Graduate Diploma in Health Science (Herbal Medicine)

The Graduate Diploma in Health Science (Herbal Medicine) is an earlier exit point from the Master of Health Science degree course and comprises the first 8 units of the Master degree.

Aim

This course provides existing health care professionals with a knowledge of the properties, desired effects and safety issues of the Western herbal medicines commonly prescribed and dispensed by health care professionals.

The options for treatment relevant to a wide range of common conditions encountered by health care professionals and the selection of appropriate and individual treatments, including recommendations on dosage, are examined.

The application, practice and marketing of herbal medicine is encompassed using a professional framework for practice that is based on the perceived individual needs of the patient, current scientific research, acknowledgment of herbal medicine traditions and principles of evidence-based practice.

Entry Requirements

A Candidate shall hold a professionally recognised health qualification and full practitioner membership of an appropriate professional association approved by the Faculty; and either:

1. Hold a degree of a university relevant to the award; or
2. Satisfy the Faculty by means of other qualifications and relevant experience of adequate preparation for candidature

Time Commitment

It takes between 2 and 4 years to complete the course. The recommended study time is 10 to 15 hours per week for each unit.

Unit Descriptions

In order to gain the Graduate Diploma in Health Science (Herbal Medicine) you must pass the following eight units:

Year 1 Semester 1
HS 413 Unit 1 Foundations of Herbal Medicine

Unit Outline:

This unit introduces the philosophy and historical context of Western herbal medicine, and the concept of holistic treatment and the life force, the general requirements of case taking and the current and potential role of herbal medicine in health care. Medicinal plant identification and classification are covered to provide the basis for examination of the phytochemical and pharmacological characteristics of medicinal plants.

Upon completion of this unit, students will be able to:

1. Discuss the philosophical basis and historical context of Western herbal medicine.
2. Explain the concepts of holistic treatment and the life force as these relate to herbal medicine, and relate these to the requirements for case taking.
3. Critically analyse the current and potential role of herbal medicine in health care.
4. Understand the relationship between botany and herbal medicine.
5. Discuss the relationship between clinical herbal pharmacology and medical pharmacology.
6. Identify the principal constituents of medicinal plants and describe their pharmacological properties.

HS 417 Unit 2 Herbal Therapeutics 1

Unit Outline:

Western herbal medicine treatments for the gastrointestinal, respiratory and immune systems are covered by means of examination of both traditional and evidence-based materia medica. The unit includes therapeutic properties of the principal herbs used to treat disorders of these body systems, as well as assessment, advice and prescription appropriate for these disorders.

Upon completion of this unit, students will be able to:

1. Identify the therapeutic properties of the major herbs used to treat the disorders of the following systems: gastrointestinal, respiratory and immune, including both traditional and evidence-based uses and indications.
2. Assess, advise and prescribe appropriate herbal treatment for disorders of the gastrointestinal, respiratory and immune systems.

Year 1 Semester 2
HS 424 Unit 3 Herbal Therapeutics 2

Unit Outline:

Western herbal medicine treatments for the cardiovascular, musculoskeletal, nervous and integumentary systems are covered by means of examination of both traditional and evidence-based materia medica. The unit includes therapeutic properties of the principal herbs used to treat disorders of these body systems, as well as assessment, advice and prescription appropriate for these disorders.

Upon completion of this unit, students will be able to:

1. Identify the therapeutic properties of the major herbs used to treat the disorders of the following systems: cardiovascular, musculoskeletal, nervous and integumentary, including both traditional and evidence-based uses and indications.
2. Assess, advise and prescribe appropriate herbal treatment for disorders of these body systems.

HS 429 Unit 4 Herbal Therapeutics 3

Unit Outline:

Western herbal medicine treatments for the male and female reproductive and urinary systems as well as for endocrine and metabolic disorders are covered by means of examination of both traditional and evidence-based materia medica. The unit includes therapeutic properties of the principal herbs used to treat disorders of these body systems, as well as assessment, advice and prescription appropriate for these disorders.

Upon completion of this unit, students will be able to:

1. Identify the therapeutic properties of the major herbs used to treat the disorders of the following systems: urinary, male reproductive and female reproductive, including both traditional and evidence-based uses and indications.
2. Identify the therapeutic properties of the major herbs used to treat endocrine and metabolic disorders, including both traditional and evidence-based uses and indications.
3. Assess, advise and prescribe appropriate herbal treatment for disorders of these body systems.

Year 2 Semester 1
HS 432 Unit 5 Advanced Herbal Therapeutics

Unit Outline:

This unit develops knowledge and skills for assessment, advice and prescription of herbal medicine treatment for complex conditions such as asthma and autoimmune disorders. Safety issues in herbal prescribing are also covered, including identification of unsafe, toxic or restricted herbs; issues associated with long-term use of herbs; interactions between herbal and non-herbal medicines; and the safe use of herbs in pregnancy and lactation.

Upon completion of this unit, students will be able to:

1. Develop and apply a systematic approach to herbal treatment and prescribing.
2. Identify and apply the therapeutic properties of principal herbal medicines for the treatment of complex medical disorders.
3. Assess, advise and prescribe herbal medicines to assist in treatment of complex medical conditions.
4. Identify and apply the principles of safe usage of herbal medicines.

HS 437 Unit 6 Herbal Pharmacy and Advanced Pharmacology

Unit Outline:

This unit provides students with the knowledge and skills to analyse and apply the techniques and principles associated with the self-manufacture and factory manufacture of herbal medicines; to understand techniques used in the analysis of crude plant material and herbal products; to make judgements concerning quality issues associated with herbal medicines; and to analyse and apply advanced concepts of the pharmacology of herbal medicines, particularly of the key chemical constituents.

Upon completion of this unit, students will be able to:

1. Describe and apply herbal manufacturing techniques for liquid preparations, solid preparations and semisolid preparations for internal and external use.
2. Describe and evaluate considerations relating to the manufacture of herbal medicines under Australian Pharmaceutical Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP), including the rationale of GMP in herbal manufacturing and the major criteria of the code.
3. Describe and evaluate quality criteria for herbal raw materials and finished products, including the evaluation and application of chemical methods for assessing these.
4. Evaluate and apply findings associated with pharmacology, including both pharmacodynamics and pharmacokinetics, of herbal medicines, with a particular focus on key and representative groups of chemical constituents including flavonoids, phyto-oestrogens, polyphenolics and saponins.

Year 2 Semester 2
HS 541 Unit 7 Current Issues in Herbal Medicine Practice

Unit Outline:

This unit examines current issues and challenges relevant to the field of herbal medicine practice. The applications of Western herbal medicine to specific groups such as migrants, the elderly, terminally ill, HIV-AIDS and cancer patients are examined. Students build upon skills developed in the preceding units in searching the literature for published studies in herbal medicine research, particularly by means of electronic data bases, as well as in critically analysing this research.

Upon completion of this unit, students will be able to:

1. Identify key current issues and challenges relevant to the practice of herbal medicine.
2. Access and critically evaluate the current research relating to applications of herbal medicine to groups such as migrants, elderly people, and people with terminal illnesses, cancer and HIV-AIDS.

HS 546 Unit 8 Marketing and Managing a Herbal Medicine Practice

Unit Outline:

This unit introduces the student to key principles of managing a herbal medicine practice, including market research and formulation of an appropriate business plan. Case history taking and patient assessment skills from both orthodox medical and traditional herbal perspectives are further developed, as is formulation of individual herbal treatments. Dispensing procedures, appropriate use of equipment, labelling and record keeping requirements are refined and practised. Legal issues involved in the prescribing and dispensing of herbal medicines are also covered.

Upon completion of this unit, students will be able to:

1. Conduct market research and develop detailed plans appropriate for marketing a herbal medicine practice.
2. Develop and practise case history taking and assessment techniques using both traditional herbal and orthodox medical perspectives.
3. Devise treatment frameworks based on case history and assessment, and formulate herbal prescriptions which are both efficacious and practical for the patient.
4. Develop practical skills in dispensing procedures, appropriate use of equipment, labelling requirements and record keeping.
5. Discuss the legal and ethical issues involved in prescribing and dispensing of herbal medicines.

Assessment

Assessment is by essay questions which are submitted at the end of each unit.

Student Support

Unit Co-ordinator

Dr Judy Harris Humphries, BScAg (Hons), PhD, ND, Grad Cert Adult Ed & Training, ATMS, AIMA, APAA.

Judy completed her PhD in 1984, researching plant alkaloids. Judy’s interest in phytochemicals extended to the development and maintenance of a medicinal herb garden containing over 100 species, and the completion of a Diploma of Naturopathy in 1994. This led to consultancy work with a number of private sector providers of education in Natural Therapies, developing curriculum and preparing documentation for Government accreditation of professional Diploma and Advanced Diploma practitioner courses in Natural Therapies. Judy completed a Graduate Certificate in Adult Education and Training with the University of New England (UNE) in 1995, and in 1996 joined the academic staff in Human Biology in the Faculty of the Sciences at UNE. Since mid-2001 Judy has been a Lecturer in the School of Health in the Faculty of Education, Health and Professional Studies at UNE. Judy is a full professional member of the Australian Traditional-Medicine Society, an associate member of the Australian Integrative Medicine Association and the Association of Professional Aestheticians of Australia, and a past and current member of the Curriculum Advisory Committees of a number of leading private providers of education in Natural Therapies.

Adjunct Lecturer

Robert Santich, BHSc, Dip Med Herb, Dip Rem Massage, Cert IV Assessment and Workplace Training, NHAA.

Rob Santich trained in Herbal Medicine in NSW, graduating in 1985. He has a wealth of clinical experience having worked in private practice in Sydney since graduation. Rob is a member of the National Herbalists Association of Australia and from 1995 to 2000 served on the Board of the NHAA as an Examiner working on college curriculum review and development. From 1999 to 2000 Rob was appointed a member of the Complementary Medicines Evaluation Committee (CMEC) Expert Advisory Panel, advising the Australian Government’s Therapeutic Goods Administration in relation to the safety, efficacy and stability of herbs and dietary supplements. From 1990 to 2000 Rob lectured at the Australasian College of Natural Therapies in Sydney, Nature Care College and The University of Western Sydney on herbal pharmacy, phytochemistry and therapeutics. Rob has given presentations at a number of international seminars and has conducted post-graduate seminars both in Australia and New Zealand. He currently works as a clinical consultant to the industry and publishes regularly in the “Wild Herb Bulletin” and the “Modern Phytotherapist”.

Bulletin boards

The eight Graduate Diploma units each have an online component in the form of a bulletin board and private email. The bulletin boards are a good way to get to know your classmates and lecturers/co-ordinator, and to discuss questions relating to your coursework and assignments. This “virtual classroom” is an easily accessible, convenient means for interaction from your home or workplace.

Fees, Textbooks and Residential Schools

Current tuition fees may be accessed by following the costs link from www.une.edu.au

There are three required textbooks which must be purchased separately:

1. Mills, S. and Bone, K. 2000 Principles and Practice of Phytotherapy, Churchill Livingstone.
2. Wohlmuth, H. 2001. Plants and Plant Form; an illustrated guide, MacPlatypus.
3. Spencer, J.W & Jacobs, JJ., 2003 Complementary and alternative medicine, an evidence-based approach. Mosby.

These texts are available from:

• UNE Co-op Bookshop (02) 6772 2632
• Australian College of Phytotherapy (07) 4661 9653

It is a requirement of the Graduate Diploma that students attend three residential schools. All residential schools will be held at the UNE Armidale N.S.W. Accommodation is available on campus.

Residential School Requirement is:

• HS 413 January 31 to February 1, 2008.
• HS 429 September 18–21, 2008.
• HS 546 September 14–17, 2008.

The cost of travel and accommodation are not included in the course fee.

FEE HELP

FEE HELP is an interest-free loan facility offered by the Commonwealth Government for fee-paying postgraduate students undertaking non-research courses. For further information visit:

www.goingtouni.gov.au

How to Apply

For an application form contact:

Student Centre
University of New England
Armidale NSW 2351
Tel: +61 2 6773 4444
Email: studentcentre@une.edu.au

Or follow the links for future students/postgraduate course work from the UNE Home Page at www.une.edu.au.

For further information contact:
Dr Judy Humphries
judy.harris@une.edu.au

Note: Application forms must be received by 30 November each year for commencement in January the following year.

Course Recognition

The Graduate Diploma in Health Science (Herbal Medicine) is recognised by the Australian Natural Thearpies Association (ANTA). The National Herbalists Association of Australia (NHAA) has accredited the Graduate Diploma in Health Science (Herbal Medicine) but entry criteria apply. For further details contact the NHAA at www.nhaa.org.au.