Professional Herbalist Course Year 2 Spring 2026

Starts April 9th, 2026

April 9, 16, 23 and 30, May 7, 14, 21 and 28, June 4, 11, 18 and 25

2PM, Pacific, 5PM Eastern

3 hours per class

12 classes total in Term

For those seeking advanced training as professional herbalists, the IIEI offers a second year of the Professional Herbalist Course. The second year focuses on evaluation and assessment techniques and clinical application. It presents more in-depth information on Western, Ayurvedic and Traditional Chinese herbal traditions.

The focus of the Professional Herbalist Course Online, Year 2, is on clinical evaluation, diagnostic techniques, and a more in-depth knowledge of the global herbal traditions. The instructors will teach from their own knowledge and experience in each of the given topics, sharing their “clinical gems” with the students.

The 9-month training program is offered in a series of three modules: Module 4 – Fall quarter; Module 5 – Winter quarter; and Module 6 – Spring quarter. You need not take the modules in sequence, and you need not finish them all in one year. You will receive a certificate of completion for each module. After successful completion of all three modules, you will receive your Advanced Professional Herbalist Certificate. The prerequisite to enter the program is to have taken all three modules of the first year course or equivalent classes and/or study.

The Spring term will include:

•  Strategies for creating an herbal formula
• Clinical diagnosis including tongue and evaluating laboratory tests
• Herbal toxicology and pharmacology
• Advanced study of cardiovascular, pulmonary, joints, and elderly care.
• Low dose herbs
• Advanced Chinese and Ayurvedic philosophy and strategy
• Clinical management and case studies

In this course we will:

• Review and expand our understanding of older ethnic systems, specifically Chinese and Ayurvedic, and delve into the theoretical models that support them, with a continuing study of the energetics that underlie the clinical application of those principles.
• Select several areas of advanced clinical interest each term, and explore them deeply.
• Delve more deeply into the contemporary issues of the day in our herb chemistry and materia medica sessions, including the active principles of various herbs and the controversies surrounding “low dose” herbs.
• Have formal case study presentations and group discussion of specific cases and practice issues at each weekend.
• Focus on specific practical issues of daily clinical management in the practice management and business section of the course.

There will be handouts updated on a regular basis throughout the course. The recommended reading list and the articles in the handouts are designed to be supplemental to the instructor’s lectures. Some of the articles in the handouts are included to help the student build the library of information that they have available for their clients.