These advanced workshops in Western herbalism are intended for natural health practitioners specializing in herbal medicine such as herbalists, naturopaths and students in the advanced levels of other herbal programs. These workshops will introduce practitioners to Four Elements Herbal Therapy, a unique system of herbalism based on a Western physiological model that will help them to achieve a greater level of depth in the practice of herbalism and improve their clinical outcomes. The workshop is divided into three parts each running from Sunday evening to the following Saturday afternoon.

This workshop blends traditional and scientific elements of herbalism into a unique, clear, and practical system developed by Michael Vertolli from his many years of empirical research and clinical experience. It presents a detailed understanding of the therapeutic influence of herbs in the treatment of disease states and for health maintenance on the entire body rather than for a narrow range of symptoms or body systems as is often the case in Western herbalism today.

The materia medica portion of this workshop focuses primarily on herbs that grow or can be grown in northeastern North America. It includes a detailed discussion of their complete range of primary and secondary properties and how to use this information to combine them synergistically in formulations. Many of the herbs discussed are poorly documented or completely absent from the herbal literature or the information that is available is incomplete. The materia medica in this workshop is very in-depth and based largely on Michael's empirical research and clinical experience. Although the focus is on northeastern North American herbs, the information is presented in a clear format that can be applied to the use of herbs from any part of the world.

Some of the major components of this workshop include:

• A detailed discussion of the principles of formulating.
• Advanced information on the preparation of tinctures.
• Detailed materia medica of over 120 herbs including a number of high potency herbs along with specific criteria for their use.
• An integrated, holistic overview of how the different body systems work together to achieve common physiological goals.
• A detailed discussion of the therapeutics of each organ system including:
  
  • Dietary and lifestyle factors that optimize or weaken the functioning of the system.
  • The therapeutic properties of herbs that are required to treat the system holistically and their mechanisms of action.
  • Particular herbs that are best suited for the treatment of the system and their therapeutic properties.
  • Clear, concise templates that assist in the development of formulations for many of the major conditions that affect the system.
  • Protocols for the treatment of acute and chronic conditions of the system.
  • Sample case studies that will allow participants to apply the knowledge that they have learned.

One of the most important features of these workshops is that participants will be introduced to Four Elements Herbal Therapy, Michael Vertolli's unique system of herbal therapeutics that normalizes, optimizes and integrates physiological functioning at the cellular, tissue, organ and whole body levels. This system has been developed by Michael during his more than two decades of research and clinical experience. It will help practitioners to improve their clinical outcomes, optimize the health of their clients and prevent the development or recurrence of chronic disease states. This system also adds a greater level of depth to diagnosis as the formulations will elicit information about deeper levels of functioning or dysfunction in the way the patient responds to them.


Instructor

Michael Vertolli BSc, RH


Registration

Prerequisite
This is an advanced course for those who already have a good working knowledge of herbs and herbal medicine including herbalists, advanced herbal students, naturopaths, and others who wish to take their herbal knowledge to a higher level.

Required text
Michael Vertolli's Herbal Materia Medica text (cost: $65).

Scheduling
There are no Professional Intensives scheduled at this time. Check back periodically for updates or contact Living Earth (see below) for more information.

For each workshop participants must arrive on the Sunday evening. Lectures begin Monday morning at 9:00 am and end on Saturday at 4:00 pm.

Location
To be announced.

Accommodations
Provided.

Meals
Participants provide their own food. Dinners will be a collective effort.

Cost
Part 1:   $700
Part 2:   $700
Part 3:   $700

The tuition includes the cost of accommodations but it does not include the cost of the textbook. The text can be purchased at the beginning of the first workshop.


Registration
Download and fill out the Registration Form and send it along with a cheque for $700 (payable to ‘Living Earth School’) to: