The reproductive system is extremely sensitive. Which means that reproductive problems are not just uncomfortable issues that need to be resolved, but they often also indicate larger systemic problems in the body.
So, we should pay attention when something goes wrong, and look beyond the superficial assessments and "hormone balancing" efforts to figure out what's really at the root of the problem.
But these kinds of problems can be tricky to unravel. Often mainstream strategies really just mask over the problem, and a lot of the "herban legends" around reproductive health are not necessarily the best advice for every body.
So let's take some time together to make sense of problems you or your loved ones might be dealing with, and build better, stronger health in the reproductive system, and the whole body!
In this course, you'll learn how to:
🌿Choose the right herbs for YOUR body - because not everyone has the same needs
🌿Identify the root causes of reproductive health issues and how to resolve them
🌿Correct for the impacts of mainstream culture on reproductive health: sedentism, inadequate nutrition, and high stress levels
🌿Create complete protocols for reproductive issues, and shift them as things heal and evolve so that you have support through the whole process
This course does not cover Fertility or the Childbearing Year - these two topics are so large that we had to give them their own whole courses!
This course includes over 32 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.
Often herbs are labeled in gendered ways: "an herb for male vitality" or to "balance female hormones" - but that's not how herbs work.
Herbs don't check what junk you've got in your trunk before they get to work!
You may have learned that Saw Palmetto, for example, is "for men" - but Saw Palmetto is an astringent with affinity for all of the organs in the whole pelvic region - not only the prostate. Whenever you need a pelvic floor astringent, Saw Palmetto is ready - regardless of whether or not you have a prostate!
So get ready to expand your horizons and learn new ways to work with herbs and people! Let's break through the gender binaries and see all the ways that herbs can help people improve health in their bodies.
Welcome to Reproductive Health!
Live Q&A sessions twice a week!
Mountain Rose Herbs + Foster Farms discount codes
How to use this platform
Closed-Captioning on the Way!
The "What's New" button on your dashboard
How to use the Discussions feature
Meet our Friends!
Chatting in the Community Space
Use of Course Material (Intellectual Property)
Herbalism (and health!) is Bioregional
Herbalism (and health!) is Bioregional [audio]
Every Body is Different
Course Outline
Action Prompt: Plan Your Herbs!
Herbs are Not Based on Gender
Herbs & Reproductive Health
Herbs & Reproductive Health [audio]
Saw Palmetto, part 1: A Historical Perspective
Saw Palmetto, part 1: A Historical Perspective [audio]
Saw Palmetto, part 2: A Modern Perspective & Personal Experience
Saw Palmetto, part 2: A Modern Perspective & Personal Experience [audio]
Saw Palmetto Monograph
Quick Guide: Laying the Groundwork
Saw Palmetto Quiz
Anatomy & Physiology
Reproductive A&P Concepts
Reproductive A&P Concepts [audio]
Picture: Embryonic Development of Genitalia
Ovaries & Friends
Ovaries & Friends [audio]
Breasts & Lymphatic Movement
Breasts & Lymphatic Movement [audio]
Less-Restrictive Bra Options
Breast Health & Mechanoreceptors
Lymph Movement & Breast Health, Especially Post-Surgery
A Note on Anti-Circumcision Activism
Testes & Friends
Testes & Friends [audio]
Why are Testicles Ooutside the Body?
Reproductive Hormones
Reproductive Hormones [audio]
Conversion of "Sex Hormones"
Cycles & Hormones
Cycles & Hormones [audio]
The Complexity of Hormone Balance
The Complexity of Hormone Balance [audio]
Factors that Influence Hormone Balance
Factors in Hormone Balance [audio]
More on "Balance"
More on "Balance" [audio]
The Liver, Kidneys, & Hormone Regulation
Liver, Kidneys, & Hormone Regulation [audio]
Quick Guide: Anatomy and Physiology
Reproductive A&P Quiz
Resetting the Required Inputs
Building a New Foundation
Building a new Foundation [audio]
Diet Changes: Sugar, Refined Carbs, & Hormone Health
Diet Changes: Sugar, Refined Carbs, & Hormone Health [audio]
Diet Changes: the Right Fats to Build Hormones
Diet Changes: the Right Fats to Build Hormones [audio]
Diet Changes: Identifying Food Sensitivities & Their Impact
Diet Changes: Identifying Food Sensitivities & Their Impact [audio]
Sleep's Role in the Hormonal Cascade
Sleep's Role in the Hormonal Cascade [audio]
Rolling Back the Impact of Stress on Reproductive Health
Rolling Back the Impact of Stress on Reproductive Health [audio]
Movement to Reset Reproductive Health
Movement to Reset Reproductive Health [audio]
Building Cycles & Setting Intention
Building Cycles & Setting Intention [audio]
Quick Guide: Building the Foundation
Foundational Interventions Quiz
Choosing Actions Helps us Choose Herbs
Nutritives & Circulatory Stimulants
Nutritives & Circulatory Stimulants [audio]
Lymphatic Stimulants & Hepatics
Lymphatic Stimulants & Hepatics [audio]
Emmenagogues
Emmenagogues [audio]
Alteratives
Alteratives [audio]
Antimicrobials & Astringents
Antimicrobials & Astringents [audio]
Relaxants, Adaptogens, & Nervines
Relaxants, Adaptogens, & Nervines [audio]
Aphrodisiacs
Aphrodisiacs [audio]
Phytoestrogens & "Phytotestosterones"
Phytoestrogens & "Phytotestosterones" [audio]
Quick Guide: Herbal Actions for the Reproductive System
Herbal Actions Quiz
Resolving Problems at the Organ Level
Structural Issues
Structural Issues [audio]
Incontinence
Incontinence [audio]
Prolapse
Prolapse [audio]
Impotence
Impotence [audio]
Low Libido
Low Libido [audio]
Vaginal Dryness
Vaginal Dryness [audio]
Breast Pain
Breast Pain [audio]
A Short Discussion about Lacation
Cystic & Fibrocystic Breasts
Cysts & Fibrocystic Breasts [audio]
DCIS: Ductal Carcinoma in Situ
DCIS: Ductal Carcinoma in Situ [audio]
Quick Guide: Equipment Problems
Tissue & Structure Issues Quiz
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 6 months 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!
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.
Reproductive Health is complex and detailed - so this course focuses specifically on all of the everyday issues that impact so many of our lives. We'll be learning to manage things like PCOS, endometriosis, prostate problems, PMS, menopause and andropause, etc.
All of these are issues that can impact fertility and the childbearing year, and resolving them will make fertility and childbearing easier.
We have a separate course specifically dedicated to Holistic Fertility, and another course dedicated to Herbs for Birthworkers and the Child Bearing Year - because these two topics are also big!
So if you're working on those issues, you can start by building up strong reproductive health with this course, and then moving on to Holistic Fertility and Herbs for Birthworkers!
Two 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 over 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.
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.
