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This 72-lesson, progress reviewed course is structured to provide you with the skills and knowledge necessary to practice as an herbalist in your community,  educating others on effective herbal remedies and the feeding of the body and spirit from a Judeo-Christian point of view.


Shonda's Community Herbalist Course is the path to help you become a proficient practicing herbalist and herbal educator. Utilizing six, 1.5-hour TeleSeminars and regular progress review sessions scheduled at the end of each Module, the Community Herbalist Course gives you one-on-one instruction and in-depth knowledge of the topics covered in the lessons so you'll have the foundation for practice in your community.

This course is also the first step in pursuing the Clinical Herbalist certification.
Community Herbalist - Women’s Health Educator - Family Health Educator Course
72 Lessons – May be completed within two years but you may take as long as you like to complete
Self-Paced, Progress Reviewed, Distance-based, Certificate Awarded Upon Completion

Who Might Be Interested in the Community Herbalist/ Certified Women’s Health Educator/ Certified Family Health Educator Course of Study?
  • Those interested in ministering professionally to their community
  • Those interested in pursuing a business in herbal medicine education or as a practicing herbalist
  • Those desiring to begin the path toward becoming a Certified Clinical Herbalist
  • Those wanting to have in-depth knowledge of over 200 herbs
  • Those desiring to approach the ministry of health from a body and spirit Judeo-Christian perspective

What Materials and Services are Included in the Community Herbalist – Certified Women’s Health Educator – Certified Family Health Educator Course of Study?
  • Naturally Healthy Cuisine: Real Food for Real Families
  • Mommy Diagnostics
  • Naturally Healthy Woman
  • Naturally Healthy Pregnancy
  • Naturally Healthy Family Modules 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6
  • Growing 101 Herbs That Heal by Tammi Hartung
  • Herb Walk DVD and companion book by LeArta Moulton
  • Essentials of Anatomy & Physiology textbook and student workbook by Valerie Scanlon
  • Admittance to Student Forum/Online Classroom for as long as you continue studying with us
  • Personalized evaluation of lessons and projects in six Progress Review Sessions scheduled upon your completion of each Module
  • Six 1.5 hour TeleSeminar Classes in MP3 format on CD: Dietary Evaluation and the Impact of Nutritional Deficiencies; Ancient Herbs, Ancient Medicine: Herbal Therapeutics; Body Systems Health and Herbal Interventions; Informed WomanCare: Divine Design and Decoding Hormonal Messages; Nutritional and Herbal Therapeutics During Pregnancy; Professional Path Decisions: Discovering What is Right for You, Your Family, and Your Clients
  • Admittance to bi-weekly teleconference calls offered in the spring and fall; monthly in summer months - This is where you may bring your questions to be answered and gain further instruction
  • Herb Kit for Medicine-Making
  • Admittance to the Professional Herbalist Intensive Workshop, which may be completed in person or via distance
  • Student Discount for Workshops and Web Instruction
What Will You Accomplish in the Certified Family Herbalist Course?
Learn:
  • The Cornerstone of Health and the Impact of the Body of Christ Upon Health
  • How to Teach Others to Take Responsibility for their Health Care
  • How to Evaluate Your Own Family’s Health and Teach this Skill to Clients Who Seek Your Counsel
  • How to Teach Clients to Alter Lifestyle and Food Choices to Maximize Service to Community
  • How to Research Healthcare Options with Clients
  • How to Work with Clients to Create Protocols for Health Support
  • How to Support Clients’ Healthcare Choices
  • How to Integrate Nutritional and Herbal Medicine within Conventional and Alternative Healthcare Settings and Practices
  • In-depth knowledge of Herbs Suited for Particular Body Systems
  • In-depth knowledge of Herbs Suited for the very young, the weakened, and the wise
  • In-depth knowledge of Herbal and Nutritional Care for the Pregnant Woman
  • In-depth knowledge of Women’s Health
  • How to Make Herbal Medicines for Family and Clients
What is Awarded Upon Completion of the Community Herbalist – Certified Women’s Health Educator – Certified Family Health Educator Course of Study?
  • Upon passing the final exam administered at the Professional Herbalist Intensive Workshop and completing a final project, a Certificate of Completion as a Community Herbalist will be issued by the Institute for Family Herbal Care
  • Upon completion of the Community Herbalist program, required readings, and demonstration of teaching skills, Certification as a Women’s Health Educator and/or Certified Family Health Educator by the Institute for Family Herbal Care will be awarded
  • Ability to minister to others as an herbalist
  • Ability to teach classes or workshops professionally
  • Referrals from our office for consult clients and for speaking opportunities
  • Eligibility to continue your study by completing the Certified Clinical Herbalist Course
  • There is no state or federal licensing for herbalists at this time, thus our certification is only a certificate of completion of our educational program. The Certificate does not denote a license to practice.

What Amount of Time Will I Spend Studying the Course and In What Areas?
Anatomy & Physiology: 45 hours
Pathophysiology: 20 hours
Medical Terminology: 10 hours
Biochemistry: 10 hours
Nutrition: 50 hours
Botany & Plant Identification: 10 hours
Materia Medica/Therapeutic Herbalism: 200 hours
Pharmacy, Pharmacognosy, and Dispensing: 45 hours
Clinical Skills: 220 hours
Career Preparation/Practice Development/Ethics: 10 hours
History & Philosophy of Herbal Medicine: 20 hours

Total Study Hours: 640 hours

Lessons will average 12 hours of study each; completion of the course is possible in one and one-half to two years. There is no time limit for completion of course. We are here to support you until you complete the course.

Cost: $1200.00 if paid in full.
Payment Plan: $450 first installment, paid for first three modules; $450 second installment, for last three modules; $500 paid upon registration for attendance at Professional Intensive Workshop and administration of final exam.

First Installment: Modules 1 - 3 ($450)
Second Installment: Modules 4 - 6 ($450)
Third Installment: Professional Intensive Workshop and Final Exam ($500)

For Those Who Have Completed the Certified Family Herbalist Course, the Following is Required to Complete the Community Herbalist – Certified Women’s Health Educator – Certified Family Health Educator Course of Study:
  • Must complete more in-depth work in medicine-making, body systems understanding, pathophysiology, herbal materia medica and therapeutics, and women’s, children’s, and pregnancy health care
  • Must participate in three additional teleseminars: Body Systems Health and Herbal Interventions, Nutritional and Botanical Care During Pregnancy, and Professional Path Decisions: Discovering What is Right for You, Your Family, and Your Clients
  • Must submit further lessons for three additional progress review session
  • Attendance at the Professional Herbalist Intensive
  • May participate for a further year on the student forum/online classroom
Upgrade fee for those who have completed the Certified Family Herbalist course: $750 if paid in full, or the fee may be paid at $450 per the three additional in-depth modules (Modules 4, 5, & 6) with accompanying teleseminars and progress review sessions plus $500 when you register for attendance at the Professional Herbalist Intensive Workshop.

If you are an NHF student studying the course prior to 1/1/09, you may choose to upgrade for $350 for all six new modules (provided in a PDF document after signing a contract with us), 3 Progress Review Sessions and all Six TeleSeminars, then you will need only to pay the $500 Professional Intensive Workshop fee when you register to complete your work and take your final exam.

Module One (materials sent: NH Cuisine: Real Food for Real Families, Lesson Study Guide & Forms for Family Health Evaluation):
2 hrs Lesson 1: Health Attitude with Altitude
3 hrs Lesson 2: Nutritional Foundations: Whole Health for the Whole Family
12 hrs Lesson 3: Carbohydrates
12 hrs Lesson 4: Proteins
12 hrs Lesson 5: Fats
12 hrs Lesson 6: Vitamins
12 hrs Lesson 7: Minerals
6 hrs Lesson 8: The Naturally Healthy Pantry
12 hrs Lesson 9: Evaluating Family Diet
2 hrs Lesson 10: Nourishing the Spirit
4 hrs Lesson 11: Your Medical Record
3 hrs Lesson 12: Routine Medical Tests
4 hrs Lesson 13: Lab Evaluation Tools
12 hrs Module 1 Project: Evaluating Diets for Health
Progress Review Session 1.5 hrs
Teleconference Workshop: Dietary Evaluation and the Impact of Nutritional Deficiencies 1.5 - 2 hrs
Total Credits for Module One: 110

Module Two (Mommy Diagnostics, Lesson Study Guide & Herbs for Medicine-Making):
6 hrs Lesson 14: Ancient Herbs, Ancient Medicines
3 hrs Lesson 15: Assembling the Herbal Health Chest
6 hrs Lesson 16: Pharmacognosy & Herbal Therapeutics
12 hrs Lesson 17: Plant Gums & Mucilages Materia Medica; Making Decoctions/Infusions.
12 hrs Lesson 18: Glycosides Materia Medica: Anthraquinones, Alcohol, Aldehydes Materia Medica, Cyanophose, MakingBaths & Body Rubs
12 hrs Lesson 19: Phenols Materia Medica, Making Lotions, Salves, Ointments, and Oil Infusions
12 hrs Lesson 20: Acids Materia Medica, Making Fomentations & Poultices
12 hrs Lesson 21: Volatile Oils Materia Medica, Making Powders
12 hrs Lesson 22: Terpenoids Materia Medica, Making Glycerites & TincTracts
12 hrs Lesson 23: Alkaloids Materia Medica, Making Tinctures
12 hrs Lesson 24: Therapeutic Classifications, Making Elixers (Syrups)
12 hrs Lesson 25: Growing Herbs for Medicine, Making Herb Jello
12 hrs Lesson 26: Harvesting & Storing Herbs for Medicine: Making Suppositories & Enemas, Private Washes
12 hrs Lesson 27: Herbal Formulations: The Art and the Science
12 hrs Module 2 Project: Making Your Own Formulation
Progress Review Session 1.5 hrs
Teleconference Workshop: Ancient Herbs, Ancient Medicine: Herbal Therapeutics 1.5 - 2 hrs
Total Credits for Module Two: 162

Module Three (Essentials of Anatomy & Physiology text/student workbook & lesson study guide)
3 hrs Lesson 28: Foundations of Health Support
8 hrs Lesson 29: Mommy Diagnostics for Little Sprouts
12 hrs Lesson 30: Vaccinations
12 hrs Lesson 31: Musculoskeletal System: Pathophysiology and Healing Options
12 hrs Lesson 32: Nervous System: Pathophysiology and Healing Options
12 hrs Lesson 33: Endocrine System: Pathophysiology and Healing Options
12 hrs Lesson 34: Circulatory System: Pathophysiology and Healing Options
12 hrs Lesson 35: Immune System/Mouth & Skin: Pathophysiology and Healing Options
12 hrs Lesson 36: Digestive System: Pathophysiology and Healing Options
12 hrs Lesson 37: Respiratory System: Pathophysiology and Healing Options
12 hrs Lesson 38: Urinary System: Pathophysiology and Healing Options
12 hrs Module 3 Project: Complex Case Study
Progress Review Session 1.5 hrs
Teleconference Workshop: Body Systems Health and Herbal Interventions 1.5 - 2 hrs
Total Credit Hours for Module Three: 134

Module Four (NH Woman & Lesson Study Guide)
4 hrs Lesson 39: Informed WomanCare: Divine Design
4 hrs Lesson 40: Decoding Hormonal and Menstrual Messages
4 hrs Lesson 41: Premenstrual Syndrome
4 hrs Lesson 42: Fibroid Tumors
4 hrs Lesson 43: Ovarian Cysts
4 hrs Lesson 44: Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome
4 hrs Lesson 45: Cervical Dysplasia
4 hrs Lesson 46: Endometriosis
4 hrs Lesson 47: Breast Health
4 hrs Lesson 48: Vaginal Infections
4 hrs Lesson 49: Chlamydia and Herpes
12 hrs Lesson 50: Changing Seasons: Menopause
12 hrs Materia Medica for Women’s Health
Progress Review Session 1.5 hrs
Teleconference Workshop: Informed WomanCare: Divine Design and Decoding Hormonal Messages 1.5 - 2 hrs
Total Credit Hours for Module Four: 71

Module Five (Naturally Healthy Pregnancy & lesson study guide)
4 hrs Lesson 51: Nutritional and Herbal Therapeutics During Pregnancy
4 hrs Lesson 52: Infertility and Miscarriage, Premature Labor
4 hrs Lesson 53: Body System Changes in Pregnancy
3 hrs Lesson 54: Anemia
2 hrs Lesson 55: Chorioamnionitis
2 hrs Lesson 56: Gestational Diabetes
4 hrs Lesson 57: Group B Streptococcus
2 hrs Lesson 58: Metabolic Toxemia of Late Pregnancy
2 hrs Lesson 59: Nausea and Vomiting During Pregnancy
2 hrs Lesson 60: Pregnancy-Induced Hypertension
4 hrs Lesson 61: Labor of Love: Labor Prep, Post-Dates Pregnancy, Relaxing During Labor, Prolonged Labor, Cervical Lip
4 hrs Lesson 62: Hemorrhage, Perineal Tears, Placenta Delivery
4 hrs Lesson 63: Postpartum Mom & Baby Care
4 hrs Lesson 64: Breastfeeding by Design
4 hrs Lesson 65: Family Planning and Birth Control Methods
12 hrs Materia Medica for Pregnancy, Labor, and Birth
Progress Review Session 1.5 hrs
Teleconference Workshop: Nutritional and Botanical Care During pregnancy 1.5 - 2 hrs
Total Credit Hours for Module Five: 64

Module Six (Lesson study guide & Forms for business set-up)
6 hrs Lesson 66: Guidelines for Intake
4 hrs Lesson 67: Establishing Healthy Boundaries with Clients
4 hrs Lesson 68: Nourishing Your Clients
4 hrs Lesson 69: The Well-Nourished Practitioner
12 hrs Lesson 70: Setting Up Your Practice
4 hrs Lesson 71: Legal Issues in Practice
12 hrs Lesson 72: Botanical Medicine Health Educator Resources
Progress Review Session 1.5 hrs
Teleconference Workshop: Professional Path Decisions: Discovering What is Right for You, Your Family, and Your Clients 1.5 hrs
Total Credit Hours for Module Six: 50

Final Project: 20 hours
Professional Intensive Workshop: 16 hours
Final Exam: not applicable for credit

Lesson and Projects Credit Hours: 620 hours
CWHE or CFHE Reading Curriculum: 20 hours
Total Program Credit Hours: 640 hours