Home

Event Calendar

Clinic

Plant Walks

Contact/Mailing List

Studies in Western Herbal Medicine/2008 Program

Running time
The program runs from April through September.  Each month there will be one full day of lecture and 2 or 3 days of field study.

Schedule
April 27th – Lecture
May 3rd and 4th – Field trip (low elevation)

June 1st – Lecture
June 7th and 8th – Field trip (mid elevation)

July 20th – Lecture
July 25th, 26th, and 27th – Field trip (high elevation)

August 10th – Lecture
August 15th, 16th, and 17th – Field trip (high elevation)

September 7th – Lecture
September 13th and 14th – Field trip (low elevation)

Learning objectives
> Develop a basic understanding of concepts in western herbalism
> Understand western physiology’s relationship to herb use
> Learn how to identify plants by taxonomic keys and other more general approaches
> Learn primary plant preparations such as teas, fresh and dried plant tinctures, oils, salves, liniments, cough  syrups, and other preparations
> Cultivate a light-handed approach to wildcrafting; know how to gather, when to take and when not too

Lectures
Concepts, ideas, and practical information regarding how to best intertwine plant usage and people will be covered.  We will draw upon traditional and present day perspectives surrounding the art and science of western herbalism.  Focus with be on Materia Medica (native and non-native plants), western physiology, herbal preparations, and generally on information that will make you a better-informed plant person.

When and Where
A total of 40 hours of classroom lecture will be presented.  Lecture times will be from 9:00 to 5:30 on Sundays and held at a location (in Tucson) to be determined.

Field trips
Knowledge of powdered plants in capsules is one thing but an entire dimension is added when light is shed upon the fact that plants are living creatures, firstly existing in an environment of their choice.  These excursions are designed to bring about an affinity with plants in their natural settings.  We will be entering into amazing areas of beauty; here we will be listening too and guided by botanical secrets of the land.

Field study topics to be covered
> Medicinal and edible uses of regional plants
> Plant identification
> Field processing and preparations
> Plant/Regional ecology
> Ethical wildcrafting

Logistics
The May, June, and September field trip weekends are day trips.  Each day we will leave early Saturday and Sunday mornings and return late afternoon or early evening.  The July and August field trips are over-nighters; we will leave Friday morning and return late Sunday afternoon or early evening.  Students will have ample time on the trips to collect and process plants.

What you will need
> Car camping gear – food, tent, sleeping bag, etc.
> Knife/pruners/shovel/trowel/paper bags/cutting board
> 1-3 gallons of grain alcohol (Everclear) – this can be purchased at most liquor stores and supermarkets, also we can place a group order at wholesales prices
> Loop (10x), can be purchased at Discount Agate House (520-323-0781)
> Metric ruler that has millimeters as its smallest denomination and a razor blade
> Mason jars (Ball, not Kerr) – wide-mouth cups, pints, and quarts
> Notebook and pen

Traveling expenses
Factor in necessary traveling expenses for our field trips. Done on a budget, plan on spending a  
minimum of $50.00 on each field trip on various things: campground fees, food, road-stops, etc.

Do not bring on field trips or to classes
Friends, spouses, pets, and intoxicants (includes alcohol)

Certification
A certificate of completion will be given after students complete this course of study.  If more than two classroom days or four field trip days, or four days total are missed for any reason certification will not be granted.

What you can do with this after completion
Essentially the understanding that is gained from this program gives tools to an individual to become more adept at self-healing with herbs.  Also the knowledge gained here can benefit family and friends through its application to them in times of need.  Even today with the large resurgence in herbs and other natural therapies, to identify, collect, and use the plants of your surrounding area is unique and rather specialized.  This course alone does not make an individual a practicing herbalist.  The study of medicinal plants transforms into this deeper craft only after years of various forms of study.

Interview/Acceptance and Qualifications
Perspective students will be interviewed to determine their commitment to learning and completion of the course. Only individuals interested in completing the entire course will qualify. The course can not be parted-out (only coming on field trips for example). Although pervious medicinal herb experience is not necessary it will be of help, but by far, what is most important is an attitude of willingness and the understanding that you are here to learn.

A note on teaching style
I have been a wildcrafter, teacher, and herbalist for nearly 20 years. Through experience, I have learned many pertinent...and non-pertinent things in reference to western herbalism. It is my job to teach you what I think is relevant in the most effective way possible. My teaching style is hands-on and generous, a mixture of old-school common sense and respect for the traditional teacher-student relationship. If you show true interest, you will not be disappointed. 

Cost and payment options
The cost of the entire program, including lecture and field study, is $695.00. This does not include supplies, travel and other secondary expenses you may incur. A non-refundable deposit of $100.00 is necessary to hold your place. The remaining $595.00 is due by the first day of class on April 27th. Apply early as space is limited to 12 students. Credit cards, checks, money orders, and cash are all accepted; trade and barter are not accepted. All monies paid are non-refundable.

To register
For more information or to set up an interview contact Charlie Kane at 520-731-3379 or charkane@earthlink.net.

About your instructor
Charlie Kane has been utilizing southwestern plants medicinally for the past 17 years.  As a young boy he was first introduced to plant usage through his grandfather who was a backwoodsman - “My grandfather, my brother, and I would collect wild cresses and onions together.  His favorite plant for treating poison ivy rashes we occasionally got from tromping around was Jewelweed.  He knew all of the trees, during the winter and summer alike.”  Later, through trial and error and as a student Charlie developed a practical, hands-on, and effective style of herbalism.  In private practice since 1999, through the Tucson Clinic of Botanical Medicine he combines traditional and modern herbal uses, western physiology, and constitutional diagnosis.  Charlie’s teaching experience includes giving instruction in western herbalism at the Phoenix Institute of Herbal Medicine and Acupuncture, through Pima Community College and Tucson Botanical Gardens.  He has been a guest lecturer at the Southwest School of Botanical Medicine and has taught constitutional herbal medicine at the Sonoran Herbal Institute.  Charlie has been a guest on several local TV programs, has been interviewed by the Arizona DailyStar, theTucson Citizen, and the Nogales International.  His plant photography has been published in American Scientific Magazine.  He is author of Herbal Medicine of the American Southwest.  His forthcoming book, Herbal Medicine: Current Trends and Traditions, is due on shelves late 2008.