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.
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:
The course includes 30 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.
Welcome to Immune Health!
FREE PREVIEWHow to use this platform
How to use the Discussions feature
How to use the Notification Beamer
Chatting in the Community Groups
Meet our Friends!
Every Body is Different
Herbalism (and health!) is Bioregional
Herbalism (and health!) is Bioregional [audio]
Course Outline
FREE PREVIEWAction Prompt: Plan Your Herbs!
Introduction to Immune Health
FREE PREVIEWIntroduction to Immune Health [audio]
Action Prompt: Plan your herbs
The 3 "Features" of Immunity
FREE PREVIEWImmune Boundaries
Immune Boundaries [audio]
Feature 1: Barriers
Barriers of the Immune System
Barriers of the Immune System [audio]
Barriers: the Skin
Barriers: the Skin [audio]
Barriers: Digestive Fluids
Barriers: Digestive Fluids [audio]
Barriers: Mucous Membranes
Barriers: Mucous Membranes [audio]
Barriers: Gut Flora
Barriers: Gut Flora [audio]
Energy and Emotions as a Function of Immunity
Energy and Emotions [audio]
Environment and Community as a Function of Immunity
Environment and Community [audio]
Immune Barriers Wrap-up
Immune Barriers Wrap-up [audio]
Feature 2: Innate Immunity
Innate Immunity
Innate Immunity [audio]
The Inflammatory Process
The Inflammatory Process [audio]
More on supporting fever
Feature 3: Adaptive Immunity
Adaptive Immunity
Adaptive Immunity [audio]
Immune Organs
Immune Organs [audio]
Immune Response Cells
Immune Response Cells [audio]
Why Does Microanatomy Matter for Herbalists?
Why Does Microanatomy Matter? [audio]
Psychoneuroimmunoendocrinology
Psychoneuroimmunoendocrinology [audio]
Holistic Immunity
Holistic Immunity [audio]
Things That Suppress Immune Function part 1
Things That Suppress Immune Function part 1 [audio]
Sugar as Immunosuppressant
Things That Suppress Immune Function part 2
Things That Suppress Immune Function part 2 [audio]
Recipes for less-inflammatory treats
Health outcomes for above-deck vs. below-deck military personnel
Building Immunity part 1
Building Immunity part 1 [audio]
Building Immunity part 2
Building Immunity part 2 [audio]
Building Immunity part 3
Building Immunity part 3 [audio]
Fermented Foods & Probiotics
Herbs, Pharmaceuticals, and Immunity
Herbs, Pharmaceuticals, and Immunity [audio]
Antibiotic Resistance paper
Origins and Evolution of Antibiotic Resistance, Davies & Davies, September 2010
The lack of new antibiotics complicates antibiotic resistance
WHO Global Plan on Antimicrobial Resistance, 2015
Immune Stimulants
Immune Stimulants [audio]
Felter's writings on Echinacea
Immunomodulators
Immunomodulators [audio]
Antimicrobials & Antivirals
Antimicrobials & Antivirals [audio]
Astringents
Astringents [audio]
Detox & Digestion and the Immune System
Demulcents
Demulcents [audio]
Lymphatics
Lymphatics [audio]
Anti-inflammatory Herbs
Anti-Inflammatory Herbs [audio]
Other Actions for the Immune System
Other Actions for the Immune System [audio]
Immune Hypersensitivity part 1
Immune Hypersensitivity part 1 [audio]
Immune Hypersensitivity part 2
Immune Hypersensitivity part 2 [audio]
Autoimmunity
Autoimmunity [audio]
Traditional Irish Nettle & Seaweed soup
Hydrangea root and autoimmune disorders
Cytokine Storm
Cytokine Storm [audio]
Understanding "Cytokine Storm"
Paul Bergner on the concept of "Cytokine Storm"
Elderberries do not cause "cytokine storm"
Two referenced studies on Elderberry and cytokines
Cytokine Storm Research Reviews
NSAIDs, Aspirin, etc and viral shedding
Action Prompt: Ginger vs. Turmeric
Why do we get allergies?
Why do we get allergies? [audio]
Histamine
Histamine [audio]
The Role of the Liver
The Role of the Liver [audio]
The "Stressor Bucket"
The "Stressor Bucket" [audio]
"Dump Your Bucket" - Food
"Dump Your Bucket" - Food [audio]
"Dump your Bucket" - Movement
"Dump Your Bucket" - Movement [audio]
"Dump your Bucket" - Environmental Factors
"Dump Your Bucket" - Environmental Factors [audio]
Support for the Liver
Support for the Liver [audio]
"Build a Bigger Bucket" - Food
"Build A Bigger Bucket" - Food [audio]
"Build a Bigger Bucket" - Sleep
"Build A Bigger Bucket" - Sleep [audio]
"Build a Bigger Bucket" - Relaxation
"Build A Bigger Bucket" - Relaxation [audio]
"Build a Bigger Bucket" - Herbs!
"Build A Bigger Bucket" - Herbs! [audio]
The Role of Cortisol
The Role of Cortisol [audio]
General Support: Nettle & Goldenrod
General Support: Nettle & Goldenrod [audio]
General Support: Ginkgo, Licorice, & Reishi
General Support: Ginkgo, Licorice, & Reishi [audio]
Supporting Mucous Membranes - Marshmallow, Violet, Linden
Supporting Mucous Membranes: Marshmallow, Violet, Linden [audio]
Supporting Mucous Membranes - Goldenseal, Yerba Santa, Fleabane, Mullein
Supporting Mucous Membranes: Goldenseal, Yerba Santa, Fleabane, Mullein [audio]
Decongestants: Horseradish & Friends, Ground Ivy, Elderflower
Decongestants: Horseradish & Friends, Ground Ivy, Elderflower [audio]
Watery Eyes - Eyebright
Watery Eyes: Eyebright [audio]
Trouble Breathing - Peppermint, Lobelia, Ephedra
Trouble Breathing: Peppermint, Lobelia, Ephedra [audio]
An "All The Things" Allergy Strategy
An "All The Things" Allergy Strategy [audio]
Cheap & Easy Interventions
Cheap & Easy Interventions [audio]
Slow & Steady Interventions
Slow & Steady Interventions [audio]
More Expensive but Effective Interventions
More Expensive but Effective Interventions [audio]
"Big Effort, Big Rewards" Allergy Strategies
"Big Effort, Big Rewards" Allergy Strategies [audio]
Immunodeficiency
Immunodeficiency [audio]
Iatrogenic Immune Suppression
Iatrogenic Immune Suppression [audio]
Epstein-Barr, Mono, and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
Epstein-Barr, Mono, and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome [audio]
The "bootstraps" reference
Sam Coffman's academic thoughts on Ebola
Journal Prompt: Working with novel illnesses
HIV
HIV [audio]
Background on St. Johnswort and HIV
Tick-borne Illnesses
Tick-borne Illnesses [audio]
Holistic Approaches to Lyme Disease
"Invasive Illnesses"
"Invasive Illnesses" [audio]
Infectious diseases and immune health in post-disaster situations
Coronavirus & COVID-19
Coronavirus & COVID-19 [audio]
More on Cold & Flu
Vaccines and the Immune System
Vaccines and the Immune System [audio]
Volatiles
Volatiles [audio]
Polysaccharides
Polysaccharides [audio]
Saponins
Saponins [audio]
Bioflavonoids
Bioflavonoids [audio]
Biofilm Busters
Biofilm Busters [audio]
Quorum Sensing Inhibiting actions across multiple phytochemical categories
More on Quorum Sensing Inhibiting herbs
Materia Medica for the Immune System: Printable Quick Guide
Materia Medica for the Immune System part 1
Materia Medica part 1 [audio]
Angelica study: antiviral to Herpes virus
Ashwagandha study: immunomodulating activity
Astragalus studies: polysaccharides as macrophage stimulators
Astragalus study: polysaccharides, tumors, and immune function
Materia Medica for the Immune System part 2
Materia Medica part 2 [audio]
Boneset study: anti-influenza
Boneset studies: anti-inflammatory effects
Action Prompt: Bitter Medicine
Protecting Traditional Medicines from Corporate Takeover
Materia Medica for the Immune System part 3
Materia Medica part 3 [audio]
Calendula studies: anti-inflammatory, anti-tumor, hepatoprotective, lymphatic
Cat's Claw Monograph from the American Botanical Council
Chickweed studies: antiviral to hepatitis, herpes
Codonopsis study: immune cell balance
Materia Medica for the Immune System part 4
Materia Medica part 4 [audio]
Echinacea Monograph by Kevin Spelman (shared with permission)
Elder studies: antiviral & respiratory actions
Materia Medica for the Immune System part 5
Materia Medica part 5 [audio]
Elecampane studies: antimicrobial, anti-tumor, anti-stress
Garlic studies: immunomodulatory & anti-inflammatory actions
Ginger studies: anti-inflammatory, immunomodulatory, antiviral
Human Body Temperature Is Dropping
Materia Medica for the Immune System part 6
Materia Medica part 6 [audio]
Goldenseal studies: efflux pump inhibition, QSI, immunomodulatory
Thoughts on Dimetapp
Ground Ivy studies: anti-inflammatory, hepatoprotective
Pine, Fir, & the Coniferous Chlorophyll Carotene Paste 🌲🌲🌲
Pine bark studies: antiviral, anti-inflammatory, anti-cancer
Materia Medica for the Immune System part 7
Materia Medica part 7 [audio]
Plantain study: immunomodulatory activity
Poke studies: antiviral, anti-cancer
Prickly Ash studies: antifungal, anti-microbial
Propolis studies: immunomodulatory, antimicrobial, anti-cancer
Purple Loosestrife studies: antimicrobial, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory
Materia Medica for the Immune System part 8
Materia Medica part 8 [audio]
More on Medicinal Mushrooms
Reishi studies: anti-cancer, immunomodulatory
Shiitake & medicinal mushroom studies: anti-inflammatory, immunomodulatory
Sage studies: antiviral, anti-inflammatory
Sumac studies: antimicrobial, antiviral, etc
Usnea studies: antimicrobial, anticancer
Seaweed studies: antimicrobial, antiviral, anti-cancer, anti-inflammatory, immunomodulatory
Materia Medica for the Immune System: Chicken Soup!
Chicken Soup [audio]
Action Prompt: Chicken Soup
Making Bone Broth
Action Prompt: Preparing for the Inevitable
Building a Healthy Immune System
Building a Healthy Immune System [audio]
Action Prompt: How does this change your life?
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!
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 ...
Read MoreWow!!! 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 LessThis 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...
Read MoreThis 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 LessI 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...
Read MoreI 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.
Read LessTwo heads are better than one!
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 20 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.
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 14 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 14 days of purchase.