Deepen your knowledge so you can holistically support your clients and family

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This intermediate-level course is especially designed for health care professionals, nurses, social workers, counselors, therapists, herbalists, acupuncturists, and caregivers.

Herbs for the Brain

This one-of-a-kind intermediate certificate course offered by the Bellebuono School of Herbal Medicine is a comprehensive study of the brain and the herbs and foods that support mental health.

The course covers botanical therapies and nutrition needed to holistically address mental health diseases and disorders. You'll learn the key structures and processes of the brain and neurons, and you'll explore up-to-date research and traditional herbal healing to learn how herbal methods and foods can support a healthy brain.

The course surveys Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's, depression, anxiety, ALS, OCD, and ADHD, all at an intermediate level with an emphasis on natural and nutritive prevention.

Especially designed for herbalists, social workers, counselors, nurses, therapists, health care professionals, acupuncturists, naturopaths, and caregivers, this course teaches how herbs and foods can help us build better nerve networks and strengthen cognition, mental clarity, memory, muscle movement, and peace of mind.

Note: for the beginner course, go here.

The BSHM is an official school member of the American Herbalist Guild since 2011.

Herbal Remedies Matter More than Ever for Mental Health

We are living longer than at any time in human history, which is both a blessing and a challenge. This means we have an enormous population of people who have entered the late stage in life whose needs are significant. As of 2023 the number of people worldwide aged 65+ is 761,000,000...by 2050 (only 25 years from now!) this number is projected to nearly double, reaching about 1.6 billion. (US Census Bureau)

Aging minds are susceptible to dementia. Of those ages 60-74, between 5% and 7% have some form of dementia. Alarmingly, this percentage doubles every five years after that, so that in those aged 75-84, 18-20% have dementia. And for those aged 85 or older, an astonishing 30-50% have dementia, of which the most common form is Alzheimer's.

The World Health Organization (WHO) predicts that Alzheimer's disease will increase significantly. By 2050, the number of people living with Alzheimer's and other dementias is expected to triple, rising from around 55 million today to 139 million worldwide.

Huge Need for Natural Support

Supporting those at risk of or already diagnosed with dementia is not the only reason to study herbal remedies for the brain. Neurodegenerative diseases affect populations of all ages and backgrounds, including ALS (amyotrophic lateral sclerosis), MS (multiple sclerosis), and Parkinson’s Disease. Depression and anxiety restrict the lives of millions of people around the world with panic attacks and debilitating symptoms.

Astonishingly, in the United States alone, roughly 21 million adults are diagnosed with major depression every year. Anxiety disorders are the most common mental health conditions in the U.S., with around 40 million adults (about 19% of the population) diagnosed every year.

The herbs and foods we consume can support mental health and can ease symptoms of disorder and disease with fewer side effects. This course prepares you to support clients naturally.

What You'll Learn in the Herbs for the Brain certificate course

In this updated, comprehensive and intermediate course, you will be able to:

describe how nerve cells work in the brain and the processes that are critical to mental health--and what happens when they break down
discuss the processes behind major diseases such as Alzheimer's and Parkinson's, as well as herbs and foods to support mental clarity
identify dozens of herbs that are traditionally used and/or studied clinically to address dementia and disorders such as depression and anxiety,
provide guidance into how to use herbal remedies and foods safely and reliably for long-term mental health
how to use herbs and diet to support sodium-potassium balance
understand the latest research into herbs that protect glial cells, the myelin sheath, and the blood-brain barrier
describe how blood sugar regulation can support healthy brain function, especially in those at risk for Alzheimers or other dementias
recommend supportive diets, nutrients, and herbs for those with blood sugar issues, depression, anxiety and dementia
support clients and family with herbal therapies and nutrition specifically geared toward those will mental health conditions, and share ways to daily improve their diet and take botanical remedies (either alone or in conjunction with modern drugs) to support long-term mental health

Students successfully completing the course, including earning a minimum score of 80% on all module exams, earn a Certificate of Completion.

Brain Health Topics Covered

Alzheimer's Disease
Parkinson's Disease
Depression
Anxiety
Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)
neuron structure
neurotransmitter function
myelin sheath and glial cells
sodium potassium pump
oxidation and neuro-inflammation
blood brain barrier
diabetes and blood sugar regulation and new research on hypoglycemic herbs
herbs traditionally used to support mental health, such as lemon balm, motherwort, passionflower
herbal categories of actions specific to brain health, including adaptogens, neurotrophics, and anxiolytics
in-depth new research on herbs, such as St. John's wort, ginkgo, turmeric, pine bark, ashwagandha, and herbs with berberine
supportive diets and nutritional profiles specific to brain health

What You Get When You Enroll in the Course

The course includes a wealth of downloadable digital, video, and written modules and lessons, plus helpful resources, charts, and an e-book

26-pg Student Workbook

8 Hours Video Instruction

Brain Health Recipe E-Book

Thorough Charts & Resources

110-pg Coursebook

Herbal Actions Workbook

252-pg Slide Presentation

Module Exams to Earn Certificate

The Alzheimer’s presentation was excellent! You laid it out in a very easy-to-absorb way. I think you have a gift of taking something heavy and hard to understand, and turning it into something that just makes sense. You make knowledge accessible! Not everyone has the time and energy to dive into researching a topic, despite the desire to know more. You are a great teacher Holly!

- Tarah Gibbon -

Holly is a walking encyclopedia of herbs and herbal remedies! As a health coach, my passion is helping people heal with whole foods, so I really enjoyed learning more about herbal remedies from her. Holly is an engaging speaker and the depth of her knowledge and passion for herbalism shines through in every word.

- Caroline Stahlschmidt -

Holly is easily one of the best speakers we have ever had! For her program Herbs for Neurodegenerative Diseases, she was able to take the very complicated function of the human brain and explain it in a way that non-medical people could understand. She taught us the health benefits of many herbs we already have in our pantry.

- Michigan Herb Associates -

Herbs for the Brain: Nootropic, Herbal & Natural Supports for Mental Health

This comprehensive intermediate certificate course explores the mechanics of brain functions, including neurons, nerve cell processes, neurotransmitters, the sodium-potassium pump, the myelin sheath, and other critical aspects that keep our brains healthy, while teaching both the traditional herbs used to support mental health and the up-to-date research on herbs and nutrients. The course identifies the major neurodegenerative diseases and disorders that affect millions of people worldwide, including Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, ALS, depression, anxiety, OCD and ADHD and how botanical therapies and nutrition can support balance. The Course includes 8 hours of video instruction, multiple student resources including a Workbook and a Coursebook, recipes, reference guides, charts, and more. Ideal for social workers, therapists, herbalists, nurses, naturopaths, acupuncturists, and those who wish to care for people holistically.

$597.00 USD

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About Instructor Holly Bellebuono

Herbalist, author, consultant, and international speaker Holly Bellebuono is known for taking complex subjects in chemistry and anatomy and making them easy to understand—and especially for relating how edible and medicinal plants can benefit a wide range of ailments and issues. Holly teaches formulary, herbal actions, herbs for all body systems, and advocates for collaboration with health care professionals to build a proactive team to support people with both acute and chronic conditions.

Her published books include Women Healers of the World (awarded Book of the Year by The International Herb Association), The Essential Herbal for Natural Health, An Herbalist’s Guide to Formulary, Llewellyn’s Little Book of Herbs, and The Healing Kitchen. Holly has lectured about healing and women’s empowerment in Canada, Costa Rica, England, and across the United States.

She is the founder of Selle Impact Consulting and The Bellebuono School of Herbal Medicine, which has been an official school of The American Herbalists Guild since 2011.