Moodle at CCNM

Amazing Physiological Facts that Will Change Your Practice of Herbalism!

Recovery time after a stroke is different for everyone—it can take weeks, months, or even years. Some people recover fully, but others have long-term or lifelong disabilities. This presentation discusses folkloric botanical medicines that may support stroke recovery. This presentation reviews specific molecular research on botanical medicines and propose possible formulas for treating various stages of stroke recovery.

Plants have engaged in an “arms-race” with fungi for many millions of years, and have evolved multiple mechanisms to inhibit their growth, disable their defenses, disrupt their biofilms, or destroy their cell membranes. We can take advantage of these mechanisms and apply whole plants, with all their synergistic constituents and activities, in direct contact with fungal-infected tissues. Because of the tendency of fungi and prokaryotic microbes to form multi-species biofilms, and specific anti-fungal component may make these herbs important in formulation for any topical infection. We will review the Azole-class of pharmaceutical topical antifungals, and then review the science and practical applications of berberine-herbs, Alliums, Calendula, thymol-herbs, Spilanthes/Acmella, Anemopsis, Commiphora, Usnea, Tabebuia, and Melaleuca, for common oral, vaginal, and skin infections.

Explore the use of medicinal plants in daily, dietary preparations with therapeutic targets. Through a case-study model, we review the use of plants in medicinal preparations such as soups, pestos, beverages, and even healing desserts. As herbalists, we have the option to move beyond the bottle to a sensory approach to herbal medicine that can fit seamlessly into life and practice.

Using chronic sinus infections as a jumping-off point, we explore how the use of herbs topically and through inhalation can impact allergies, asthma, and chronic infection through a range of mechanisms. We won't cover the use of bitters in gut health: this is a well-described link already. But we do talk about practical strategies for engaging with the bitter taste receptors in our airways, GI tract, and liver for relieving chronic infection and congestion.

Cannabis is a plant with star power. The current greening of the USA with changing cannabis laws. Many states now have recreational cannabis which means that many of our friends, clients and patients are able to access cannabis medicine. These folks are also using other botanicals. In this talk will present an overview of the current state of cannabis medicine and discuss the energetics of cannabis. Dr Nagel will give an overview of active constituents of cannabis including THC, CBD other minor cannabinoid’s as well as the various terpenes. An overview of the Cannabinoid system and its effects on human physiology. Dr Nagel will discuss the combination of cannabis with other herbs and relevant research as well as any potential cautions. Cannabis has the potential to be one of the best botanical synergists if we can understand its actions and ability to work well with other herbs.

In this clinical case panel the moderator reviews case to be discussed and explains format to participants. Each of 3 panelists takes 20 minutes to discuss their approach to the case. The third panelist is the moderator who then reviews how they addressed the case and what happened with it.

Bitter-flavored herbs are a mainstay of therapeutics on all major systems of herbalism. Bitter substances can bind to bitter receptors in the mouth and gut to produce, through signaling, physiological changes in multiple systems. The humoral effects of bitter substances are viewed as cooling, drying, and draining. Considering both the physiological and humoral aspects, we can arrive at the appropriate use for therapeutic effects and for avoiding adverse humoral effects. Excessive or prolonged use of bitters can cause injury to the digestive process and injure the overall constitution. Understanding the general effect of the bitter flavor we will describe nuances of therapeutic applications for digestive bitters, bitter laxatives, bitter mints, bitter anodynes and bitter demulcents.

Share in the stories, insights, philosophy and formulating strategy of an activist turned herbalist, turned entrepreneur, turned activist again. Take a fresh look at the difference between pharmaceuticals and ‘whole herb’ extracts and the importance of a broad phytochemical profile in medicinal plants. Learn about the case histories that have informed many of WishGarden’s most popular formulas and Catherine’s formulating philosophy. Rediscover the formidable strength, safety and beauty of whole plant medicine as it contributes towards more effective herbal formulas and a more sustainable future for generations to come.

After teaching herb courses for 30 years, it is noted that there is a leap between learning materia medica and applying that knowledge to create effective herbal formulas. This course approaches methods and strategies for creating herbal formulas. This workshop-style class engages participants to use several philosophical tools and constructs for creating herbal formulas and provide a platform for discussion, inquiry, practice and sharing.

Join Richo Cech on a photographic tour through his gardens at Strictly Medicinal Seeds in Williams, Oregon. Participants learn about the medicinal uses, horticulture and landscaping potential of elderberry (Sambucus nigra), hawthorn (Crataegus monogyna), linden (Tilia cordata), witch hazel (Hamamelis virginiana), slippery elm (Ulmus rubra), spice bush (Lindera benzoin), horse chestnut (Aesculus hippocastanum) and Eleutherococcus (E. senticosus). Richo also discuesses herbaceous medicinal plants that grow well in the shade of these trees.

Field Applications in Botanical Medicine: Edible and medicinal weeds of the Pacific Northwest. Join Herbalist and naturopathic doctor Glen Nagel and a field class of Northwest weeds. We will focus on plant identification, parts used and how to blend into a wild salad. Walking around the grounds and gardens of NUNM we will identify and eat over 20 medicinal and edible plants.

There is a significant debate about whether or not dry herbs differ from the fresh herbs they derive from in nature. Examples from the scientific literature will look at differences in chemistry when plants are dried, as well as a comparison of tinctures made from fresh and dry specimens of the same herb in a study conducted in part by Dr. Yarnell. Examples of herbs that are best used fresh vs. dried are presented. Clinicians are urged to share their own anecdotes and experience with fresh vs. dry herbs.

We will describe little-known, but well-established facts about human physiology, each of which either demonstrates the wisdom and relevance of some traditional herbal practices in herbal medicine, or will change the way you use herbs with patients now. Subtopics include the healing power of mucus; the urinary alkaline tide; the speed of kidney filtration; the gut wall as lymphoid tissue; connective tissue as immunological organ; plasma protein re-circulation in the lymph; and transdermal absorption of botanical medicines. In each case the relevance of the physiology to one or more categories of herbal forms or actions is described. Categories of herbs include expectorants, demulcents, vulneraries, anti-inflammatories, lymphatics and alteratives, as well as comparison of tinctures, teas and topical applications.

The therapeutic order describes a strategy, fundamental to naturopathic medicine and applicable across herbal disciplines, of using the gentlest methods to support the foundations of health in all patients, before simply treating the disease. A case study of a patient with fatigue and thyroid disease is reviewed, with three practitioners giving their views on how to approach the case using the therapeutic order as a strategy. Participants also analyze the case using the same strategy.

The history of herbal medicine is founded in rooted rebels whose interactions with plants changed the way we experience nature and our own health. What herbs inspired the herbalists who’ve gone on to inspire us? How did they use those herbs in clinical practice? Starting in Culpeper’s time and moving to our modern inspirational figures we look at how they used herbs to create a more vibrant community of resistance – and how they are still fighting to keep herbal medicine the people’s medicine.

An Herban Legend is a persistent, widely and firmly held belief about a plant and its medicinal effects which is not true. The origin of the Legend or its rationale is obscure or forgotten, and is usually based on misinterpretation of some fact of science or tradition. It is repeated, believed and repeated again from textbook to textbook, teacher to teacher, article to article and herbalist to herbalist, across a generation, and guides regular practice. A large number of such Legends, most arising in the last 30 years, infect the modern North American materia medica and weaken the effectiveness of our clinical practice. Each of the herbs, however, have some potent “clinical pearl” unrelated to the legend itself. We discuss Herban Legends and Clinical Pearls for Devil's Club (Oplopanax), Lomatium, Saw Palmetto (Serenoa), Feverfew (Tanacetum), Juniper (Juniperus), Lobelia, Echinacea, Goldenseal (Hydrastis), and Wild Yam (Dioscorea).

This interactive workshop addresses using herbal and pharmaceutical medicine to support trans and gender-diverse people, with a focus on common health issues that arise in the first year of physical transition with hormones. Participants learn tools and resources, with a focus on herbal interventions, for treating common issues that come up with folks using hormones to transition and maintaining the optimal wellbeing of patients. We also talk about basic language guidelines, consent, trauma-informed care, and many more topics that address how to affirm trans and gender-diverse populations. This presentation reviews the possible effects or interactions of pharmaceuticals such as estradiol and testosterone. It also covers the ethical guidelines and cultural considerations of working with trans and gender-diverse populations.

This introduction to phytochemistry as it relates to herbal medicine is taught in simple and friendly terminology. Topics include polysaccharides, polyphenols, alkaloids, tannins, resins, glycosides, volatile oils, and many more! Participants learn how to recognize various chemical structures and how the nature of these structures plays a role in the activity of the medicinal constituent in the body. The information is also utilized to inform our medicine making practices with information relevant to solvencies.

A menstruum is a liquid mixture used to extract herbal products. Herbalists and medicine makers always have lively discussions about using which concentrations and combinations of alcohol, glycerin and water make the best herbal extracts. Dr. Nagel discusses the various menstruum options and which maximize different herbal constituents. This class offers answers and practical, take- home advice on how to making the best medicine for your purposes.