⬅️ Back
HERB 0401
Ecology of Ethnobotany of Medicinal Mountain Plants of New Mexico
A Field and Classroom Course in the Ecological Relationships, Traditional Uses, and Ethical Relations with the Mountain's Healing Flora
12 hours
Welcome to HERB 0401, a comprehensive 12-hour course at The Bright Moon Institute that explores the rich world of medicinal mountain plants native to New Mexico. This hybrid learning experience combines online instruction with immersive field study in the majestic Sangre de Cristo mountains. Through a blend of traditional knowledge and ecological science, students will develop a profound understanding of over 50 native and naturalized healing plants, their ecological relationships, and their ethnobotanical significance. This course is designed to foster ethical stewardship of these botanical treasures while honoring the ancestral wisdom that surrounds their use. Whether you're an experienced herbalist or simply curious about the healing power of mountain flora, this course provides a solid foundation for connecting with the living medicines of the land.
Course Prerequisites
This course welcomes a diverse range of participants with varying levels of prior knowledge. Our inclusive approach ensures that anyone with a genuine interest in medicinal plants and their ecological contexts can fully engage with and benefit from the curriculum.
Open Enrollment
The course is designed to be accessible to beginners while still offering depth for those with prior experience. No formal botanical or herbal training is required—just bring your curiosity and willingness to learn.
Ideal for Multiple Disciplines
While especially valuable for practicing herbalists and massage therapists seeking to expand their plant knowledge, the course is equally relevant for naturalists, ecologists, and anyone interested in deepening their connection to the natural world.
Passion for Ecological Stewardship
The most important prerequisite is a genuine interest in ecological relationships and a desire to learn about traditional plant practices with respect and cultural sensitivity.
While the course content is accessible to beginners, participants will benefit from having some basic outdoor skills and the physical ability to participate in the 8-hour field day, which involves moderate hiking and extended periods outdoors in variable mountain conditions. Those with specific accessibility needs are encouraged to contact the instructor in advance to discuss accommodations.
Course Format
HERB 0401 employs a hybrid learning model that balances theoretical knowledge with hands-on experience. This carefully structured approach ensures students build a solid foundation before applying their learning in the field.
1
Preparatory Zoom Session 1
A 2-hour online session introducing fundamental concepts in ethnobotany, ecological relationships, and the cultural context of mountain medicinal plants. This session lays the groundwork for understanding plant communities and their traditional uses.
2
Preparatory Zoom Session 2
A 2-hour online deep dive into the materia medica of key mountain species, focusing on identification features, medicinal properties, and ethical harvesting practices. This session prepares students for successful field identification and interaction.
3
Immersive Field Day
An 8-hour guided expedition in the Sangre de Cristo mountains, offering direct experience with plant identification, ecological observation, sustainable harvesting demonstrations, and community building around shared botanical knowledge.
This progressive format allows students to build knowledge systematically, beginning with theoretical foundations and culminating in experiential learning. The online sessions include interactive elements such as identification quizzes, breakout discussions, and preparatory assignments to maximize field day learning. The field component takes place in various elevation zones to expose students to diverse plant communities and ecological niches, providing a comprehensive understanding of how altitude, aspect, and other environmental factors influence medicinal plant distribution and properties.
Learning Objectives
HERB 0401 is designed with specific educational outcomes that balance botanical knowledge, ecological understanding, and practical skills. These objectives reflect our commitment to developing herbalists who are not only knowledgeable about plant medicine but also conscious of their ecological responsibilities and cultural contexts.
Each objective builds upon the others to create a holistic learning experience that honors both scientific and traditional ways of knowing. By the end of this course, students will have developed a personal relationship with the mountain flora of New Mexico that is informed by both ecological literacy and cultural respect.
The skills and knowledge acquired through meeting these objectives will serve as a foundation for continued learning and ethical practice in field botany, herbalism, and ecological stewardship. Students will be encouraged to continue developing their personal materia medica beyond the course conclusion.
1
Plant Identification & Ecology
Successfully identify over 50 medicinal mountain plants in their natural habitats, understanding their ecological roles, growth patterns, and habitat preferences across different elevation zones.
2
Ethnobotanical Knowledge
Articulate the traditional uses, cultural significance, and medicinal applications of key mountain species, with sensitivity to indigenous knowledge systems and cultural context.
3
Ethical Harvesting
Demonstrate proper techniques for sustainable wildcrafting, including plant selection, harvest timing, regenerative cutting methods, and protocols for respectful interaction with plant communities.
4
Ecological Literacy
Develop an understanding of how plant communities function within mountain ecosystems and how these relationships connect to human health and wellbeing.
5
Personal Materia Medica
Create detailed, personalized documentation of medicinal plants, including identification features, habitat information, traditional and contemporary uses, and personal observations.
Course Schedule
The course is thoughtfully structured to build knowledge progressively, beginning with foundational concepts and culminating in direct field experience. Each session builds upon previous learning while introducing new dimensions of plant knowledge and ecological understanding.
Session 1: Foundations of Mountain Ethnobotany (2 hours online)
  • Introduction to key ethnobotanical concepts and the history of plant medicine in New Mexico
  • Ecological principles of mountain ecosystems and plant community dynamics
  • Traditional uses and cultural significance of key medicinal species
  • Ethical frameworks for plant relationships and sustainable wildcrafting
Session 2: Materia Medica of Mountain Flora (2 hours online)
  • Detailed profiles of 15-20 primary medicinal mountain plants
  • Therapeutic actions, indications, contraindications, and preparation methods
  • Visual identification guides and lookalike cautions
  • Field day preparation: equipment needs, safety protocols, ethical guidelines
Session 3: Sangre de Cristos Immersion (8 hours in field)
  • Morning: Lower elevation plant communities and riparian medicinals
  • Mid-day: Forest edge species and demonstration of ethical harvesting techniques
  • Afternoon: Subalpine medicinals and ecological relationships
  • Closing circle: Materia medica sharing and integration of knowledge
The field day includes multiple stops at different elevations and microclimates, allowing students to observe how plant communities shift with environmental conditions. Breaks will be integrated throughout the day for journaling, sketching, and sensory engagement with plants. Participants are encouraged to bring appropriate clothing for variable mountain weather, sturdy hiking footwear, sun protection, plenty of water, and personal food for the day. Transportation to field sites will be coordinated during the online sessions.

In case of inclement weather, an alternative date will be scheduled for the field component. The online sessions will proceed as planned regardless of weather conditions.
Recommended Texts
While no textbook purchases are required for this course, the following resources provide valuable supplementary information that will enhance your learning experience and serve as references for continued study after the course concludes.
Primary Texts
  • "Medicinal Plants of the Mountain West" by Michael Moore - The definitive field guide to medicinal plants of the Rocky Mountains, Southwest Plateau, and Intermountain West regions
  • "Southwest Medicinal Plants" by John Slattery - Comprehensive guide covering 112 wild herbs with detailed identification, harvesting, and usage information
  • "Braiding Sweetgrass" by Robin Wall Kimmerer - Essential reading on Indigenous perspectives regarding plant relationships, reciprocity, and ecological wisdom
Additional Recommended Resources
  • "Plants of the Four Corners Region" by Kenneth Heil, Steve O'Kane, Linda Mary Reeves, and Arnold Clifford - Excellent botanical reference for the greater New Mexico region
  • "Healing with Western Plants" by Christa Sinadinos - Detailed monographs on many plants found in New Mexico mountain ecosystems
  • "Botany in a Day" by Thomas J. Elpel - Helpful introduction to plant family patterns for more efficient identification
"The plants themselves are our most reliable and generous teachers. Books can guide us to them, but direct relationship with the living plants is the heart of true botanical knowledge."
Students are encouraged to bring field guides to the immersive field day, though course handouts will provide essential identification information. The instructor will have reference copies of key texts available for consultation during field sessions. Digital resources and additional reading recommendations will be provided during the online sessions to support continued learning.
Assessment
This course employs a holistic assessment approach that emphasizes practical application, personal reflection, and active engagement rather than traditional testing. These assessment methods are designed to deepen learning while creating lasting resources for your continued herbal practice.
Active Participation
Meaningful engagement in both online and field components is essential. This includes:
  • Contributing to discussions and asking thoughtful questions
  • Participating in identification exercises and field activities
  • Demonstrating ethical awareness during plant interactions
  • Collaborating respectfully with fellow participants
Personal Materia Medica
Creation of detailed plant profiles for at least 10 medicinal mountain plants, including:
  • Botanical and common names
  • Detailed identification features with personal observations
  • Habitat information and ecological relationships
  • Traditional and contemporary medicinal applications
  • Harvesting considerations and ethical notes
Reflective Journal
Completion of structured journal entries that demonstrate:
  • Ecological insights gained from field observations
  • Reflections on ethical dimensions of plant harvesting
  • Connections between traditional knowledge and personal experience
  • Integration of course concepts into personal herbal practice
Assessment is non-competitive and focuses on individual growth and engagement with the material. Students will receive constructive feedback on their materia medica entries and journal reflections during and after the course. While there are no formal grades, a certificate of completion will be provided to participants who fulfill all assessment requirements.
The personal materia medica and journal created during this course will serve as valuable resources for your continued learning journey with medicinal plants. These living documents are designed to evolve as your relationship with mountain flora deepens over time.
Materials Provided
To ensure a rich and productive learning experience, comprehensive materials will be provided to all participants. These resources have been carefully developed to support both classroom learning and field identification, with an emphasis on practical application and ecological context.
Course Handouts
  • Comprehensive plant profiles with detailed ecological information
  • Therapeutic action charts and medicinal preparation guides
  • Bioregional materia medica with traditional and contemporary applications
  • Mountain ecosystem overview with plant community relationships
Field Resources
  • Waterproof field identification cards with key diagnostic features
  • Illustrated guide to plant families common in mountain ecosystems
  • Seasonal harvest calendar specific to New Mexico elevations
  • Maps of field sites with ecological zone indicators
Ethical Guidelines
  • Detailed protocols for sustainable harvesting practices
  • Cultural considerations for working with traditional plant medicines
  • At-risk and watch-list species information specific to the region
  • Principles of reciprocity and ecological stewardship
All materials are designed to be practical field references that will remain valuable long after the course concludes. Digital versions of handouts will be provided before the first online session, with printed copies distributed during the field day.

Students should bring their own field notebook, writing implements, and optional items such as hand lens, camera, and plant press if desired. A detailed equipment list will be provided upon registration.
Closing Reflection
As our journey through the medicinal mountain flora of New Mexico concludes, we invite participants to engage in a meaningful process of integration and reflection. This final component of the course is designed not as an endpoint, but as a threshold to continued exploration and deepening relationship with the plant communities we've studied.
"How has this deepened relationship with the medicinal mountain plants of New Mexico enhanced your awareness of ecological interconnectedness, traditional wisdom, and your role in ethical stewardship?"
This reflective question serves as a compass for integrating your learning experience. Consider how your perspective has shifted through direct engagement with these healing plants—how sensory memories, ecological insights, and traditional knowledge have woven together to form a more complete understanding of mountain ecosystems and your place within them.
Ecological Awareness
Reflect on new understandings of plant relationships, habitat needs, and ecosystem functions that support biodiversity and resilience.
Traditional Wisdom
Consider how ancestral knowledge informs contemporary practice and the importance of honoring the cultural contexts of plant medicine.
Ethical Stewardship
Contemplate your responsibility to the plant communities that offer healing, and how you might practice reciprocity in your ongoing relationship with them.
Personal Connection
Explore how direct experience with these plants has transformed your personal relationship with the natural world and mountain landscapes.
Future Growth
Identify ways to nurture and expand your plant knowledge and ecological practice in your home bioregion.
May your journey with these healing plants inspire ecological reverence and a lasting commitment to place-based herbal wisdom. As you carry this knowledge forward, remember that the most profound learning comes through sustained relationship—returning to these plants through the seasons, observing their cycles, and continually deepening your understanding of their gifts and needs.