Lesson 1.2
What do Herbalists do?
Herbalists help others cultivate a relationship with plants. Herbs can be used for medicine, culinary purposes, in spiritual ceremonies or spells, and in complementary gardening. As it pertains to this course, we’ll focus on the health-promoting function of the Herbalist – the act of promoting wellness or improving ailments using medicinal plants. As mentioned earlier, herbalism is the Earth’s original form of medicine, having been around for more than 60,000 years. Recovered written evidence dates back more than 5,000 years; however, earlier use of herbs was documented through illustration widely throughout Egypt, for example. Herbalism spans the globe across many cultures and traditions. What I find deeply honoring is that we have so many years and so many records of herbal use from which to shape our own beliefs and practices around. Indigenous peoples created complete, cohesive systems of herbal medicine to support the body, mind, and spirit. How intelligent and intuitive!
Types of Herbalists
What types of herbalists exist? When you become equipped with the tools to practice herbal medicine, you have many avenues from which to choose. You may choose to use herbs within your family or community; as a clinical herbalist running your own practice or supporting a medical practice; to bolster your existing work in the wellness field; as a Shaman or other spiritual teacher; as an existing physician; as an educator at an herbal school; or simply to expand your knowledge of medicinal plants for your own personal growth. The options really are endless, and your desires can and will evolve over time. Each stop along your journey will help to create the role you play as Herbalist in the long run.
No matter which path you choose, you will serve one of the following functions in your day-to-day work:
Support physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual wellness
Support the body in correcting imbalance
Improve an individual's vitality and quality of life
Ease a variety of symptoms
Now is a good time to think about your special skills and knacks that will enhance your work as Herbalist. Here are some questions to ponder!
Do you have an affinity for the sciences?
Perhaps you’ll love exploring botany or phytochemistry in more depth beyond this text.
Are you a natural teacher?
Maybe you’ll decide to further your studies and teach at an herbal academy or a traditional college that offers Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM) as a program. Or perhaps you want to lead your own trainings one day.
Do you love the idea of having your own shop or apothecary?
Do it!
Is it a must that you work outdoors?
You may love the idea of foraging and wild-harvesting herbs. A good handle on plant identification and a working knowledge of herbs that are protected, endangered, etc. would be helpful in this case.
Do you prefer the one-on-one experience and love to coach others to better health and wellness?
Then working as an herbalist in a “clinical” setting or simply starting your own practice may be up your alley.
Maybe you want to do it all or have another avenue in mind not mentioned here. Regardless, the world needs what you have to offer and a solid education in herbal studies will prepare you well.
What an Herbalist is and isn’t
An herbalist is a natural health practitioner who uses medicinal plants to promote wellness. An herbalist is NOT a medical doctor or physician unless one separately holds a degree and license in this area. The herbal practitioner may receive certification from a course or program, on-site or via distance learning, but it is essential for you to know how your state and country view the role of Herbalist so you can always ensure you are working within your scope and are in no violation of any local or federal laws.
The practice of Herbalism in the United States (and many other countries) is not regulated by any governing body or set of official standards. What this means is that there is currently no state or federally granted certificate or license to practice herbalism. If you’re thinking, “Wait! I thought I was getting certified!?” you are not alone in the confusion. Let’s break down what this really means for you so that you are fully equipped to practice responsibly, ethically, and professionally. When you receive a certificate or degree after studying herbalism or herbal medicine, you are receiving this recognition of successful completion based on the issuing school’s beliefs and standards. Issuing a certificate or degree is a way to formally recognize that a student has completed a program, just like any traditional degree. It is also a way to validate the student’s investment of time and finances into a program.
The act of receiving a degree in accounting, for example, does not reflect a specific level of your knowledge or ability to work in the field – it simply conveys the message that you completed the accounting program. In this example, you can see the value of a degree, as it relates to employment, but the absence of a degree does not negate the years one has studied on his or her own, or even in a program in which they did not complete. Many systems of herbalism have been taught and practiced for many centuries outside of any “required” skill sets or standards. This means that anyone could technically call themselves an herbalist without repercussion. How do you feel about this? Take a moment to ask yourself if you would prefer the government regulate and standardize the practice of herbalism, or if you are glad that individuals have free reign to seek the herbal education they choose. When you think of other holistic practices that have only recently become “certifiable,” you will notice that regardless of the presence of a governing body, it did not reduce the quality, effectiveness, or tradition of that practice. Remember, people have practiced herbalism since the beginning of time. In fact, a degree would never be a true representation of their level of practical experience. So, although it may be frustrating to learn this is the case, it also means it is a great time to set your own standards using your ethics and professionalism, which we’ll dive into shortly.
Now that we’ve clarified the certification and licensure topic, let’s talk about the option of becoming a registered herbalist. Becoming “registered” as an herbalist is also not a state or federal designation; it was created by an organization that supports students and herbalists. It can, however, give insight as to the continuing education and professionalism acquired by a working herbalist. The American Herbalists Guild (AHG), a non-profit organization founded in 1989, is an educational organization that offers the option to become "registered," entitling an herbalist to use the credential RH (AHG) following their name. The offer things like webinars, workshops, business advice, mentoring opportunities, and more. This training program is even listed on their website under list of herbal schools! So it is definitely a wealth of information, and you should know that you can become a member without intending to become registered. To summarize, while the AHG has earned great respect in the field of herbalism and offers many resources to herbalists and students, keep in mind that it is not a government-led organization, and therefore it is not a requirement that you study with them.
