Ayurvedic Herbalist Training

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Course Outlines

Global Ayurveda Academy is working to establish an Ayurvedic Hebalist Certification Program (Dravya Guna Shastra) as a 500-hour training program.
This training program is based on the guidelines of the World Health Organization (WHO) Benchmarks for training in traditional / complementary and alternative medicine: benchmarks for training in Ayurveda & Government of India, Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, Department of Ayurveda, Yoga, Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha and Homeopathy (AYUSH), New Delhi, India. (Reference Number: D.O. NO. 480 /Adviser (Ayurveda) / 2009, May 1st, 2009), and is approved by Association of Ayurvedic Professionals of North America (AAPNA), Inc.
Syllabus: (According to Central Council of Indian Medicine, AYUSH, Government of India)
  1. Introduction to Dravya Guna Shastra
  2. Herbology East  and West
  3. The manifestation of consciousness into plants
  4. Background  of ayurvedic medicine
    1. Spiritual background
    2. Three Gunas
    3. Five Elements
    4. Three Doshas
    5. Seven Dhatus
    6. Ojas
    7. Five Pranas
    8. Srotas (bodily systems)
    9. Agni and plants
  5. Concept of Dravya
  6. Concept of Guna
  7. Concept of Rasa
  8. Concept of Vipaka
  9. Concept of Virya
  10. Concept of Prabhava
  11. Relationship of Rasaadi Gunas (Rasa Panchaka)
  12. Concept of Karma
  13. Description of six tastes
  14. Management of individual constitutions (dosha)
    1. Management of Vata
    2. Management of Pitta
    3. Management of Kapha
    4. Detoxification / Management of Aama
  15. Herbal Therapeutics:
    1. Alternative herbs (Rakta Shodhana karma)
    2. Ant parasitical and anthelmintic herbs (Krimghna karma)
    3. Astringent herbs (Sthambhana karma)
    4. Bitter tonic and antipyretic herbs
    5. Carminative herbs (Vata anulomana)
    6. Diaphoretic herbs (Swedana karma)
    7. Diuretic herbs (Mutrala karma)
    8. Expectorant and demulcent herbs (Kaasa – Swasahara)
    9. Laxative and purgetic herbs
    10. Nervine herbs
    11. Anti-spasmoic herbs
    12. Stimulant herbs
    13. Digestive herbs
    14. Tonics
  16. Botanical classification and different groups of herbs used in ayurveda
  17. Nomenclature, soil types, collection of herbs, preservation methods and measurements
  18. Impurities in herbs and their purification methods
  19. Ideal herb: Parts used, herb combinations, incompatible herbs, posology, anupana (vehicle), times of herb administration, routes of herb administration and recommendation of herbs
  20. Brief history of Dravya Guna in Vedas and Samhitas
  21. Knowledge about various Nighantus and their authors, Dravya Guna books by modern authors

Commonly used herbs in ayurveda:
  1. Agaru
  2. Agnimandha
  3. Ahiphena
  4. Ajamoda
  5. Amalaki
  6. Apamarga
  7. Aparajita
  8. Aragvadha
  9. Ardhraka
  10. Arjuna
  11. Arka Dwaya
  12. Ashoka
  13. Ashwagandha
  14. Ativisha
  15. Bakuchi
  16. Bala Dwaya
  17. Bhallataka
  18. Bhanga
  19. Bharangi
  20. Bhringaraja
  21. Bilva
  22. Brahmi
  23. Brihati
  24. Chandana
  25. Changeri
  26. Chitraka
  27. Dadima
  28. Dalchini
  29. Danti Moola
  30. Daru Haridra
  31. Devadaru
  32. Dhanyaka
  33. Dhataki Pushpa
  34. Dhattura
  35. Drona Pushpi
  36. Ela Dwayam
  37. Eranda
  38. Gambhari
  39. Gandha Parasarini
  40. Ghrita Kumari
  41. Gokshura
  42. Guduchi
  43. Guggulu
  44. Haridra
  45. Haritaki
  46. Hingu
  47. Indravaruni
  48. Jambu
  49. Jatamansi
  50. Jatiphala
  51. Jiraka
  52. Jyotishmati
  53. Kanchanara
  54. Kantakari
  55. Kapikacchu
  56. Karanja
  57. Karaveera
  58. Karpoora
  59. Kartaka Sringi
  60. Katuki
  61. Khadira
  62. Kirata Tikta
  63. Krishna Jiraka
  64. Kupeelu
  65. Kushmanda
  66. Kushta
  67. Kutaja
  68. Lata Karanja
  69. Lavanga
  70. Lodhra
  71. Madanaphala
  72. Manduka Parni
  73. Manjishta
  74. Maricha
  75. Misreya
  76. Mustaka
  77. Naga Bala
  78. Naga Kesara
  79. Nimba
  80. Nimbuka
  81. Nirgundi
  82. Palandu
  83. Palasa
  84. Paraseeka Yavani
  85. Patala
  86. Patha
  87. Patola
  88. Pippali
  89. Pippali Moolam
  90. Prsni Parni
  91. Punarnava
  92. Pushkara mula
  93. Rasona
  94. Saala
  95. Sali Parni
  96. Salmali
  97. Sankhapushpi
  98. Sapta parna
  99. Sarapunkha
  100. Sariva Dwaya
  101. Sarpagandha
  102. Satapushpa
  103. Satavari
  104. Sigru
  105. Sirisha
  106. Syonaka
  107. Talisa Patra
  108. Tejohva
  109. Trivrit
  110. Tulasi
  111. Tuvaraka
  112. Udumbara
  113. Usira
  114. Vacha
  115. Varuna
  116. Vasa
  117. Vatsanabhi
  118. Vibhitaki
  119. Vidanga
  120. Yasti Madhu
  121. Yavani
  122. Yavasa
Commonly used Western Herbs
  1. Aloe
  2. Barberry
  3. Basil
  4. Bayberry
  5. Burdock
  6. Cayenne pepper
  7. Chamomile
  8. Comfrey
  9. Dandelion
  10. Echinacea
  11. Elecampane
  12. Flax seed
  13. Gentian
  14. Golden seal
  15. Hawthorn berries
  16. Hibiscus flowers
  17. Horsetail
  18. Irish Moss
  19. Juniper berries
  20. Marshmallow
  21. Mint
  22. Mug wort
  23. Mullein
  24. Myrrh
  25. Nutmeg
  26. Parsley
  27. Penny royal
  28. Pomegranate
  29. Poppy seeds
  30. Prickly ash
  31. Psyllium husk
  32. Raspberry
  33. Red clover
  34. Rhubarb
  35. Rose flowers
  36. Saffron
  37. Sage
  38. Sarsaparilla
  39. Senna
  40. Skullcap
  41. Slippery elm
  42. Solomon’s seal
  43. Valerian
  44. Wild cherry bark
  45. Yarrow
  46. Yellow dock
Herbs – Contraindications and drug interactions
  1. Herbs to be used with caution
    1. Due to potential allergic response
    2. Due to potential photo sensitizing effect
    3. Due to local irritant effect when fresh
    4. In acute inflammation of the urinary tract
    5. In gastrointestinal irritation
    6. In hypothyroid conditions or eu-thyroid goiter
    7. Dye to potential adverse effects
  2. Herb / Drug interactions
    1. Modifying intestinal absorption of medicines
    2. Potentiating cardio tonic medicines
    3. Potentiating sedative or tranquilizing medicines
    4. Modifying blood sugar in insulin dependent diabetics
    5. Modifying the effects of anticoagulants
    6. Concerning incompatible gastrointestinal tract medications
    7. Modifying enzyme activities in metabolic conversions
  3. Herbs contraindicated for mothers and children
    1. During pregnancy
    2. While breast feeding
    3. In children
  4. Vitamin / mineral / drug interactions
    1. Drug and mineral interactions with vitamin supplements
    2. Drug and vitamin interactions with mineral supplements
Recommended books to study:
  1. A.P. Deshpande, PhD, and Subhash Ranade, PhD,  Dravyaguna Vigyna Volume 1 & 2
  2. J.L.N. Sastry, BAMS, MD (Ayurveda), PhD (Ayurveda) -  Dravyaguna Vijnana, Chaukhambha Orientalia, Volumes I – IV, Varanasi, India 2007
  3. David Frawley & Vasant Lad, BAMS, MAMS – The Yoga of Herbs, Lotus Press, Santa Fe, NM, USA 1996
  4. Francis Brinker, ND, Herb contraindications & Drug interactions, Eclectic Medical Publications, Oregon, USA 2001
  5. Bharat B. Aggarwal, PhD – Healing Spices, Sterling Publishing, New York, USA 2011
  6. Quick Access – Professional Guide to Conditions, Herbs & Supplements, Integrative Medicine Communications, Newton, MA 2000
  7. Vaidya V.M.Gogte, Ayurvedic Pharmacology & Therapeutic uses of medicinal plants, Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan, Mumbai, India 2000
  8. Prof. K.R. Srikantha Murthy, Bhavaprakash of Bhavamisra Volume 1 & 2,  Chowkhamba Krishnadas Academy, Varanasi, India 2004