These series of classes are designed to increase knowledge of plant medicine, theories and strategies of usage application, and hands on tools to build confidence in the use of plant medicine for both health professionals and other individuals interested in health and healing. Each series is taught over four days 10am to 5pm, with a lunch break and two shorter tea breaks during the day. The levels may be attended in any order as these are stand alone courses, and are taught over a series of weeks to allow completion of assignments and reading materials. The instructor will provide a training booklet, herbal samples, recommended reading list, as well as issuing a case study, experiential assignment, or medicine-making project after each level.

Upon completion of all four levels in each series (levels may be attended out of sequence), and associated projects and assignments, the student will be issued a certificate of completion for the Clinical Herbal Medicine training series, or Holistic Essential Oil training series, from the Hawthorn Healing Arts Center.

PHYSIOLOGY AND THE ELEMENTS: HEALING WITH HERBAL MEDICINE
Level 1: Healing with Roots
We will explore the nutritional and medicinal benefit of powerful roots that are frequently used in modern western herbal medicine today. We will discuss how to understand and apply herbal medicine holistically in primary healthcare, the difference between the isolated constituent (pharmaceutical) effect on body versus polypharmacy and synergistic activity of herbs on the human organism. An introduction of the five element model and Earth element as it relates to root medicine, and the deeper understanding of modern physiology will focus on skeletal, mucus membrane, immune and gastrointestinal systems.

Level 2: Healing with Shoots
Learn about the functional process of sprouting shoots for a plant, and how it becomes medicine for our body including role of the body’s utilization of minerals and enzymes. We will discuss the role of fire element and how it relates to cellular utilization of energy, and its effects on metabolism, inflammation, detoxification, and healthy fever management. The physiology of our fire organs will be understood in their role of digestion and other essential transformational processes on the cellular and organ level. Common household herbs and local accessible plants will be discussed, as well as how to apply them in tincture form.

Level 3: Healing with Flowers
Learn about the functional role of flowers for both plant and human survival, and how flower medicine influences our mind, body, and spirit. We will look deeper at the role of the air element and how the law of attraction both physically and energetically affects the holistic health of our thoughts and physical patterns. Influence on physiological functioning of the body will focus on the energetic field, respiratory, circulatory, and nervous systems. We discuss and explore the different influences of flower remedies including flower essences, essential oils, and other herbal preparations

Level 4: Healing with Fruits
Learn about the functional role of fruit in the plant world, and how fruit medicine nourishes and heals the membranes, hormone response, and stress response of the human body. Basic nutritional and detailed medicinal understanding of particular fruits will be discussed. We will look deeper at the role of the water element and its role in reproduction, stress response, hormone communication, and the physiological functioning of reproductive glands and hormones, stress hormones, at their effect on immune and overall stamina of body. Role of adaptogenic medicine will be discussed, as well as the use of enhancement medicines on the human organism.

HEALING WITH ESSENTIAL OILS: HOLISTIC THEORY AND HANDS-ON APPLICATIONS
Level 1: Physical Application of Essential Oils
Learn about the physical healing properties of essential oils and what makes them so ideally suited for promoting physical health and healing. The 10 most beneficial essential oils for holistic health care will be discussed and their safe and effective application (topical, inhalation, internal) will be demonstrated. Students will receive hands-on training in the use of essential oils for physical health.

Level 2: Emotional Balancing with Essential Oils
Learn about the emotional healing properties of essential oils and their effect on the human mind and body to promote emotional balance. You will learn about the 10 most beneficial oils for emotional health and learn application techniques, including breathing techniques, acupressure points and auricular therapy, for their safe and effective use. You will also learn to put together an emotional release session.

Level 3: Mental Elevation with Essential Oils
Learn about the mental healing properties of essential oils and their effect on the human mind and body to promote mental elevation and focus. You will learn mind stimulating oils for work and creative energy, as well as reflexology techniques for assisting circulation and energy flow to the brain/head, and mental field. We will look at aspects of mental fatigue and degeneration, and learn powerful tools to keep both ourself and those around us mentally elevated.

Level 4: Spiritual Attunement with Essential Oils
Learn about the ancient uses of essential oils for spiritual healing. The 10 most sacred essential oils, as mentioned in the ancient spiritual scriptures, will be introduced. Learn how to use essential oils to increase your energy vibration, protect and ground your energy field, develop inner vision and clarity, and clear negative and blocked energies. You will also learn about chakra balancing with essential oils.

CERTIFICATION OF COMPLETION
Upon completing entire series and homework given with each level, the student will receive a certificate from Hawthorn Healing Arts affirming the completion of our Clinical Herbal Medicine training or Holistic Essential Oil training.

DATES:
INSTRUCTOR: Elyse Williams MS, CNS
Cost: $125 for each individual class / $500 for a series of 4 / $1000 for the complete Plant Medicine Training