In this module, you’ll explore the fascinating chemistry behind herbal medicine and learn what gives plants their therapeutic power. You’ll understand the difference between primary and secondary metabolites, and become familiar with key constituents like terpenes, polyphenols, and safe alkaloids. You’ll also study volatile oils, essential oils, cardiac glycosides, and phytoestrogens, with a focus on safe and informed use.

In this module, you’ll learn why the quality of herbal products directly impacts safety and explore Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) standards and testing. You’ll understand herb-drug interactions and the different types of reactions that can occur. You’ll gain confidence using herbs during pregnancy, lactation, and for children, recognize contraindications for certain conditions, and learn how to identify and pinpoint adverse reactions in herbal blends.

Herbal energetics is the core of true herbalism. In this module, you’ll move beyond “what herb is good for what” and learn to see plants as energetic allies with unique temperatures, actions, and tendencies. You’ll discover why herbs work, why one soothes while another stimulates, and how matching plant energetics to a person’s constitution turns herbalism into informed, effective practice.

Herbs don’t work by magic, but they do work through beautifully complex, intelligent systems that modern science is still learning how to describe.

When tinctures are better than tea, how to build them, and how to use them safely Tinctures are one of the most powerful herbal preparations, but only when they are used intentionally and appropriately. This lesson teaches: When tinctures are the right choice, how tinctures differ energetically from teas, how to structure tincture formulas using the same roles system.