Larry is a plant geneticist and breeder whose lab uses genomic tools to better understand hybrid vigor, sex determination, and pest and disease resistance in shrub willow bioenergy crops. More recently, he has been leading Cornell’s hemp research and extension team and has initiated a long-term breeding and genomics program to develop new hemp cultivars for New York State. He received his B.S. in Biology at Cornell University, Ph.D. in Genetics at Michigan State University, and was an NSF Postdoctoral Fellow at UC-Davis.
Course Overview
This course is a starting point for the study of medical ethnobotany, which involves the plants found in a particular place and how they can be used to treat illnesses. By examining the historical applications of plant-based medicines, the compounds that are commonly found in plant-based medicines, the potential safety considerations when using plant-based medicines, and how to critically evaluate the labels and packaging of plant-based medicines, you will be prepared to understand the applications of these types of medicines and what information people need to be aware of if they plan on using them. This is not a replacement for consulting with a physician; it is intended as an exploration of alternatives that you may not have considered. In this course, and each course that follows, we recommend that you consult with a medical expert before implementing any medicinal plants into your own personal health plan.
Key Course Takeaways
- Examine how different cultures have used plant-based medicines throughout history
- Distinguish among the different types of compounds present in plants that may have medicinal, psychoactive, or toxic properties
- Understand the correlation between dose and effect of a given compound
- Propose potential safety implications of plant-based medicines
- Evaluate the labels and packaging in the marketing of different plant-based medicines
How It Works
Course Length
2 weeks
Effort
3-5 hours per week
Format
100% online, instructor-led
Course Author
Lawrence Smart
Professor
Cornell College of Agriculture and Life Sciences
Professor of Plant Breeding and Genetics, School of Integrative Plant Science, College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Cornell University
Who Should Enroll
- Individuals interested in both traditional and alternative medicines
- Healthcare practitioners and alternative medicine practitioners
- Naturopathic and holistic health educators and practitioners
- Herbalists
- Wellness and lifestyle coaches
- Yogis and yoga teachers
- Product development professionals across industries such as food and beverage, cosmetics, and pharmaceuticals
- Entrepreneurs
Get It Done
100% Online
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