Faculty: Graduate School of Health Science This major focuses on the use of plants and plant extracts for medicinal purposes. Students develop a deep understanding of herbal medicine, traditional remedies, and the scientific principles behind plant-based therapies. Graduates are prepared for careers in herbal medicine practices, research, product development, and related fields. **Learning Objectives:** - Understand the fundamentals of phytotherapy, including the identification, cultivation, and use of medicinal plants. - Develop skills in preparing and administering herbal remedies. - Learn techniques for evaluating the efficacy and safety of plant-based therapies. - Explore principles of traditional medicine, ethnobotany, and cultural uses of medicinal plants. - Analyze and interpret scientific research on phytotherapy. - Develop critical thinking, problem-solving, and research skills for effective phytotherapy practice. **Major Outline:** 1. **Introduction to Phytotherapy** - Overview of key concepts, principles, and practices in phytotherapy. - Fundamentals of medicinal plants, herbal remedies, and traditional medicine. 2. **Botanical Identification and Cultivation** - Principles of botanical identification, taxonomy, and plant morphology. - Techniques for cultivating and harvesting medicinal plants. 3. **Herbal Medicine Preparation** - Fundamentals of herbal medicine preparation, including extraction methods, formulations, and dosage forms. - Techniques for preparing tinctures, decoctions, infusions, and other herbal remedies. 4. **Pharmacognosy** - Principles of pharmacognosy, phytochemistry, and the chemical analysis of natural products. - Techniques for identifying and analyzing active compounds in medicinal plants. 5. **Traditional Medicine and Ethnobotany** - Principles of traditional medicine, ethnobotany, and the cultural uses of medicinal plants. - Techniques for studying ethnobotanical knowledge and traditional uses of plants. 6. **Clinical Phytotherapy** - Fundamentals of clinical phytotherapy, patient assessment, and treatment planning. - Techniques for administering herbal remedies and managing patient care. 7. **Research Methods in Phytotherapy** - Principles of research methods, experimental design, and data analysis in phytotherapy. - Techniques for conducting and presenting research in herbal medicine. 8. **Practicum in Phytotherapy** - Real-world experiences in phytotherapy, including observations, internships, and hands-on projects in herbal medicine practices, research labs, or product development firms. - Application of learned skills in practical phytotherapy scenarios. 9. **Capstone Project in Phytotherapy** - Comprehensive project applying skills in botanical identification, herbal medicine preparation, or clinical phytotherapy. - Delivery of a polished research project, herbal remedy formulation, or clinical case study. **Assessment Methods:** - Botanical identification reports, herbal medicine preparation projects, pharmacognosy analyses, ethnobotanical studies, clinical phytotherapy case studies, research methodology projects, practicum reports, capstone projects, group projects, and internship evaluations. **Recommended Textbooks:** - "Phytotherapy: Principles and Practice" by Kerry Bone and Simon Mills. - "Medicinal Plants of the World" by Ben-Erik van Wyk and Michael Wink. - "Pharmacognosy: Fundamentals, Applications, and Strategies" by various authors. - "Ethnobotany: A Methods Manual" by various authors. - "Clinical Phytotherapy" by various authors. - "Research Methods in Phytotherapy" by various authors. **Prerequisites:** Basic knowledge of botany, chemistry, and traditional medicine. Suitable for students interested in herbal medicine, phytotherapy, and plant-based therapies. **Major Duration:** Typically 4 years for a bachelor's degree, including coursework, projects, practicum, and internships. **Certification:** Graduates may receive a degree in Phytotherapy and pursue further education or professional certifications in related fields, such as a Master's or Ph.D. in Phytotherapy, Herbal Medicine, or related disciplines. **Target Audience:** Aspiring phytotherapists, herbal medicine practitioners, researchers, product developers, and individuals seeking careers in herbal medicine practices, research, product development, and related fields. This major equips students with the theoretical, practical, and research skills needed to excel in phytotherapy, supporting careers in herbal medicine practices, research, product development, and related fields.