Studies in Western Herbal Medicine, 2011

Overview
Studies in Western Herbal Medicine is a 170 hour hands-on training program in intermediate herbal medicine. The majority of the tools an individual needs to utilize botanical medicine as a healing modality are covered. Also practitioners of affiliate modalities will find the program enlightening, enabling the integration of practical and effective herb usage.

Even today with the large resurgence in herbs and other natural therapies, to identify, collect, and use the plants of your surrounding area is unique and rather specialized. The most basic application of the the material presented here gives tools to an individual to become more adept at self-healing with herbs. The applied knowledge can also benefit family and friends through its application in times of need. For the yearning herbalist, this course sets you on that healing path. For practitioners of related fields, this course delineates when and why to integrate herbs in with an established patient group.

Essential topics of study
1. Matera Medica: native and non-native medicinal plants will be covered in depth.
2. Key concepts of western herbalism: most of the field's fundamental concepts still apply today - but some are outdated or rooted in primitive, overly simplistic thought. Let's keep the wheat (what works) and discard the chaff (what doesn't).
3. Western anatomy and physiology’s relationship to medicinal plant application: good herbalists know the body.
4. Basic plant preparation: tea, tincture (fresh/maceration), oil, liniment, salve, and poultice.
5. Advanced plant preparation: tincture (percolation), fluidextract, ointment, cough syrup, essential oil/hydrosol, suppository, and other preparations.
6. Plant ID through taxonomic keys.
7. Field wildcrafting technique: how to properly collect the right part at the right time; it's not what you want, but what the stand can provide.
8. Plant processing and storage: passive and active dehydration, shelve life, some herbs degrade quickly, others store for years.

Topics not covered
Flower essences, shamanism, new-age (often core material in other "herbal medicine" programs), homeopathy, TCM, Ayurveda, Unani, fasting, nutrition (not in depth), nutraceuticals, and other modalities/avenues often placed under the herbal umbrella.

Classroom segment
Concepts, ideas, and practical information regarding how to best intertwine plant usage and people will be covered.  We will draw upon traditional and present day perspectives surrounding the art and science of western herbalism.  Focus with be on Materia Medica (native and non-native plants), western physiology, herbal preparations, and generally on information that will make you a better-informed plant person.

Time: 50 hours.
Location: Sabino Canyon Executive Suites, 5215 N. Sabino Canyon Rd., Tucson, AZ 85750.
Schedule: One Sunday each month from March to August.9am-5pm, with a one hour lunch break.

March 13th.
April 10th.
May 15th.
June 12th.
July 24th.
August 21st.

Field study segment
Knowledge of powdered plants in capsules is one thing but an entire dimension is added when it is understood that plant medicines are first biological entities existing in living form.  These excursions are designed to bring about an affinity with plants in their natural settings. Potent medicines come from are gathered in the wild, not what is bought in a store. Plant ID, related ecology, ethical wildcrafting, and field processing/preparation are the main topics/activities for this segment.

Time: 120 hours.
Field trip locations: Southern California, Arizona, and New Mexico.
Schedule: 2 OR 3 day weekend each month, usually following the preceding lecture Sunday.

March 19th.-20th.
April 15th.-17th. (overnight)
May 21st.-22nd.
June 24th.-26th. (overnight)
July 29th.-31st. (overnight)
August 27th.-28th.

Traveling expenses: Factor in necessary traveling expenses for our field trips. Done on a budget, plan on spending a minimum of $50.00 on each field trip on various things: campground fees, food, road-stops, etc.
Logistics: Each day we will leave early Saturday and Sunday mornings and return late afternoon or early evening the same day. You will have ample time on the trips to collect and process plants.

Certification
A certificate of completion will be given after students complete this course of study. But understand though, what has meaning are the abilities and skills that come through study, application, and experience ...not a piece of paper. If more than two classroom days or four field trip days, or four days total are missed certification will not be granted.

Interview, acceptance, and qualifications
Perspective students will be interviewed to determine their commitment to learning and completion of the course. Only individuals interested in completing the entire course will qualify. The program can not be parted-out (only coming on field trips for example).

A note on physical fitness: Applicants need to have at least an average level of physical stamina/ability/cardiovascular health. Some of the excursions will be 4-5 miles at 8-9K feet (easy pace) or the same distance in the desert heat. This does not pose a problem for average fitness levels - but couch potatoes will be sucking wind and/or be dealing with heat stress.

Etiquette
1. Be professional. Please leave disruptive attitudes at home.
2. Do not bring friends, relatives, or pets to classes or on field trips.
2. With the exception of alcohol for tincturing, do not bring intoxicants to class or on field trips (includes beer, wine, etc.).

Miscellaneous
Over the years I have noticed a peculiar tend with potential students. 70% of interested people really want to learn what I have to offer (if you are of this 70% then you most likely will be accepted into the program and get a lot out of it). The other 30%, strangely, come for other reasons. And often their real motivation surfaces after a month or two into the program. Here are a number of reasons I have encountered that will make for a poor experience:

1. Herbal medicine as a passing curiosity/nothing better to do with time and money/herbal medicine: "that sounds interesting".
2. My spouse/significant other wants me to take the course with them (but I could care less about herbs).
3. To find a girlfriend/boyfriend.
4. Maybe Charles will start a supplement/herbal product/instructional video company with me...I am asked every year...not joking.

By listing these points I hope to avoid misunderstandings that tend to cause disruptions in the program. The last thing I want to do is have to address drama, bad attitudes, and malcontent halfway through when it dawns on the individual that the course is not just a fun camping trip. I'm here to teach, not to baby sit or police. The course runs smoothly when students want to be here for the information and are focused on the material. It's important to ask yourself - what do I want out of this program? The answer should be self-evident. If it is not to learn about an utterly profound branch of medicine from an experienced practitioner and wildcrafter, you should not be here.

Cost and payment options
The cost of the entire program is $895.00 (a remarkably inexpensive price for a 170 hour course). This does not include supply or travel expense. A non-refundable deposit of $100.00 is necessary to hold your place. The remaining $795.00 is due by the first day of class on March 13th. Space is limited to 15 students. Most years the class fills to capacity. Apply early to ensure yourself a spot. Checks, money orders, and cash are all accepted; credit cards and trade/barter are not accepted. All monies paid are non-refundable.

A note on teaching style
Due to the associated demographic, most people have come to expect a neuvo-hippy/rainbow gathering experience when studying herbal medicines (this is the most prevalent form of what I call "image herbal medicine" or herbal medicine as a fashion statement). Green-Gaia-Ultra left-wing politics are so entrenched in the field most people accept it as status-quo for the herbal medicine enthusiast, student, or teacher. Actually all of these popular, but tiresome and trendy "spiritual"/social/political concepts that are rife throughout the field, just get in the way. When herb programs become bohemian/new-age craft-circles, it's a slippery slope to half-baked ideas and teachings that really don't hold water - no wonder the field is scoffed at. I teach the utilization of plants to relieve people's suffering, no more, no less.

My teaching style is hands-on and generous, a mixture of old-school common sense and respect for the traditional teacher-student relationship. I am considered one of the most disciplined herb teachers in the country. I don't mess around and I take my role as educator very seriously. It is my job to teach you what I think is relevant in the most effective way possible. If you show true interest, you will have my full capacity.

Lastly
To my knowledge there's only a handful of other programs (throughout the country) that are taught by real-time practitioners who practice what they preach...and most importantly, who are physically with you for the duration of the course. If you are enticed by empty degrees and mail-order badges there are plenty of these around. But if you want a one-of-a-kind program taught by a seasoned practitioner/wildcrafter, look no further.

What you will need
1. Knife/pruners/shovel/trowel/paperbags/cutting board.
3. 2-3 gallons of grain alcohol (Everclear) – this can be purchased at most liquor stores and supermarkets, also we can place a group order at wholesales prices.
4. Loop (10x), can be purchased at most gem/rock shops, or on-line.
5. Metric ruler that has millimeters as its smallest denomination and a razor blade.
6. Mason jars (Ball, not Kerr) – wide-mouth cups, pints, and quarts.
7. Notebook and pen.

What to do next
1. Fill out the application form, (or submit a related resume') and mail/e-mail/fax to Charles Kane. (Do not send any money at this point). Hint to those not versed in general application etiquette: preferably type or write neatly with a black pen (not green, purple, crayon, pencil, etc). Answer the questions with more than one/two word answers...and don't print the application out on scrap paper!
2. I will call you to set up an interview. It will last about 30 minutes and will be held at: 1846 E. Innovation Pk. Dr. Oro Valley, AZ 85755.
3. At the end of the interview (or in several days) I will make my decision known to you. Once you are accepted into the program, then put down the deposit.