2020 Southwest Conference on Botanical Medicine

Past Conference:
Presented by video streaming starting on March 27 & 28, 2020

The Conference was converted from an in-person event to a VIRTUAL format (video streaming) and although the conference is now over, you can purchase the video recordings, audio recordings and PDF book of lecture notes from this event.

Continuing education details.

Conference Summary:

Kicks off with a live stream of the pre-conference intensive, and includes these lectures and more:

• Understanding Addiction, Parts 1 & 2:
  • Neurobiological and Cultural Underpinnings of Addiction
  • Treating Addiction and Promoting Harm Reduction with Botanical Medicine
• Mitochondrial Support for Autoimmune and Stress-Related Chronic Illness
• Acute Viral Respiratory Infections: Prevention and Treatment
• Managing Bipolar Disorder with Natural Medicine
• Strategies for Acute Illness in Children: Avoiding Pharmaceuticals
• Panel: Neuroplasticity and the Management of PTSD and other Mental Health Conditions

Summary of speakers and topics

 

Kenneth Proefrock, ND, Katie Stage, ND and Mary Rondeau, ND

Panel Discussion: Neuroplasticity and the Management of PTSD and other Mental Health Conditions
Saturday, March 28, 10:00 AM – 11:30 AM (Arizona and Pacific Time)
This panel will be presented by live video stream and available later for those who cannot attend live.
Neuroscientists used to believe that the brain’s structure and function were essentially fixed throughout adulthood. Recent studies of the brain and nervous system illustrate a system adapting to every experience. The brain can be injured by traumatic emotional events, physical trauma and chronic high levels of stress, but it can also be healed by these same mechanisms of neuroplasticity. While some pharmaceuticals may be showing promise in this area, this panel explores botanicals and other naturopathic therapies for restoring balance.

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Lydia Bartholow, DNP, PMHNP

Addiction Series Part A – Understanding Addiction: Neurobiological and Cultural Underpinnings
This workshop takes the participant on an overview of most things related to addiction and substance use disorders. We review how trauma makes us neurobiologically vulnerable to developing use disorders, as well as why a trauma informed approach is necessary within the world of addiction. We review the role of stigma in the treatment of addiction, and how it informs public health policy. The common substances of misuse are described (emphasis on opioids), and how finding and addressing the root causes of addiction in the neurobiology of trauma can offer a new approach to treatment.

Addiction Series Part B – Treating Addiction and Promoting Harm Reduction with Botanical Medicine and Some Pharmaceuticals
This workshop is most effective if you have participated in part A; it covers the core botanical medicines for the management of withdrawal effects, as well as cravings for substances of misuse. We examine real-life scenarios in working with people with substance use disorders in a homeless health care clinic and review the barriers and benefits to utilization of herb therapies for use disorders. This workshop also covers common allopathic medications for opioid and alcohol use disorders and discusses herbs that can be used in conjunction with these pharmaceuticals.

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Paul Bergner

Humoral and Energetic Differentials for Gastrointestinal (GI) Herbs
Herbal medicines used for the digestive tract have, in the terminology of classical medicine, characteristic qualities of hot, cold, moistening, or drying. Giving GI herbs without matching their humoral or energetic qualities to the presenting symptoms of the patient can lead to patient discomfort, aggravated conditions, and therapeutic failures. We describe the signs and symptoms of the humors (hot, cold, etc) in the digestive tract and a materia medica for the GI tract, with formulation strategies to prevent adverse humoral effects.

Acute Viral Respiratory Infection: Prevention and Therapeutics
A presentation of nutritional and herbal considerations for epidemic respiratory viral infections, including lifestyle and dietary issues to support host resistance, botanical immune support, and specific therapeutics for the stages of fever and for dry cough.

Healing as a Spiritual Path
The individual called to be a healer enters into what is essentially a spiritual path. With any calling comes the right relationship to the other created beings; self-development in becoming of service to the whole; and the challenges of personal growth and self knowledge. The subtle spiritual and psychological skills involved with self-mastery and personal growth in the arena of healing may be equally as important for success as knowledge of materia medica, interview skills, or therapeutic strategies. We discuss the challenges of maintaining integrity on the spiritual path of the healer, with case studies from student-residents in a teaching clinic.

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Sam Coffman

Mitochondrial Support for Autoimmune and Stress-Related Chronic Illness
Herbal formulas and protocols to increase mitochondrial function throughout the body, and their effect on autoimmune conditions and illness related to stress. Case studies illustrate this connection between mitochondrial function and chronic illness.

Demonstration: Wound and Infection Management using Herbs 
Whether in the field, the clinic or home, there can often be situations where herbal care of wounds and wound infections is necessary or appropriate. In this class we discuss wound healing, wound color and consistency, local inflammation, chronic wounds (e.g. diabetic and vascular ulcers) identification of infection and antibiotic resistance. Sam Coffman shares his own herbal protocols (internal and topical), case studies and experience in the field and clinic in working with both chronic (non-healing) and acute wounds and infections.

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Marianne Marchese, ND

Botanicals for Mitigating Environmental Toxicant Exposure
Environmental toxicants are known to disrupt the endocrine, immune and neurological system creating chronic illness and disease. We discuss the link between toxicants and chronic illness, describe how to avoid exposure to these chemicals and provide an in-depth treatment approach using botanical medicine to mitigate the toxic effects.

Food Addiction in Women: Botanical Treatment Strategies
Food addiction is very different than an eating disorder. It is common in women and yet can be difficult to recognize and address in patients. This presentation provides the latest research describing forms of food addition and helps the practitioner diagnose this emerging problem. It explains the link to neurotransmitters, hormones, gut microbiome, behaviors and lifestyle. In-depth treatment strategies are provided including botanicals, medications, nutrients, nutrition and lifestyle interventions.

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Heath McAllister, ND, RH (AHG)

Botanical Treatment for Difficult Fungal Infections
A host of conditions are caused by fungal infections, from athlete’s foot and toenail fungus to vaginal yeast infections, valley fever (coccidioidomycosis), lung infections (histoplasmosis, and aspergillosis) and cryptococcal infections. These pose challenges to the clinician since there are relatively few antifungal medications, and those medicines can have serious side effects. Botanical formulas for fungal infections and biofilms may include Allium sativum, Azidirachta indica, Morinda citrifolia, Berberine spp, grapefruit seed extract, Isatis tinctorial and olive leaf, among others.

Mystical and Mysterious Artemisia
Begins with a survey of the various species of artemisia that have been used medicinally and spiritually, and explores the folklore and mystique surrounding this powerful genus. Continues with clinical information on the use of different artemisia species in the management of cancer, malaria, fever, liver disease, depression, digestive problems, muscle pain, memory loss and parasitic infections.

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Glen Nagel, ND, RH (AHG)

Pre-conference Intensive: Understanding the Herb / Drug Interaction Continuum and Using Risk Assessment Tools
This intensive will be presented by live video stream on Friday, March 27 1:00 – 5:15 Pacific and Arizona Time. Recording available for those who can’t attend live. Extra $85 to attend.
This 4-hour pre-conference intensive covers common concerns and risk potential for drug/herb interactions for the naturopathic physician and clinical herbalist. The most common types of interactions and methods of drug detoxification are discussed along with a comprehensive five-point system for determining herb and drug interaction risk potential. He describes the top ten herbs for potential interaction and the top fifteen most commonly prescription drugs. Included is an overview of resources in this field for clinicians. ($85) Read more.

Field Applications in Botanical Medicine: Instant Tinctures with CO2 Extraction
Need that herb in a hurry? Will a two-week tincture take too long? We describe and demonstrate simple methods to make instant field extracts using a commonly available whipper and CO2 or N2O cartridges.

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Kenneth Proefrock, ND

Memory as Medicine: Botanicals Affecting Cognition, Memory and Sense of Self
Learning and memory are two of the most magical capabilities of our mind. Learning is the biological process of acquiring new knowledge about the world, and memory is the process of retaining and reconstructing that knowledge over time. Most of our knowledge of the world and most of our skills are not innate but learned. Thus, we are who we are in large part because of what we have learned and what we remember and forget. In this discussion, we examine the molecular, cellular, and circuit mechanisms that underlie how memories are made, stored, retrieved, and lost and the myriad ways in which nutrition, exercise and botanical medicine are able to impact those processes.

Case Studies and Strategies in the Naturopathic Treatment of Pulmonary Conditions
This lecture presents a series of case studies gleaned from 24 years in a botanical medicine-based naturopathic family practice. We discuss both acute and chronic pulmonary conditions with clinical pearls and long-term clinical strategies. Cases include management of acute asthma and allergy through early childhood into adulthood, acute and chronic bronchitis, lung cancer (small cell as well as non-small cell), COPD, bronchiectasis and pulmonary fibrosis. Within this discussion will be specific instruction for in-office compounding and at-home compounding of nebulizer solutions as well as other botanical and nutritionally based strategies, and the occasional pharmaceutical-based intervention.

Strategies for Acute Illness in Children: Avoiding Pharmaceuticals
Expanding the herbalist’s tool box with nebulizers, eyedrops, nasal sprays, mouthwash/gargles and enemas, we discuss the most common presentations of pediatric patients and novel ways of addressing those conditions. We describe managing the most pressing needs of the patient and their families in acute illness, the natural course for the resolution of those conditions and ways to assist the child’s body in that resolution. Included are specific botanical medicine strategies using tinctures, powders, topical agents and hydrotherapy techniques. Conditions include management of EENT/respiratory infections, digestive upsets and skin infections. We discuss both long and short-term side effects of the pharmaceuticals often prescribed for these cases.

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Andrea Purcell, ND

Brain Aging in the Menopausal Woman: Effects on Moods and Memory with Botanical Solutions
The aging brain in perimenopausal and postmenopausal woman comes with metabolic, neurotransmitter and vascular changes. All of these changes contribute to the unique role of hormones in moods and memory. Select botanicals have some very important impacts and implications in these changes and have a clinical role in prevention and management.

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Mary Rondeau, ND, RH (AHG)

Treatment Considerations for Bipolar Disorder
Clinical experience with using nutritional and botanical therapies for managing bipolar disorder is presented along with an overview of first-line pharmaceutical therapies for treatment. Side effect profiles of these medications are considered, with adjunct natural therapies to help offset side effects. Included in the discussion are the safety concerns with long-term use of medication and potential herb-drug interactions.

Assessing Nutritional Status in Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder
A look at gut, mitochondria and dietary factors that contribute to poor nutritional status in these children and how to address them with nutraceuticals, dietary interventions and botanical medicine. Also discusses the most common prescription pharmaceuticals and how to manage their side effects.

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JoAnn Sanchez

Grow Your Own Medicine Garden in the Southwest
This workshop emphasizes the medicinal and clinical value of growing our own medicines, both for ourselves and for clients and family. They are able to see the plants (and perhaps help with growing and harvesting), and the practitioner knows where their herbal medicines come from and how they are processed. We discuss the best herbs to grow in our region, tips and ideas about climate, soils, light, moisture, habitat. life cycle, and applications for harvest, garbling and processing, storage and delivery into medicinal remedies. All by video stream!

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Yalda Shokoohinia, PharmD, PhD

The Side Effects of Apiaceaous Plants
In her work as a pharmacist, phytochemist and pharmacognosist, Yalda Shokoohinia has conducted extensive research on the plants in the parsley (Apiaceae) family regarding isolation of new compounds, biological effects and side effects. Since many of the Apiaceaous plants are used as food and medicine it is useful to be familiar with their potential side effects and overdoses.

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John Slattery

Field Study in Bioregional Herbalism
Join bioregional herbalist, John Slattery, for a virtual walk through this diverse Sonoran desert landscape where multiple habitats converge, as we explore the various plants as possible medicines for COVID-19.

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Katie Stage, ND

Upper GI Disorders: Esophagitis, GERD/heartburn, Gastritis and Peptic ulcer Disease
About 20% of the population is affected by at least one condition of the upper GI system. This session explores the etiologies, workup, and treatments for these common conditions. Pharmaceutical, botanical, and other treatments will be offered, as well as weaning strategies for commonly prescribed pharmaceuticals.

A Deeper Look into the Window of the Body: Understanding and Optimizing Oral Health
If eyes are the window to the soul, then the mouth is the window to the body. Oral conditions often go unnoticed and untreated, and when they do, these conditions can put one at risk for a variety of other health conditions such as cardiovascular, respiratory, and gastrointestinal diseases. In this session, we review the latest research on oral conditions and sequelae. We investigate botanical interventions, including optimal delivery systems, for a variety of oral conditions.

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David Winston, RH (AHG)

Herbal and Nutritional Therapies for Eye, Ear, Nose and Throat (EENT) Conditions
In this class we discuss simple but effective clinical protocols using diet, herbs and nutritional supplements for treating common ailments affecting the eyes (conjunctivitis, age-related macular degeneration, diabetic retinopathy), ears, (otitis media, tinnitus), nose (sinusitis, allergic rhinitis) and throat (sore throat, laryngitis, tonsillitis). Herbs can offer significant therapeutic benefits with little or no adverse effects to many people suffering from these frequently occurring EENT issues.

Herbal/Nutritional Treatment of Kidney Stones
Kidney stones are relatively common, their incidence is increasing, and they are extremely painful. If you have one, there is a 50% chance you will have another within 5 years. We examine the five types of kidney stones, how they can be prevented, what dietary issues, herbs and supplements can either help prevent urolithiasis/nephrolithiasis or relieve the acute pain associated with their passing. All of this and more: a survival guide to kidney stones!

Let Your Food be Your Medicine: Medicinal Uses of Common Foods
In many systems of traditional medicine (TCM, Ayurveda, Tibetan Medicine, Siddha, Unani Tibb) the use of foods for specific medicinal purposes is an integral part of diet therapy. This was also true for many practitioners in the early “nature cure” movement in the U.S. To this day we all know prune juice is a laxative, cranberries help inhibit UTI’s, chocolate elevates mood and ginger is useful for nausea and GI upset. What about all the other foods? We explore the use of common foods including celery, cabbage, tofu, cherries, green beans, black beans, kiwi fruit, potatoes, olive oil. watercress and many more for treating disease and improving our health.

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Donald Yance, RH (AHG)

Targeting COVID-19 Utilizing Unitive Medicine – Botanical, Nutritional, Dietary and Lifestyle Considerations
Includes information on these aspects of the novel coronavirus:

• The dualistic role of the immune system and CoV
• The immune system, nervous system, and endocrine system connection
• Warning to those taking specific pharmaceuticals, namely NSAIDs, ACE inhibitors, and even PPIs
• Botanical Medicine and CoV – prevention, first-line treatment, and adapting for specific presenting symptoms/complications, age, secondary chronic disease, and constitutional makeup
• The importance of a fever and how to use diaphoretic herbs in conjunction
• Specific diet recommendations and nutrients for prevention and treatment
• Other modalities: sinus flush, bath therapy, chest rubs, and poultices, humming, chanting, laughter, etc.

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Eric Yarnell, ND, RH (AHG)

Managing IgA Nephropathy and FSGS with Natural Medicine
IgA nephropathy is the most common form of autoimmune kidney disease (glomerulonephritis) in the world. FSGS (focal segmental glomerulosclerosis) is also a leading cause of kidney failure in adults. This lecture presents a holistic approach to treating these conditions with numerous case studies from Eric Yarnell’s clinical experience. Herbs are emphasized along with other necessary interventions for long-term reversal of the condition and avoidance of dialysis and transplant.

Cancer Pain and Botanical Medicine
Herbal medicine can be very effective for reducing pain due to cancer. The clinical use and intriguing mechanisms for herbs such as Corydalis yanhusuo, Aconitum spp, Anemone/Pulsatilla, Hyoscyamus niger and cannabis are reviewed in depth. Safety and efficacy of these herbs in combination with common pain medications are discussed, along with clinical case examples to highlight how these herbs are used.

Testosterone and Botanical Medicine
The evidence for whether or not herbs can raise testosterone levels will be discussed in detail, including research on herbs such as Tribulus terrestris, Eurycoma longifolia, Lepidium meyenii, Panax ginseng, and Trigonella foenum-graecum. The problem of adulteration of herbal products with androgens is reviewed, and safety and clinical benefit of the use of herbs simultaneously with testosterone. Alternative solutions to helping men with hypogonadism are presented.

 

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