KL Academy: First academic certificate course in evidence-based phytotherapy successfully completed
The first academic certificate course “Therapeutic Possibilities of Evidence-Based Phytotherapy” at the KL Academy came to an end with a graduation ceremony on June 17, 2025. Twenty participants, including doctors, pharmacists, and other healthcare professionals, received their certificates after two semesters of part-time continuing education.
The certificate course provided participants with in-depth knowledge of scientifically tested herbal medicines and preventive and therapeutic applications in the field of phytotherapy. Particular emphasis was placed on the scientific evidence base. In lectures, exercises, and field trips with leading experts from Austria and Germany, participants learned about the fundamentals and applications of phytotherapy.
“Our goal was to bring phytotherapy out of the alternative medicine corner and teach its sound application on an academic basis,” emphasizes Univ.-Prof.i.R. Dr.med. Kurt Widhalm, head of the certificate program. “The demand and commitment of the participants show how great the need for evidence-based herbal medicine is in everyday practice.”
At the end of the program, the graduates presented practical projects, including surveys of medical professionals on the use of herbal medicines. The results show that many doctors—especially in pediatrics—successfully use herbal medicines, not least because of their high acceptance among parents and the possibility of reducing the use of antibiotics, for example. Phytotherapy is proving to be an effective alternative with few side effects, particularly for common viral diseases.
Continuing education programs in sought-after fields of healthcare and medicine
Univ.-Prof. Rudolf Mallinger, Rector of the Karl Landsteiner University of Health Sciences, sees the continuing education programs offered by the KL Academy as an opportunity to expand valuable, scientifically based competencies in the health sciences—from nutritional medicine as the key to health prevention and promotion to digital medicine and the management of oncology patients in private practice.
“The KL Academy makes KL Krems' professional and didactic expertise in medicine, psychology, and health sciences accessible to a wide audience,” summarizes Rector Rudolf Mallinger. “With the certificate course ‘Therapeutic Possibilities of Evidence-Based Phytotherapy,’ we have recognized the growing interest in this field and successfully implemented it together with a team of proven experts.”
The next certificate course “Therapeutic Possibilities of Evidence-Based Phytotherapy” will start in the winter semester 2025/26 with 25 places available. The application deadline is October 13, 2025. Details about the course can be found at Zertifikatslehrgang Therapeutische Möglichkeiten evidenzbasierter Phytotherapie | Karl Landsteiner Privatuniversität (GERMAN ONLY)
