It’s been years since doctor, philosopher, teacher and author Bill Mitchell, ND passed away in the winter of 2007. We still miss his great sense of humor, his passion for the healing energies of plants, his unbounded knowledge of naturopathic clinical practice and his cosmic perspective on life and learning. Continue reading
Herbal Education
The highest quality information on herbal medicine through conferences, video, audio recordings, and books – Distance Learning and Continuing Education for healthcare professionals since 1996.
Restoring Immunological Balance with Botanicals
The following are summaries from the most recent Medicines from the Earth Herb Symposium. The presentations in this post include building immunity from childhood, environmental causes of immune deficiencies, and investigating the connection between aging and immunity. Continue reading
Sleep Management for Clinicians
An audio series for health care providers – with continuing education for naturopathic physicians – bundled together in one discounted package:
- Six (6) audio lectures (1.5 hours each)
- Digital book of notes (62-page PDF)
- Order with one click for $55 ($70 value)
Note: The information in this series is provided as a research resource for health professionals and is not intended to replace diagnosis and treatment by a qualified health care practitioner.
Details: These six audio recordings offer a wealth of clinical information for restoring healthy sleep patterns. Beginning with the cytokine connection to insomnia in which Mary Bove, ND discusses how modulating specific pro-inflammatory cytokines can provide relief for sleep disruption, this series continues with a description of the healing and anti-aging powers of sleep with Christopher Hobbs, PhD and Mary Rondeau, ND. Tori Hudson, ND discusses the pandemic of insomnia and anxiety in midlife women and how to provide relief from this “fearsome twosome.” The series is rounded out by two comprehensive presentations, one by David Winston, RH (AHG) on botanical and nutritional treatments for insomnia (determining the right herbs and nutrients for the right person), and one by Kenneth Proefrock, ND on the cycles of sleeping and dreaming and their importance for overall health. Series includes a digital book of lecture notes with complete references (62-page PDF). Continue reading
Thyroid Management for Clinicians
An audio series for health care providers – with continuing education for naturopathic physicians – bundled together in one discounted package:
- Six (6) audio lectures (1.5 hours each)
- Digital book of notes (61 page PDF)
- Order with one click for $55 ($70 value)
Note: The information in this series is provided as a research resource for health professionals and is not intended to replace diagnosis and treatment by a qualified health care practitioner.
Details: In this collection of thyroid presentations, Paul Bergner begins with an overview of thyroid physiology, ideal hormone balance and nutrients for the thyroid. Jason Miller’s lecture looks at the endocrine network through the lens of traditional Chinese medicine, and nutrients, botanicals and iodine for treatment. Mary Bove’s presentation centers on thyroid and women’s health, and Jill Stansbury investigates the research showing the connection between the thyroid and the reproductive system.
Kenneth Proefrock speaks about his clinical experience treating both hypo and hyperthyroid disorders, including the increasing incidence of Graves’ disease in the pediatric population. David Winston wraps it up with an extensive review of botanicals for common thyroid conditions. (See more detailed descriptions below.) Includes a digital book of lecture notes with complete references (61-page PDF). Continue reading
Arizona NDs: CME for Opioid/Addiction Requirement
We have several presentations approved for the opioid/addiction continuing education requirement for Arizona Naturopathic Doctors.
Approved by the Sonaran University of Health Sciences (SUHS) continuing education committee for opioid/addiction CE.
Video Series: Substance Use Disorder Video Series
- Provides 9 opioid/addiction + 1.5 pharmacy + 1.5 general hours of continuing education
Individual Video Recordings:
- Managing the Impacts of Opioid Use Using Herbs & Nutrition with Jen Stovall, BSN, RN, 1.5 hours credit (23SW15)
- Soothing the Hungry Ghost: Supporting our Clients When they are Ready to Quit Using Opioids with Jen Stovall, BSN, RN, 1.5 hours credit (23SW16)
- Botanical and other Protocols for Opiate Use Disorder with Kenneth Proefrock, NMD, 1.5 hours credit (22SW10)
- A Multidisciplinary Integrated Model for Treating Chronic Pain and Opioid Dependence with David Eisen, LAc, MSW, OMD(AM), 1.5 hours credit (22SW14)
- Part 1: Opiate Use Disorder and its Treatment from a Mind-Body-Spirit Perspective with Lori Harger, PMHNP, 1.5 hours credit (21SW07)
- Part 2: Opiate Use Disorder and its Treatment from a Mind-Body-Spirit Perspective with Lori Harger, PMHNP, 1.5 hours credit (21SW08)
- Addiction Series Part A – Understanding Addiction: Neurobiological and Cultural Underpinnings with Lydia Bartholow, DNP, PMHNP, 1.5 hours credit (20SW12)
- Addiction Series Part B – Treating Addiction and Promoting Harm Reduction with Botanical Medicine and Some Pharmaceuticals with Lydia Bartholow, DNP, PMHNP, 1.5 hours credit (20SW26)
Audio Recordings:
- Managing the Impacts of Opioid Use Using Herbs & Nutrition with Jen Stovall, BSN, RN, 1.5 hours credit (23SW15)
- Soothing the Hungry Ghost: Supporting our Clients When they are Ready to Quit Using Opioids with Jen Stovall, BSN, RN, 1.5 hours credit (23SW16)
- Botanical and Other Protocols for Opiate Use Disorder with Kenneth Proefrock, NMD, 1.5 hours credit (22SW10)
- A Multidisciplinary Integrated Model for Treating Chronic Pain and Opioid Dependence with David Eisen, LAc, MSW, OMD(AM), 1.5 hours credit (22SW14)
- Opiate Use Disorder and its Treatment from a Body-Mind-Spirit Perspective: Part 1 and Part 2 with Lori Harger, PMHNP, 3 hours credit (21OpiatePart1andPart2)
- Addiction Series Part A – Understanding Addiction: Neurobiological and Cultural Underpinnings with Lydia Bartholow, DNP, PMHNP, 1.5 hours credit (20SW12)
- Acute Opiate Withdrawal: An Herbal Protocol with Jillian Stansbury, ND, 1.5 hours credit (19SW26)
- Types of Pain and Herbal Management Tools to Counter the Opiate Crisis with Jillian Stansbury, ND, 1.5 hours credit (19ME09)
- Naturopathic Therapies for Addiction Part 1 and Part 2 with Kenneth Proefrock, NMD, 3 opioid hours + 1 pharmacy hour (18AddictPt1andPt2)
Instructions for Distance Learning:
Purchase recordings online by clicking their links above, save your receipt, keep a record of CME credits earned on this certificate. It’s as easy as that! View or print CME instructions
Please contact us with any questions about naturopathic CE.
Gastrointestinal Health Series for the Clinician
An audio series for health care providers – with continuing education for naturopathic physicians – bundled together in one discounted package:
- Nine (9) audio lectures (1.5 – 2 hours each)
- Digital book of notes (137 page PDF)
- Order with one click for $75 ($105 value)
Note: The information in this series is provided as a research resource for health professionals and is not intended to replace diagnosis and treatment by a qualified health care practitioner.
Details: These nine audio recordings offer a wealth of advanced clinical information on the relationship of the gastrointestinal system to physical and mental health. Presented by experienced practitioners, the series covers botanicals for basic gut health and a review of herbal and nutritional gastroenterology. The first four recordings listed below include clinical recommendations for healing the gut-brain axis with botanicals, treating intestinal permeability and managing small intestine bacterial overgrowth (SIBO). The final two recordings present the latest information on the vagus nerve and the brain’s effect on the gut and overall immunity. (See more detailed descriptions below.) Includes a digital book of lecture notes with complete references (137-page pdf). Continue reading
Pain and Inflammation Education for Clinicians
Pain and Inflammation series
An audio series for health care providers – bundled together in one discounted package:
- Eight (8) audio lectures (1.5 hours each)
- Digital book of notes (90 page PDF)
- Order with one click for $65 ($90 value)
Continuing education for naturopathic physicians
Note: The information in this series is provided as a research resource for health professionals and is not intended to replace diagnosis and treatment by a qualified health care practitioner.
Details: These eight audio recordings offer the clinician valuable information to help reduce opioid use, over-use and addiction. Presented by experienced practitioners, they address botanical therapies for dampening the inflammatory response and managing types of pain (i.e. neuralgia, acute renal colic, vascular pain, fibromyalgia, arthritis and radiation-induced oral mucositis). Features up-to-date information on the uses of cannabis for pain management and discusses the underlying causes of chronic pain syndrome. Includes digital book of lecture notes with complete references (85 page PDF). Continue reading
Licorice Root: Potent Antiviral, Antimicrobial and Antifungal
Glycyrrhiza glabra and Glycyrrhiza uralensis (licorice) are members of the pea family (Leguminosae). In Chinese lore, licorice became known as “sweet grass”, finding utility as a sweet flavoring and gaining respect in over two thousand years of recorded use as a potent medicinal plant 1. Continue reading
Prevention of Cognitive Decline as we Age
This is a summary of the panel discussion at the 2018 Southwest Conference on Botanical Medicine with Chanchal Cabrera, RH(AHG), Katie Stage, ND, RH(AHG) and Jill Stansbury, ND, in which they addressed cognitive decline and dementia. In this wide-ranging discussion they covered botanicals and nutritional therapies for prevention, and evaluated the most commonly prescribed pharmaceuticals. Continue reading
Medical Marijuana Education for Clinicians
Cannabis Therapeutics
An audio series for health care providers – bundled together in one discounted package:
- Six (6) audio lectures
- Digital book of notes (50 page PDF)
- Order with one click for $55 ($70 value)
Details: These six audio recordings offer the clinician detailed information on prescribing Medical Marijuana, the most appropriate delivery system for specific conditions, possible side effects and interactions. Includes complete references. Features up-to-date information on medicinal uses of Cannabis for pain, cancer, mental health conditions, sleep and more. Includes digital book of lecture notes (50 page PDF).
Naturopathic CE: If CME has not previously been earned for the below lectures (either in person or distance) you can earn 3.5 general and 6.5 pharmacy credits. See more Continuing Education details.
Recordings included in this series:
Therapeutic Uses of the Cannabinoids and Other Cannabis Compounds, Part 1
Kenneth Proefrock presents his clinical experience using Cannabis therapeutically for a wide range of conditions from seizures, restless leg syndrome and insomnia, to cancer, MS, Parkinsons and chronic pain. Detailed usage information includes prescribing Medical Marijuana as an internal agent, a vapor, as food and in topical applications for pain. Speaker: Kenneth Proefrock, ND. (Product Code: 15SW01)
Therapeutic Uses of the Cannabinoids and Other Cannabis Compounds, Part 2
Continued from Part 1, Kenneth Proefrock continues presenting his clinical experience using Cannabis therapeutically for a wide range of conditions from seizures, restless leg syndrome and insomnia, to cancer, MS, Parkinsons and chronic pain. Includes some of the more interesting research on the variability of constituents with different cultivation techniques and cross-reactions with other therapeutic agents. Reviews laws surrounding medical uses with an emphasis on Arizona. Kenneth Proefrock, ND. (Product Code: 15SW02)
Use of Cannabis Compounds for Health and Disease Treatment: A Science-Based Review
Reviews over 250 clinical trials on the efficacy and safety of Medical Marijuana use for glaucoma, HIV/AIDs, opiate addiction, nausea, cancer-related cachexia, muscle spasms, epilepsy, pain, autoimmune diseases and inflammation. The benefits and drawbacks of different delivery systems, different solvents for extraction and vaporizers are discussed. Clinically relevant details on the chemistry, pharmacology, pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of cannabinoids, including THC and CBD, are summarized. Speaker: Christopher Hobbs, PhD. (Product Code: 18SW03)
The Influence of Cannabis on the Psyche
Reports in both the biomedical literature and from patients suggest that there are beneficial effects of Medical Cannabis on various psychological conditions. Conversely, there are reports of detrimental influences of Cannabis on mental health, including addiction. This lecture discusses both sides and shines a light on a topic that will increasingly be discussed in healthcare provider forums and the press. Speaker: Kevin Spelman, PhD. (Product Code: 15ME30)
Cannabis and Cancer: Sifting the Science
The use of Medical Marijuana to treat issues such as cancer pain or chemo-induced nausea and vomiting is well established. However, there is also widespread patient interest in Medical Cannabis as a direct anticancer agent. This session reviews how cancer involves the endocannabinoid system, and presents data on the anticancer properties of Cannabis both in terms of cancer pathophysiology & molecular biology, as well as its effects on specific malignancies. Speaker: Jonathan Treasure, MNIMH. (Product Code: 17SW25)
Cannabis as an Alternative to Opioids, Benzodiazepines, NSAIDs and other Drugs
While these drugs can have unintended side effects, the use of Medical Marijuana as a substitute should be carefully evaluated for efficacy, adverse reactions and best use for either weaning patients from a drug or using it in conjunction to reduce drug dosage and negative effects. In a fair comparison, Medical Marijuana may be better, but a user may also develop tolerance, loss of effect, and side effects from Marijuana. Examine all sides of this topic with three experienced clinicians. Panelists: Paul Bergner, Jonathan Treasure and Kenneth Proefrock. (Product Code: 17SW17)
Plus, the Series Lecture Notes for Cannabis Therapeutics, in PDF format.
Order the complete Medical Marijuana package »
Mast Cell Activation Syndrome & Histamine Intolerance: An Herbal Approach
I always tell my patients with histamine issues, whether it’s histamine intolerance or mast cell activation syndrome (MCAS), that they are “the canary in the coal mine.” The canaries were the warning sign, just like people with easily-angered mast cells warning us that our environment is changing, our genes are becoming more sensitive to pollution, and our physiology is losing its resilience to stressors of daily living. However, there is indeed hope and healing – the body can be retrained and herbal medicine offers a set of tools to help it do just that! Continue reading
Western Larch – New Uses for an Ancient Medicine
Larix occidentalis, the Western Larch, is a species of larch native to mountainous regions of North America’s Pacific Northwest; southeastern British Columbia and southwestern Alberta in Canada, eastern WA, eastern OR, northern ID, and western MT in the United States. Continue reading
Wardwells Receive ABC Award
NEWS: ABC Announces Annual Herbal Community Builder Award Recipients
Linnea and Larry Wardwell have organized conferences on botanical medicine for over 25 years
(Austin, TX. February 25, 2019) The nonprofit American Botanical Council (ABC) has announced the recipients of its annual ABC Mark Blumenthal Herbal Community Builder Award. The award for 2018 goes to Linnea and Larry Wardwell, a husband and wife team who have been organizing and promoting herb conferences for over 25 years.
The annual award, named for ABC Founder and Executive Director Mark Blumenthal, is given to individuals who have played a significant role in creating a sense of community among herbalists, botanical researchers, members of the herb and natural products communities and industries, and others who work in the area of medicinal and aromatic plants. Continue reading
Symposium Director Forcibly Ejected!
Remembering Walter Crinnion, ND
The world lost a great human being, environmental medicine expert and teacher with the passing of Walter J. Crinnion, ND on March 11, 2019.
Walter was a regular speaker at Medicines from the Earth for years, and he endeared himself to us by his wide-ranging knowledge of the effects of environmental chemicals on fertility, childhood health and obesity, but also by his hilarious sense of humor and quirky delivery. His presentations were filled with scientific data and never boring! Continue reading
Medicines from the Earth Recordings
The recordings and lecture notes from this month’s herbal conference are now online and ready to order.
See the post below for details about the event at Blue Ridge Assembly, Black Mountain, North Carolina June 3 – 6, 2016. Thanks to all who came to make it a sweet, inspiring and information-filled weekend.
See you next year! June 2 – 5, 2017.
2016 Herbal Conferences
Medicines from the Earth Herb Symposium, 2016
Dates: Friday June 3 – Monday, June 6
Place: Blue Ridge Assembly, Black Mountain, North Carolina
Over 40 presentations on the integration of botanicals with the latest medical discoveries along with medicine making demonstrations, herb walks and intensives.
Pre-conference Events: Friday, June 3:
Ethnobotanical and Native Plant Field Study with herbalist and ethnobotanist David Winston.
Healing the Gut-Brain Axis with Botanicals with Jason Miller, Master of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine.
Continuing education at Medicines from the Earth approved for nurses, naturopathic physicians, acupuncturists and pharmacists licensed in North Carolina.. All approvals now definite.
Looking forward to seeing you again in the mountains of North Carolina!
Southwest Conference on Botanical Medicine, 2016 (Past Event – Thanks for making it such a great weekend! )
Dates: Friday April 8 – Sunday, April 10, 2016
Recordings: Now available for download. Purchase full set of audio (mp3) recordings and speaker lecture notes in pdf.
Continuing education approved for recordings for NDs including 10 pharmacy hours.
Photo report on the conference on Facebook
We look forward to seeing you all again next year (April 7 – 9, 2017).
We hope you will join us for an herbal conference! These events are a great way to meet like-minded people and learn the latest information on botanical therapies for a variety of conditions.
Questions? Email us and we’ll be happy to help.
Herbal Educational Services
555 Tyler Creek Rd.
Ashland, Oregon
(541) 482-3016
Christopher Hobbs, PhD at Medicines from the Earth
Christopher Hobbs is a fourth-generation internationally known herbalist, licensed acupuncturist, author, clinician, botanist, mycologist and research scientist with over 35 years of experience with herbal medicine. Here he talks about his intensive at Medicines from the Earth on June 5 titled “Treating Infections with Natural Medicines—An Integrative and Cross-Cultural Approach”
Please tell us about your family heritage in botany.
My dad was a professor of botany and entomology and I still remember riding or walking with him when I was very young and being interested in flowers and plants. I’d ask the names of trees, shrubs and weeds and he would always know the name and some interesting things about them. Lucky for me, because I developed a life-long hyper-fixation on plants myself.
My maternal grandmother and great-grandmother were herbalists. My grandmother studied with a Chinese herbalist and had her own organic herb garden from which she treated people in her community. It’s interesting that so many years later I would receive training in traditional Chinese medicine, receive my acupuncture license, and study herbal medicine in China.
We are looking forward to your intensive entitled “Treating Infections with Natural Medicine—An Integrative and Cross-Cultural Approach” This seems to imply an energetic model of diagnosing and prescribing for infection—can you elaborate?
My practice and teaching style today is always a combination of traditional medicine, my own clinical and personal experience, the counsel and teachings of my peers, and the 10-year science training I completed in 2014. Although I am a scientist, I believe that healing between plants and people results from something greater than just the biological activity of herbs. Something indefinable and hard to measure occurs: a life-force that comes from the relationship between the growing and living plant, the soil and it’s microbes, its complex chemistry, the water, the sunlight, and the atmosphere, which all combine to work for healing on the highest level of intelligence. Continue reading
