
Sam Coffman
Lead Instructor
About the Instructor
Sam has worked with herbs since 1987 and formally as a clinical herbalist for over 15 years. He served in the military for 10 years of which 6 were as a US Special Forces Medic (aka Green Beret Medic). He is a registered herbalist with the American Herbalists Guild, a Wilderness EMT (WEMT), and a Wilderness First Responder instructor.
Sam is the founder of The Human Path/Herbal Medics Academy and co-founder of Herbal Medics which is the school's outreach organization that works with underserved communities.
His primary goal has become the creation of an integrative medical model that embraces both vitalistic and mechanistic aspects of herbalism into a collaboration with orthodox and energetic models of diagnosis and treatment, to include orthodox western medicine. To this end, he has created and co-created nearly 2000 hours of pathophysiology-based herbal medicine curriculum, and led hundreds of herbal clinics in remote, austere, post-disaster and underserved areas. Also as part of integrating orthodox medicine with plant medicine, Sam regularly works as an herbalist with, teaches with and instructs doctors, nurse practitioners, physicians assistants, nurses, and other licensed health care practitioners.
Dr. Steve Pehrson, MD, and Sam Coffman have developed another unique austere medicine course to add to the full Austere Medicine program. Both Steve and Sam served in the US Army as Special Forces Medics (aka: Green Beret Medics) and bring many decades of experience in the areas of emergency medicine, tactical medicine, family practice, clinical herbalism, botanical medicine making, post-disaster relief and many other subjects to the classroom in this second austere medicine course of the series.
This unique online course is a pre-requisite to attend the 5-day Austere Acute Care Medicine (AACM) hands-on intensive at our 50-acre campus north of San Antonio, TX. The online course is a stand-alone course as well for those who are unable to attend the hands-on intensive. This information-packed online course includes over 40 hours of pre-recorded video lectures, special presentations, handouts and quizzes as well as live Q & A sessions. All videos, lectures, Q & A’s and handouts are downloadable.
The AACM online and on-site course is focused on acute, integrative care in remote, underserved, post-disaster or austere conditions. This includes patient assessment, treatment and support using both pharmaceutical and botanical medicine in a highly integrative manner that is practical and sustainable in even complete grid-down environments.
Acute health conditions that are addressed in the online AACM course include:
- Infectious disease (viral, bacterial, fungal, protozoal) in the following areas of the body
- Upper respiratory (sinus, throat, mouth)
- Lower respiratory
- Eyes
- Ears
- Digestive tract and liver
- Upper and lower urinary tract
- Pain – including headache, musculo-skeletal pain (including osteoarthritis), visceral (organ) pain
- Local skin infections
- Nail infections and conditions (e.g. ingrown)
- Allergies
- Kidney stones
- Gallstones
- Hypertension
- Anxiety & depression
- Orthopedic injuries: assessment and treatment
The botanical medicine portions of this course include the following topics and more:
- Herbal medicine pertaining to all acute illness and injury listed above
- Disease assessment through the eyes of a clinical herbalist
- Using a materia medica of over 100 herbs
- Formulas and protocols specific to cellular pathophysiology
- Supporting the tissue and homeostasis
- Basic medicine making concepts
- Dosage and toxicity
- Integrating all of these concepts with orthodox medicine for the best of both worlds.
The orthodox medicine portions of this course include the following topics and more:
- Clinical assessment and diagnosis
- Interpreting lab tests that can be performed in the field
- Basic pharmaceutical medicine
- Minor surgery techniques
- Integrating all of these concepts with botanical medicine for the best of both worlds.
Course Contents
Course Curriculum
- Week 1 Checklist of Videos and Handouts
- Welcome to the Course!
- Herbal Book List - Helpful Book Titles & Descriptions
- Austere Medicine Book
- Anatomy and Physiology Helpful Links
- Steve Pehrson - Lecture #1: Common Physiology Essentials (1:32:33)
- Steve Pehrson Lecture #1 Slides (Common Physiology Essentials)
- Sam Coffman - Lecture #1: Introduction to Course Concepts (Plant Medicine) (32:28)
- Sam Coffman - Lecture #1 Slides
- Sam Coffman - Lecture #2: Formulas and Formulating Principles (38:10)
- Lecture #2 Slides (Formulas and Formulating Principles)
- Sam Coffman Lecture #3 - Common Cold Virus (55:46)
- Sam Coffman - Lecture #3 Slides: Common Cold
- Week 2 Checklist of Videos and Handouts
- Eyewash Demo Part 1 (3:29)
- Eyewash Demo Part 2 (2:56)
- Eyewash Demo Part 3 (6:25)
- Eyewash Demo Part 4 (5:21)
- Eyewash Demo Part 5 (3:39)
- Eyewash Demo Part 6 (4:40)
- Sam Coffman Lecture #1 - Acute Eye Issues - Viral (27:51)
- Sam Coffman Lecture #2 - Acute Eye Issues - Allergies (15:32)
- Sam Coffman Lecture #3 - Acute Eye Issues - Bacterial Infections (32:01)
- Sam Coffman Week 2 All Slides
- Steve Pehrson W2a - Pharmacologic Rules for everyone (6:13)
- Steve Pehrson W2b - Categorizing and Usage of Drugs (2:29)
- Steve Pehrson W2c - Measurements for Medicine (7:59)
- Steve Pehrson W2d - Lethal Dose & Half Life of Drugs When Dosing (16:28)
- Steve Pehrson W2e - Prescription Labels (5:23)
- Steve Pehrson W2f - Rx Medical Shorthand Examples (4:20)
- Steve Pehrson W2g - Antimicrobial Therapies (4:24)
- Steve Pehrson W2h - Antibiotics, Antivirals, Antifungals, Antiparasites (5:47)
- Steve Pehrson W2i - Breaking Down Types of Infective Species - Bacteria (6:31)
- Steve Pehrson W2j - Antibiotics (5:18)
- Steve Pehrson W2k - Antibiotic Spectrums
- Steve Pehrson W2l - Strategies when working with antibiotics
- Steve Pehrson W2m - Understanding Antibiotic Use (6:28)
- Steve Pehrson W2n- Antibiotics in Your Kit (11:15)
- Steve Pehrson W2o - Viruses (9:52)
- Steve Pehrson W2p - Viral Infections By System (9:12)
- Steve Pehrson W2q - Fungal Infections & Treatments (10:58)
- Steve Pehrson W2r - Parasites (12:41)
- Steve Pehrson Week 2 All Slides
- Steve Pehrson W2s - Ectoparasites (14:37)
- Steve Pehrson W2t - Vector Considerations (24:19)
- Week 3 Checklist of Videos and Handouts
- Herbal Nebulizer Administration Part 1 (6:40)
- Herbal Nebulizer Administration Part 2 (3:49)
- Herbal Nebulizer Administration Part 3 (6:22)
- Herbal Nebulizer Administration Part 4 (3:55)
- Herbal Atomizer Administration (5:41)
- Herbal Neti Pot Administration (4:17)
- Herbal Nasya Oil (3:45)
- Using Licorice + Propolis for Canker Sores (4:10)
- Using Prickly Pear for the Mouth (3:24)
- How to use an Otovent Tool
- Eustachian Tube Exercises
- Steve Pehrson W3a - Pulmonary A&P
- Steve Pehrson W3b - Common Upper Airway Conditions Overview (4:21)
- Steve Pehrson W3c - Pharyngitis & Tonsilitis (18:44)
- Steve Pehrson W3d - Peritonsilar Abscess (8:25)
- Steve Pehrson W3e - Croup (7:39)
- Steve Pehrson W3f - Epiglotitis (3:37)
- Steve Pehrson W3g - Asthma (6:19)
- Steve Pehrson W3h - Acute Bronchitis (3:54)
- Steve Pehrson W3i - COPD (8:15)
- Steve Pehrson W3j - Pneumonia (5:32)
- Steve Pehrson W3k - Congestive Heart Failure (7:12)
- Steve Pehrson W3L - Pulmonary Assessment (8:34)
- Steve Pehrson - W3m - Lung Auscultation (3:01)
- Sam Coffman - Ear Infections: Outer (15:35)
- Sam Coffman Lecture - Ear Infections: Middle (17:54)
- Sam Coffman Lecture - Ear Infections: Inner (8:21)
- Sam Coffman Lecture - Ear Infections: Working With Herbs (24:20)
- Steve Pehrson Lecture Slides
- Sam Coffman Lecture Slides
- Week 3 Live Q & A
- Week 4 Checklist of Videos and Handouts
- Respiratory Herbs Matrix PDF
- Steve Pehrson W4a - Solving the puzzle (12:38)
- Steve Pehrson W4b - Cognitive Bias (9:10)
- Steve Pehrson W4c - Analytical Problem Solving (9:36)
- Steve Pehrson W4d - Knowledge needed to treat a patient (3:50)
- Steve Pehrson W4e - Taking a medical history (7:45)
- W4f - The physical exam & diagnostic testing (9:29)
- Steve Pehrson W4g - Patient analysis & plan (11:51)
- Sam Coffman - Upper and Lower Respiratory Tact Infections (Viral) - Focus on COVID-19 (1:09:17)
- Steve Perhson Lectures - All Slides
- Sam Coffman Lecture Slides
- Week 5 Checklist of Lectures and Handouts
- Study Session #1 - Case Study (Upper Respiratory) Discussion Panel (1:32:15)
- Study Session #1 - Chat Log
- Headache Herb Matrix
- Steve Pehrson: Lecture #1 - The Responsibilities of Medical Records (5:06)
- Steve Pehrson: Lecture #2 - What does the medic carry (10:54)
- Steve Pehrson: Lecture #3 - SOAP Notes (13:33)
- Steve Pehrson: Lecture #4 - Useful Record Tools and Accountability (14:17)
- Week 5 All Dr. Pehrson Lecture Slides
- Sam Coffman Lecture #1 - Upper and Lower Respiratory Bacterial Infections (40:11)
- Slides - Sam Coffman Lecture 1
- Sam Coffman Lecture #2 - Cluster Headaches (23:46)
- Slides - Sam Coffman Lecture 2
- Week 6 Checklist of Lectures and Handouts
- Steve Pehrson Lecture #1: Anatomy for Cardiovascular System (7:00)
- Steve Pehrson Lecture #2 - The Blood Delivery System (7:23)
- Steve Pehrson Lecture #3 - Cardiac Physiology (29:19)
- Slides - Steve Pehrson All Lectures
- Sam Coffman Lecture #1 - Migraine Headaches (31:27)
- Sam Coffman Lecture #2 - Sinus Headaches (24:14)
- Sam Coffman Lecture #3 - Other Headaches (25:42)
- Slides - Sam Coffman All Lectures
- Herbal Medic Field Manual
- Week 7 Checklist of Lectures and Handouts
- Sam Coffman Lecture 1 - Congestive Heart Failure (35:34)
- Sam Coffman Lecture #2 - Stroke ( 13:02)
- Sam Coffman Lecture #3 - Coronary Artery Disease (12:45)
- Sam Coffman Lecture #4 - Angina (11:49)
- Sam Coffman Lecture #5 - Hypertension (10:41)
- Sam Coffman All Slides
- Steve Pehrson Video #1: Cardiac Pathophysiology in a Grid-Down World (1:35)
- Steve Pehrson Video #2: Vascular System (11:02)
- Steve Pehrson Video #3 - Assessment of the Cardiovascular System (4:33)
- Steve Pehrson Video #4 - Medical Conditions of the Heart (5:30)
- Steve Pehrson Video #5 - Anemia (18:13)
- Steve Pehrson Video #6 - Hypertension (16:44)
- Steve Pehrson Video #7 - Extreme Measures in Austere Situations (5:47)
- Steve Pehrson Video #8 - Evaluation of Chest Pain (33:34)
- Slides - Steven Pehrson Lectures (Cardiovascular system)
- Week 8 Checklist of Videos and Handouts
- Live Q & A #2
- Sam Coffman Lecture #1: Herbal Bitters, Blood Glucose, Liver Decongestion and Liver Support (40:15)
- Slides - Sam Coffman Lecture #1
- Sam Coffman Lecture #2 - Viral Gastroenteritis (45:58)
- Slides, Sam Coffman Lecture #2
- Steve Pehrson Video #1- GI A&P (8:22)
- Steve Pehrson Video #2 - Esophagitis (10:36)
- Steve Pehrson Video #3 - G.I. System Hernias (15:02)
- Steve Pehrson Video #4 - The Colon: Large Intestine (4:16)
- Steve Pehrson Video #5 - Scatology (2:06)
- Steve Pehrson Video #6 - Understanding Appendicitis (10:41)
- Steve Pehrson Video #7 - The Abdomenal Exam - Peritonitis & Appendicitis (10:06)
- Steve Pehrson Video #8 - Appendicitis Inflammatory Response Score (5:11)
- Steve Pehrson Video #9 - Colitis and GastroEnteritis (8:28)
- Steve Pehrson Video #10 - Diarrhea and Clostridium Deficile Colitis (11:11)
- Steve Pehrson Video #11- Salmonella (9:24)
- Steve Pehrson Video #12 - Typhoid (9:30)
- Steve Pehrson Video #13 - Shigella (14:27)
- Steve Pehrson Video #14 - Campylobacter (5:09)
- Steve Pehrson Video #15 - Norovirus (3:00)
- Steve Pehrson Video #16 - Diverticulitis (8:43)
- Steve Pehrson Video #17 - Inflammatory Bowel Disease (4:52)
- Steve Pehrson Video #18 - Crohn's Disease & IBS (12:02)
- Steve Pehrson Video #19 - Hepato-Biliary System, Jaundice (14:05)
- Steve Pehrson Video #20 - Blood Flow and Hepatitis (15:18)
- Steve Pehrson Video #21 - Cirrhosis (3:31)
- Steve Pehrson Video #22 - Cholecystitis (9:28)
- Week 9 Checklist of Lectures and Handouts
- Study Session #2: Case Study on CHF (1:50:18)
- Steve Pehrson Video #1 - GERD (4:34)
- Steve Pehrson Video #2 - Esophageal Symptoms + GERD Tx Options (14:06)
- Steve Pehrson Video #3 - Eosinophilic Esophagitis (6:43)
- Steve Pehrson Video #4 - Esophageal Varices (10:16)
- Steve Pehrson Video #5 - The Stomach (8:33)
- Steve Pehrson Video #6 - Gastritis & Peptic Ulcers (13:20)
- Steve Pehrson Video #7 - Small Intestine A&P (8:12)
- Steve Pehrson Video #8 - Food Poisoning and Gastroenteritis (11:42)
- Steve Pehrson Video #9 - Bacteria & Assessment of degrees of hydration (9:00)
- Steve Pehrson Video #10 - Cholera (7:35)
- Steve Pehrson Video #11 - E-Coli (7:14)
- Steve Pehrson Video #12 - Intestinal obstruction (21:58)
- Steve Pehrson Video #13 - Obstructions, Bowel Perforation & Peritonitis (14:06)
- Steve Pehrson Video #14 - Mesentary (7:36)
- Steve Pehrson Video #15 - Hemorrhoids (12:38)
- All Slides for Steve Pehrson's Lectures Weeks 8 and 9 - Part 1
- All Slides for Steve Pehrson's Lectures Weeks 8 and 9 - Part 2
- All Slides for Steve Pehrson's Lectures Weeks 8 and 9 - Part 3
- Sam Coffman Lecture #1 - Bacterial Gastroenteritis (33:40)
- Slides for Sam Coffman Lecture - Bacterial Gastroenteritis
- Sam Coffman Lecture #2 - Leaky Gut, IBS, GERD, Esophagitis and other related gut issues (47:41)
- Slides for Sam Coffman Lecture #2 - Leaky Gut and related issues
- Week 10 Checklist of Lectures and Handouts
- Steve Pehrson Video #1 - Central Nervous System A&P (12:20)
- Steve Pehrson Video #2 - The Neurological Exam in 5 Parts (12:35)
- Steve Pehrson Video #3 - Unconsciousness Causes (8:54)
- Steve Pehrson Video #4 - Traumatic brain injuries (14:26)
- Steve Pehrson Video #5 - The nuts and bolts of a brain injury (17:10)
- Steve Pehrson Video #6 - Seizure Types and Symptoms (20:17)
- Steve Pehrson Video #7 - Febrile Seizures (5:24)
- Steve Pehrson Video #8 - Two types of strokes (11:26)
- Steve Pehrson Video #9 - Meningitis (11:21)
- Steve Pehrson Video #10 - Headaches (14:58)
- Slides - All Week 10 Steve Pehrson Lectures (Nervous System)
- Week 11 Checklist of Lectures and Handouts
- Steve Pehrson Lecture #1 - Renal Anatomy and Physiology (18:23)
- Steve Pehrson Lecture #2 - Acute Kidney Pathophysiology (18:15)
- Steve Pehrson Lecture #3 - Kidney Stones (11:15)
- Steve Pehrson Lecture #4 - Urinary Tract Infections (20:39)
- Steve Pehrson Lecture #4 - Sepsis and Pyelonephritis (9:32)
- Steve Pehrson Lecture #5 - Prostate: Infections and BPH (15:31)
- Steve Pehrson Lecture #6 - Urinary Tract Assessment (16:01)
- Steve Pehrson Lecture #7 - Urinary Case Scenarios (10:01)
- Slides - Steve Pehrson Week 11 Lectures
- Sam Coffman Lecture - Genitourinary Tract and Herbs (1:09:49)
- Slides for Sam Coffman Lecture - Genitourinary Tract and Herbs
- Live Q & A #3 (1:31:06)
- Slides - Psychiatric Disorders
- Steve Pehrson Lecture #1- Psychiatric conditions - the overview (5:30)
- Steve Pehrson Lecture #2 - Anxiety disorders (18:05)
- Steve Pehrson Lecture #3 - Panic Attacks & TX of Anxiety Disorders (23:27)
- Steve Pehrson Lecture #4 - Mood disorders - Depression (16:50)
- Steve Pehrson Lecture #5 - TX for depression (8:53)
- Steve Pehrson Lecture #6 - Depressive Anxiety (4:54)
- Steve Pehrson Lecture #7 - Biopolar Disease (13:40)
- Steve Pehrson Lecture #8 - Impulsive Control Disorders (9:53)
- Steve Pehrson Lecture #9 - Personality Disorders (8:30)
- Steve Pehrson Lecture #10 - Psychotic Disorders & Schizophrenia (32:05)
- Steve Pehrson Lecture #11 - Schizoaffective Disorder(1:34)
- Steve Pehrson Lecture #12 - Delusional Disorders (6:51)
- Steve Pehrson Lecture #13 - PTSD & Psychiatric Evaluation (12:51)
- Sam Coffman Lecture: Nervine Categories and Materia Medica (1:12:28)
- Nervine Chart (Word Format)
- Nervine Chart (PDF Format)
- Study Session # 3 - 8/20/20 (Final Study Session)
- Slides - Nervine Categories and Materia Medica