Herbal medicine is considered the most ancient form of healing. Today medicinal herbs are used to treat many conditions from mental ailments, like anxiety, restlessness, and sleeplessness, and physical complaints such as eczema, diarrhoea, stomach aches, and more.
The Certificate of Medicinal Herbs is an online professional development program that will teach you about the medicinal properties of herbs as well as how to identify, grow, harvest and produce medicinal herbs.
In this medicinal herbs course, you will discover what constitutes a medicinal herb, which soils are suited to grow herbs, water and fertiliser requirements and how to propagate them from seeds or cuttings, and control pests and diseases.
You will also learn about the chemistry of medicinal herbs, how to prepare herbal remedies, and how to develop a production plan to manage crop schedules and production for different types of herbs.
On completion of this course, you will have a foundation knowledge of how to identify, grow, harvest and use medicinal herbs at home, or work.
Course Structure
Unit - Medicinal Herbs
Unit 1 – Introduction to medicinal herbs
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- Scope and nature of herbal medicine
- Being cautious
- Growing and knowing medicinal herbs
- Accurate plant naming
- Pronouncing plant names
- Finding reliable resources
Unit 2 – Culture of medicinal herbs
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- What is a herb
- Soils and nutrition
- Cultivation
- Fertilising herbs
- Compost, mulch, watering
- Propagation
- Pest and disease
Unit 3 – History
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- Introduction
- Hippocrates
- Chinese herbalists
- Egyptian influence
- Greek influences
- The Dark Ages
- German and English herbals
- Other influences
Unit 4 – Main medicinal herbs
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- Introduction and varieties to grow
- Cultivation requirements for medicinal herbs
- Uses of main medicinal herbs
Unit 5 – Herbal remedies
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- Alternatives
- Anthelmintic
- Astringents
- Bitter Tonics
- Calmatives
- Carminatives and aromatics
- Cathartics
- Diaphoretics
- Dietetics
- Demulcents
- Emollients
- Expectorants
- Nervines
- Relaxants
- Vulnerary herbs
- Common herbs with medicinal properties
- Nervines as healing agents
- Natural Chemicals in plants and their effect on health; saponins, phenolglycosides, anthraglycosides, flavonoids, mustard oils, polysaccharides, prussic acid, glycosides, coumarin, tannins, bitters, essential oils, alkaloids, purines, essential minerals
- Chemistry of herbs
- Herbal sources for human nutrients
Unit 6 – Preparing herbal remedies
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- Infusion
- Decoction
- Poulice
- Medical preparations
- Problem of accurately formulating herbal medicines
- How herbalists used to work
- The difference today
- Harvesting material for herbal preparations
- Post harvest handling of herbs
- Post harvest preservation; fresh, modified atmosphere packaging
- Herbal preparations for teas, rinses and baths
- Producing essential oils; water distillation, steam distillation
- Uses for eucalyptus oil
Unit 7 – Poisonous plants
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- Introduction
- Review of plant poisons
- Hazardous herbs
- Carcinogens, photosensitisers, allergens, hormone like affects, teratogens, respiratory inhibitors, etc
- Toxic plant constituents
Unit 8 – Developing a production plan
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- Managing a market garden
- Deciding what to grow
- Production planning
- Types of problems
- Standards
- Crop schedules
- Farming medicinal herbs
- Production requirements for different herbs
Study Hours
Estimated duration 50 hours
Course Delivery and Start
Start anytime, self-paced and 100% online
Assessment
Assessment will be comprised of written exercises, including short-answer questions, reflective tasks, short reports and/or projects. There are no examinations or due dates for assessment. As a result, you can complete training in your own time and at your own pace with the assistance of unlimited tutor support.
Testimonials
Great content & highly recommend! Thank you
T. Pepe, Kingscote, SA | Certificate of Medicinal Herbs
I enjoyed the freedom, I never felt pressured or stressed into any time limits.
Z. Ismail, Kangaroo Ground, VIC | Certificate of Medicinal Herbs
Graduation
A Certificate of Attainment and Statement of Results will be issued upon successful completion of this course.
How to Enrol
Enrol Online: Click Add to Cart/View Cart on the course page.
Enrol via Live Chat (Business Hours)
Enrol via Telephone 1300 76 2221 (Business Hours)
Enrol via Purchase Order/Tax Invoice
Enrolling Multiple Staff?
To enrol multiple staff, please complete the Employer Enrolment Form. We’ll be in touch within 60 minutes during business hours!
Payment Options
Visa, Mastercard, BPAY and Direct Deposit.
Course FAQs
Why Choose Australian Online Courses?
- Professional development that is widely recognised and respected;
- Improve your employment opportunities;
- Study online, anywhere via our elearning system;
- High-quality professional development programs written by industry experts;
- All course materials provided online – no textbooks to buy;
- Unlimited tutor support via email;
- We offer twelve (12) months’ access, with extensions available upon application (fees apply);
- Course may be tax deductible; see your tax advisor.
Are there any entry requirements or pre-requisites?
There are no course or subject pre-requisites for entry into our programs. However, our professional development programs are generally intended for people over the age of 18. In some circumstances, enrolments from younger people may be considered. Please complete the AOC Parent Guardian Consent Form prior to enrolling and submit here.
When can I start this course?
You can start within 60 minutes during business hours when you enrol and pay in full with a credit card!
Credit card: Within 60 mins during business hours.
BPAY: Within 1-2 working days.
Internet Banking: Within 1-2 working days.
Cheque/Money Order: Upon receipt of mailed cheque.
How is this course delivered?
This course is delivered online via our easy-to-navigate Learning Management System (LMS), where you will discover interactive online learning/written content, resources and assessment.
Do I need to attend classes or undertake any work placements?
No. All courses are delivered online via our LMS and there are no work placement requirements in this course.
What support can I expect from Australian Online Courses?
Unlimited tutor support is available throughout your studies via email only during business hours Monday to Friday. Our Administrative team are available Monday to Friday via email, live chat and telephone.
I am an international student. Can I enrol into this course?
Yes! We accept enrolments from individuals both within Australia and internationally; location is no barrier to entry into our programs.
Career Pathways
Future growth
Strong
Unemployment
Low
Professional Development for:-
- Herb Farmers
- Nurserymen
- Herb Product Manufacturers or Retailers
- Consultants and writers
- Students of horticulture or health science
- Anyone with a passion for herbs
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