It is vital for all care providers to understand the short and long term impact of stress on health, as it is difficult to find a condition or part of the body untouched by its affects. 

Stress is an unavoidable part of our lives - and one that has only risen since this course was recorded just prior to the onset of the pandemic. 

Recently, "adaptogens" seem to have become nearly as widespread as stress, and can now be found in anything from face cream to energy drinks. But is there science behind the fad? What are the methods and delivery routes that have actually been shown to mitigate the effects of stress? (Spoiler: It isn't the instant fix promised by many products.)



This course follows the stress response through the body on a biochemical level, will teach you how to recognize stress-related dysfunction (with a particular focus on the childbearing year), and will examine the science behind Eleuetherococcus senticosus for aiding the body to adapt in times of stress. 

We will have a special focus on these topics during the childbearing years: infertility, blood sugar dysfunction, cardiovascular disease, thyroid dysfunction, and immune dysfunction.



Upon completion of this course, the learner will be able to:

  • Identify the key elements of the hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis
  • Explain the physiological and metabolic changes following acute and chronic stressors
  • Identify the key elements of the neuroendocrine response to stress ("the stress response")
  • Explain the stages of the stress response and the impact of chronic stress on the tissues and function of the body systems. 
  • Recognize signs and symptoms of stress-related dysfunction during preconception, pregnancy, and postpartum from subjective findings, physical findings, and lab results
  • Develop familiarity with Eleuetherococcus senticosus for prevention and recovery from stress-related dysfunction during preconception, pregnancy, and postpartum
  • Explain the potential role of adaptogenic botanicals in the midwifery model of care: a holistic approach to support the body in recovery from stress



HiveCE is an approved provider of continuing education by the California Board of Nursing, and this course is provider approved by the California Board of Registered Nursing, Provider Number 17686, for 3 contact hours, through November 30th, 2025. (This is widely accepted nationwide as continuing education for nurses and midwives. This course is accepted by NARM as Category 1 CE for CPM renewal.)

Previously approved by MEAC for 3 hours of continuing education under approval number M1920-64-0123DE through January 16, 2022. 


Note: Course completion does not authorize the learner to use skills outside their scope. Please refer to your state guidelines for determining scope of care.

For information regarding our refund policy and other Frequently Asked Questions, please refer to our FAQ. If you have additional questions, please email [email protected].

Loren Riccio ND, LM

Instructors:

The Naturopathic principle Docere, doctor as teacher, is her foundation for providing care. After graduating from Binghamton University in 1996, she followed her heart to the Pacific Northwest. Realizing the importance of how we enter this world and her desire to help make it a safe and sacred experience, she began studying midwifery at Bastyr University, and continued her midwifery training in the beautiful country of Vanuatu in the South Pacific. Loren has been catching babies in Seattle and surrounding areas ever since. Loren graduated from Bastyr University in 2004 with a Doctorate of Naturopathic Medicine and Certificate of Naturopathic Midwifery. She was instrumental in the creation of a low income clinic within Emerald City Naturopathic Clinic to provide services and medicines to families in need. Loren joined Eastside Birth Center in 2006, supporting natural birth at home and the birth center. Loren continued to work as a Family Practice Associate with until October 2012 when she opened her own practice Fern Valley Natural Health. Loren is adjunct faculty for Bastyr University's midwifery program where she has developed curriculum and is co-teaching a Masters level track, Botanical Medicine for Midwifery Care.
Loren Riccio ND, LM

Rebecca Zollinger MSM, LM

and

Becca founded Orchard Botanicals Herb School in 2015, recognizing the need for a community-based herbal education center in Kitsap County. Becca's teaching draws upon her experience as an herb grower, midwife, naturalist, and mother. In addition to working at Orchard Botanicals, Becca developed and teaches a two-year graduate program in herbal medicine at Bastyr University. She integrates permaculture, ecology, ethnobotany, stories, and seasonality into her teaching along with harder sciences such as anatomy and physiology, phytochemistry, and nutritional science.
Rebecca Zollinger MSM, LM

Course curriculum

  • 01
    Part 1: Understanding Stress
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    • How To Use HiveCE
    • 1.1 Overview and Sources of Stress
    • 1.2 General Adaptation Syndrome
    • 1.3 Symptoms of Stress
    • Quiz 1
  • 02
    Part 2: Biochemistry and Chemical Messengers
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    • 2.1 Cellular Messaging (and we don't mean cell phones!)
    • Cyclic AMP (cAMP) Animation from McGraw Hill Animations
    • 2.2 These Are Your Hormones On Stress
    • Article: Effects of Adaptogens on the Central Nervous System and the Molecular Mechanisms Associated with Their Stress-Protective Activity
    • Quiz 2
  • 03
    Part 3: The Impact of Stress On The Childbearing Year
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    • 3.1 Stress During Preconception
    • 3.2 Stress During Pregnancy
    • 3.3 Intrapartum & Postpartum
    • Quiz 3
  • 04
    Part 4: All About Adaptogens
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    • 4.1 Benefits of Adaptogens
    • 4.2 What are Adaptogens?
    • 4.3 Mechanisms of Action
    • Article: Novel molecular mechanisms for the adaptogenic effects of herbal extracts on isolated brain cells using systems biology
    • Quiz 4
  • 05
    Part 5: Eluthero
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    • 5.1 Introducing Eluthero
    • 5.2 Historical Usage
    • 5.3 Constituents and Herbal Actions
    • 5.4 Herbal Actions at the Cellular Level
    • 5.5 Administration, Dosage, Safety
    • Quiz 5
  • 06
    Q&A, Post-Tests and CE Certificates
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    • Q&A with Live Audience
    • MEAC Evaluation Questions
    • Post-Test
  • 07
    Bonus Section: Sustainable Sourcing Information
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    • What We Did
    • Elthero Sourcing Information from Frontier Co-Op
    • Elthero Sourcing Information from Gaia Herbs
    • Elthero Sourcing Information from Herb Pharm
    • Elthero Sourcing Information from Mountain Rose Herbs
    • Elthero Sourcing Information from Starwest Botanicals

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