DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY IN HERBAL MEDICINE
Program Overview
Doctor of Philosophy in Herbal Medicine (Ph.D.)
Lead the future of natural medicine through the therapeutic power of plants
Professional Designation:
Upon successful completion, graduates also qualify for national board certification as Holistic Natural Health Practitioners through the American Association of Drugless Practitioners (AADP).
Core Curriculum
DWMH-101 | Ancient Scriptural Origins of Herbalism
4.0 Credits
This course explores the intersection of botany, history, and medicine. Students will investigate how flora historically deemed sacred across ancient cultures—such as frankincense, myrrh, cinnamon, and saffron—are transitioning from traditional folklore into the realm of modern, evidence-based science.
By analyzing ancient scripts, archaeological records, and historical trade routes, this course bridges Eastern and Western traditions to examine the cultural, spiritual, and economic value of these plants in antiquity. Furthermore, students will evaluate contemporary scientific research to see how the active chemical compounds of these ancient herbs are utilized today to address modern health challenges, including chronic inflammation, diabetes, and cognitive decline.
DWMH-102 | Medicinal Plants of the Bible I
4.0 Credits
In this course, students will analyze the botanical identities, historical contexts, and traditional therapeutic uses of approximately 150 plants mentioned in biblical texts. Combining scriptural analysis with contemporary scientific data, the course evaluates the biological activities, safe dosages, potential toxicities, and drug interactions of these ancient remedies. By bridging historical folklore with modern evidence-based herbalism, participants will gain a comprehensive understanding of how biblical societies utilized natural flora for health and healing through ancient scripture, ethnobotany, and modern pharmacology.
DWMH-103 | Medicinal Plants of the Bible II
4.0 Credits
Building directly upon the foundational knowledge of scriptural flora from Part I, this course continues to focus on broad botanical identification, application, and formulation methodology. Students will deeply investigate the practical, evidence-based integration of biblical remedies into contemporary wellness frameworks.
DWMH-104 | Healing Traditions of Aromatherapy & Essential Oils I
4.0 Credits
Discover the profound healing power of nature in its most concentrated form. This comprehensive course explores the rich history and modern science of aromatic plants and their extracted oils, which have grounded medicinal and religious traditions for thousands of years. Students will analyze modern distillation processes and evaluate how the resulting chemical compounds interact with human physiology. Through evidence-based research, the curriculum demonstrates how essential oils offer targeted, natural treatments for a host of health conditions.
DWMH-105 | Healing Traditions of Aromatherapy & Essential Oils II
4.0 Credits
As a continuation of Part I, in this course, students will continue to analyze specific protocols for managing chronic inflammation, stress-induced disorders, immune support, and life-cycle health. Students will learn to create evidence-based aromatherapy blends for personal care, environmental detoxification, and targeted clinical scenarios. By the end of the course, students will possess the foundational knowledge required to safely integrate aromatherapy into professional wellness practices or community health education.
DWMH-106 | Healing Properties of Holy Herbs vs. Modern Herbs I
4.0 Credits
This course focuses on the identification, energetic properties, and therapeutic applications of 82 foundational medicinal herbs. Students will critically evaluate modern safety profiles, pharmacology, and scientific context. Brought into focus are sustainable foraging ethics, seasonal harvesting techniques, and the formulation of traditional remedies, including infusions, tinctures, and poultices.
DWMH-107 | Healing Properties of Holy Herbs vs. Modern Herbs II
4.0 Credits
As a continuation of Part I, in this course students will study side-by-side comparative analyses of historical texts and modern clinical commentary. Using selected botanical case studies, students examine original 17th-century text alongside contemporary safety protocols to combine historical theory with modern practice benefiting students and practitioners of herbalism, historians, and gardeners alike.
DWMH-108 | Essential Oils of the Bible
4.0 Credits
Discover the ancient secrets and modern applications of plant-derived wellness in this transformative course. In Biblical times, essential oils were used for everything from holy ceremonies to everyday needs. Today, you can harness that same all-natural power to calm, purify, and heal your body and home. Combining science and spirituality, this course explores how historical faith and modern biological data unite to enhance your personal wellness practices.
DWMH-109 | Medicinal Plants of the Bible III
4.0 Credits
As a continuation of Parts I & II, students will continue to analyze the botanical identities, historical contexts, and traditional therapeutic uses of approximately 150 plants mentioned in biblical texts. This includes the biological activities, traditional folkloric indications, and potential healing properties of each herb. The material highlights safe dosages, potential side effects, and negative drug interactions.
DWMH-110 | Medicinal Plants of the Bible IV
4.0 Credits
This course is the final installment of a four-part series on biblical botany and herbalism. Students conduct an in-depth analysis of approximately 150 plants featured in scripture, bridging ancient tradition with modern science. The curriculum pairs rigorous botanical identification with expert scriptural commentary and contemporary clinical data.
DWMH-111 | Modern vs Ancient Healing Powers of Oils I
4.0 Credits
This course explores the history, science, and practical applications of plant-based remedies from ancient medicine. Students will examine how volatile plant compounds interact with human physiology to promote wellness. The curriculum focuses on replacing synthetic chemicals with natural alternatives in personal care, environmental management, and daily health routines.
DWMH-112 | Modern vs Ancient Healing Powers of Oils II
4.0 Credits
In the second part of this course, students will continue to explore the history, science, and practical applications of plant-based remedies and examine how volatile plant compounds interact with human physiology to promote wellness. The student will learn proficiency in the powers of essential oils, how to apply them to enrich health, and a variety of ways to include them in everyday life.
DWMH-113 | Doctorate’s Thesis or Sports Nutrition & Physiology & Essay (Student Choice)
Part I: Sports Nutrition & Physiology
4.0 Credits
This course examines 21st-century human physiology with a focus on the metabolic and digestive processes essential for peak athletic performance. Students will analyze how nutrient assimilation—rather than mere consumption—directly impacts power, strength, and endurance. Emphasis is placed on optimizing physiological efficiency through targeted nutritional strategies.
Part II: Essay
4.0 Credits
This essay examines physiological mechanisms, including measuring muscle performance, the power of muscle, ATP in relation to exercise, and other topics that should be included in a minimal 1,000-word essay. Students analyze advanced metabolic concepts from Guyton & Hall Textbook of Medical Physiology to evaluate the nutritional philosophies designed for high-performance athletes.
Part III: Doctorate’s Thesis
4.0 Credits
Students will formulate a thesis statement and develop a minimum 3,000-word scholarly paper exploring a specialized dimension of holistic nutrition relating to personal health, or the health of others. This capstone project requires the application of theoretical principles to be drawn from the material learned within the doctorate program.
DWMH-114-E | Wholism vs. Holism
4.0 Credits
Optional Elective
This course examines the linguistic origins and historical evolutions of the terms "Whole," "Wholism," "Wholistic," "Holism," and "Holistic." Students analyze definitions from authoritative sources to trace how these concepts developed across different cultural and academic disciplines.