A certified herbalist specializes in utilizing the healing properties of plants. Herbalists grow and manufacture raw herbs to be used for medical purposes and act as consultants for patients seeking a more naturopathic treatment plan. They can expect to earn a median annual salary of $40,963 as of January 2016. The American Herbalists Guild, an association of herbal practitioners, provides an even wider salary range for herbalists, with an average salary ranging from $20,000 to $120,000 annually (www.payscale.com).
While no official license to practice medicine exists for herbalists, they may become certified by certain schools or professional organizations. The East West School of Planetary Herbology confers the East West Certified Herbalist designation on students who successfully complete a number of requirements, including herb and science courses, 400 clinical hours, three presentations, and 12 quizzes (www.planetherbs.com).
The National Certification Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine offers a Chinese herbology certification, which may be attained by passing three exams and meeting certain formal education and apprenticeship requirements (www.nccaom.org). The American University of Complementary Medicine offers an herbology certificate program that includes coursework in Ayurvedic herbs, as well as Western and Chinese herbs (www.aum.org).
The Future Of Herbalist Is Optimistic!
There is an optimistic job growth predicted for herbal specialists by the BLS, based on the increasing interest in alternative modes of healing. With the trends increasing in favor of local food, sustainability, simple living, organic body care, green living, and natural remedies; job opportunities are indeed looking bright.
Studying herbalism is so much more than getting a certificate and career. Herbalists have the ability to share the ancient knowledge of herbs to better themselves and those around them. If you would like to learn more about an herbalist’s role in family and community life, we recommend reading this inspiring book, The Herbalists Way, by Nancy and Michael Phillips.
If you are interested in pursing a career in herbalism, we recommend checking out our online herbal training programs. Join our ever-growing community of herbalists from all around the world in our Online Introductory Herbal Course and Online Intermediate Herbal Course, or start an Herbarium membership.
First and foremost, be cautious of programs stating that you will become a “certified herbalist” upon completion.
Herbalism schools in the United States that make these claims are, we hate to say it, stretching the truth.
Why? The field of herbalism is not officially regulated by any specific set of standards.
In the United States, there is no certifying or licensing body in herbalism like there is for medical doctors, and thus there is no legally recognized certification or licensure for herbalists. Herbalists’ right to practice is protected by their right to free speech under the First Amendment of the United States Constitution. Herbalists can educate clients on how to use healthful food, lifestyle practices, and herbs to support wellness and correct imbalance so the body can heal itself, but it is illegal for herbalists to treat, cure, and prescribe as medical doctors can.
The American Herbalists Guild (AHG) is a professional organization that provides a peer-reviewed Registered Herbalist designation. While this does not have legal meaning like Board Certification for doctors, it does demonstrate that an herbalist has achieved a level of proficiency evaluated and recognized by professional herbalist peers, and some herbalists seek to achieve this designation. That being said, it is not a requirement for practice as an herbalist.
So what CAN herbal schools offer – accredited or not?
There are a number of profound herbalists who are self taught, and we praise those who take this route. However, the amount of resources available online and in libraries can be overwhelming to say the least! Studying herbalism with a school can provide a safe and guided learning environment to master your herbal skills. Herbalism schools also offer an opportunity to ask questions of educators and the chance to build community with fellow classmates.
ONLINE HERBALISM COURSES
Herbalist Careers:
Herbalists, in some way or other, tend to be entrepreneurs in spirit. It makes sense! Why study such an underdeveloped field of medicine? Because there is something attractive about learning what so few understand about the natural world, let alone its opportunity for growth. This is a field of study that is just beginning to blossom, and the career options are wide-ranging and ever expanding.
Clinical herbalism
Working with herbs and clients in an one-on-one setting is called clinical herbalism. Herbalists who practice clinical herbalism may draw on their education and experience in order to help their clients find beneficial herbs. A salary for a practicing herbalist may range from $50-300 per hour, depending on background and education.
Be cautious of herbalist training programs that advertise accredited certification and herbalist degrees because at this point there is no legal recognition of these titles. You can learn more about accredited herbalism here.
Someone looking to enter this career can either open an individual practice or partner with an already established physician to provide holistic services to patients. Either way, it is recommended that practicing herbalists have at least two years of herbology education (if not more), with advanced training in clinical herbalism. Acquiring a degree in a related field of health is also beneficial. If you are interested in becoming a clinical herbalist, learn more about our Advanced Herbal Course for professional herbalists.
Teaching and public speaking
It is natural to step into the world of education after studying herbalism. After all, herbalists hold the secrets of the ancient art of medicine-making that is only beginning to make a comeback into modern society. There is a need for herbalists to step up to the platform to teach others the practice of herbalism. Opportunities to teach and public speak are popping up across the country and across the globe. Many regions don’t have established herbal groups and others have them but need guest speakers and educators to continue growing.
Compensation for teaching at herbal schools, membership groups, and other events vary. Herbalists can either set their pay rate or work with organizations based on their budgets.
Blogging and freelance writing
Herbalists hold within them a wealth of information that can be shared with beginner herbalists or those interested in applying more natural methods of healing to their lifestyle. There are many successful bloggers who make an income through paid sponsorships, advertising, ebooks, selling products, and affiliates (you can find our affiliate program here).
Freelance writing also offers additional income with the right publications. A few of our favorite natural health bloggers include: Frugally Sustainable, Wellness Mama, Nerdy Farm Wife, Holistic Dad, and Growing Up Herbal.
Herbalists who pursue this career should also have computer skills or find partners to support them in this area.
There are so many products herbalists learn to make through their studies: salves and balms, herbal supplements, tinctures and teas, spices, and much, much more! Herbalists will often venture into their own businesses after studying herbs. Products may be sold through a number of avenues: websites, blogs, Etsy, farmers markets, fairs, and other events. Herbalists have opportunities to establish both B2B and B2C organizations.
Here are several small and large herbal businesses to get you inspired (some are our students!):
- Original Organics
- Natural Herbal Living magazines and boxes
- Shalom Mama Herbals
- Urban Moonshine
- Bulk Herb Store
- Phoenix Botanicals
- The Hippy Homemaker
Sales and consulting
Consulting is also an option for educated herbalists. NYR Organic has been a leader in independent product consultations, and there are a number of other businesses with similar opportunities. Research compensation plans to discover if these businesses are a fit for you.
Holistic job opportunities
A growing number of herb shops, herbal pharmacies, natural medical clinics, and herb farms are looking for team members to join their staff. Job openings in administration to nutrition consultation to business management are all realistic opportunities for the studied herbalist. Having a certificate in herbalism offers a competitive edge and the specialization often desired in holistic organizations. The Herbal Academy is always accepting job applications, providing opportunities both online and in the Boston area.
Growing herbs
Learning about herbs, identification, and how to grow them can offer a unique specialty in agriculture. Growing herbs for wholesale, a farmers market, or an herbal shop are all opportunities for the herbologist. CSAs and urban gardening for restaurants, schools, and hospitals are also areas to pursue with a certification in herbalism.
Further education opportunities
Herbalism makes you marketable. Perhaps you already have a career, but would like to specialize in a niche market. Getting an education in herbalism is a clever way to do just that.
Below is a basic list of majors that may benefit from a knowledge of herbalism. The options stretch as far as the imagination.
Aromatherapy, mind-body medicine, phychotherapy, reiki, yoga, massage therapy, acupuncture, reflexology, physical therapy, osteopathy, kinesiology, chiropractic, nursing, biology, environmental sciences, exercise science, nutrition, dietitian, holistic skin care, caregiving, life coaching, social work, mental health, forestry, agriculture, and veterinary. Even marketing and communications professionals can open up opportunities by studying herbalism for career advancement.
Nice PDF collection to get you started.....
A Comparative Study of Winter and Summer Leaves 1917PDF 1 mb
A Few Notes on Canadian Plant-Lore 1897PDF 1 mb
A Garden of Herbs 1921PDF 30 mb
A Manual of the Medical Botany of North America 1884PDF 15 mb
A New Family Herbal or Popular Account of the Natures and Properties of the Various Plants 1810PDF 35 mb
A Scripture Herbal 1842PDF 25 mb
A Treatise on Various Ailments and Their Treatment by Nature~s Remedies 1895PDF 2 mb
A-Complete-Handbook-of-Nature-CuresPDF 1 mb
American Medical Botany Vol 1 1817PDF 10 mb
American Medicinal Leaves and Herbs 1911PDF 6 mb
An Introduction to Botany Vol 1 1848PDF 22 mb
An Introduction to Botany Vol 2 1848PDF 25 mb
An Introduction to Medical Botany 1829PDF 3 mb
An Introduction to the Natural System of Botany 1830PDF 28 mb
Animal and Vegetable Fixed OilsPDF 33 mb
Annual Report on Essential Oils, Aromatic Chemicals 1890PDF 4 mb
Anticancer-TherapeuticsPDF 4 mb
Crow-Indian-Recipes-Herbal-MedicinesPDF 3 mb
Culinary Herbs 1912PDF 7 mb
Culpeper~s Complete Herbal 1880PDF 29 mb
Edible-and-Medicinal-PlantsPDF 8 mb
Edible-Wild-PlantsPDF 20 mb
Elements of Botany 1841PDF 26 mb
Ethnobotany-of-the-Forest-IndiansPDF 461 kb
Flora Medica - A Botanical Account of All the More Important Plants Used in Medicine 1838PDF 27 mb
Gray~s School and Field Book of Botany - 1881PDF 35 mb
Healing-Pets-With-Alternative-MedicinePDF 350 kb
Herbal Simples Approved for Modern Uses of Cure 1897PDF 2 mb
Herbal-Manual-PDF 292 kb
Herbal-PDRsmallPDF 9 mb
Herbals - Their Origin and Evolution 1912PDF 11 mb
Histology of Medicinal Plants 1916PDF 13 mb
How to Grow Vegetables and Garden Herbs 1917PDF 23 mb
In Defense of Medical Botany 1891PDF 9 mb
Library of Health - Complete Guide to Prevention and Cure of Disease 1921PDF 40 mb
Manual for the Essence Industry 1916PDF 24 mb
Manual of the Medical Botany of the United States 1841PDF 15 mb
Meals Medicinal with Herbal Recipes 1905PDF 125 mb
Medical and Oeconomical Botany 1849PDF 35 mb
Medical Botany Vol 1 1831PDF 17 mb
Medicinal Herbs and Poisonous Plants 1918PDF 17 mb
Medicinal-Plants-in-Folk-Tradition-2004-Allen-HatfieldPDF 25 mb
New Guide to Health 1822PDF 17 mb
Our Family Physician 1885PDF 26 mb
Outlines of Lessons in Botany 1892PDF 3 mb
Paxton~s Flower Garden Vol 1 1850PDF 28 mb
Paxton~s Flower Garden Vol 2 1850PDF 45 mb
Paxton~s Flower Garden Vol 3 1853PDF 25 mb
Pharmaceutical Botany 1914PDF 4 mb
Pharmaceutical Botany, With Glossary of Botanical Terms 1921PDF 29 mb
Plant Names, Scientific and Popular 1900PDF 31 mb
Pocket Companion to Culpeper~s Herbal 1820PDF 12 mb
Profitable Herb Growing and Collecting 1916PDF 5 mb
Report on the Indigenous Medical Botany of Massachusetts 1849PDF 13 mb
Root and Stem Vegetables 1910PDF 3 mb
Rosarum Monographia - A Botanical History of Roses 1820PDF 10 mb
survival-how-to-make-herbal-preparationsPDF 35 kb
The American Herbal 1801PDF 11 mb
The Book of Herbs 1903PDF 6 mb
The Botanic Family Friend 1844PDF 12 mb
The Complete Herbalist - The People Their Own Physicians 1897PDF 26 mb
The Curious Herbal 1922PDF 1 mb
The Druggist~s General Receipt Book 1878PDF 21 mb
The English Physician 1814PDF 20 mb
The Family Herbal - And the Drugs Produced by Vegetables of Other Countries - 1812PDF 25 mb
The Family Herbal 1820PDF 24 mb
The Herb Garden 1911PDF 4 mb
The Joy of Gardens 1911PDF 8 mb
The Ladies~ Botany of Professor Lindley Vol 1 1848PDF 16 mb
The Ladies~ Botany of Professor Lindley Vol 2PDF 14 mb
The Old English Herbals 1922PDF 13 mb
The Practice of Medicine on Thomsonian Principles 1859PDF 26 mb
The Scented Garden 1900PDF 11 mb
The Standard Cyclopedia of Horticulture 1914PDF 74 mb
The Thomsonian System of Medicine 1905PDF 5 mb
The Universal Herbal Vol 1 1824PDF 140 mb
The Universal Herbal Vol 2 1824PDF 156 mb
The Useful Family Herbal 1755PDF 65 mb
The Vegetable Kingdom - The Structure, Classification, and Uses of Plants 1853PDF 66 mb
Vegeculture 1917PDF 23 mb
Vegetable Materia Medica of the United States 1818PDF 13 mb
WHO-Monographs-on-Selected-Medicinal-PlantsPDF 5 mb
WHO-Monographs-on-Selected-Medicinal-Plants-Vol-2PDF 2 mb
WHO-Monographs-on-Selected-Medicinal-Plants-Vol-3PDF 2 mb
WHO-Monographs-on-Selected-Medicinal-Plants-Volume-4PDF 5 mb
EXTRA...
http://www.hourofthetime.com/1-LF/H...vance_Course_In_Herbology_DR_Edward_Shook.pdf
http://www.hourofthetime.com/1-LF/H...vance_Course_In_Herbology_DR_Edward_Shook.pdf
http://www.survivorlibrary.com/library/the_family_herbal_1820.pdf
https://extension.umaine.edu/york/wp-content/uploads/sites/91/2013/02/BeginnersHerbGarden_pdf.pdf
https://interpreteenergetico.files....da-shiva-tirtha-the-ayurveda-encyclopedia.pdf
https://cmsdata.iucn.org/downloads/medicinal_plant_11_book.pdf
http://memberfiles.freewebs.com/81/39/52093981/documents/Encyclopedia of Magical Herbs - Scott Cunningham.pdf
https://www.enad.eu/wp-content/uploads/Natural-Health-Encyclopedia1.pdf
http://digilib.unimus.ac.id/files/disk1/137/jtptunimus-gdl-kvpeter-6850-1-handbook-n.pdf
http://www.iauamol.ac.ir/Files/herb volume 3.pdf
shit is funny to me. 
if he's posting all this shit... how much of it is he actually using?
