Course Title: Introduction to Herbs and Natural Supplements

Part A: Course Overview

Course Title: Introduction to Herbs and Natural Supplements

Credit Points: 12.00


Course Code

Campus

Career

School

Learning Mode

Teaching Period(s)

OHTH2133

Bundoora Campus

Undergraduate

150H Health Sciences

Internet

 Sem 1 2008,
Sem 2 2008,
Sem 1 2009,
Sem 2 2009,
Sem 1 2010,
Sem 2 2010,
Sem 1 2011,
Sem 2 2011,
Sem 1 2012,
Sem 2 2012,
Sem 1 2013,
Sem 2 2013

Course Coordinator: Susan Dean

Course Coordinator Phone: 03 5333 7227

Course Coordinator Email: susan.dean@rmit.edu.au


Pre-requisite Courses and Assumed Knowledge and Capabilities

None.


Course Description

Students with an interest in over-the-counter herbal medicines and natural supplements will gain an overview of the use and safety of a range of commonly used supplements. Students will also receive a general overview about the philosophy and scientific evidence supporting the use of different products. Topic areas include: herbal medicine; clinical nutrition;  evidence based medicine; safety and quality issues; rationale for and appropriate use of herbal medicines and natural supplements and the regulatory environment for therapeutic products.

Please note that Introduction to Herbal Medicines and Natural Supplements is an overview only and will not provide you with the skills to practise herbal medicine or clinical nutrition. It will provide you with the skills required to search for credible information about herbal medicines and natural supplements, understand basic concepts in evidence based complementary medicine and provide general information which promotes the safe and appropriate use of herbal medicines and natural supplements.


Objectives/Learning Outcomes/Capability Development

This elective course is designed to provide graduates with the skill to understand and apply evidence based information regarding the rationale for and appropriate use of herbal medicines and natural supplements. Students will be able to discuss a broad range of over-the-counter herbal medicines and natural supplements and how these can be utilised to enhance health and wellbeing. Students will be aware of the implications of nutritional deficiencies, sub-optimal nutrition and nutritional excess for the individual and society. They will be able to discuss the regulatory environment for therapeutic goods and general safety and quality issues surrounding the use of therapeutic products. Graduates will also possess the skills required to make informed choices about their personal use of over the counter supplements as well as guide future self-directed learning in this field of study.


On completion of the course, students will be able to:

  • Discuss the principles and philosophies of clinical nutrition, herbal medicine and complementary medicine and their application
  • Describe how herbal and natural supplements can be utilised to enhance health and wellbeing
  • Discuss the potential benefits and risks associated with commonly used over-the-counter herbal medicines and natural supplements
  • List and describe commonly used herbal and natural supplements and how they may be appropriately used to address common health conditions
  • List and describe the issues that impact on a product’s quality and safety
  • Interpret and explain the information on product labels
  • Explain nutritional deficiency, sub-optimal nutrition and the strengths and limitations of Recommended Daily Intakes (RDIs)
  • Explain the regulatory environment for complementary medicines in Australia
  • Locate and evaluate information and evidence about herbal medicines and natural supplements
  • Develop personal health goals towards healthier eating.


Overview of Learning Activities

The learning activities will assist you to identify credible and relevant information about nutrition and herbal medicine, particularly information that can be sourced online including electronic databases and the internet. Through the learning activities you will explore a range of issues related to contemporary applications of nutrition and herbal medicine, and case studies will illustrate particular aspects of the use of these modalities to enhance health and wellbeing. 


Overview of Learning Resources

The learning resources consist of resources provided online plus a prescribed textbook. The online resources include a learning package and links to relevant articles and websites. myRMIT Studies also provides links to the RMIT Library and Learning Lab. A specialised complementary and alternative medicine Glossary is also provided. 


Overview of Assessment

The assessment is designed to ensure that students can demonstrate knowledge of the safe and appropriate use of commonly used over-the-counter herbal medicines and natural supplements. It is also designed to ensure students can locate and critically assess information about complementary medicines.

To help students meet the assessment requirements, interactive online activities and discussions will provide opportunities for self-assessment and feedback from staff and/or other students throughout the course.