Program Overview

Unit of Study HLT00257 - History and Foundations of Herbal Medicine

Unit Snapshot

• Unit type: UG Coursework Unit, UG Coursework Unit, UG Coursework Unit, UG Coursework Unit, UG Coursework Unit, UG Coursework Unit, UG Coursework Unit, UG Coursework Unit
• Credit points: 12
• AQF level: 7
• Level of learning: Introductory
• Former School/College: Former School of Health and Human Sciences
• Enrolment information: N/A

Unit Description

Introduces students to herbal medicine, based on the study of the European herbal tradition as it originated in ancient Greece. It covers the historical and philosophical framework of Western herbal medicine, its language and modern application. It also provides an introduction to the manufacture of herbal preparations.

Unit Content

• The philosophical tradition of western herbal medicine
• Introduction to a wide variety of herbals
• Scope and limitation of application of herbs: domestic, naturopathic and pharmaceutical uses
• Ecological considerations with regard to use of medicinal herbs
• Current political context for herbalists and relevant legislation
• Place of traditional knowledge and modern scientific research in herbal medicine
• Language of herbal medicine and the historical context of its utilisation
• Materia medica of selected herbs

Availabilities

• Location: Lismore
• Domestic: Session 2
• International: Session 2

Learning Outcomes and Graduate Attributes

Unit Learning Outcomes express learning achievement in terms of what a student should know, understand and be able to do on completion of a unit. These outcomes are aligned with the graduate attributes.

On Completion of This Unit, Students Should Be Able To:

1. Explain the historical and philosophical basis of Western herbal medicine
   • GA1: Intellectual rigour
   • GA4: Knowledge of a discipline
2. Use and apply the language of herbal medicine
   • GA4: Knowledge of a discipline
   • GA6: Communication and social skills
3. Explain a variety of approaches to herbal medicine in the Western tradition
   • GA1: Intellectual rigour
   • GA4: Knowledge of a discipline
4. Describe herbs of the materia medica according to therapeutic groups
   • GA4: Knowledge of a discipline
5. Describe the characteristics and significance of both traditional herbal knowledge and modern scientific research in phytotherapy
   • GA1: Intellectual rigour
6. Critically evaluate a variety of sources of available herbal information
   • GA1: Intellectual rigour
7. Apply common laboratory methods and techniques to the manufacture of herbal preparations
   • GA1: Intellectual rigour
   • GA4: Knowledge of a discipline

Prescribed Learning Resources

• No prescribed texts.

Graduate Attributes

• GA1: Intellectual rigour - A commitment to excellence in all scholarly and intellectual activities, including critical judgement.
• GA2: Creativity - An ability to develop creative and effective responses to intellectual, professional and social challenges.
• GA3: Ethical practice - A commitment to sustainability and high ethical standards in social and professional practices.
• GA4: Knowledge of a discipline - Command of a discipline to enable a smooth transition and contribution to professional and community settings.
• GA5: Lifelong learning - The ability to be responsive to change, to be inquiring and reflective in practice, through information literacy and autonomous, self-managed learning.
• GA6: Communication and social skills - The ability to communicate and collaborate with individuals, and within teams, in professional and community settings.
• GA7: Cultural competence - An ability to engage with diverse cultural and Indigenous perspectives in both global and local settings.