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    • Intro to ethnobotany
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Introduction to ethnobotany

people

plants

and culture

Enset, the false banana

Enset (Ensete ventricosum) is a traditional food plant that could play an important role in Africa’s food security.

Learn how to write a floral formula for the creeping buttercup (Ranunculus repens).

Marcos from the indigenous Shipibo Konibo is creating a medicinal plant garden

The Shipibo Konibo, indigenous to the Peruvian Amazon, use many plants with special healing powers.

A self-paced introduction to ethnobotany

This self-paced course offers an introduction in the field of ethnobotany, the study that looks at the relationship between people, plants and culture. Ethnobotany researches such fascinating topics as, how do human cultures relate to plants for food, medicine, clothes, buildings and meaning making? You could describe it as anthropology with plants – it has a lot of overlap with both anthropology and botany or biology. The course is loosely based on the MSc Ethnobotany at the University of Kent, England.



Documenting and reviving traditional knowledge in collaboration with indigenous peoples is essential for the earth and humanity. We are losing precious biodiversity and cultural diversity at a fast rate, and both need our protection. In addition, traditional knowledge can offer us solutions for biodiversity conservation, ecosystem restoration, sustainable food production, new medicines and much more.



In this introductory course you will learn how plants fulfill human needs, the academic study of ethnobotany, research methods and ethics, and about the case study of piripiri a special group of medicinal plants as used by the Shipibo Konibo in the Peruvian Amazon. You will get started on how to be an ally for indigenous people and local communities, and the safeguarding of their valuable knowledge.

This course is for you if you are new to the topic of ethnobotany. It could be that you are a student or professional working in nature conservation, ecosystem restoration or climate change issues. Or pehaps you are a gardener, herbalist, or plant lover. All you need is a curiosity to learn and a passion for creating a flourishing future on this earth.

Explore the curriculum

1. Introduction to the course
2. How plants fulfil human needs – preview this lesson
3. The study of ethnobotany
4. What is botany?
5. Plant identification and the floral formula
6. Intro to ethnobotanical research
7. The importance of ethics in research
8. Research methods of an ethnobotanist
9. Case study – part I
 – The indigenous Shipibo Konibo from the Peruvian Amazon
10. Case study – part II
 – The medicinal plant piripiri and its many magical uses
11. The future of ethnobotany

Duration: 80 mins
Skill level: beginner
Course fee: £19,95

JOIN THIS COURSE

What participants say

Here’s what others say about the 5-week people and plants course

  • Thank you so much for such a beautiful, thought provoking, well structured and informative course! Have absolutely loved this learning experience and it has sparked so much curiosity and passion in me for future learning
    Jade Morris
  • "Very educational, this rich course, a beautiful and in-depth introduction to this field of science”
    Dutch course participant
  • “This course changed my worldview. I now have a different view on plants and everything that grows.”
    Dutch course participant
  • "A really interesting and thorough introduction to ethnobotany, taught with passion and knowledge. I highly recommend this course to anyone who is fascinated by the connections between the human and plant world. Such a lovely 5 weeks, I miss it!”
    Sarah Louise Flowers
  • “The ethnobotany course is a fantastic introduction to the relationship between people, plants and their environment. (...). In addition, you do a number of simple assignments that give surprisingly great insight into how the lives of human and plant are intertwined. The list of sources compiled by Inge is extensive and invites further deepening. An absolute must. I hope for a sequel!”
    Kim Knoppers

Explore more courses

Start learning today in a self-paced online
course, or join me in a live class

Marcos from the indigenous Shipibo Konibo is creating a medicinal plant garden

£149

People and plants, a course in ethnobotany

Learn about the study of ethnobotany, and how it helps us understand how people in different cultures relate to plants for their survival, their health, wellbeing and meaning making. Join the next online cohort!

VIEW COURSE
Bergamot citrus fruit on a tree

£35 – £45

Meet Bergamot (Citrus × limon) and her uplifting energy

SAT, 6 APRIL, 10am – 1pm, FOREST ROW – Learn about the history and ethnobotany of the citrus bergamot. Come and taste bergamot citrus fruits, marmelade and tea and make your own aromatherapy room spray.

VIEW COURSE

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Ethnobotany courses

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Introduction to Ethnobotany
People and Plants, the ethnobotany course
Traditional Knowledge in Ecosystem Restoration

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