Boswellia Serrata: Sacred Resin, Modern Medicine with Michael Gaeta 

Known for centuries as frankincense, Boswellia serrata is more than an ancient sacred resin—it is one of the most fascinating bridge herbs between traditional medicine and modern clinical research. In this class, Dr. Michael Gaeta will explore how this remarkable tree resin has been used across Ayurvedic, Unani, African, and biblical traditions, and why it continues to earn attention today for supporting joints, lungs, the gut, the brain, and a healthy inflammatory response.

Students will learn what makes Boswellia so unique, including its key boswellic acids—especially AKBA—and how they influence inflammatory pathways in a way that is distinct from common pain relievers. Dr. Gaeta will also translate the research into practical clinical insight, including what to look for in a quality extract, why absorption matters, how Boswellia may be combined with other herbs, and what safety considerations practitioners should know when using this powerful resin wisely.

Whether you are new to herbal medicine or already using botanicals in clinical practice, this class will bring Boswellia to life as both an ancient healing resin and a modern therapeutic ally. Participants will come away with a deeper appreciation for its history, its chemistry, and its practical application in whole-person care.

Dr. Gaeta will examine Boswellia’s key constituents—especially AKBA and other boswellic acids—and explain how they act on important inflammatory pathways distinct from conventional NSAIDs. He will also discuss current research on its use in osteoarthritis, asthma, inflammatory bowel conditions, neuroinflammation, and more, while covering practical considerations such as extract quality, bioavailability, dosage, safety, cautions, and effective herbal combinations.

Unitive Medicine and Neurological Health with Donnie Yance

In this class, Donnie Yance presents a holistic, integrative approach to neurological health through the lens of Unitive Medicine. Focusing on brain aging and neurodegenerative conditions such as Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease, he will explore how the brain is deeply connected to the whole body through the gut-brain-immune axis, the vagus nerve, inflammation, oxidative stress, mitochondrial function, and the body’s capacity for resilience and repair.

Participants will learn how nutrition, botanical medicine, targeted supplementation, lifestyle modification, spiritual care, and conventional therapies can work together to support cognitive vitality and healthy aging. Donnie will discuss foundational dietary strategies such as the Mediterranean diet, key brain-protective nutrients, adaptogenic and neuroprotective herbs, medicinal mushrooms, culinary spices, and targeted compounds that support neurotransmitters, circulation, and cellular protection.

Grounded in prevention, personalization, and whole-person healing, this presentation will offer practical insight into designing thoughtful protocols for cognitive support. Donnie will also highlight the essential role of movement, sleep, stress regulation, social connection, purpose, kindness, and partnership in maintaining brain health throughout the lifespan—reminding us that neurological care is not only about preventing decline, but about enhancing vitality, harmony, and quality of life.

Eat Your Medicine: Herbal Support for Common Digestive Complaints with Charlotte Kikel

In this lively and practical class, Charlotte Kikel invites students to rethink what it means to “eat your medicine.” While bioavailability often focuses on how well nutrients or compounds enter the bloodstream, Charlotte will bring the conversation back to the digestive tract itself—where herbs can bathe the mucous membranes, soothe irritation, awaken function, and send important messages throughout the body.

Moving from the mouth to the stomach, intestines, and beyond, this class will explore common digestive complaints and what may be happening when digestion becomes uncomfortable. Charlotte will discuss both strong and gentle herbal remedies, including familiar kitchen medicines as well as less common botanicals, offering practical ways to support the body’s natural digestive intelligence.

Known for her grounded, make-sense approach to herbal medicine and nutrition, Charlotte brings heart, humor, and real-world practicality to her teaching. Participants can expect an engaging class that is useful for practitioners and accessible to serious home herbalists—one that honors the wisdom of the body, the power of plants, and the joy of learning how to eat, heal, and live more peacefully.

Bilberry: An Herbalist's Guide to Vision, Circulation, and Vitality with Dustin Strong

Most practitioners know Bilberry (Vaccinium myrtillus) as a traditional eye-support herb. Few realize its broader impact on microcirculation, capillary integrity, connective tissue health, lymphatic drainage, venous insufficiency, and healthy aging.

In this evidence-informed course, Dustin Strong, CHN, ACN, explores the traditional uses and modern clinical applications of Bilberry, with special attention to its rich anthocyanin content and its role in supporting the body's smallest blood vessels.

Participants will learn:

• The history and traditional use of Bilberry in European herbal medicine
• The science behind anthocyanins and vascular health
• Bilberry's role in supporting microcirculation and capillary integrity
• Clinical applications for eye fatigue, visual performance, and ocular blood flow
• Emerging evidence for venous insufficiency, edema, and lymphatic support
• The relationship between connective tissue health and vascular resilience
• Practical dosing considerations and interpretation of the research
• How Bilberry may fit into modern protocols for healthy aging and circulatory support

Attendees will leave with a deeper understanding of why Bilberry remains one of the most clinically valuable botanical tools for supporting the body's vascular and connective tissue systems.