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TRAINING SUCCESSFUL PRACTITIONERS

Herbal Medicine Courses

Herbal Medicine Diploma Course

CNM’s Herbal Medicine diploma course is divided into three parts and takes 3-5 years to complete depending on your chosen schedule.

The Herbal Medicine diploma course provides high quality training which equips graduates to build successful practices. It is carefully structured. Each study unit builds on the previous one, allowing students to develop their confidence and skills, and reach their full potential as Herbalists.

80% of CNM graduates are practising (part time or full time)

  • Part 1:
    • Biomedicine, 1 year, 10 weekends
    • Naturopathy Study, 1 year, 10 weekends
    • Herbal Medicine I, 1 year, 10 weekends
  • Part 2:
    • Naturopathic Principles, 5 weekends
    • Herbal Medicine II, 1 year, 23 weekends
  • Part 3:
    • Herbal Medicine III, 1 year. 24 weekends

Course Overview

Length of Study: 3-5 years, depending on chosen schedule

Clinical Hours: 500 hours

Study Locations: Dublin and Online

CNM Diploma: Dip. Herbal Medicine & Dip. Naturopath

Accreditation: ANP, IRH

Members: ANP, IRH and AHG

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Become a Qualified Herbalist

Why study Herbal Medicine with CNM

  • In-depth, practice-oriented study leading to successful Herbalists
  • Excellent up-to-date educational material including filmed lectures
  • Focus on whole, organic western herbs treating the whole person
  • 500 clinic hours on real clients to become confident with clients
  • Experienced & supportive lecturers who are herbalists themselves
  • Have your own finance & business plan, blog and social media
  • Leading UK herbal training provider, well acknowledged in the world
  • Study also Nutrition, Detox, Chinese diagnostic, Iridology, First Aid Homeopathy, Naturopathy, Physical Therapies leading to a Naturopathy Dipl.
  • Option to study Online or In Class at one of CNM’s college locations

Change career, learn how to help others, improve your health and establish a rewarding business – contact one of our course consultants.

View full Herbal Medicine Diploma syllabus
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Herbal Medicine Diploma - Syllabus

Plant identification in Herbal Medicine Course

Part 1:

Biomedicine, Naturopathy Study & Herbal Medicine I

Biomedicine

The aim of Biomedicine is to get students to understand how the body functions, most common diseases, medical diagnostics, differential diagnostics and red flag symptoms. This way a future practitioner understands medical conditions, especially dangerous conditions and is able to decide what he can treat and when to refer to a specialist.

Medical Doctors, Dentists, Nurses, Physiotherapists, Pharmacists, Midwives, Chiropractors, Osteopaths are not required to take Biomedicine.

  • Medical Terminology and Definitions.
  • Anatomy, Physiology and Pathology of all Organ Systems.
  • Infectious Diseases, Allergies and How the Immune System works.
  • Pharmacology, Laboratory, Drug interactions.
  • Diagnostics, Differential diagnostics and Examination methods.
  • Red Flag symptoms, Legal Requirements, When to refer to an expert.

Herbal Medicine I

  • History, philosophy and treatment theories of Western herbal medicine
  • Herbal actions and their therapeutic applications
  • Safety considerations for herbal medicine
  • Social, political and legal context for herbal practice
  • Plant anatomy and physiology
  • Basic horticulture
  • Ecological issues and sustainability in herbal medicine
  • Energetics (Greco-Roman, Ayurveda, Traditional Chinese Medicine, American traditions)
  • Clinical Observation
  • Practitioner Development & Ethics I
  • Research & study skills I

Naturopathy Study

Naturopathy

  • Pioneers of Naturopathy, Naturopathic Principles, Healing Power of Nature.
  • Treating the Cause – not the Symptom. How not to Suppress symptoms.
  • The Laws of Cure. Fundamentals of Cure, How the Body can Heal itself.
  • Hydrotherapy: The many cures of Water (external & internal applications).

TCM (Traditional Chinese Medicine)

  • The 4 Pillars of TCM Diagnostics (pulse, tongue, face, nails).
  • Acupuncture Channels, their relation to organ functions. Yin - Yang Theory.
  • The Energetics of Food (warming, cooling, dehydrating, moistening).
  • Chinese Diets to strengthen a patients individual constitution.

Naturopathic Nutrition

  • Principals of Naturopathic Nutrition, Micro and Macro Nutrients. The nutritional benefits of different foods with knowledge of macro and micronutrients.
  • How to apply Nutritional Therapy in your practice.
  • Let Food be your Medicine and Medicine be your Food (Hippocrates).
  • Food combination, Superfoods, Various Diets, The CNM Naturopathic Diet. How to make healthy food choices.
  • Specific Foods for particular Ailments, Cooking for Health, Case studies.

First Aid Homeopathy

  • The Laws of Cure, Homeopathic Case taking and Prescription.
  • First Aid Homeopathic Remedies and Applications, Case Studies.

Herbal Medicine

  • Identifying, collecting, drying, storing and preparing herbs. Herbal safety.
  • Application of herbal medicines (internal and external) ​for therapeutic benefits.
  • Herbal formulas and naturopathic treatments for specific diseases.

Iridology

  • Iridology as a diagnostic tool. Case taking, assessment and diagnosis.
  • Constitutional Iris types, signs and markings in the iris.
  • Using iridology to choose best treatment in Naturopathic practice.

Naturopathy

Part 2:

Naturopathic Principles & Herbal Medicine II

Naturopathic Principles

  • Naturopathy & Detoxification
  • Bach Flower Therapy
  • Tissue Salts
  • Bodywork (Acupressure, Reflex therapies)

Herbal Medicine II

  • Biochemistry
  • Pharmacology
  • Herb drug interactions
  • Botany & Plant identification
  • Quality assessment of herbal medicines
  • Preparation of internal and external herbal medicines
  • Herbal medicine materia medica
  • Clinical examination skills
  • Pathology
  • Clinical Observation and Experience
  • Practitioner Development & Ethics II
  • Research & study skills II

Herbal Medicine Lecture - Vulnerary Herbs

Part 3:

Herbal Medicine III & Dissertation

Herbal Medicine III

  • Herbal Therapeutics
  • Eyes, ears, nose, throat and face
  • Lower respiratory system
  • Gastrointestinal system
  • Musculoskeletal system
  • Genitourinary system
  • Cardio-vascular system
  • Blood and lymphatic system
  • Nervous system
  • Endocrine system
  • Immune system
  • Female and male reproductive systems
  • Fertility
  • First aid and acute treatments
  • Dermatology
  • Obstetrics
  • Paediatrics
  • Oncology
  • Geriatrics
  • Clinical Practice
  • Clinical Management
  • Practitioner Development & Ethics III

Dissertation

Biomedicine Course: Sample Lecture

Herbal Medicine: Sample Lecture

Student Stories

Herbal Medicine Course Prerequisites

Junior or Leaving Certificate, or equivalent academic and/or work experience. If you are able to demonstrate previous study or work experience you may apply to gain exemptions from some units. Please contact us for more information and to see if you qualify for direct enrolment.

Herbal Medicine Course Accreditation

Herbal Medicine Training

CNM Students are eligible to join the ANP (Association of Naturopathic Practitioners) and receive the following benefits:

  • Access to various databases for further research
  • Discounted indemnity insurance for clinical practice
  • Discounts from various companies
  • Reduced fees for special seminars, lectures, master classes, workshops
  • Free training to set up your business
  • Free mentoring for new graduates

IRH (Irish Register of Herbalists). The IRH is a member of the National Herbal Council.

Naturopathy Training

ANP (Association of Naturopathic Practitioners) The ANP is the largest Association for Naturopathic Nutrition and Naturopathy in the UK and Ireland. ANP members are widely respected in the industry in Europe and Internationally.

Further Study

Students who have completed their Herbal training with the CNM may opt to study additional specialist diploma courses, HomeopathyAcupuncture, or Naturopathic Nutrition.

Herbal medicine has a long tradition in all cultures. Applications in practice have proven the huge benefits of herbs. As well as relieving symptoms, herbal medicine also works on a deeper level to help patients return to full harmony. Herbal medicine is becoming ever more popular, as ever more people seek out qualified herbalists.

The CNM Herbal Medicine Diploma Course provides high quality training that equips graduates to build successful practices. It is carefully structured so each study unit builds on the previous one, allowing students to develop their confidence and skills, and reach their full potential as professional Herbalists. Students are strongly encouraged to develop their own unique style of consultation and application. One of the strengths of The College of Naturopathic Medicine course is that we draw on a variety of herbal traditions: we have expert lecturers in western, Ayurvedic (Indian) and Chinese herbal medicine. Students study the energetic models of these systems, allowing them to make a multi–faceted, holistic diagnosis. Graduates can draw on a wide variety of herbs from different traditions, helping them to provide the best possible treatment for their patients. Studying Herbal Medicine at the CNM means that upon graduating, you are not only a Herbalist but also have a good grounding in Naturopathic Nutrition, First Aid Homeopathy, Chinese diagnostics, Bach Flowers, Tissue Salts, Naturopathy and Iridology. You’ll be a specialist in Herbal Medicine and you will be able to apply a number of other tools to help your patients. CNM Diploma courses focus on practical applications as the main aim of CNM is to train its students to become successful practitioners.

Herbal Medicine is regulated by professional associations. CNM graduates are eligible to join relevant associations and get indemnity insurance.

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