Program Presentation
Phytotherapy is the study of the therapeutic value of the active components contained in plants, and its use in the treatment of diseases.
The active ingredients have been studied and extracted by different methods. For a common plant to have medicinal property, certain rules of collection, drying, storage and finally the final presentation in teas, extracts, capsules, etc., should be followed.
This program and corresponding practical examples place special emphasis on issues that are essential in order to obtain a solid scientific base in the field of Phytotherapy, and intends to provide students with basic knowledge of Phytotherapy.
Who is the programme for?
The proposed methodology underlies a clear and ample curricular design, so that the Specialization in Phytotherapy program may target professionals who work in health professions or in centers for natural therapies.
The Phytotherapy program is designed for the following individuals:
- People who do not have a university degree who wish to specialize in this area of knowledge.
- Healthcare professionals in private companies or industries that wish to consolidate their knowledge to apply it in their workplace.
- Graduates or degree holders who wish to specialize in phytotherapy in order to improve their job opportunities.
Diploma
Successful completion of the Program will enable you to be awarded the degree in Specialization in Phytotherapy.
After successfully completing the Program, the student will receive the degree as awarded by the University where they have enrolled.
Program Structure
The credit structure of the Phytotherapy program is shown in the following table. It should be noted that the duration is merely indicative, as the methodology followed integrates the knowledge and skills to be acquired in each part through integrative exercises of knowledge acquisition and internalization of project practices:
| Modules | CREDITSa |
|---|---|
| Subject | 10 |
| TOTAL | 10 |
a. The equivalence in credits may vary according to the university where he/she has enrolled. One (1) ECTS (European Credit Transfer System) credit is equivalent to 10 + 15 hours. If the student is enrolled in a university that does not belong to the European Higher Education Area (EHEA), the relation between credits - hours may vary.
Duration
The program in Phytotherapy has 10 credits.
The duration of the program in Phytotherapy varies between 6 and 9 months, depending on the student's dedication. In this period of time, the student must have successfully passed all the evaluated activities and approved the Final Project, if any.
Objectives
General objectives:
- Develop in students a comprehensive knowledge of phytotherapy, covering its fundamentals, pharmacological, botanical and galenic principles, as well as its application in the treatment of various conditions, ensuring an approach based on the quality, safety, and efficacy of phytopharmaceuticals.
Specific objectives:
- Understand the basics of phytotherapy, its pharmacology, and the active principles of medicinal plants, relating them to their therapeutic action.
- Analyze the quality, safety, and efficacy of phytotherapeutic products, evaluating their galenic forms and their clinical application in different pathologies.
- Apply knowledge in the use of phytotherapy for the management of digestive, hepato-biliary, metabolic, cardiovascular, genito-urinary, respiratory, neurological, musculoskeletal, dermatological, immunological ,and oncological conditions.
Career Opportunities
Some of the employment opportunities for the Phytotherapy program are the following:
- Doctors, pharmacists, physiotherapists, dieticians, naturopaths and other health professionals in the practice of their profession as a complement to their training and an aid for the realization of their daily work.
- Teaching in programs of formal and non-formal learning, health personnel, catering personnel..., consumer information centers, associations of chronically ill patients, schools, civic centers, sports centers, etc.
- Employment in the catering business: schools, catering, hotels, restaurants, hospitals, geriatrics, etc.
- Technical Adviser in search engine programs, information and promotion of products to ensure the link between marketing, technology, and research and development.
- Related job position in specialized shops of dietary products.
- Related job position in food or pharmaceutical companies with a line of products with specific nutritional characteristics.
Note: Professional practice is subject to each country’s legislations.
Study Plan
The Phytotherapy program is comprised of one subject.
The subject’s objective is for the student to acquire an overall idea of Phytotherapy, including pertinent legislation, different forms of preparing the principal medicines contained in plants and their applications.
Management
Academic Administration
- Dr. Ricardo Almeida. Doctor in Education by the Iberoamerican International University. Master in Biological-Naturalistic Studies and Homeopathy from the University of León. Degree in Nursing.
General Academic Coordination
- Dr. (c) Sandra Jarrín International Coordinator.
FUNIBER Training Scholarships
The Iberoamerican University Foundation (FUNIBER) allocates periodically an extraordinary economic item for FUNIBER Training Scholarships.
To apply, please fill out the information request form that appears in the web of FUNIBER or contact directly the Foundation’s headquarters in your country that will inform you if you need to provide some additional information.
Once the documentation is received, the Evaluation Committee will determine your application's eligibility for the FUNIBER Training Scholarship.