Master of Science in Herbal Medicine.

Tai Sophia's Master of Science in Herbal Medicine program, the nation's first, is designed and delivered by an international faculty with the clinical and research background to redefine the practice of herbalism. Our graduates are leaders in the field with the scientific knowledge, the clinical skills, and the apothecary's craft to convert plants into safe, effective remedies.

Herbal Medicine Overview

The World Health Organization estimates that 80% of the world's population presently uses herbal medicine for some aspect of primary healthcare. In recent decades, the properties of medicinal plants and traditional systems of medicine have been rediscovered in the Western world. A recent Prevention magazine national survey revealed that 44.6 million Americans use botanicals on a regular basis, reflecting a multibillion dollar a year industry.

The use of traditional herbs increasingly is recognized for its efficacy and benefits. As a result, various government, industry, and academic organizations are developing ethnobotanical, laboratory, and clinical programs to research and help preserve herbal medicine traditions from around the world.

Herbal medicine can be defined as "the art and science of growing, collecting, preparing, and utilizing herbs for healing."

Program Overview

The Master of Science in Herbal Medicine program at Tai Sophia Institute combines current scientific research with centuries of tradition to provide students with a solid knowledge of the philosophy, theory, and practice of herbal medicine for the support and maintenance of health and well-being. As individuals increasingly take responsibility for their own healthcare, there are questions from consumers, pharmacists, physicians, and complementary medicine practitioners about issues of use, quality, and cross-effects with mainstream pharmaceuticals and treatments.  The program is designed to serve a critical need for education, research, and information in the field of herbal medicine by training graduates to become practitioners of excellence as well as leaders in research and in the production and standards of commercial botanical remedies.

Graduates will:

• Have the competence and experience to be successful, practicing clinical herbalists.
• Provide guidance to practitioners, academic researchers, industry leaders and policy makers concerning the standards of efficacy, quality, and safety of herbal products.
• Contribute to national efforts to promote the professional practice of herbal medicine and increase awareness of the value of herbal medicine and its role in integrative medicine.
• Provide educational programs for the wider community in the practice of herbal medicine.
• Develop a body of knowledge that will inform and assist clinicians and consumers in their use of herbal products.
• Build a bridge between conventional and herbal medicine practitioners.

The Herbal Medicine Program and Tai Sophia Institute does not promote or advocate licensure for herbalists in the U.S. Rather, we advocate that all citizens be afforded the accessibility and freedom to choose any health care option that they feel will best serve themselves and their families.  Likewise, we advocate that all health care practitioners be given the opportunity to practice freely so long as they represent their training and credentials to the public with absolute integrity.  We invite everyone concerned about the public policy issues of health and wellness to partner with us in restoring healing to healthcare.

Program Highlights

The program provides students with a solid familiarity of the foundation of herbal medicine, human biology, and varied healing traditions. Each student will build a knowledge base of over 100 herbs, their traditional usage, the clinical research validating their usage, their dosage as well as known pharmacological effects and contraindications, toxicity, and possible drug interactions. The program offers:

• The country's first Master of Science in Herbal Medicine, providing students with a comprehensive, in-depth education in understanding the rich history, science, and complexity of herbal medicine.
• Founded by Simon Mills, co-author of two of the world's leading textbooks on herbal medicine, president of the British Herbal Medicine Association, and secretary of the European Scientific Cooperative on Phytotherapy (ESCOP).
• Led by Director James Snow with highly experienced and prestigious core faculty, along with distinguished guest lecturers.
• Over 1000 hours of clinical training and experience, as well as, extensive training in the preparation and formulation of herbal remedies.
• An opportunity to collaborate on the Extract database - an international partnership that is creating an academically rigorous and accessible database on herbal medicine for healthcare professionals.
• A rich 5-day field trip to a nationally renowned plant sanctuary in Ohio.
• The opportunity to learn about medicinal plants from one of America's leading experts, James A. Duke, Ph.D., at the "Green Farmacy" garden
• three miles from the Tai Sophia campus.
• Hands-on experience in the Institute's on-campus herb garden and woodlands.
• Full access to the outstanding on-site library, which houses James A. Duke's ethnobotanical library as well as extensive resources for research in herbal pharmacology, materia medica, human physiology, and the philosophical foundation of holistic healing.

Professional Opportunities

Graduates are working in medical centers, private consulting practices, and independent clinics as advisors, teachers, consultants, and practitioners.

Graduates have also been presented with many offers to write and teach, and opportunities exist for graduates to work in the herbal product industry. As the public demands more natural remedies, and the media and regulators become more investigative, the need for trained herbal medicine professionals is increasing.

Program Faculty

Program Director

James Snow, RH (AHG)

Program Founder

Simon Mills, M.A., FNIMH, MCPP

Division Chairs

Bevin Clare, B.S., RH (AHG),Herbal Division
Claudia Joy Wingo, B.S.N., DMH, Clinical Division

Core and Residential Faculty

Amy Brush, M.S., Herb Room - Quality Control & Production Coordinator
Dianne M. Connelly, Ph.D., M.Ac. (UK)
Robert M. Duggan, M.A., M.Ac.(UK)
James Duke, Ph.D.
Camille Freeman, M.S., CNS  (RH) AHG
Simon Mills, M.A., FNIMH, MCPP
Kevin Spelman, RH (AHG), MCPP

Visiting Faculty

7 Song, RH (AHG)
Mary Bove, N.D., CPM
Jerry Cott, Ph.D.
Amanda Mcquade Crawford, MNIMH, RH (AHG)
Robin Dipasquale, N.D., RH (AHG)
Tina Lightner, M.S., RH (AHG)
Jill Stansbury, N.D.
Roy Upton, RH (AHG)
David Winston, RH (AHG)
Eric Yarnell, N.D.

Research & Scholarship

Highlights