Course Length: 15 Weeks, Wednesdays at 3pm, Target start date Oct 23

Format: Weekly detailed lecture/discussion with some assigned reading and case study work.

Focus: Students learn how to critically read herbal research and translate that knowledge into clinical protocol design for real-world conditions.

Week 1 – Orientation & Foundations

• Course overview: why research literacy matters for herbalists.
• The tension between pharma-style trials vs. traditional herbal knowledge.
• Introduce tools: PubMed, Cochrane, herbal research databases.
• Case Study Preview: reading a trial on Echinacea for colds. AND MORE!

Week 2 – Understanding Herbal Research

Week 3 – Autoimmunity & Inflammation

Week 4 – Viral Reactivation (EBV, Shingles, Long-haul Viral Syndromes)

Week 5 – Chronic Fatigue & Mitochondrial Dysfunction

Week 6 – Digestive Health & Gut-Immune Axis

Week 7 – Midterm Integration

Week 8 – Pain & Inflammation

Week 9 – Cardio-metabolic Health: Metabolic Syndrome

Week 10 – Detoxification & Heavy Metals

Week 11 – Hormonal Imbalances & Estrogen Dominance

Week 12 – Nervous System & Mental Health

Week 13 – Spike Injury & Emerging Conditions

Week 14 - Thyroid Issues and the Importance of Iodine

Week 15 – Integrative Protocol Building