Botany for the Herbalist
with Cynthia Thomas

Spring, Summer & Fall 2011

Join Cynthia Thomas, Herbalist in an exploration of Botany. This course is designed to help those studying herbal medicine to deepen their relationship to the plants through an understanding of plant anatomy and physiology, plant structures and function, history and ecology, classification and naming, and last, but not least identification and medicinal uses. Emphasizing local flowering plants, this class is suitable for students at every level of herbal knowledge. This over 40 hour course will include evaluation, with a certificate available upon satisfactory completion.

Part I: Introduction to Plant Anatomy and Physiology

Gain an appreciation of plants through learning their history, basic physical characteristics, lifecycles, pollination, ecology, and the magic of photosynthesis. You will begin to understand plant chemical constituents including their uses for plants, and animals.

Part II: Taxonomy and Systematics

Learn about classification (systematics) and the naming of plants (taxonomy). Proper identification of plants is essential, both for safe use, and communication among herbalists. Botanical Latin was applied to classification for just this purpose. Students will learn classification, taxonomy, basic botanical Latin, plant family characteristics and how to use a dichotomous key for accurate identification in a fun hands-on environment. We will explore both print and online resources used in this vital and rapidly changing field.

Part III: Field Identification and Materia Medica

Sections II and III will overlap a great deal as we begin to apply the tools of botany to field identification. Most of our time will be spent out in the field, looking at plants, “keying them out”, placing them in their families, learning the language of botanists (“Is this glabrous or hirsute?”), and building our field notebooks with sketches, notes and plant samples. We will explore the identifying and medicinal characteristics of families as well as individuals.

Details on Cost & Registration

• When
  6:00pm - 9:00pm, Tuesdays: May 3, 17, 31, June 14, 28, July 19 and August 2
  9:00am - 5:00pm, Saturdays: August 27, September 10 or 17 and October 8
  
  
• Where
  2223 East 35th St, Suite #1, Minneapolis, MN; and Outdoor locations TBA
  
  
• Cost Options & Registration
  1) Early Bird Registration: Due by April 1st = $325 (save $50)
  2) First Day Payment: $150 holds place, $200 due first day of class = $350 (save $25)
  3) Installment Plan: $150 holds place, $125 due June 1st, $100 due August 1st = $375

Link to registration form (register early as space is limited)

• Contact
  Cynthia Thomas, cynthia@sacredjourneyhealingarts.com, 612.991-2717

 

www.sacredjourneyhealingarts.com