Herbal medicine courses will show you how this ancient form of healing is still relevant today. Medicinal herbs treat a multitude of ailments, from stomach-aches to insomnia and nervous conditions. 

The Certificate of Medicinal Herbs is an online program that will teach you about the different types of herbs and their medicinal properties, as well as how to grow, harvest and produce medicinal herbs. 

You will discover which soils are suited to grow herbs, as well as the water and fertiliser requirements. You will also learn to propagate herbs from seeds or cuttings, and control pests and diseases in your medicinal garden. 

On completion of herbal medicine courses, you should have a foundation knowledge of how to identify, grow, harvest, and use medicinal herbs. So, make sure you choose herbal medicine courses wisely. 

Take a look at what you’ll learn in the Certificate of Medicinal Herbs. 

Learning Outcomes 

• Identify and grow over 100 different medicinal herbs.
• Learn how herbal medicines are used and prepared.
• Understand problems associated with home use of certain herbs.
• Learn how to harvest herbs.
• Discover the types of herbal medicines and the chemical components of herbs.
• Learn about herbal preparations.
• Understand safety and caution with using herbs, including what herbs are safer to use.
• Distinguish between medicinal herbs in cultivation, including twenty-five different genera and fifty different varieties.
• Discuss the history of medicinal herb usage.
• Compare the chemical components of different medicinal herbs in terms of their general affect on the human body.
• Prepare simple and safe herbal remedies in a domestic situation.
• Explain the potential dangers involved in dealing with plants.
• Prepare a schedule of cultural practices for a medicinal herb crop.
• Develop a production plan for a medicinal herb crop.
• Develop guidelines for the culture of a specified variety of medicinal herb.
• Explain natural pest and disease control methods.
• Prepare a sample of soil suitable for growing a specified herb variety.
• Demonstrate propagation techniques for five different medicinal herbs.
• Produce container plants of two different medicinal herbs, propagating and growing on the plants to a marketable stage and condition.
• Record the development of two medicinal herbs in a log.
• Develop a list of criteria for selecting the most commercially viable variety of a nominated medicinal herb species available.
• List thirty different varieties of a medicinal herb species which are readily available for purchase as “reliable” seed or tube stock.
• Compare different varieties of six nominated medicinal herb species to determine a commercially viable variety to grow in your locality.
• List tasks to be undertaken in the production of a selected medicinal herb variety, including *soil preparation *planting *growing practices, *harvest and post-harvest.
• Write a production schedule for a medicinal herb variety which designates tasks to be undertaken systematically at each stage of crop development.
• Explain the facilities which would be required to produce a specified commercial medicinal herb crop, including *equipment *materials *land.
• Estimate the cost of producing a specified medicinal herb crop, itemising the cost components into at least five categories.
• …., and more.

9 of Nature’s Powerful Medicinal Herbs and Their Uses 

There are many beneficial herbs in nature’s garden. In herbal medicine courses, you will discover hundreds of medicinal herbs, but these nine are popular in holistically supporting health and wellbeing. 

1. St. John’s Wort 

St. John’s Wort, a perennial herb with yellow star-shaped flowers, has been used to treat nervous conditions for centuries. Today, this popular herb is still a holistic remedy for mild depression.

The Black Dog Institute Fact Sheet reports that ‘There have been many clinical studies comparing the effectiveness of St John’s wort with placebos and antidepressant medication. Most have found the herbal remedy to be superior to placebo and equivalent to standard antidepressants for the treatment of mild to moderate depression. However, it is unlikely to be effective in the treatment of melancholic (biological) depression.’

Fascinating Fact: St. John’s wort can interfere with the effects of many prescription medicines.

St. John’s Wort Could Be Useful For:

• Mild depression 
• Symptoms of menopause 
• Wound healing 

 

2. Valerian 

Valerian, a herb native to Europe and Asia, is commonly used to treat symptoms of insomnia, anxiety, and stress. The popular herb seems to act as a sedative on the nervous system. The medicinal properties of this herb come from its root.

Fascinating Fact: In manufacturing, the extracts and oil made from valerian are flavouring in foods and beverages.

Valerian Could Be Useful For:

• Insomnia 
• Restlessness
• Anxiety 
• Stress 

 

3. Garlic 

Garlic, which is part of the onion family, is popular for both its distinctive flavour and health benefits. The health benefits of garlic are believed to derive from the sulphur compounds that it contains. 

Fascinating Fact: Garlic bulbs are highly nutritious, containing potassium, iron, calcium, magnesium, zinc, selenium, beta-carotene, Vitamin C and more! 

 Garlic Could Be Useful For: 

• Boosting the immune system 
• Reducing blood pressure 
• Improving cholesterol levels 

 

4. Mint 

Mint is a popular herbal remedy, commonly used to ease upset stomachs, calm the digestive tract, reduce stress, and promote restful sleep. It is also popular as an addition to many a culinary dish and refreshments.

Fascinating Fact: Spearmint is beneficial to honeybees by cleaning out mites that infect their hives. 

Mint Could Be Useful For:

• Healthy digestion
• Stress 
• Anxiety 
• Restful sleep 

 

5. Sage 

Sage is part of the mint family and is well-known as a culinary and medicinal herb that’s packed with nutrients. It is an incredibly versatile herb that packs a powerful punch in soups, stews and in baking. Sage can be used fresh, dried, or ground for medicinal purposes. 

Fascinating Fact: According to studies, sage compounds may help fight signs of ageing, such as wrinkles. 

Sage Could Be Useful For: 

• Oral health 
• Menopausal symptoms (hot flushes) 
• Skin ageing 
• Lowering cholesterol 
• Memory
• Brain health 
• Blood sugar levels

 

6. Thyme 

Thyme is a Mediterranean herb with dietary, medicinal, and ornamental value. The flowers, leaves, and oil of thyme are used as a medicinal herb. 

Fascinating Fact: Thyme oil is often in mouthwashes as a germ-killer!

Thyme Could Be Useful For: 

• Bronchitis
• Stomach-ache 
• Diarrhea
• Sore Throat 
• Colic
• Arthritis 
• Skin disorders 
• Bad breath 
• Appetite stimulant 

 

7. Chamomile

Chamomile is a medicinal herb that has proven beneficial as a relaxant, carminative and anti-inflammatory. And it is an ancient therapeutic herb that treats ailments such as inflammation and insomnia. 

Fascinating Fact: The word chamomile is derived from Greek – chamos, meaning ‘ground’ and melos, meaning ‘apple.’ The name refers to the fact that the herb grows close to the ground and the flowers have a fresh apple scent. 

Could Be Useful For:

• Hay fever 
• Inflammation
• Muscle spasms 
• Menstrual disorders 
• Insomnia 
• Rheumatic pain 
• Gastrointestinal disorders  

 

8. Gingko 

Ginko is a large tree with fan-shaped leaves, Gingko is native to Japan, Korea, and China. Gingko is one of the oldest living trees, dating back 270 million years. As a medicinal herb, it is one of the world’s most popular supplements for its benefits to memory and cardiovascular function. 

Fascinating Fact: The Gingko tree can grow more than 40 metres tall and can live for over 1,000 years! 

Could Be Useful For: 

• Cognitive function 
• Anxiety
• Cardiovascular function
• Glaucoma 
• Sexual function 

 

9. Echinacea 

There are nine species of echinacea, which are native to North America. Echinacea is a popular medicinal herb for the common cold and other infections. This versatile plant may stimulate the immune system to fight infection more effectively. 

Fascinating Fact: Taking echinacea after you catch a cold shortens the duration of the illness.

Echinacea Could Be Useful For:

• Cold and flu symptoms 
• Blood sugar
• Anxiety 
• Blood pressure 
• Inflammation 

 

Herbal medicine courses are fascinating. So, if you’re interested in learning more about this ancient form of healing take a look at the Certificate of Medicinal Herbs!