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 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 professional development 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 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
Assessment
When you study with Australian Online Courses you will be assessed using a competency-based training method. Competency-based training focuses on a learner’s ability to receive, respond to and process information to achieve a competency result. As such, skills-based and knowledge assessments are geared towards attainment to meet industry-defined standards.
Assessment will be comprised of written assignments and exercises, including short answer questions, reports, essays, research projects and reflective tasks. 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.
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;
- No entry requirements;
- All course materials provided online – no textbooks to buy;
- Unlimited tutor support;
- Easy to understand course content;
- We offer twelve (12) months’ access, with extensions available upon application (fees apply);
- Certificate of Attainment/Completion issued for your CV (hard copy provided); and
- Course may be tax deductible; see your tax advisor.
How long will it take to complete this course?
The approximate study hours for this course is 50 hours. We offer twelve (12) months’ access, with extensions available upon application (fees apply).
Can I purchase optional printed materials?
While printed materials are not available for purchase, PDF copies are available for download and self-printing for this program.
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.
Will I receive a certificate upon completion of this course?
Yes! You will receive a Certificate of Attainment upon successful completion of your assessment.
Do I need to attend classes or undertake any work placements?
No. All courses are delivered online via our e-learning system 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 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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