Herbal Medicine: The Endocannabinoid System and Cardiometabolic Syndrome – The New York 2023 Seminar
An Eight-Hour Health Professional Training Seminar
With Dr Michael Gaeta, DAOM, MS, CDN, Dipl Ac & ABT (NCCAOM), CNFMP, CAT, LMT
This course has been recorded live from the 2023 Herbal Medicine Seminar in New York.
Course Goals
On completion of this course attendees will have a comprehensive and clinically-relevant understanding of the endocannabinoid system; how it supports and maintains human health; how it is involved in health challenges across the spectrum and how to support it with herbal therapy.
Attendees will also have a comprehensive and clinically relevant understanding the common causative factors underlying many common metabolic health challenges and how to use evidence- based herbal therapy to support patients with these challenges.
Learning objectives/learning outcomes
- Have an up-to-date and clinically-relevant understanding of how the endocannabinoid system influences human health, and the most commonly seen associated challenges
- Have an up-to-date and clinically-relevant understanding of the health impact of the most commonly seen cardiometabolic health and associated challenges
- Have an up-to-date and clinically-relevant understanding of the health impact of the most commonly seen cardiometabolic health and associated challenges
- Understand the basic issues related to quality and phytochemistry and how this relates to clinical effectiveness for the herbs discussed
- Understand the relevant cautions, contraindications and potential herb-drug interactions for the herbs discussed
Description of content
This course is divided into appropriate learning sections as detailed in the outline below.
Prior level of knowledge
This program is best suited for licensed health care providers with a basic level of knowledge.
Teaching method
The seminar environment uses lecture with PowerPoint, and group participation and Q&A.
Hour-by-Hour Course Outline
Hour One
– Wholism vs Reductionism
– Overview of Phytotherapy and herbs as complex and intelligent agents
– Introduction to the endocannabinoid system, its component parts, and its role and function throughout the body.
– Review and discuss the literature on how the endocannabinoid system regulates nervous, endocrine, immune and metabolic health
Hour Two
– Discuss the health impact of stress, inflammation, dysbiosis, poor dietary choices, disturbed sleep rhythms, sedentary lifestyles etc. on endocannabinoid and cardiometabolic function
– Using an evidenced-based approach, discuss the full range of herbs that may impact the endocannabinoid system either directly or indirectly, including Echinacea, Ashwagandha, Kava, Green tea, Berberine. Emphasis will not be placed on hemp and its extracts.
Hour Three
– Using an evidenced based approach, discuss herbal support for common health challenges, including nervous system challenges, pain, feelings of anxiety, sleep
– Stress and stress related health challenges
Hour Four
– Metabolic health including obesity, liver health and blood sugar and pressure challenges.
– Using this information, develop integrated herbal management strategies for the health challenges discussed
– Present case histories to highlight the concepts presented
Hour Five
– Introduce two herbs of great value to clinical practice: Phellodenron amurense a major source of the antimicrobial berberine and Nigella sativa or Black cumin, a new herb for allergy, blood sugar and blood pressure and mood management
– Using an evidence-based approach, that is grounded in traditional knowledge and guided by clinical practice, review and discuss the full range clinical benefits of Phellodendron and Nigella. Including dose, frequency, safety, quality issues
Hour Six
– Botanical support for dysbiosis, sleep, vascular health, stress management, anxiety
Hour Seven
– Using an evidenced based approach review the causative factors driving metabolic syndrome and related co-morbidities, including insulin resistance, obesity and blood sugar imbalance
Hour Eight
– Bring together all the information presented and develop a set of integrated herbal management strategies for common cardio-metabolic health challenges
– Develop action plans to ensure successful implementation of the knowledge learned
– Present Case histories to highlight the concepts presented
– Workshop selected cases to reinforce the learnings
What Attendees Had to Say About this Seminar
“Great topic, a lot of information and clinical pearls. Deep dive into herbal formulas and protocols. I‘d like more seminars with Michael more often. Thank you, Michael” – Dr Lana Volkova, MD
“I liked that Dr Gaeta’s seminar is well-organized, with summaries of each section, and highlighted research.” – Dr Lynda Varlotta, DC
“I came because I was lacking knowledge in how to apply herbs. That cleared up today significantly with Dr Gaeta’s presentation.” – Dr Mark Castiglione, DC
“Lots of useful information! This will help me personally, with my family and patients. I’d like more Michael Gaeta seminars!” – Dr Nancy Lasak, DC
“This was a great seminar for me, as I am using more herbs. I appreciate the in-depth, concise, to-the-point info – thank you! I also liked the up to date info and how herbs had been traditionally categorized, and how they can cross over into other clinical areas and applications. Great news! I’d love a longer seminar on herbs with Dr Gaeta.” – Bonita Grandal, LAc
“The best part of Dr Gaeta’s herbal seminar was how he related so many successful case histories. Excellent seminar as is. I enrolled in his Clinician’s Mastermind Circle Certification Program in Natural Functional Medicine after the seminar, and look forward to continuing to study with him over the coming year.” – Dr James Veligdan, PhD, DC
“Everything worked with Dr Gaeta’s herbal seminar. I was only going to come for a few hours and ended up staying for the entire day. It was great – don’t change anything!” – Dr Frederick Tinari, DC
“Dr Michael Gaeta is a GREAT teacher. I am just getting into the benefits of using nutrition and herbal medicine to help patients. I’m looking to continue learning with Michael and figure out how to implement this info to help myself, my family, friends and patients! Thank you for all of your knowledge and wisdom!” – Dr Brianna Salvia, DC
“Dr Gaeta is a great teacher. I got lots of useful information. It was all good – thank you!” – Dr Bronwyn Scarso, DC
“Amazing info! Michael is a wonderful presenter. He makes the material accessible, and is lively and engaging. Great anecdotes and clinical stories. I’d love this to be a two-day class.” – Marguerite Shinouda, LAc
“Great info – very practical. Dr Gaeta provided specific protocols to use on an herbal level.” – Dr Guy Forno, DC
“Very informative! Amazing materials. I’ll use more MediHerb formulas in my practice. Everything was good. Thank you for this class, Michael. Love it!” – Dr Maya Ahishayeva, MD
“Dr Gaeta’s herbal seminar provided such valuable information. He presents information in a very easy format. The protocols will be very beneficial for me to better help my patients. Nothing to change – it was great!” – Janice O’Leary, RN
“Very informative seminar, presented in a very entertaining manner! I thought is was excellent. I loved it! Amazing tips, so much new information.” Dr Victoria Fogel, DC
“I loved the great notes, and the clarity of the speaker. I liked the scientific background. This seminar was at a good pace. I also liked the practical application for so many conditions.” Dr Joan Jacobs, DC
“This was a well-organized presentation. He gave easy-to-follow recommendations. With the notes, all the good things I want to remember will remain in my mental Rolodex. Thanks, Dr Gaeta!” – Dr Claudia Taylor, DC
“I enjoyed every portion of the day! It was very informative. I will be incorporating the tests he covered and more herbs for sure.” – Kimberly Español, Nutritionist
“I loved everything about this class! The seminar manual and slides, the great information, the specific action steps I can put in on Monday.” – Dr Shirley Espinoza, DC
Presenter’s Biography
Dr Michael Gaeta’s purpose is to co-create a world of vital, resilient people who choose a lifestyle of “nature first, drugs last.” To accomplish this, he treats patients with Chinese and functional medicine, and helps natural health professionals upgrade their patient care and practice success. His teaching is informed by 33 years of successful clinical practice. Michael holds licenses in acupuncture, dietetics-nutrition, and massage therapy. He is also an herbalist and a doctor of acupuncture and Oriental medicine in Rhode Island. He earned his Master of Science degree in acupuncture from the New York College of Health Professions, where he was a faculty member for ten years. He holds additional degrees in massage therapy, Asian bodywork therapy, and health sciences. Over the last 30 years, Dr Gaeta has trained over 20,000 practitioners. He was a faculty member at Tri-State College of Acupuncture, New York College of Traditional Chinese Medicine, New York Chiropractic
College, Eastern School of Acupuncture and Traditional Medicine, and Southwest Acupuncture College. He has taught hundreds of professional continuing education seminars, and spoken at dozens of natural healthcare colleges and conferences internationally. Michael co-founded Acupuncture for Veterans, which provided free treatments in New York City. He is past president of the Acupuncture Society of New York, earning awards for State Association and State Association President of the Year. Dr Gaeta appeared on the CBS Early Show and NBC News, and his wellness podcast attracted over 100,000 subscribers. Michael is also a pianist, which was his first career. Through the Gaeta Institute for Wholistic Health Education, Dr Gaeta gives live and online trainings, a weekly podcast, and online CEU courses in clinical and business success. These include the Clinician’s Mastermind Circle, a one-year certification program in natural functional medicine, and well-reviewed online courses, including the Autoimmune Mastery Program; Cancer Support &; Prevention; the Cardiovascular Mastery Program, and Herbal Summer School. Dr Gaeta is also active nationally in promoting health choice and informed consent. Trainings, private health consultations, writings and other resources at michaelgaeta.com.