Herbalism or herbal medicine is an ancient form of healing that uses plants and plant-based substances to treat illnesses and boost overall health. It is a plant science that involves identifying, harvesting, and developing the plant into forms for medicinal use. Each plant or herb has different chemical constituents with unique health benefits. For example, the herb ginger is known for its calming effect on the digestive system and is taken for upset stomachs and motion sickness. Valerian is a plant known for its ability to relax the mind and body and can relieve insomnia, anxiety, and tension headaches. It is no surprise that many prescription drugs sold in the United States are derived from plants. The healing power of plants is well established worldwide, and herbalists use plants to contribute to overall wellness.
Philosophy
Herbalism has been used for centuries all over the world, most extensively in Chinese medicine. In the United States, herbalism developed out of eastern influence and family home remedies.
Herbalist philosophy is based on respect for the earth. Plants and herbs are seen as valuable gifts and are honored for their medicinal uses. They are also seen as beneficial food sources for sustaining the body. Many herbs are believed to support the immune system and the natural functioning of the body. While specific plants are used for specific ailments, herbalists use herbs to increase the body's own natural healing abilities.
Herbalists are concerned with the whole person and use herbs to help alleviate physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual problems.
Types of Clients and Problems
There are hundreds of herbs on the planet that can be used for different health problems, so herbalists invariably see people with a wide range of health issues. They see clients of all ages, with both simple and serious health conditions. Their goal is to educate clients on the use of herbs to enhance overall well-being. They do not claim to cure specific problems but use herbs to boost the immune system, alleviate symptoms, and support overall health. Thus, herbalists can work with clients with any health problem.
Many people seek herbalists to prevent illness, increase energy, and maintain health. Although herbalists can't claim to cure problems, they can suggest herbs to assist with any health goal. Some of the more common health issues herbalists address include:
Many people for whom traditional medicine has failed turn to herbalists for help. Some people want to try herbs as a first option to avoid traditional medicine or prescription drugs. Others use a combination of traditional medicine and herbalism. People with serious health problems such as cancer, heart disease, AIDS/HIV, or people requiring surgery see herbalists along with other practitioners. They use herbalism as a way to support their body as they struggle with their particular disease and treatment. Herbalists can work with a wide range of clients because of their focus on overall health.
Types of Care
"First I consider my job to be education, because I want people to know that this is service they can provide for themselves. I offer workshops and individual consultations and make my own products from a combination of growing and buying herbs."
-Maureen Post, Herbalist
Education, consultation, support, and herbal products are the foundations of herbal care. Individual care is provided through one-on-one consultations. During an initial one-hour appointment, herbalists ask questions to assess their clients' needs and goals. Herbalists ask questions related to health history, symptoms of the presenting problem, reason for seeking help, diet, lifestyle, work, stress level, support system, sleep patterns, and the use of nutritional or other supplements. They look at the whole person when deciding on a plan for incorporating herbs into his or her life. They do not diagnose health problems but assess the client's health and potential benefits from using herbs.
Based on the assessment process, an herbalist will work with the client to develop a care plan. Herbalists are not doctors and therefore do not prescribe treatment. Much of an herbalist's job is to educate clients on the historical and demonstrated medicinal benefits of herbs. They teach clients about herbs and their specific health benefits, and they show clients how to incorporate herbs into their lives. From research they identify herbs that can meet the needs of a client's health problem or goal. Similar to other holistic health practitioners, herbalists encourage clients to take ownership and control over their own health. They hope to teach clients to use herbs as one tool for self care.
Once specific herbs have been identified to meet specific client needs, herbalists offer the remedies in a variety of ways. An herbalist may make simple recommendations that a client eat more of a certain herb, such as garlic for increased immunity, or suggest that certain herbs be purchased at health food stores. Typically, herbalists make their own herbal remedies and make these available to clients. Herbalists may have their own stock of individual herbs or herbal combinations to be used by clients, or they develop a combination of herbs specific to a client's needs.
Herbal remedies take the form of teas or infusions, tinctures, capsules, infused oils, salves, or capsules. The form of herbal product suggested depends on personal preference, client preference, or the herbs being used. Herbal teas and infusions are simply made from the flowers, leaves, seeds, roots, and bark of fresh or dried herbs. Capsules are made from finely grounding these parts of the plant and putting them into capsules.
Herbalists make tinctures by steeping dried herbs in alcohol. All of these forms are used for consumption by the clients. Herbalists also make infused oils and salves for the use of herbs topically. Infused oils can be used for direct application or massage and are made from placing an herb in oil and letting it sit for a few weeks in the sun. Similarly, herbal salves are made from adding the herbal oil to beeswax. All forms offer the medicinal properties of the plant. The specific herbs and form the herbalist decides to use depends on the herbalist's style and the individual needs of the client. Techniques and remedies may vary, but all herbalists use the healing properties of plants to care for clients.
Aroma therapy and flower essences are two specialty areas in the field of herbal medicine. Aroma therapy is the art of using oils extracted from aromatic plants to enhance physical and emotional health. Essential oils are extracted from plants, flowers, herbs, spices, woods, and fibers usually by distillation or expression extraction. The essential oils are considered the life force of the plant and give the plant its scent. It is the scent of the plant that provides health benefits, and aroma therapy uses these scents to improve health. Herbalists who use aroma therapy suggest different methods of use. The oils are used in baths, compresses, and vaporizers. Often oils are included in massage oils to add the additional benefit of aroma therapy to massage. Oils can be inhaled directly from their containers or can be added to a bowl of steaming water. Finally, natural perfumes are made by blending different oils. Essential oils are used individually or in combination to aid with health problems. Many aroma therapy oils are made from common household spices. For example cinnamon, lemon, and clove are strong antiseptics. Lavender and jasmine are soothing and calming oils useful for stress, anxiety, and fatigue. As with herbs, there are many different essential oils, and how an herbalist incorporates these into care varies from practitioner to practitioner.
Finally, flower essences are an ancient technique of applying plant energy to health. This technique is having a revival. Flower essences are created by placing flower petals in water and allowing them to sit in the sun for at least four hours. The specific healing energy of the flower is released into the water in a concentrated form. The water tincture is preserved in brandy, vinegar, or vegetable glycerin, and the liquid is taken orally a few drops at a time. The liquid does not have an aroma or color. The essences are believed to be imprinted with the life force energy of the plant and help balance physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual disharmony.
Employment Settings and Working Conditions
"Herbalists work in private practice, run shops, sell their products, and work in companies manufacturing herbal products. Most have their own practice, teach workshops, or offer certificate programs. I have my own practice, and I work at an OB/GYN office and a birthing unit at a hospital, but I am in a unique situation."
-Maureen Post, Herbalist
There is a broad range of employment options available to herbalists, and the work conditions vary considerably. Typically, herbalists are self-employed in private practice. An herbalist in private practice sees clients individually for consultations in an office or home setting. In addition to consulting with clients, herbalists teach workshops on herbal topics at a variety of locales. Herbalists can be found teaching workshops at hospitals, health clinics, bookstores, libraries, community adult education programs, schools, private industry, and anywhere else on request. They teach workshops for people who want to learn to use herbs and for other health practitioners who want to add herbs to their work. Herbalists teach a variety of workshops to meet specific individual needs of groups. For example, an herbalist may teach a group of pregnant women on the use of herbs during pregnancy, or he or she may go into an elementary school and teach teachers the use of aroma therapy for calming hyperactive children in crowded classrooms. Herbs can be applied to many areas, and an herbalist in private practice develops workshops for different populations.
Another way for an herbalist to earn a living is in the creation of herbal products. As mentioned earlier, many herbalists make their own teas, tinctures, oils, and capsules to sell to individual clients or health food stores. Some herbalists open their own shops for selling their herbal products or expand into herbal beauty products and make natural soaps, lotions, shampoos, and bath products.
Herbalists can also be found working on staff with other health practitioners such as naturopathic physicians, chiropractors, and massage therapists. A few find work at hospitals or clinics. These opportunities may increase as holistic health care becomes more accepted by mainstream medicine.
Research and herbal manufacturing is another career option for herbalists. Herbalists can be found in the field studying plants all over the world or conducting research for herbal product companies. Companies that make herbal or natural products hire herbalists on staff or as consultants to advise them on products. Some herbalists focus their career on herbal farming: the planting, growing, harvesting, and distributing of herbs wholesale to other herbalists. This in itself is a full-time job.
Finally, herbal education is an option for herbalists. Most of herbal education is the completion of hands-on apprenticeship. Once an herbalist has established a business and reputation, he or she can design a program, set fees, and offer herbal apprenticeship and training for new herbalists as another income source. While apprenticeships are more common, some herbalists find work teaching at herbal schools.
As with any self-employed professional, herbalists have the responsibility for running their businesses. This includes advertising, marketing, billing, and financial record keeping. Because they are self-employed, herbalists have the freedom to set their own schedules and work styles. The profession affords a lot of flexibility, creativity, and independence.
The Profession
The field of herbal medicine is currently developing in the United States. It is not regulated and there are no licensing or standardized guidelines for becoming an herbalist. The federal government is starting to research certain herbs, and thereby the profession, but no regulations have yet come from this. Some states and local communities have laws regulating herbalists, but for the most part anyone can start an herbal practice or business. Some states have banned the use of certain herbs deemed dangerous, but this has been specific to certain herbs and not the profession. As the field continues to grow, regulations may come into place standardizing the field, but for now it is open to herbalists with various types of training.
One of the challenges for the field is to present the profession as legitimate and professional. In some parts of the United States, herbalism and holistic health are viewed skeptically. Herbalists need to stay current with legal and scientific research in the field and must demonstrate their legitimacy. One problem herbalism has is the lack of hard scientific study. Herbs have been used for centuries in healing, but in the United States there has not been extensive scientific research. Studies and research demonstrating the effectiveness of herbs have been increasing and are likely to continue into the future.
Training and Qualifications
"My program was with Rosemary Gladstar, who has been an herbalist for twenty plus years. Her training was self taught, hands-on passed down from her grandmother and mother. The program she offered was one weekend a month for eight months, and I also did a correspondence course. Every school is different and can take a different amount of time. You just have to find one that works for you."
-Maureen Post, Herbalist
With little regulation of this profession, there is no one standard way to become an herbalist. Herbalists gain their knowledge and come to this profession through a variety of paths and backgrounds. It is important that herbalists learn about herbs and their medicinal uses. At this point how they obtain the knowledge is left up to the herbalist's initiative.
Many of today's older and established herbalists learned their skills from grandparents, parents, and community herbalists. Originally the knowledge was passed down from generation to generation. Today, herbalists continue to learn the trade from experienced herbalists. The typical method for training is to complete an apprenticeship program with a master herbalist. Many accomplished herbalists will take on aspiring herbalists as apprentices and provide hands-on training. Herbalist students learn to identify, plant, grow and harvest plants and herbs and make herbal teas, tinctures, oils, essences, capsules, salves, and other remedies from established herbalists.
Aspiring herbalists can find apprenticeships by networking with local herbalists or by contacting one of the several herbal professional associations. Locating apprenticeship training can be as informal as asking another herbalist to teach you all he or she knows. Apprenticeship training isn't necessarily an established program, but any training given by a working herbalist who is willing to share his or her knowledge. Though this may sound unstructured, it actually works quite well because often herbalists-in-training are getting one-on-one or small group education, and students get to choose an herbalist they are eager to work with.
Many herbalists offering apprenticeship programs also offer classes as part of the program. Typical topics covered during class training include: herbal therapeutics, botany, plant identification, herbal gardening, counseling skills, and business management. After completing an apprenticeship, students are usually awarded a certificate confirming their training as herbalist. Each herbal apprenticeship program or training school offers different certificates or diplomas. For example, a practical herbalism certificate is for people who want to become an herb retailer and grow, wild craft, manufacture, and distribute herbs. A master or clinical herbalist certificate is for those who want to become an herbal practitioner and consult with people on health problems. Since each school and program is different, aspiring herbalists should research programs to find the one that meets their needs.
In addition to apprenticeship training, there are a variety of schools and correspondence courses that offer classes in herbal medicine. A few schools offer a typical classroom structure, but the majority of schools are correspondence schools. Correspondence schools are distance learning programs where students complete self study at home. Correspondence schools guide students in their studies and provide course outlines, texts, and requirements for completion. Most correspondence schools offer a hands-on component as part of the program. This varies from school to school, but it can mean spending a month on-site for practical training, or going on weekends for six months. All of the schools differ in terms of cost, length of study, length and timing of practical training, and course requirements. Some students elect to go to herbal school abroad, where there are more training options.
Finally, some people study to become herbalists on their own. This approach is easiest for people who personally use herbs, garden as hobby, and who, over time, focus their personal interest of herbs to studying their medicinal and scientific uses. People can learn a lot about the use and making of herbal remedies from the many books available on the subject. Reading alone is not enough, however. Some students elect to take a variety of workshops offered by herbalists to complement self-study. Although they may not be in a particular training program, students can piece together knowledge by attending professional development workshops designed for herbalists. They may take a few correspondence courses and seminars. One aspect that may be absent in this method of training is the study of the scientific and chemical constituents of plants. It is important for individuals to clarify their career goals before designing a self-study program.
"I grew up on a farm in the Midwest, so I've always had experience with gardening and farming. I started with plant identification-I just loved identifying wild flowers and plants and it just grew from there. I knew what to do with cooking, drying, and decorating with herbs, and I wanted to take it one step further and know how to use herbs medicinally."
-Maureen Post, Herbalist
Job Outlook and Salary
Salary varies greatly depending on the type of herbal business. An herbalist in private practice can charge anywhere from $30 to $100 an hour for individual consultation. The amount charged depends on geographic location and reputation of herbalist. A typical fee would be approximately $50 an hour. Herbal clinicians don't usually spend all of their time in appointments, so the earnings would depend greatly on number of clients and outside activities the herbalist is involved in. Workshops and selling products is one way to increase earnings. With herbal growers and retailers, the salary depends on the amount of herbs produced and number of clients. Economic success relies on the marketing effectiveness of each herbalist. Those who are effective at marketing and running their businesses do well financially and make a comfortable living.
The job outlook for the future is bright. As holistic health care increases in popularity, the demand for herbalists is growing. The outlook is fueled by consumer demand, and currently there is great consumer demand in certain parts of the country. Geography can play a role in the success of an herbal practice. In areas where holistic health care is thriving, herbalists do well. In some parts of the country there are no herbalists. Generally speaking, there are high concentrations of herbalists on the East and West Coasts and in the Southwest. Once a student is involved with the profession, it is easy to identify herbal-friendly states and communities.
