments. You will get detailed instructions with each assignment as to when, how and to whom you must submit if you’ve enrolled in the Certificate Option. Assignments build on each other and lead to a completed herb monograph which will be the first chapter (monograph) in your own Family Materia Medica (Herbal).
Assessments
You are assessed on each assignment that you submit and on your final herb monograph.
Certification
If you enroll in the Certificate Option of the course a certificate of completion from the Herb Academy is given if the requirements are met. The point of SAHA learning programs is to learn a craft. There are no legislative boards, no licenses… just practical information for actual use to enrich your life and those you chose to serve.
Prerequisites
Doing Basic Botany for Herbalists, or a similar basic botany course, either before or concurrently is recommended but not required You may do the 2 courses concurrently. For more prerequisites for this program please check our Terms of Service.
How To Enroll