Ithaca College

This summer Jason Hamilton from the Environmental Studies & Sciences Department will teach a Summer Session course in herbal remedies and nature-based healing. ENVS 140 will explore both modern herbalism and ancient vitalist traditions.  

Vitalism has a long history in medical philosophies: many traditional healing practices hypothesized that diseases result from some imbalance in vital forces. In the Western tradition founded by Hippocrates, these vital forces were associated with the four temperaments and humours; Eastern traditions posited an imbalance or blocking of qi (or prana). Jason’s class will explore these models and will also head out into the field to identify plants for use in tinctures and other remedies, practice ethical harvesting, and study wild-crafting techniques. The 3-credit course is limited to 12 people, so sign up soon! Any additional questions contact Jason Hamilton at jhamilton@ithaca.edu.