Best Natural Medicine Classes Online
The Greek physician Hippocrates is often called the first practitioner of natural medicine or naturopathy. Many subcategories, traditions, and practices are encompassed by the term "natural medicine," including ayurveda, yoga, traditional Chinese medicine, indigenous practices, herbalism, homeopathy, acupuncture, stretching, and many others. A licensed practitioner of natural medicine is sometimes called a naturopathic doctor or naturopathic physician.
Those who practice natural medicine generally eschew traditional drugs and hospital treatments in favor of therapies or remedies derived from the natural world, such as herbs, minerals, vegetables, fruits, or flowers. Today, the most commonly used forms of natural medicine are herbal supplements and yoga, which has been shown to reduce cortisol levels and aid in healing after an illness or injury.
Why You Should Learn Natural Medicine Online
If you have ever wanted to learn more about plants, gardening, ecology, or nature, natural medicine is a great place to begin. Plus learning about natural medicine will give you a few new tools to increase well being and reduce stress as you learn.
Interest in natural medicine and alternative forms of healing is on the rise in the United States, which means that there are networks of natural medicine practitioners in most metro areas, and even smaller towns. You can join one of the many grassroots communities or larger organizations centered around the practice and teaching of natural medicine and build new relationships as you broaden your skill set.
Professional opportunities in the field of natural medicine may not be as copious as others, for example in coding or web design, but since it is a niche discipline, the opportunity is there to carve out your own small business or practice in your community. Demand for herbalists, reiki and yoga instructors, dieticians, and even teachers in identifying native species of plants and fungi are on the rise. Follow your passion and see where it leads.
Virtual Natural Medicine Classes
With all of the options available now for online natural medicine classes, it's simple and easy to find the one that's right for you, your location, and your schedule. All the benefits and fun or learning natural medicine are waiting for you, and all you need to get started is a computer or smart device and an internet connection.
It's true that you may not get the same style of instructor feedback in an online class that you might get in an in-person class, but the community and sense of camaraderie is still there, even in a virtual space. Not only that, but you can access the course of your choice from anywhere, even the comfort of home.
So much of natural medicine concerns proper plant identification and knowing how to apply the right balm, salve, or tincture at the right time. In an online class, you receive live instruction from an expert instructor in the community of like minded peers. You may have to provide some materials yourself, such as textbooks or workbooks, but your instructor will provide a list of all the supplies you might need to make your learning experience fun and fulfilling. Check out the full selection of online natural medicine classes at CourseHorse.
Ayurveda and Science for Optimum Health is a beginner level course presented by the Infinity Foundation in Highland Park, Illinois, in which you learn the ayurvedic system of medicine. Ayurveda's dietary system restores the body and mind to a state of balance and reduces stress. This is a three hour class open to learners ages 16 and up.
Also presented by the Infinity Foundation is The Science of Sound Healing, a three session course that explores how sound affects the parasympathetic nervous system resulting in relaxation and a deeper bodily awareness. You will have the chance to participate in group discussions and ask questions of professional instructor Marian McNair.
Are you interested in indigenous forms of natural healing? Art Making of the Medicine Smudge Fan may be the class for you. In this hands-on workshop, you will learn how to make your own medicine smudge fan and use it in smudging, the ancient practice of using smoke to cleanse the energy of oneself or environment. Learn this simple but powerful technique in only a few hours.
Green Medicine: A Four-Month Training in Herbalism is an in-depth course in the anatomy and physiology of body systems, the history of herbal medicine, how to use herbs to promote wellness, how to make herbal products at home, and more. Presented by the New York Open Center in Manhattan, NYC, this multi-week course is taught by experienced instructors David Winston, Drew DiVittorio & Peeka Trenkle who will lecture and lead group discussions.
The New York Botanical Garden presented Medicinal Mushrooms: Fungi for a Healthy Body & Mind, taught by John Michelotti. In this course you will learn how fungi affect the brain and central nervous system, and how mushrooms like reishi, maitake, and lion's mane can promote immune health.
Medicine-Making with Cannabis Hemp Plants is a course presented by the New York Open Center in Manhattan, NYC open to all experience levels and participants ages 18 and older. Learn how to identify different types of cannabis, how to make your own CBD products, and how to market and sell them. Discussions will be held regarding the ethical and philosophical considerations surrounding the cannabis plant.
Private Online Group Natural Medicine Classes
If you're interested in scheduling a natural medicine class to promote communication and build team spirit with your group or organization, then Coursehorse's online natural medicine classes for private groups can be delivered directly to your workspace. They can accommodate any and all platforms, from Zoom to Google Meet to Microsoft Teams to WebEx.
Learn how to de-stress anytime and anywhere with Virtual Guided Group Meditation. This class will cover individual empowerment, co-collaboration and allyship, holistic awareness of social causes, and building compassionate networks. Through breathing exercises and pranayama derived from yogic practices.
Virtual Weekly Decompression for High Stress Teams is a 30 minute class in which a knowledgeable and compassionate instructor guides your group or team through decompression exercises. Included are visualization techniques, breath work, and other exercises you can do anywhere, even in your desk chair. Groups of 10 to 40 can be accommodated.
Even if you don't see the course you're looking for on the website, you can contact and work with the CourseHorse team to find the class that works for you and your organization. All you have to do is click the "Contact Us" button on their homepage, fill out the form, and a CourseHorse representative will reach out in no time to begin exploring the many options available.
Booking a fee free experience. That's right, there are no fees to book with CourseHorse, and you will receive a confirmation in 24 hours or less. Sometimes plans change, though, and you may need to change the size of your party. CourseHorse makes this simple by allowing you to change the size of your group even after booking.
Zoom is the preferred platform at CourseHorse, but, as mentioned above, most common platforms are supported. Check out your options for online natural medicine courses for private groups today.
Online vs. In-Person Natural Medicine Classes
Everyone learns differently, and the perfect classroom for one may be a burden for another. That's what makes the sheer variety of courses available today so exciting. Whether you're learning virtually or in-person, you're sure to find a course that works for you.
Due to the differences in delivery and materials required, there's generally a greater number of online classes than in-person classes for any given subject. Still, some people learn better in a physical classroom alongside their peers. Others would prefer to spare the commute and learn from home or a preferred workspace.
Most in-person classes include all the necessary materials, whereas the virtual ones sometimes require you to source the required materials yourself. This takes time, so it's important to schedule when and where you purchase what you may need for the class. For many online classes, however, all you need to take part is a computer or smart device and a reliable internet connection.
Can I Learn Natural Medicine for Free Online?
Yes, beginning your natural medicine journey is easy when so many options for learning are available. Online tutorials and videos are a terrific place to start, and you can progress with them at the pace that works best for you.
In many locations, you can explore the natural environments around you to identify herbs, fungi, or other plants that may be beneficial as natural medicines. Check out a book at your local library, or find a text that appeals to you at your local bookstore.
If you have a passion for nature and growing things, then it's easy to start learning more. Chart your own course, though many will find that learning with a knowledgeable professional is quite effective and sometimes much more efficient than learning on your own.
