This slideshow lecture class is available in-person or online to those 50 years of age and older who register with the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI) at California State University, Channel Islands.

Here is a link to the OLLI Spring II catalog  including registration information. Once you join OLLI, or if you are already registered with them, you will be able to signup and pay for Spring II classes on Monday, March 4. In-person space at Broome Library is limited. There is no limit to online Zoom registration.

Here is the class description:

“The Twisted History of Herbal Medicine in America” –  a 6-week class beginning Wednesday, March 27, 2024, 10:00AM – 12:00PM, once a week for 2 hours

In 2021, continuing a long upward trend, Americans spent over $12 billion on herbs and herbal supplements. Documented use of humans eating medicinal herbs dates back at least 50,000 years. Today, the World Health Organization estimates that 60 percent of the world’s population rely on herbal medicines for their primary health care.
So why have medicinal herbs largely disappeared from modern American standard practice medicine and the pharmacies that supply it?

In this course, you will learn the twists and turns in the fascinating history of American herbal medicine, a history that begins with Native Americans, famous Greeks, Romans, medieval monks, and European kings, to surprising participants like George Washington,  John D. Rockefeller and Andrew Carnegie.

ABOUT THE INSTRUCTOR: Lanny Kaufer has been leading Herb Walks in Ventura and Santa Barbara counties since 1976, educating scores of locals and visitors on the flora of the area with a focus on herbs that can be used for food and medicine. He is the author of Medicinal Herbs of California (Falcon Guides, 2021).Lanny has studied extensively in biology, naturopathic medicine, foraging, and medicinal plants. He earned a biology degree at the University of California and served as chief consultant on medicinal plants for the redesign of the Swimmer Medicinal Garden in Playa Vista. Lanny lives in Ojai with his wife Rondia.