AANP 2013 Convention:
"Walking our Talk: Nature Cure in the Twenty-first Century."
Presenter:
Glen Nagel, ND
Contact Information:
4206 SE Ramona St.
Portland, OR 97206
503 475-4051
Fax 503 226-8133
gnagel@ncnm.edu
Presentation Title
Herbal Tea Practicum: The world of healing in a simple cup of tea.
Short description
The profession has moved away from simple and practical methods of healing like a cup of
herbal tea. In this talk I will demonstrate the best way to make herbal infusions and decoctions. I
will also discuss herbal tea formulation and how to make teas taste and look good for the modern
naturopathic patient. We will discuss how a warm herbal tea can be a powerful balancing tool for
health.
Abstract
In our world, accumulating and unrelenting stress alienates people from nature. This isolation
can lead to disconnection from the foundational elements that support the principles of health
which naturopathic doctors have protected and have cherished for decades. This disconnect from
nature has accelerated with the increase in electronic communication, the freneticism of fragile
working environments and the instantaneous nature of information dissemination and
‘edutainment’. Without a fundamental connection with nature, we risk losing the jewel that we
call naturopathic medicine. This has happened in the world of simple herbal infusions and
decoctions. As a naturopathic profession we have passed on the responsibility and need for
formulating teas to large corporations. In this transition we have forgot and hence do not use the
oldest for of herbal medicine, the herbal tea! I will begin to re-education naturopathic physicians
in the art and science of herbal infusions and decoctions. I will discuss how to correctly make hot
infusions, cold infusions, long infusions, hot decoctions. We will discuss the art of formulations
and presentation that is part of the tea ritual as well as the five simple methods to add beauty and
AANP 2013Conference
Abstract Submission
Glen Nagel, ND
flavor for the modern patient. We will discuss simple formulation ideas that make effective
herbal medicine, where taste new active ingredient.
Learning Objectives:
1. To understand the role of the healing power of nature in naturopathic medicine
2. To determine how to bring the four elements (earth, air, fire and water) into a cup of tea
3. To become aware of our connection to nature as practioners and how to bring balance
into our own lives.
4. To understand and to assimilate how to make effective tasty herbal infusions
5. To understand and to assimilate how to make effective and tasty herbal decoctions
6. To be able to integrate the five steps in making herbal infusions/decoctions taste better
without adding refined sugar
Presentation Outline
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120 minutes
CE 1.5 hours: 0.5 hours in theory, 0.5 clinical relevance and outcomes and 1.0 hours in
practicum. No Pharmacy CE
Audience: General naturopathic.
Glen Nagel, ND
Short Biography
Dr Nagel has been a practicing herbalist for the last 25 years. He has worked in the herbal
industry as well as an herbal educator offering classes and courses in herbal medicine. He is also
a licensed naturopathic physician in Oregon and has practice
Naturopathic Medicine since 1993 in Montana, Colorado, and
Washington. He is a former Assistant professor of Botanical medicine at
Bastyr University in Kenmore, Washington. Currently he is an assistant
profession and NCNM Zidell Healing Garden Curator. He teaches
Botanical medicine and Naturopathic Vitalism and naturopathic
philosophy at NCNM. He is involved in keeping nature in naturopathy
and has lead elective classes in hands on field study of botanical
medicine and nature cure. He has a lifelong interest in plants and nature
and believes in teaching with humor and hands on experience.
AANP 2013Conference
Abstract Submission
Glen Nagel, ND