Immune Health

Get beyond echinacea and learn the full complement of herbal actions and nutritional strategies that can build immune resilience, fend off pathogens, or reign in an overactive system.

Your immune system is working 24/7 - even when you're not sick!

Even if it's not flu season, your immune system is constantly protecting you from pathogens in your environment - which means you've got to keep it running smoothly.

And for many of us, that constant vigilance gets out of hand and turns into problematic inflammation and autoimmunity.

Together, let's get your immune system into that "goldilocks" place - ready to protect you when you need it, calm and cool when you don't.

In this course, you'll learn how to:

keep your immune system at peak performance so you stay healthy
understand how inflammation works, and how to support the healthy version of inflammation
reign in inflammation that's run amok
rebuild your immune function after an illness
calm down immune function that's gone overboard in autoimmune conditions

The course includes over 36 hours of video instruction, as well as PDF handouts, quizzes and homework assignments, and more - plus weekly Q&A discussions where you can talk directly with Ryn and Katja.

The best immune system is the one that's "juuuust right"

Herbs and holistic strategies can get you there!

Teach Me How!

What you'll learn

How the Immune System works

When you understand what's supposed to happen and how to support it, it's easier to get yourself to that "Goldilocks" healthy balanced place!
Which herbs best support immune health

When is Echinacea appropriate? Are there any times that you shouldn't stimulate immune function? What herbs are safe when you've got an autoimmune condition? You'll be confident on these and many more!
Build healthy, strong balance!

Whether you're the one who always gets whatever's going around, or you're trying to cope with an overactive immune state - you'll learn what you need to know to come to a place of balance.

Finally!

Gayle M.

For the first time, I am almost through the winter and I haven't been sick - even though everyone at work has been. I feel like I'm finally learning how to work WITH my body!

Check out the full course curriculum:

1. Welcome to Immune Health!
2. Live Q&A sessions twice a week!
3. Mountain Rose Herbs + Foster Farms discount codes
4. How to use this platform
5. How to use Closed-Captioning
6. How to use the Discussions feature
7. Meet our Friends!
8. Chatting in the Community Space
9. Use of Course Material (Intellectual Property)
10. Interactive Learning
11. Herbalism (and health!) is Bioregional
12. Herbalism (and health!) is Bioregional [audio]
13. Every Body is Different
14. Course Outline
15. Action Prompt: Plan Your Herbs!
1. Introduction to Immune Health
2. Introduction to Immune Health [audio]
3. The 3 "Features" of Immunity
1. Immune Boundaries
2. Immune Boundaries [audio]
3. Feature 1: Barriers
4. Barriers of the Immune System
5. Barriers of the Immune System [audio]
6. Barriers: the Skin
7. Barriers: the Skin [audio]
8. Barriers: Digestive Fluids
9. Barriers: Digestive Fluids [audio]
10. Barriers: Mucous Membranes
11. Barriers: Mucous Membranes [audio]
12. Barriers: Gut Flora
13. Barriers: Gut Flora [audio]
14. Energy & Emotions as a Function of Immunity
15. Energy & Emotions as a Function of Immunity [audio]
16. Environment & Community as a Function of Immunity
17. Environment & Community as a Function of Immunity [audio]
18. Immune Barriers Wrap-up
19. Immune Barriers Wrap-up [audio]
20. Quick Guide: Barriers & Boundaries
21. Barriers Quiz
1. Feature 2: Innate Immunity
2. Innate Immunity
3. Innate Immunity [audio]
4. The Inflammatory Process
5. The Inflammatory Process [audio]
6. More on Supporting Fever
7. Quick Guide: Innate Immunity
8. Innate Immunity Quiz
1. Feature 3: Adaptive Immunity
2. Adaptive Immunity
3. Adaptive Immunity [audio]
4. Quick Guide: Adaptive Immunity
1. Immune Organs
2. Immune Organs [audio]
3. Immune Organs Quiz
4. Immune Response Cells
5. Immune Response Cells [audio]
6. Why Does Microanatomy Matter for Herbalists?
7. Why Does Microanatomy Matter? [audio]
8. Quick Guide: Immune A&P
9. Micro-anatomy Quiz (Optional!)
1. Psychoneuroimmunoendocrinology
2. Psychoneuroimmunoendocrinology [audio]
3. Quick Guide: Psychoneuroimmunoendocrinology
1. Holistic Immunity
2. Holistic Immunity [audio]
3. Quick Guide: Holistic Immunity
4. Thinking about health problems
1. Things That Suppress Immune Function, part 1
2. Things That Suppress Immune Function, part 1 [audio]
3. Sugar as Immunosuppressant
4. Things That Suppress Immune Function, part 2
5. Things That Suppress Immune Function, part 2 [audio]
6. Recipes for Less-Inflammatory Treats
7. Health Outcomes for Above-Deck vs. Below-Deck Military Personnel
8. Quick Guide: Immune Suppression
9. Immune Suppresors Quiz
1. Building Immunity, part 1
2. Building Immunity, part 1 [audio]
3. Building Immunity, part 2
4. Building Immunity, part 2 [audio]
5. Building Immunity, part 3
6. Building Immunity, part 3 [audio]
7. Fermented Foods & Probiotics
8. Quick Guide: Building Immunity
9. Building Immunity Quiz
1. Herbs, Pharmaceuticals, & Immunity
2. Herbs, Pharmaceuticals, & Immunity [audio]
3. Antibiotic Resistance Paper
4. Origins & Evolution of Antibiotic Resistance, Davies & Davies, September 2010
5. The Lack of New Antibiotics Complicates Antibiotic Resistance
6. WHO Global Plan on Antimicrobial Resistance, 2015
7. Quick Guide: Herbs, Pharmaceuticals, & Immunity
1. Immune Stimulants
2. Immune Stimulants [audio]
3. Felter's writings on Echinacea
4. Immunomodulators
5. Immunomodulators [audio]
6. Antimicrobials & Antivirals
7. Antimicrobials & Antivirals [audio]
8. Astringents
9. Astringents [audio]
10. Detox & Digestion & the Immune System
11. Demulcents
12. Demulcents [audio]
13. Lymphatics
14. Lymphatics [audio]
15. Anti-inflammatory Herbs
16. Anti-Inflammatory Herbs [audio]
17. Other Actions for the Immune System
18. Other Actions for the Immune System [audio]
19. Quick Guide: Herbal Actions in the Immune System
20. Immune Actions Quiz
1. Immune Hypersensitivity, part 1
2. Immune Hypersensitivity, part 1 [audio]
3. Immune Hypersensitivity, part 2
4. Immune Hypersensitivity, part 2 [audio]
5. Autoimmunity
6. Autoimmunity [audio]
7. Traditional Irish Nettle & Seaweed Soup
8. Hydrangea Root & Autoimmune Disorders
9. Cytokine Storm
10. Cytokine Storm [audio]
11. Understanding "Cytokine Storm"
12. Paul Bergner on the Concept of "Cytokine Storm"
13. Elderberries do not Cause "Cytokine Storm"
14. Two Referenced Studies on Elderberry & Cytokines
15. Cytokine Storm Research Reviews
16. NSAIDs, Aspirin, etc & Viral Shedding
17. Action Prompt: Ginger vs. Turmeric
18. Quick Guide: Immune Hypersensitivity
19. Hypersensitivity Quiz
1. Why do we get allergies?
2. Why do we get allergies? [audio]
3. Histamine
4. Histamine [audio]
5. The Role of the Liver
6. The Role of the Liver [audio]
7. Quick Guide: Understanding Allergies
8. Understanding Allergies Quiz
9. The "Stressor Bucket"
10. The "Stressor Bucket" [audio]
11. "Dump Your Bucket" - Food
12. "Dump Your Bucket" - Food [audio]
13. "Dump your Bucket" - Movement
14. "Dump Your Bucket" - Movement [audio]
15. "Dump your Bucket" - Environmental Factors
16. "Dump Your Bucket" - Environmental Factors [audio]
17. Support for the Liver
18. Support for the Liver [audio]
19. "Build a Bigger Bucket" - Food
20. "Build A Bigger Bucket" - Food [audio]
21. "Build a Bigger Bucket" - Sleep
22. "Build A Bigger Bucket" - Sleep [audio]
23. "Build a Bigger Bucket" - Relaxation
24. "Build A Bigger Bucket" - Relaxation [audio]
25. "Build a Bigger Bucket" - Herbs!
26. "Build A Bigger Bucket" - Herbs! [audio]
27. The Role of Cortisol
28. The Role of Cortisol [audio]
29. Quick Guide: Reducing Allergic Response
30. Reducing Allergic Responses Quiz
31. General Support: Nettle & Goldenrod
32. General Support: Nettle & Goldenrod [audio]
33. General Support: Ginkgo, Licorice, & Reishi
34. General Support: Ginkgo, Licorice, & Reishi [audio]
35. Supporting Mucous Membranes - Marshmallow, Violet, Linden
36. Supporting Mucous Membranes: Marshmallow, Violet, Linden [audio]
37. Supporting Mucous Membranes - Goldenseal, Yerba Santa, Fleabane, Mullein
38. Supporting Mucous Membranes: Goldenseal, Yerba Santa, Fleabane, Mullein [audio]
39. Decongestants: Horseradish & Friends, Ground Ivy, Elderflower
40. Decongestants: Horseradish & Friends, Ground Ivy, Elderflower [audio]
41. Watery Eyes - Eyebright
42. Watery Eyes: Eyebright [audio]
43. Trouble Breathing - Peppermint, Lobelia, Ephedra
44. Trouble Breathing: Peppermint, Lobelia, Ephedra [audio]
45. Materia Medica for Allergies [printable]
46. 🌿💊 Herb-Drug Interaction notes for Seasonal & Environmental Allergies
47. Allergy Management Herbs Quiz
48. An "All The Things" Allergy Strategy
49. An "All The Things" Allergy Strategy [audio]
50. Cheap & Easy Interventions
51. Cheap & Easy Interventions [audio]
52. Slow & Steady Interventions
53. Slow & Steady Interventions [audio]
54. More Expensive but Effective Interventions
55. More Expensive but Effective Interventions [audio]
56. "Big Effort, Big Rewards" Allergy Strategies
57. "Big Effort, Big Rewards" Allergy Strategies [audio]
58. Quick Guide: Allergy Support Protocols
1. Immunodeficiency
2. Immunodeficiency [audio]
3. Quick Guide: Immunodeficiency
1. Iatrogenic Immune Suppression
2. Iatrogenic Immune Suppression [audio]
3. Quick Guide: Iatrogenic Immune Suppression
1. Epstein-Barr, Mono, and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
2. Epstein-Barr, Mono, and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome [audio]
3. The "Bootstraps" Reference
4. Sam Coffman's Academic Thoughts on Ebola
5. Journal Prompt: Working with Novel Illnesses
6. HIV
7. HIV [audio]
8. Background on St. John's Wort & HIV
9. Tick-Borne Illnesses
10. Tick-Borne Illnesses [audio]
11. Holistic Approaches to Lyme Disease
12. "Invasive Illnesses"
13. "Invasive Illnesses" [audio]
14. Infectious diseases & Immune Health in Post-Disaster Situations
15. Quick Guide: Immune Infectious Diseases
16. Immune Infections Quiz
1. What's in this chapter?
2. COVID-19 Introduction
3. COVID-19 Introduction [audio]
4. Basic Home Nursing Skills
5. Basic Home Nursing Skills [audio]
6. Acute vs. Long Covid
7. Acute vs. Long Covid [audio]
8. Quick Guide: Acute Covid
9. Covid Cleanup
10. Covid Cleanup [audio]
11. Four Pillars Support for Covid
12. Four Pillars Support for Covid [audio]
13. Covid & Inflammation
14. Covid & Inflammation [audio]
15. Reference - Amazon is Running Out of People to Hire
16. Immune Support vs. Immune Revitalization
17. Covid's Damage to the Immune System
18. Covid's Damage to the Immune System [audio]
19. Setting up PubMed Alerts
20. Damage to T cells & B cells
21. Covid Infection Doesn't Confer Effective Immunity - & that Shouldn't be Surprising.
22. Supporting Barrier Immunity
23. Supporting Barrier Immunity [audio]
24. Covid & Resurgence of Previous Infections
25. Covid & Resurgence of Previous Infections [audio]
26. More Covid Materials...
1. Vaccines & the Immune System
2. Vaccines & the Immune System [audio]
3. I can't believe they needed studies for this but... (sleep & vaccine success)
4. What is a "normal" reaction after getting a vaccine, vs a "bad" or "adverse" reaction?
5. How to decide whether to get a vaccine
6. Quick Guide: Vaccines & the Immune System
1. Volatiles
2. Volatiles [audio]
3. Polysaccharides
4. Polysaccharides [audio]
5. Saponins
6. Saponins [audio]
7. Bioflavonoids
8. Bioflavonoids [audio]
9. Biofilm Busters
10. Biofilm Busters [audio]
11. Quorum Sensing Inhibiting Actions Across Multiple Phytochemical Categories
12. More on Quorum Sensing Inhibiting Herbs
13. Quick Guide: Phytochemistry for the Immune System
14. Immune Phytochem Quiz
1. Maintaining a Healthy Immune System
2. Maintaining a Healthy Immune System [audio]
3. Quick Guide: Maintaining Healthy Immune Systems
4. Action Prompt: How does this change your life?
1. Materia Medica for the Immune System [printable]
2. 🌿💊 Herb-Drug Interaction Notes for Immune Health
3. 🌿Herb Safety in Pregnancy🌿
4. Materia Medica for the Immune System, part 1
5. Materia Medica for the Immune System, part 1 [audio]
6. Angelica Study: Antiviral to Herpes Virus
7. Ashwagandha Study: Immunomodulating Activity
8. Astragalus Studies: Polysaccharides as Macrophage Stimulators
9. Astragalus Study: Polysaccharides, Tumors, & Immune Function
10. Materia Medica for the Immune System, part 2
11. Materia Medica for the Immune System, part 2 [audio]
12. Boneset Study: Anti-Influenza
13. Boneset Studies: Anti-Inflammatory Effects
14. Action Prompt: Bitter Medicine
15. Protecting Traditional Medicines from Corporate Takeover
16. Materia Medica for the Immune System, part 3
17. Materia Medica for the Immune System, part 3 [audio]
18. Calendula Studies: Anti-inflammatory, Anti-tumor, Hepatoprotective, Lymphatic
19. Cat's Claw Monograph from the American Botanical Council
20. Chickweed Studies: Antiviral to Hepatitis, Herpes
21. Codonopsis Study: Immune Cell Balance
22. Materia Medica for the Immune System, part 4
23. Materia Medica for the Immune System, part 4 [audio]
24. Echinacea Monograph by Kevin Spelman (shared with permission)
25. Elder Studies: Antiviral & Respiratory Actions
26. Materia Medica for the Immune System, part 5
27. Materia Medica for the Immune System, part 5 [audio]
28. Elecampane Studies: Antimicrobial, Anti-tumor, Anti-stress
29. Garlic Studies: Immunomodulatory & Anti-inflammatory Actions
30. Ginger Studies: Anti-inflammatory, Immunomodulatory, Antiviral
31. Human Body Temperature Is Dropping
32. Materia Medica for the Immune System, part 6
33. Materia Medica for the Immune System, part 6 [audio]
34. Goldenseal Studies: Efflux Pump Inhibition, QSI, Immunomodulatory
35. Thoughts on Dimetapp
36. Ground Ivy Studies: Anti-inflammatory, Hepatoprotective
37. Pine, Fir, & the Coniferous Chlorophyll Carotene Paste 🌲🌲🌲
38. Pine Bark Studies: Antiviral, Anti-inflammatory, Anti-cancer
39. Materia Medica for the Immune System, part 7
40. Materia Medica for the Immune System, part 7 [audio]
41. Plantain Study: Immunomodulatory Activity
42. Poke Studies: Antiviral, Anti-cancer
43. Prickly Ash Studies: Antifungal, Anti-microbial
44. Propolis Studies: Immunomodulatory, Antimicrobial, Anti-cancer
45. Purple Loosestrife Studies: Antimicrobial, Antioxidant, Anti-inflammatory
46. Materia Medica for the Immune System, part 8
47. Materia Medica for the Immune System, part 8 [audio]
48. More on Medicinal Mushrooms
49. More on Medicinal Mushrooms [audio]
50. Reishi Studies: Anti-cancer, Immunomodulatory
51. Shiitake & Medicinal Mushroom Studies: Anti-inflammatory, Immunomodulatory
52. Sage Studies: Antiviral, Anti-inflammatory
53. Sumac Studies: Antimicrobial, Antiviral, etc
54. Usnea Studies: Antimicrobial, Anticancer
55. Seaweed Studies: Antimicrobial, Antiviral, Anti-cancer, Anti-inflammatory, Immunomodulatory
56. Materia Medica for the Immune System: Chicken Soup!
57. Materia Medica for the Immune System: Chicken Soup! [audio]
58. Action Prompt: Chicken Soup
59. Making Bone Broth
60. Immune Materia Medica Quiz
61. Action Prompt: Preparing for the Inevitable
1. Turn Facts into Skills!
2. Let's Practice!
3. Let's Practice! [audio]
4. Immune Hypersensitivity Case Description
5. Immune Hypersensitivity Case Description [audio]
6. Immune Hypersensitivity Solutions
7. Immune Hypersensitivity Solutions [audio]
8. Deficient Immune Function Case Description
9. Deficient Immune Function Case Description [audio]
10. Deficient Immune Function Solutions
11. Deficient Immune Function Solutions [audio]
12. Allergies Case Description
13. Allergies Case Description [audio]
14. Allergies Solutions
15. Allergies Solutions [audio]
16. Immune Health Capstone Assignment
1. Access your Certificate ⭐️⭐️⭐️

About this course

$350.00
339 lessons
36.5 hours of video content

Certificate Information

You will receive a certificate for the successful completion of this course.

This course has 92 credit hours.

This represents the actual time of video instruction and live Q&A, as well as the time allocated for your capstone assignment, quizzes, and other assignments & activities required for completion of the course.

It is reasonable to plan about twice that much time to complete the work: this is because most students like to watch the videos more than once, review their notes, and many students complete more than the required activities. You might also enjoy joining a study group in our Student Community, and you might choose to work on extra activities together as a group to help you internalize all that you've learned.

Regardless of how long it takes you, there is never any pressure! You have access to this material for life, and in fact, when we add updates and new materials, you receive it all for free, automatically!

If new material is added after you have received your certificate, we are happy to send you a new updated certificate to document the additional time when you complete the new material.

But wait, there's more! 🙂

In addition to the videos, we provide features to accommodate all the different ways people like to learn, so you can internalize the information easily!

Lifetime access - so you can review the content as many times as you like, forever!
Weekly live Q&A sessions with Katja and Ryn - to ask your questions directly, live and in person! (They're even archived, in case you miss one!) This course has 1 year of live Q&A support.
Ask questions anytime - we're always just a click away: you can ask any questions in the integrated discussion forum, and we're committed to personally answering your questions, usually within 24 hours
Printable PDF materials - if you like to follow the videos along on paper, or keep them handy for a quick reference
Downloadable MP3 files - so you can review the content while you commute, workout, garden, ... anytime!

36+ hours of in-depth videos, downloadable quick guides, live Q&A sessions, and more - all for $350!

Scholarships & Discounts

You can find complete information about our scholarships and discounts here.

The best herb school online!

Vanessa P.

"I researched different online herbalism courses for about two months and am so glad I found you two. There is so much more than just the material to this course. Because you teach everything in videos, and then with the live Q&A sessions every week, I feel like this is more of an in-person experience than an online course and I love that."

Get strong, stay strong

A strong immune system means a healthy you

Yes, Please!

What students are saying:

Every Health Care Provider Should Be Required to Take thi...

Sarah Strauser

Wow!!! This course was AMAZING. I was a registered nurse for 8 years before becoming a stay-at-home mom. I have learned more about the immune system and its ...

Wow!!! This course was AMAZING. I was a registered nurse for 8 years before becoming a stay-at-home mom. I have learned more about the immune system and its many functions during this course than I did in my entire nursing career. Ryn and Katja have a gift at breaking down complex information into digestible and easy to apply bits and pieces. I walk away from this program a little sad - I dislike when a good thing ends - yet, thrilled to start applying the knowledge gained with both the pillars of health and some yummy herbal friends. Is this course for you? I have a one worded answer for you....YES!!!

Read Less

Immune Health Course

Stephanie Camara

This was a very comprehensive course. I like how the information spiraled back around in many instances. I appreciate that both teachers are there in front o...

This was a very comprehensive course. I like how the information spiraled back around in many instances. I appreciate that both teachers are there in front of you teaching and not just voices.

Read Less

Amazing Course

Carol Federoff

I never expected this much information! This course is so informative and covered so well that my not so 'sciency' mind was totally able to grasp and become...

I never expected this much information! This course is so informative and covered so well that my not so 'sciency' mind was totally able to grasp and become excited by. I am so intrigued to keep learning more. I'll definitely be signing up for more courses.

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so important

Dela Ashley

i think everyone should take this course. like, they should teach it in highschool i don't know. it was so good!

Read Less

A lightbulb!

Tami Jean Lowe

You made everything so clear in this course - I kept feeling "aha! I get it now!" about how the immune system works and what to do when it...doesn't!

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Your Teachers

Two heads are better than one!

Katja & Ryn

Katja & Ryn almost always teach together. They each have particular talents and areas of interest, and their perspectives on certain issues are quite different! Together, they convey a fuller picture of the realities of herbal theory & practice than either one could do alone.

Katja is an herbalist and teacher working to help people rebuild their relationships with their bodies and their own ability to heal. She’s been in practice for nearly 25 years, but it all began with a desire to make her own “fancy tea” at home instead of paying high prices for imported blends at specialty stores. She’s kept that do-it-yourself ethic close to her heart.

Ryn has been a practicing herbalist since 2010. He came to herbalism by way of martial arts, where his first experiences with herbs were focused on getting back into the game and becoming more flexible, adaptable, and resilient. Passing that experience on to others is what keeps him motivated every day.

Together, Katja and Ryn teach everyone from children to elders, as well as pharmacy students from Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Northeastern University School of Pharmacy, where they both serve as associate faculty. Ryn and Katja are the authors of Herbal Medicine for Beginners, and the creators of the weekly Holistic Herbalism Podcast.

Zero-Risk Return Policy

Teaching isn't just about conveying information - there's also an aspect of being someone's "cup of tea".

So we want you to take the first 7 days to really decide if you love it or not. If for any reason you feel like this program isn’t right for you - if we're just not your cup of tea - we’ll give you a full refund. You don't even need a reason - just please let us know within 7 days of purchase.

Ready your defenses.

Get herbal approaches to improve resilience & speed recovery.

Get started now

How the Immune System works

Which herbs best support immune health

Build healthy, strong balance!

Finally!

Welcome! (15:58)

Introduction (06:58)

Barriers and Boundaries (119:05)

Innate Immunity (38:33)

Adaptive Immunity (07:28)

Immune System A&P (91:37)

Psychoneuroimmunoendocrinology (33:22)

Thinking Holistically about Immune Function (37:00)

Things that Suppress Immune Function (82:21)

Building (or Re-building) Healthy Immune Function (115:48)

Herbs, Pharmaceuticals, and Immunity (31:13)

Herbal Actions in the Immune System (188:54)

Immune System Hypersensitivity (136:30)

Seasonal & Environmental Allergies (322:16)

Immunodeficiency (07:10)

Iatrogenic Suppression and Dysregulation of Immune Function (11:33)

Immune-centric infectious diseases (162:00)

COVID-19 (221:43)

Vaccines and the Immune System (18:45)

Phytochemistry for the Immune System (51:57)

Maintaining a Healthy Immune System (22:51)

Materia Medica for the Immune System (410:25)

Let's Practice! (53:19)

Congratulations! 🎉

About this course

You will receive a certificate for the successful completion of this course.

This course has 92 credit hours.

The best herb school online!