Herb Walk: Native California Herbs Field Trip

This course has been approved by the California Acupuncture Board, Provider Number 436, for 8 hours of Continuing Education.

About “Native California Herbs in the Clinic & in the Field” :

DAY 1: 2-hour Informational Webinar, May 19th 5:30pm – 7:30 pm
DAY 2: Field Trip to Mount Tamalpais in Marin County, May 20th 10:00 am – 5:00 pm

In this hands-on course, students will begin to learn how to incorporate local California herbs into TCM clinical practice. Students will gain understanding of the identification and use of native California medicinal plants within the system of TCM and TCM herbal formulation. We also review the TCM systems of taste and temperature and 5 Elements as the foundation of understanding medicinal properties of plants, and how they can be applied to our local California flora. Day 1 of the course is a brief evening meeting to introduce the subject. Day 2 of the course is a field trip where students learn about and observe the plants in their natural habitat. Plant ID, basic field botany and sustainable wild harvesting are covered. Practices such as meditation, observation of nature, and qigong will be included to deepen students’ understanding.

By the conclusion of this course, students will be able to:

• Be acquainted with plant identification and morphology, botanical classification, and clinical uses of native California plants, as they relate to the system of TCM
• Understand the TCM systems of herbal taste and temperature, and 5 Elements, and their application to the medicinal properties of native California plants.
• Understand some of the ways local California herbs can be incorporated into clinical practice and TCM formulation.
• Understand ethical and ecologically sound harvesting practices of wild plants.

Learning Materials: Students are required to provide their own transportation to the field trip, which will be within an hours drive of AIMC. Students will need sturdy walking shoes, and the ability to walk 3-4 miles over the course of the day. Students will need to bring a notebook, pen, lunch, and water.

About the Instructor: Dr. Athene Eisenhardt, DAIM LAc., AIMC Professor of Herbology, found her path in medicine by way of the plant world. Working professionally as a field botanist for Yosemite National Park led her to begin wildcrafting and using native California plants as medicine, and to study the Taoist 5 elements in nature. She maintains a private practice in Oakland, CA where she offers 5 Element Acupuncture, Sound Healing, and Integrative Herbal Medicine.  Visit her website to learn more: www.atheneisenhardt.com

Disclosure Statement: No products or services will be for sale at the conclusion of the course