As you take a look at the different offerings of various online herbal schools, you might find yourself a little confused. It’s not quite like comparing oranges with oranges.
If you are interested in taking The Herbal Academy’s herbal course and want to find out more about what exactly that entails, then you’ve come to the right place. In this article, we will be reviewing exactly what The Herbal
Academy is all about, and we will help you figure out whether it’s the right place for you to learn about herbs.
An Introduction to The Herbal Academy
The Introductory Herbal Class and The Intermediate Herbal Class combine to form the Family Herbalist Package from The Herbal Academy. Combining these two courses, as well as a third course that is called The Entrepreneur Herbalist Course, the Academy offers The Entrepreneur Herbalist Package.
For the sake of simplicity, this review will only cover The Intermediate Herbal Class to give you a general idea of what you can expect from The Herbal Academy.
Course Length at The Herbal Academy
The intermediate course consists of 10 units, and the Academy recommends that you do one unit every month. If you follow this recommendation, then it will likely take you just under one year to finish the course if you are working through it on a part-time basis. As a student, you are given access to the materials for your course for two years from the day that you activate the course via your student portal on The Herbal Academy website.
Who Teaches the Herbal Academy Course?
Several instructors teach the course, and they each have experience and expertise in the specific field that they teach. There is no single dominating instructor during the course, and as a student, you will benefit from the expertise of medical doctors and herbalists that have diverse professional backgrounds.
How the Herbal Academy Course Is Presented
The intermediate course is mostly presented via written instruction, supplemented by a video here and there, and comes with plenty of recipes for topical medicines, herbal medicines, culinary condiments, and even cosmetic products. Each system of the body is explained using detailed physiology and anatomy videos that are taught by medical doctors.
The units in the course each focus on a single body system. Using this framework, the issues that may be encountered in each system are provided with potential herbal solutions. When a herb is first introduced, there is generally a plant monograph of the specific herb so students are able to start their collection of their own Materia Medica. As a student, you will develop your notes on each herb as you start to learn more.
You will be encouraged to use other information sources other than the class notes so that you may grow and expand your herbal knowledge. Chinese Traditional Medicine, Ayurvedic, and Western Herbalist Traditions are introduced throughout the course and created with knowledge from scientific studies that have been peer-reviewed.
Who Is the Herbal Academy Course For?
The introductory course is not a prerequisite for the intermediate course if you are experienced in producing your own vinegars, herbal tinctures, honeys, and herbal cosmetics, and if you know how to perform herbal research to understand the energetics and reactions of different herbs. However, if you are just starting your herbal study, then you should probably take the introductory course.
By the intermediate course’s third lesson, you will be deep into learning about human physiology and anatomy. Once again, if you are just starting to learn about herbs, then you may feel overwhelmed by these science lessons.
Conversely, if you have a scientific background, specifically in the fields of anatomy or physiology, then you should be able to learn the material and knowledge from this course without needing to take the beginner course.
What the Course Does Well
The great thing about courses from The Herbal Academy is that there are a number of instructors providing their own knowledge on their areas of expertise. When you ask a question, an instructor who is capable of answering it will be called on, and you’ll receive an answer that is relevant and personal to your question, rather than a simple generic one.
The course is well-constructed, colorful, and has had a lot of thought put into it. It is complete by itself, but it is also an important part of each of The Herbal Academy’s advanced study programs. The intermediate course was constructed while thinking about where the student will let their studies take them after they have completed the course. It is the foundation for the next herbal education level.
How Is the Herbal Academy Course Different from Other Courses?
There is a Facebook group as well as a forum available to students, where students are able to ask questions and provide their own commentary as they progress through their coursework. Questions are encouragingly and cordially answered in both the Facebook group and the private forum by the instructors involved in the course.
Practical experience and scholarship in instruction are emphasized in all of The Herbal Academy’s courses, and the intermediate course specifically provides students with a broad introduction to various ways of thinking within the realm of herbal medicine. Some of the schools of thought contradict one another, but these contradictions, instead of being ignored, are discussed.
Challenges That Students Will Face
The coursework consists of 10 units, and students will have two years to complete them before they are no longer able to access the material. It can be difficult to remember this, and you may find yourself overwhelmed by the amount of work you need to do. However, the two-year countdown is only initiated once the course has been activated.
Pros and Cons
When evaluating any course, you need to look at the pros and cons when making your decision.
Pros
- Various course packages available
- Several instructors
- Scientific backings & medical doctors
- Forum & Facebook group available
- Plenty of time to complete the course
Cons
- Pricey
- Beginner Course may be prerequisite to Intermediate Course
Final Thoughts
And there you have it – everything you need to know to make your decision about the Herbal Academy. We hope that you have gained what you were looking for and will enjoy this course.
