Beginning Tuesday October 18th, 2011
The 6 Tissue States that herbalists began to use around the late 19th century were configured from several Ancient systems of herbal applications combined with new ideas. We do the same today, taking old theories and mixing them with new techniques.
This class combines the use of the 6 Tissue States with organ system deficiency and excess, and patterns of dysfunction and disease. It illustrates how taste/chemical constituents and using plants that are stimulating and relaxing bring balance to the whole, while also applying the same theories to acute, not just chronic, illness.
For more details on what each class will provide, view the course outline as you continue for more information. Leave a message on my website to receive a registration form, or to be put on the mailing list.
Class Schedule: 13 weeks from Tues., Oct. 18th- Jan. 31st (weeks off: Dec. 20, 27; Jan. 24)
Time: 6:30-8:30 pm.
Cost: Early registration fee: $240 if before Oct. 4th; Cost after: $260
Where: Classes will be held at my house on Madison’s Eastside.
Required Materials: The book The Practice of Traditional Western Herbalism, by Matthew Wood. A notebook and three ring binder for the many handouts and reading materials that will be provided.
This class will cover: Understanding tissue states in theory and practice, observing their similarities and differences, and balancing with taste; chemical constituents; plants as relaxants and stimulants; degrees of hot cold, dry and moist; organ system deficiency and excess, adrenals, auto immune disorders, some essential oils, spiritual healing, beginning tongue diagnosis. Experience will also be gained in formulation, client assessment and facilitating a consultation.
Note: This is a tentative course schedule. There may be changes.
Class 1:
Mapping the constellation that is our class. Introductions, first reports assigned, and medicine making.
We will discuss method of making dried plant tinctures of roots, leaves and flowers. In class we will make tinctures of dried Schisandra chinensis berries, Achillea millefolium and Ceanothus americanus.
Class 2:
Introduction of tissue states and defining the following as applied to the practice of plant medicine: Vitalism/vitality, deficiency and excess, stimulating and relaxing; hot, cold, dry and moist; Heat/Excitation with sours/refrigerants, sedatives; and Wind/Constriction with acrid, bitter/relaxant, antispasmodics. Importance of organs of elimination.
*****
Tissue states
The presentation of the tissue is a message. In each of the following classes, we will look at the expression of each state, and how the taste and energetics of an herb relates. We will also weave in organ system deficiency and excess, disease and dysfunction. Each class will have homework. Examples of assignments: Reading, writing reports and articles, medicine making, sample formulating and tasting.
Class 3:
Heat/Excitation with cooling sour
Class 4:
Wind/Constriction with the taste acrid bitter
Class 5:
Cold/Depression with acrid, pungent, sour, fragrant bitters, menthol herbs/stimulant, carminative, antiseptic.
Class 6:
Damp/Relaxation with astringent, sour, pungent
Class 7:
Dry/Atrophy with the taste salty, sweet/mucilage
Class 8:
Damp/Torpor/Stagnation with bitter, sour and acrid/laxative, alterative, detoxifier
Class 9:
Formulation and tissue states combined with organ system deficiency and excess.
Class 10:
The Adrenals: In this first class on the adrenals, we will focus on the adrenal medulla, dysfunctions associated with, and plants to support. I will also begin to weave information in on the adrenaline stress type.
Class 11:
The Adrenals: With the focus on the adrenal cortex, dysfunctions associated with, and plants to support. I will begin weaving in information on adrenal cortical stress type.
Class 12:
Reports given.
Part 2: Formulation and client assessment. We will walk through a consultation, including how to prioritize when working with a complex case. Formulation will focus on tissue states combined with organ system deficiency and excess.
Week off for consultations.
Class 13 Group presentations of client consultations and recommendations.
