Certificate course

The Herb Federation of New Zealand has developed a certificate programme, “Herbs and their uses” for distance learning and consists of twelve modules.

You will be provided with each module for study upon payment of the requisite module fee, $30 for Individual Members of the Herb Federation of New Zealand, and $50 for those who are not Individual Members of the Herb Federation of New Zealand.

Overview brochure to download (PDF, 145.53 kB)

Before proceeding, please read the General Course Description and Conditions (PDF, 133.08 kB).

Some resources can be purchased at the University Book Shop in Auckland. A list of relevant books can be found here. (PDF, 2.00 MB)

Herb Federation of New Zealand Certificate Study Scholarships

The late Heather Young had a desire to encourage and support members of the Herb Federation of New Zealand to increase their knowledge, of the growing, use and enjoyment of herbs in their everyday lives.

A study scholarship has been set up in her memory. Find out more about the scholarship by reading the Scholarship Terms and Conditions.

Modules

Module 1: Our Planet, Plants and HFNZ Objectives

$50 (Members price: $30 - login to receive discount)

Learning objectives and outcomes:

Outline the relationship between plants and their environment
Outline drivers of climate and climate change
Explain the different between native, introduced, and naturalised plants
Identify ecosystem types
Identify threats to New Zealand native plants
Define “herb”
State the meaning of Biodiversity and why it is important to maintain plant biodiversity
Be aware of the New Zealand Government Biodiversity Strategy in regard to plants
Identify plant biodiversity and conservation strategies
Outline the objectives of the Herb Federation of New Zealand Inc.

Module 2: History of Herbs

$50 (Members price: $30 - login to receive discount)

Learning objectives and outcomes:

To be able to identify important events in the development of use of herbs
To identify evidence of herbal use over time
To identify key herbal writings
To discuss the timeline of herbal development
To identify herbs that changed the World
To describe indigenous people’s use of herbs, giving examples
To demonstrate research of the history and current use of a specific herb
To identify and discuss factors that have impacted on the history of herb

Module 3: Herbal Botany and Identification

$50 (Members price: $30 - login to receive discount)

Learning objectives and outcomes:

To identify herbs of the Plant Kingdom according to Division, Class, Order, Family, Sub-family (where relevant), Tribe, Genus, and Species.
To be able to name herbs using the Latin binomial system
To differentiate between Monocotyledon and Dicotyledon plants.
To identify the structure and function of key parts of the plant
To discuss how herbaria and Botanical Gardens can benefit herb identification.

Module 4: Growing Herbs

$50 (Members price: $30 - login to receive discount)

Learning objectives and outcomes:

To identify and discuss factors to be considered when cultivating herbs.
To give rationale for herb choices in garden design.
To explain several different examples of garden design.
To plan and build a small herbal spiral.
To identify a range of plant diseases, pests and their management.
To identify permaculture principles

Module 5: Herb Propagation and Plant Production

$50 (Members price: $30 - login to receive discount)

Learning objectives and outcomes:

To identify key conditions for successful propagation
To define and discuss the various methods of propagation
To identify preferred propagation methods for specific herbs
To outline the ongoing plant care during the propagation process
To identify possible propagation problems and their prevention and treatment
To outline key considerations in producing herbs for sale

Module 6: Harvesting and Storing Herbs

$50 (Members price: $30 - login to receive discount)

Learning objectives and outcomes:

To identify a range of herbs and their harvesting methods
To give rationale for conservation during harvesting
To be able to understand and interpret a herb harvesting, processing, and storage chart.
To understand protocols for wildcrafting herbs
To identify and discuss methods of preserving herbs and be able to discuss their relative advantages/disadvantages
To identify good practice in regard to storing fresh and dried herbs

Module 7: Culinary Use of Herbs

$50 (Members price: $30 - login to receive discount)

Learning objectives and outcomes:

To Identify, prepare, and use a range of herbs and spices for culinary purposes
To understand which herbs and spices give best flavour to specific food types and dishes.
To be able to follow herb culinary charts and recipes utilising herbs.

Module 8: Herbs in Personal Care

$50 (Members price: $30 - login to receive discount)

Learning objectives and outcomes:

To identify herbs useful in specific aspects and personal or home care.
To identify parts of herbs used and their preparation and the processes needed to create simple, safe personal or home care products.
To be able to produce herbal personal and home care products.

Module 9: Medicinal Use of Herbs

$50 (Members price: $30 - login to receive discount)

Learning objectives and outcomes:

To identify a range of medicinal herbs and their uses
To identify key active constituents of medicinal herbs
To identify key actions of medicinal herbs
To outline a range of methods for preparing medicinal herbs
To identify standard doses of herbs prepared by various methods
To be aware of herb cautions, contraindications, and common herb/drug interactions.

Module 10: Herbal Crafts

$50 (Members price: $30 - login to receive discount)

Learning objectives and outcomes:

To identify herbs fresh and dried useful for making herbal crafts.
To identify parts of herbs used and their preparation and the processes needed to create a range of herbal crafts.
To be able to produce a range of herbal craft products.

Module 11: Growing Herbs Commercially

$50 (Members price: $30 - login to receive discount)

Learning objectives and outcomes:

To define a suitable business structure
Outline the requirements of business planning
Identify and understand key considerations in nursery production
Identify and understand key considerations of commercial herb cropping

Module 12: Herbal Products and the Law

$50 (Members price: $30 - login to receive discount)

Learning objectives and outcomes:

To provide and understand the New Zealand legal definition of a herbal remedy and differentiate it from a medicine.
To outline legislation affecting Complementary and Alternative medicine products and practitioners in New Zealand.
To discuss the key components of Good Manufacturing Practice.
To discuss current policies and policy issues regarding herbal medicines in New Zealand and to have an appreciation of policies in other countries.
To be familiar with key Government discussion and consultation documents affecting use of herbs and views of stakeholders.

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