Welcome and Introductions
Welcome to Herbal Street Medic Training & Certification Program
This class is open to anyone with an open mind and willingness to learn about herbal street medic and non-street medic for use in the new wave of protest and rebellion sweeping the United States. Some of this material was originally intended to be used in Oaxaca, Tunisia, or Egypt, and needs further adaptation to the easily available foods, herbs, and medical realities of the urban United States. Each student will will have to obtain or show that they have received 3rd party CPR and basic first aid training.
Message from Jen Cline
Sewanee School of Herbal Medicine: Herbal Street Medic Program
Introduction
The Herbal Street Medic Program at the Sewanee School of Herbal Medicine equips herbalists with the knowledge, skills, and practical experience needed to offer medical support during protests, demonstrations, and other direct actions. Street medics serve on the frontlines of these events, providing essential care to individuals affected by physical injuries, chemical exposure, and emotional stress. This program is designed to ensure that herbalists are prepared to meet the challenges of these high-stress environments while offering holistic, plant-based remedies.
Mission
Our mission is to empower herbalists to become street medics who can support activists, protesters, and community members during large-scale events. By combining herbal knowledge with practical first aid, this program fosters resilience and healing in the face of civil unrest.
Why Herbal Street Medicine?
Protests and direct actions often present unpredictable and challenging situations. Injuries from crowd control tactics, exposure to tear gas and pepper spray, and the emotional toll of high-intensity environments are common. Street medics play a vital role in offering immediate care and relief, allowing individuals to continue participating in these movements safely.
Herbal medicine offers a unique advantage in this setting, providing safe, effective, and readily available remedies to address both physical and emotional trauma. In addition to treating injuries and exposure, herbalists can offer emotional and nervous system support to those experiencing shock, anxiety, or PTSD.
Program Curriculum
The Herbal Street Medic Program covers a comprehensive curriculum designed to prepare herbalists for a wide range of situations they may encounter. Students will learn how to assess injuries, administer first aid, and apply herbal remedies in field settings. The program includes hands-on training, practical exercises, and real-world scenarios to ensure that participants can confidently provide care in unpredictable environments.
Core Units of Study
- Cuts & Wounds
Understanding how to clean, treat, and bandage cuts and wounds is essential for any street medic. Learn how to apply herbal poultices, use wound-healing herbs like Calendula (Calendula officinalis) and Yarrow (Achillea millefolium), and recognize when a wound requires medical attention beyond what herbs can offer. - Breaks, Sprains, & Strains
Learn how to assess and stabilize fractures, sprains, and strains in the field using splints and compression techniques. Herbs such as Comfrey (Symphytum officinale) and Arnica (Arnica montana) can aid in the healing process by reducing inflammation and promoting tissue regeneration. - Head Injury
Understanding the signs of concussions and traumatic brain injuries is critical. Herbal remedies like Ginkgo (Ginkgo biloba) for circulation and Skullcap (Scutellaria lateriflora) for calming can be used alongside first aid measures. - Blunt Force Injuries
Protesters and medics may experience blunt force injuries from impacts, falls, or police actions. Learn how to treat bruising, muscle injuries, and more severe trauma with Arnica, St. John’s Wort (Hypericum perforatum), and other anti-inflammatory herbs. - Burn Wound Care
Burns from fireworks, chemicals, or hot materials are common in protests. This unit covers first aid for burns, including the use of cooling herbs like Aloe (Aloe vera) and Lavender (Lavandula angustifolia) to prevent infection and promote healing. - Zip Tie and Handcuff Injuries
Medics often encounter protesters with wrist injuries from zip ties or handcuffs. Learn how to assess circulation issues and reduce inflammation with herbal treatments like Calendula, Plantain (Plantago major), and Comfrey. - Chemical Weapons Contamination
Tear gas and pepper spray can cause severe irritation and respiratory distress. Learn herbal remedies to soothe the eyes, skin, and respiratory system, such as Mullein (Verbascum thapsus), Plantain, and Chamomile (Matricaria recutita). - Aftercare: Tear Gas, Pepper Spray, & Action Stressors
Protesters often need aftercare following exposure to chemical weapons or intense stress. Herbal street medics will learn how to calm nervous systems, relieve tension, and promote recovery using adaptogens and nervines like Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera), Skullcap, and Valerian (Valeriana officinalis). - Homemade Gas Mask
Prepare and distribute simple, herbal-infused cloth masks for tear gas protection, using materials like Apple Cider Vinegar and Baking Soda solutions to reduce chemical absorption. - Cold or Freezing Weather Care
Learn how to treat hypothermia, frostbite, and cold exposure during winter protests. This unit includes emergency warming techniques and the use of warming herbs like Ginger (Zingiber officinale) and Cayenne (Capsicum annuum). - Hot Weather Care
Dehydration, heatstroke, and heat exhaustion are risks during summer protests. Learn how to provide hydration support, electrolyte balancing herbs like Lemon Balm (Melissa officinalis), and first aid techniques for cooling the body. - Gunshot Wound Care
While rare, gunshot wounds are a serious concern. This unit covers basic wound care, controlling bleeding, and managing shock with herbs like Yarrow and Cayenne. - Common Street Medic Remedies
Review key herbal formulas for inflammation, pain relief, wound healing, and emotional support. This unit will cover how to prepare remedies for field use, including salves, tinctures, and teas. - Shock and PTSD Care
Trauma is common during direct actions. This unit will focus on using herbs like Hawthorn (Crataegus spp.), Motherwort (Leonurus cardiaca), and Lemon Balm to support individuals experiencing shock or PTSD. - When the FIT HITS THE SHAN!
Learn how to stay calm and collected when chaos ensues. This unit covers personal safety strategies, teamwork, and crisis management during high-tension moments. - Herbal Street Medic Nervous System Support
Nervines, adaptogens, and calming herbs will be key in supporting the emotional and mental well-being of both medics and protesters. Learn how to create simple remedies to address stress, trauma, and anxiety. - Riot Medicine & Care
Explore the basics of riot medicine, including quick treatments for injuries sustained in clashes with police or other aggressive participants. Learn how to offer care in the most chaotic of environments with confidence and clarity.
Preparing for Events: Organization and Planning
Effective street medics are organized, proactive, and prepared for the unexpected. Each event requires a solid plan, including safety protocols, herbal first aid kits, and communication systems. Team members should always work in pairs (the buddy system), plan escape routes, and designate a rendezvous point in case of separation.
The Herbal Street Medic Program at the Sewanee School of Herbal Medicine equips herbalists with the knowledge and skills necessary to provide critical medical care during protests and direct actions. By combining practical first aid with the healing power of plants, street medics can support individuals both physically and emotionally in moments of crisis. Whether treating cuts, calming anxious minds, or addressing chemical exposure, herbal street medics are vital to the safety and resilience of protest movements.
2 comments