Best Natural Medicine Classes in Los Angeles
Since physical health and healing are perennial concerns, natural medicine is a discipline and field of study that is as old as human culture itself. In the Middle Ages, medicinal knowledge was preserved primarily by Benedictine monasteries, and the Islamic Golden Age polymath Avicenna is widely known for his The Canon of Medicine, a five-book encyclopedia of medicinal practice and theory.
Some plants that were commonly used in previous millenia, and even up to this day, include the bark of the willow tree, the poppy flower, the deadly nightshade, senna alexandrina, foxglove, angelica, and thyme. Most of these medicinal plants require extensive preparation to be used therapeutically; procedures include decoction, powdering, and extraction from alcohol.
Today, the use of natural medicine in the United States frequently involves psychoactive substances, many of which are strictly regulated by the FDA. Some of these substances include caffeine, nicotine, analgesics, cannabis, and psilocybin.
Why You Should Learn Natural Medicine in Los Angeles
It's easy and fun to learn about natural medicine in the Los Angeles area. A number of organizations and businesses that promote the use of natural medicine are based in LA. Many offer therapy and natural medicine events, which are great ways to expand your network and meet like minded learners.
The California School of Herbal Studies is an excellent place to plug into a larger community and find professional or creative opportunities. Plant Friends, based in Pasadena, LA, is another terrific outlet for learning about natural medicine and meeting peers who are passionate about medicinal plants and herbs.
Los Angeles is known for its natural beauty and opportunities for walking, hiking, and camping. This means that opportunities for identifying and discovering medicinal plants are only as far away as your nearest park or nature preserve. Natural medicine courses, in-person or online, will help you to quickly build a foundation of knowledge in natural medicine to begin using it holistically and therapeutically.
In-Person Natural Medicine Classes in Los Angeles
Finding natural medicine classes is easy in the Los Angeles area. Boost your identification skills quickly with the guidance of a knowledgeable instructor who can answer your questions and suggest ideas on the fly. Learning in the company of like minded peers is fun and it's a great way to make new friends.
A vibrant natural medicine community is thriving in Los Angeles, which means that classes are being held all the time. Many parks and nature preserves abound in and around the area, giving you myriad opportunities for plant identification and foraging.
Usui Reiki Ryoho Level I Certification presented by Reiki Wellbeing, located in the Rancho Park neighborhood in Los Angeles, teaches you the basics of reiki, an ancient Japanese healing technique. Receive in-person attunements, practice hands-on healing, and receive your Shoden certification. This class is open to all experience levels and participants aged 12 and up.
If you want to learn more about aromatherapy, ayurveda, homeopathy, and more, then Medicine Cabinet Makeover: Natural Tool to Stay Healthy is for you. Class sizes average about ten participants, and ages 18 and up are welcome. The instructor Jaya Pancholy is a Doctor of Integrated Holistic Medicine at the School of Multidimensional Healing in Irvine, Los Angeles.
Plant Medicine: Herbal Balms and Liniments Fundamentals is another class offered by Reiki Wellbeing in West Hollywood, Los Angeles. Learn how fats and oils found in native plants produce certain effects in balms, oils, and liniments. In this hands-on workshop, you will learn how to make your own herbal and natural remedies.
Plants Medicine: Wildcrafting Water Based Herbal Medicine is taught by experienced natural medicine practitioners Nhan-Esteban Khuong and Victoria Vives Khuong at Reiki Wellbeing. In this class, open to all experience levels, learn to gather and and prepare herbs for medicinal preparations and identify herbs used in water-based medicinal remedies. Learn how to create basic decoctions, hot and cold infusions, and solar infusions, and learn how to use and prepare medicinal washes for hygiene.
Learn how to use the oils and blossoms of flowers for wellbeing in Healing with Flower Essences, presented by Liberate Hollywood in Los Angeles. Expert instructor Mark D'Aquila will teach you how to use flower essence therapy for a number of therapeutic applications. Flower essences work within the body's chakra system to heal trauma and release tension. Alleviate emotional and physical pain through the identification and use of flower essences.
Essential Oils in Aromatherapy for Relaxation is a class presented by Liberate Hollywood in which you learn how to use the power of essential oils through aromatherapy to lower blood pressure and cortisol levels and to promote feelings of wellbeing. Class sizes average about 20 and all experience levels, aged 18 and up are welcome. Learn and discuss the history and culture of aromatherapy, methods and applications, specific oils and the areas they pinpoint, and sample fragrances.
Virtual Natural Medicine Classes
The class that works for you is often the class that works with your schedule and is conveniently accessible. Online classes require no commute and you can access them from anywhere, cutting out the travel time and expense required for most in-person classes. Still, it's sometimes hard to beat the instant feedback and guidance you receive in a physical classroom, where you can engage with fellow students and learn together.
Many online classes require that you source your own learning materials, whereas the majority of in-person classes will provide you with the materials you need. A classroom is ready and waiting for the learning to begin, and you don't have to worry about setup or cleanup. Online natural medicine classes are accessible even from home, however, or wherever your preferred workspace may be. Survey all of the available options, and find the class that is right for you.
Are you drawn to flowers, the beauty of blooms and blossoms in spring or summer? Maybe you simply have an interest in learning more about the natural world. Well The Art of Flower Remedies is for you. Presented by the Chicago Botanic Garden in the Cooky County Forest Preserves in Chicago, this class teaches beginners how to identify and process flowers to create natural remedies. Learn how flower essences affect and support the human body.
Green Medicine: A 4-Month Training in Herbalism teaches you the ancient practice of herbalism and how to practice it therapeutically. David Winston, Drew DiVittorio, and Peeka Trenkle at the New York Open Center in Manhattan, NYC, teach the history of herbal medicine, how to prevent illness and support the immune system with herbs, how to make your own herbal remedies at home, the legal considerations of being an herbalist, and more. This class is open to all experience levels, ages 18 and up, and classes average about 15 participants.
The New York Botanical Garden in the Bronx, NYC, presents Medicinal Mushrooms: Fungi for a Healthy Body, a beginner level online class in which you learn the properties of different mushroom species and how they affect the human nervous system. Learn about the many diverse uses of fungi, including how fungi filter water and remove heavy metals from soils, which sustains functioning biomes and the global ecological system.
Private Group Natural Medicine Classes in Los Angeles
Do you want to schedule a natural medicine class as a way to improve communication and foster camaraderie on your team or in your organization? You might be looking for an engaging activity for your family or circle of friends. CourseHorse has live online natural medicine classes for private groups in Los Angeles.
Relieve stress, improve focus, and get in the zone with Virtual Chair Stretching. Learn how to get the spine moving, improve posture, engage your core, and release tension throughout your body.
This half-hour interactive class is made for participants of all experience and movement levels. Whether you're an active mover or more sedentary, you will feel the benefits of these simple stretch techniques immediately.
This class can accommodate groups as small as ten and as large as 500. All you need to take part is comfortable clothing and a chair with room to stretch.
Booking private courses is simple with CourseHorse. There is no booking fee, and confirmation is always sent in 24 hours or less. Even if you don't know what your final group size will be, there's no need to worry. CourseHorse lets you change your group size even after booking.
Most CourseHorse classes are delivered through Zoom, but many platforms can be accommodated. Google Meet, Microsoft Teams, and WebEx are all supported platforms, and many classes are even deliverable at your office, workspace, or home.