About this Course

Scientific and Spiritual approaches to herbalism complement each other...

And come together in this unique course exploring the connections between herbal energetics and the chemistry and pharmacology of herbs. Together with, Matthew Wood, Seán Pádraig O'Donoghue will help you better understand the molecular language of Living Nature. No background in biochemistry is expected or required. This course is suitable for the Intermediate or ambitious Beginner student. This course will help you:


  • See the ways in which the chemistry of a plant is a physical manifestation of its spiritual and energetic properties.


  • Understand what the chemistry of a plant can tell you about its energetic properties – and what the scent, taste, and energetic properties of a plant can tell you about its chemistry.


  • Understand how herbs affect our brain chemistry to shift consciousness – and how to think about these shifts in terms of both chemistry and energetics.


  • Gain the skills and knowledge to evaluate scientific studies and determine whether they are relevant to your practice.


  • Better explain the herbs you work with to scientifically-minded clients and other health care practitioners.


Seán Pádraig O'Donoghue is an herbalist specializing in mental, emotional, and spiritual health and an initiated priest in two traditions. He has taught both phytochemistry and herbal energetics to herbalists, nutritionists, and acupuncturists. He will be joined for several classes by renowned herbalist and author Matthew Wood, who has played a central role in the revival and development of Traditional Western Herbalism. Learn more about Seán and our amazing MWIH faculty here.

Includes

During rental period

•  Access to all recordings and materials  •

•  Downloadable handouts for each class from Sean. Some bonus material from Matthew  •

•  Optional tests for each class (20 question multiple choice)  •

•  Life-time access to the online Community  •

•  Online help from teachers!  •

About the Classes

Class 1 – Introduction to Holistic Pharmacology

Plant chemistries and human biology and the useful and not so useful fictions we use to talk about phytochemistry and herbal pharmacology.


Class 2 -- Families of Constituents

We explore the major families of herbal constituents,  where they are found, and how they interact with human bodies. Matthew contributes how the families fit into the Six Tissues States, herbs, and their actions.


Class 3 --  Taste and Pharmacology

We explore what taste and scent can tell us about the energetics and the pharmacology of plants.


Class 4  --   Warming Plants

We explore the pharmacology of warming and stimulating plants, and their use to address the depressed and stagnant tissue states.


Class 5 --  Cooling Plants

We explore the pharmacology of cooling and sedating plants, and their use to address the excited tissue state.


Class 6 --  Moistening Plants

We explore the pharmacology of moistening and nourishing plants and their use in addressing the tissue state of atrophy.


Class 7  --  Astringent Plants

We explore the pharmacology of astringent plants and their use to address the lax tissue state.


Class 8 --  Relaxing Plants

We explore the pharmacology of plants that relax tension and their use to address the constricted and stagnant tissue states.


Class 9 -- Bitters

We explore the pharmacology of bitter medicines and their use to address the stagnant and constricted tissue states


Class 10 -- Adaptogens 

We explore the pharmacology  of adaptogens and how they help the body navigate stress


Class 11 --  Modern Additions to Pharmacology

Essential fatty acids, protease inhibitors, and hormones.


Class 12 -- Herbs and Neurotransmitters: Dopamine and Norepinephrine


Class 13 -- Herbs and Neurotransmitters:  Serotonin and DMT

We explore the nature of serotonin and DMT and the herbs that effect their levels and function in the human body.


BONUS CLASS!

Tonics

We explore the pharmacology of tonic herbs and how they help the body navigate stress


Class 14 – Cannabinoids and the Endocannabinoid system

CBD? CBG? THC? We will make sense of the alphabet soup of constituents in the Cannabis plant and explore how they interact with the human body.

Start at anytime! Complete the lessons at your own pace. 

Certificates designed and signed by Matthew Wood are available for purchase to those who successfully complete all tests with a passing grade of 70% or better. 

More details regarding certificates are here.

Course curriculum

36.5 Hours of Curriculum to Enjoy

  1. 1

    • Welcome Message
  2. 2

    • Intro Class Video

    • Intro Class Audio
  3. 3

    • Pharma - Introduction - Webinar Chat Text

    • Pharma - A Brief Guide to the Six Tissue States by Matthew Wood

    • Pharma - Pharmacology Intro. by Matthew Wood

    • Pharma - Introduction Handout by Sean

    • Pharma - Introduction - Video

    • Pharma - Introduction - Audio

    • Pharma - Introduction - Test
  4. 4

    • Pharma - Families of Constituents - Webinar Chat Text

    • Pharma - Families of Constituents - Handout by Sean

    • Pharma - Families of Constituents - Video

    • Pharma - Families of Constituents - Audio

    • Pharma - Families of Constituents - Test
  5. 5

    • Pharma - Taste and Pharmacology - Webinar Chat Text

    • Pharma - Taste and Pharmacology - Handout by Sean

    • 3 - Pharma - Taste and Pharmacology - Video

    • 3 - Pharma - Taste and Pharmacology - Audio

    • Pharma - Taste and Pharmacology - Test
  6. 6

    • Pharma - Warming Plants - Webinar Chat Text

    • Pharma - Warming Plants - Handout by Sean

    • Pharma - Warming Plants - Video

    • Pharma - Warming Plants - Audio

    • Pharma - Warming Plants - Test
  7. 7

    • Pharma - Cooling Plants - Webinar Chat Text

    • Pharma - Cooling Plants - Handout by Sean

    • Pharma - Cooling Plants - Video

    • Pharma - Cooling Plants - Audio

    • Pharma - Cooling Plants - Test
  8. 8

    • Pharma - Moistening Plants - Webinar Chat Text

    • Pharma - Moistening Plants - Handout by Sean

    • Pharma - Moistening Plants - Video

    • Pharma - Moistening Plants - Audio

    • Pharma - Moistening Plants - Test
  9. 9

    • Pharma - Astringent Plants - Webinar Chat Text

    • Pharma - Astringent Plants - Handout by Sean

    • Pharma - Astringent Plants - "Solar Remedies" by Matthew Wood

    • Pharma - Astringent Plants - Video

    • Pharma - Astringent Plants - Audio

    • Pharma - Astringent Plants - Test
  10. 10

    • Pharma - Relaxing Plants - Webinar Chat Text

    • Pharma - Relaxing Plants - Handout by Sean

    • Pharma - Relaxing Plants - Tension Tissue State by Matthew Wood (not downloadable)

    • Pharma - Relaxing Plants - A Selection of Nervines by Matthew Wood (not downloadable)

    • Pharma - Relaxing Plants - Video

    • Pharma - Relaxing Plants - Audio

    • Pharma - Relaxing Plants - Test
  11. 11

    • Pharma - Bitters - Webinar Chat Text

    • Pharma - Bitters - Handout by Sean

    • Pharma - Bitters - Video

    • Pharma - Bitters - Audio

    • Pharma - Bitters - Test
  12. 12

    • Pharma - Adaptogens - Webinar Chat Text

    • Pharma - Adaptogens - Handout (Matt and Sean)

    • Pharma - Adaptogens - Video

    • Pharma - Adaptogens - Audio

    • Pharma - Adaptogens - Test
  13. 13

    • Pharma - Modern Additions to Pharmacology - Webinar Chat Text

    • Pharma - Herbs and Steroid Hormones by Sean O'Donoghue

    • Pharma - Proteases by Matthew Wood

    • Pharma - Modern Additions to Pharmacology - Video

    • Pharma - Modern Additions to Pharmacology - Audio

    • Pharma - Modern Additions to Pharmacology - Test
  14. 14

    • Pharma - Dopamine and Norepinephrine by Sean O'Donoghue

    • Pharma - Neurotransmitters by Matthew Wood (10 pages view only)

    • Pharma - Herbs and Neurotransmitters: Dopamine and Norepinephrine - Webinar Chat Text

    • Pharma - Herbs and Neurotransmitters: Dopamine and Norepinephrine - Video

    • Pharma - Herbs and Neurotransmitters: Dopamine and Norepinephrine - Audio

    • Pharma - Herbs and Neurotransmitters: Dopamine and Norepinephrine - Test
  15. 15

    • The Indoleamines - handout by Sean

    • Pharma - Herbs and Neurotransmitters: Serotonin and DMT - Webinar Chat Text

    • Pharma - Herbs and Neurotransmitters: Serotonin and DMT - Video

    • Pharma - Herbs and Neurotransmitters: Serotonin and DMT - Audio

    • Pharma - Indoleamines - Test
  16. 16

    • Pharma - Herbal Tonics - Webinar Chat Text

    • Definitions of “Tonic” by Matthew Wood (2 pages, View-only)

    • Pharma - Tonics - Handout by Sean

    • Pharma - Herbal Tonics - Video

    • Pharma - Herbal Tonics - Audio

    • Pharma - Herbal Tonics - Test
  17. 17

    • Pharma - Cannabinoids - Webinar Chat Text

    • Pharma - Cannabinoids - Handout by Sean

    • Pharma - Cannabinoids - Video

    • Pharma - Cannabinoids - Audio

    • Pharma - Cannabinoids - Test
  18. 18

    • Please share your thoughts

Enjoy the Free Intro Video 

 in The Library Free Preview section under Intermediate Courses HERE.

What Students are Saying...

5 star rating

Excellent!

Amy Doeun

I was worried that the science portion would be too much but Matthew and Sean do an excellent job of breaking it down into easily digestible parts.

I was worried that the science portion would be too much but Matthew and Sean do an excellent job of breaking it down into easily digestible parts.

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5 star rating

I've Been Looking for a Course Like This!

Helena Wu

I have wanted to know more about pharmacology yet come from a holistic herbalist perspective. I am so happy to be taking this course where the two can come t...

Read More

I have wanted to know more about pharmacology yet come from a holistic herbalist perspective. I am so happy to be taking this course where the two can come together.

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5 star rating

Excellent

Angela Batson

excellent

excellent

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5 star rating

Fantastic, in-depth program!

Heather Fairfield

I haven't encountered any other resource that went so in depth into the phytochemistry and energetics of plants. I learned soooo much and will be referring b...

Read More

I haven't encountered any other resource that went so in depth into the phytochemistry and energetics of plants. I learned soooo much and will be referring back to my notes from this course for years to come!

Read Less
5 star rating

Relaxing Plants

Mary Schmidt

Very good over view and deep dive into the why and how herbs can work on tension. Especially the action of acrid herbs.

Very good over view and deep dive into the why and how herbs can work on tension. Especially the action of acrid herbs.

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5 star rating

Holistic Pharmacology for Herbalists

Janice Walker

I loved this course. Matt and Sean are an amazing teaching duo. The material is fascinating and opened me up to new ways of thinking about plants.

I loved this course. Matt and Sean are an amazing teaching duo. The material is fascinating and opened me up to new ways of thinking about plants.

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5 star rating

Holistic Pharmacology

Kelsey Cunningham

The combination of technical biochemical explanation, folk use, and case histories offers a truly holistic model for thinking about the interaction between ...

Read More

The combination of technical biochemical explanation, folk use, and case histories offers a truly holistic model for thinking about the interaction between humans and plants.

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5 star rating

Wonderful Journey

Kat Magoon

These lessons have been invaluable. I looked forward to the classes every month (and missed them when we took a break during the holidays) and always learned...

Read More

These lessons have been invaluable. I looked forward to the classes every month (and missed them when we took a break during the holidays) and always learned such beautiful information about the plants from Matt and Sean. Insights from Tara and the other peers in the class were always enlightening as well. This has helped expand my herbal knowledge and how the herbs play into different aspects of the body. Thank you so much!

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5 star rating

Fantastic, in-depth program!

Heather Fairfield

I haven't encountered any other resource that went so in depth into the phytochemistry and energetics of plants. I learned soooo much and will be referring b...

Read More

I haven't encountered any other resource that went so in depth into the phytochemistry and energetics of plants. I learned soooo much and will be referring back to my notes from this course for years to come!

Read Less
5 star rating

Holistic Pharmacology for Herbalists

Joseph Waters

Great class! Challenging but the gems of information that pop up from Matt and Sean's discussions are priceless. The last 5 classes were really good. I was s...

Read More

Great class! Challenging but the gems of information that pop up from Matt and Sean's discussions are priceless. The last 5 classes were really good. I was surprised how much I liked the class on the Cannabinoids and the Endocannabinoid System.

Read Less