Herbalists Near Me

---

---

---

---

---

---

---

---

---

---

FAQs:

What is a Herbalist?

Herbalists are people who dedicate their lives to working with medicinal plants. They may be native healers, scientists, naturopaths, holistic medical doctors, researchers, writers, herbal pharmacists, medicine makers, wildcrafters, harvesters, herb farmers, or even your grandmother or grandfather. Many have an intimate relationship with plants and their medicinal value. While herbalists approach their craft from various traditions, they share a common respect for all forms of life, especially the relationship between plants and humans. Herbalists apply traditional practices and evidence-based research on plants to support the healthy function of the human body. A clinical herbalist is part of your wellness team, working collaboratively with you to support your health and wellness goals.

What Does a Herbalist Do?

Herbalists attempt to find the root cause of illness. Practitioners will choose herbs based on the symptoms or ailments a patient describes during the consultation. They will also perform a clinical exam, inspecting certain areas of the body and creating a personalized prescription. Patients may use just one herbal treatment or a combination of herbal supplements.

Common forms of treatment include:

- Teas

- Capsules containing liquids or powdered herbs

- Bath salts

- Oils

- Skin creams and ointments

What are the Key Skills of a Herbalist?

Herbalists need an in-depth understanding of anatomy and physiology, as well as detailed knowledge of herbs and their preparation. They also need:

- Excellent interpersonal skills

- Strong business skills and organizational ability

- Resilience and confidence.

What is Herbalism?

Herbalism refers to folk and traditional medicinal practice based on the use of plants and plant extracts. Herbalism is also known as phytotherapy.

The use of herbs to treat disease is almost universal among non-industrialized societies. A number of traditions have come to dominate the practice of herbal medicine in the west at the end of the twentieth century:-

- The Western, based on Greek and Roman sources,

- The Ayurvedic from India, and

- Chinese herbal medicine.

Many of the pharmaceuticals currently available to Western physicians have a long history of use as herbal remedies, including opium, aspirin, digitalis, and quinine.

What is the Difference Between a Herbalist and a Botanist?

Botanists and herbalists have an obvious interest in plants and what they do. Both professions stress what makes each plant unique. Botanists, however, look to plants to understand their functions, their relationship to the environment, and the effect of other living organisms on them. Herbalists, who have been around for eons, also have a fascination with plants to create poultices for injuries, broths for illnesses, and ointments to be used topically for different problems.

What is the Difference Between a Herbalist and a Herbologist?

Many texts and resources have mistakenly used herbalists and herbologists interchangeably. While herbalists and herbologists are both practitioners of herbal medicine in a way, there is a distinct difference between the two: herbologists are people who primarily study herbal medicine while herbalists are people who use medicinal plants to help the sick. 

The words herbalist and herbologist are also reflective of herbalism and herbology. While very similar, the distinction between herbalism and herbology is parallel to the distinction between herbalists and herbologists. While herbology is the study of medicinal plants, herbalism is both the study and the use of medicinal plants. 

In this sense, herbalists are herbologists as well. However, not all herbologists are herbalists.

Herbologists focus on the study of medicinal plants. Some texts put herbologists as herbal medicine enthusiasts or people who enjoy learning about herbal medicine. However, herbologists can also study medicinal plants professionally. Professional herbologists are responsible for growing and taking care of medicinal plants, collecting medicinal plants, preparing herbal remedies, keeping up to date on herbal research, and selling herbal products. 

Professional herbalists are capable of performing all the responsibilities and duties of a herbologist. Moreover, a professional herbalist is also responsible for meeting with clients, assessing symptoms, performing physical examinations, recommending herbal remedies, planning and explaining treatment requirements, liaising with and making referrals to specialists or other health care practitioners, providing advice about diet, exercise, and lifestyle, and keeping accurate and confidential patient records.

As herbologists focus on medicinal plants, these individuals require extensive knowledge of botany, ethnobotany, plant taxonomy, herbal medicine preparation, and such. Comparatively, herbalists require the same extent of knowledge as herbologists do when it comes to plants. However, herbalists are further required to be knowledgeable in pharmacy, nutrition, and human sciences (e.g., anatomy, physiology, biochemistry, etc.).

What is the Difference Between a Naturopath and a Herbalist?

Naturopathic doctors may act as a holistic option for primary health care for those interested in a preventative and "get to the root problem" perspective. They have to attend a minimum of a four-year accredited medical school. Naturopathic medicine is a discipline of medicine with specific training rooted in natural remedies. Naturopathic doctors can diagnose diseases and order blood work and various lab tests in a search of the proper treatment. However, even though naturopaths hold the title of "Dr." or "ND," they are still formally not considered Medical Doctors.

Herbalists are not doctors and can't engage in the medical system. Herbalists are specialists in botanicals. They are specialists in the modern science of medicinal herbs and traditional herbal usage and philosophy. Herbalists have dedicated all of their education to specifically studying plant medicine and how to match herbs to people. Herbalists only use plant-based medicines to enable the body to self-heal. So yes, naturopathic doctors definitely have some training and knowledge in herbal medicine, but herbalists go deeper in their understanding and specialize solely in this field of healing.

Where Do Herbalists Work?

Most herbalists are self-employed, working full or part-time from home or from their own practice. Many work as part of a team of alternative health practitioners for private practices such as specialist and complementary health care clinics and herbal dispensaries. If you are a member of the National Institute of Medical Herbalists (NIMH) you can list your services on the website. Herbalists may move into teaching or research when they have gained experience.

What is Herbal Medicine?

Herbal medicine is the art and science of using plants to support health and wellness. Practiced since the beginning of time, herbal medicine has persisted as the world's primary form of medicine with a written history dating back more than 5,000 years. According to the World Health Organization, large sections of the population in developing countries still rely on traditional practitioners and medicinal plants for their primary care. In America, 50 percent or more adults use herbal and dietary supplements on a regular basis, according to the National Institutes of Health.

How Long Does it Take for Herbs to be Effective?

The success depends upon a variety of factors including how long the issue has existed, the severity, the dosage and mode of administration (tea, capsule, or tincture, for example), the quality of the herbs, and how diligently recommendations are followed. Herbs may work in as few as 60 seconds when using a spoonful of herbal bitters to soothe digestion following a heavy meal, to 20 minutes when soaking in a bath with rosemary tea to relieve tension, to days, weeks, or months for tonics to build energy or resolve long-standing imbalances. Chronic conditions may take years to reverse.

The 3 Pillars of Herbalism

Although most cultures have their own herbal remedies, three major systems of healing have had the most widespread influence.

Ayurveda: Pronounced “eye-ur-VAY-da,”  This holistic science from India is more than 6,000 years old. Health is seen as a balance between the emotional, physical, and spiritual. Treatments include yoga, meditation, exposure to specific sights and smells, and changes in diet and herbs. Representative herbs include turmeric, ashwagandha, mustard, Triphala, black pepper, and Ginger.

Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM): The earliest written records of TCM date to about 3,500 years ago. The underlying worldview of TCM is Taoism, which conceives of everything in the universe as interdependent. Healers evaluate the whole person, including the constitution, living habits, and environmental conditions. Remedies may involve herbs (a category that includes some animals), acupuncture, and diet. Representative herbs include ginseng, angelica, peony, magnolia, and dong quai.

Traditional European Medicine: This began with the Egyptians and traveled through the Greeks, Romans, and Persians to medieval Europeans and up to modern-day practitioners. Now the European Community combines traditional knowledge and modern science. This tradition is still a major influence in countries such as Germany and France.

Responsibilities of an Herbalist

Herbalists treat patients using plant-based remedies and other treatments. Responsibilities typically include:

- undertaking patient consultations to diagnose illnesses and conditions, and select appropriate remedies

- gaining information from patients about previous physical/medical history and symptoms

- making physical assessments

- planning and explaining treatment requirements

- liaising with and making referrals to specialists or other healthcare practitioners

- providing advice about diet, exercise, and lifestyle

- keeping accurate and confidential patient records

- keeping up to date with new research and developments in the profession

- managing stock levels

- marketing and promoting the business

- growing and producing herbal remedies

Different Kinds of Herbalists

The broadest definition of an herbalist is anyone who uses plants for healing. If you are someone who uses herbs with the intention of physical, emotional, and spiritual healing, then you can consider yourself an herbalist! 

Like all of herbalism, the definitions of different types of herbalists are fluid. Different people may give slightly different answers, and many times an herbalist will fit into multiple categories.

One important thing in common with all types of herbalists is that none of us can diagnose anyone, claim to treat or cure any type of disease or make any health claims about products they make.

Home Herbalist 

A home herbalist is someone who practices herbalism at home for themselves and/or their families. They may or may not have had any kind of formal training, but they work herbal allies into their daily life. This kind of herbalism is often passed down through family elders or spread through friends.

Community Herbalist

Community herbalists have formal training in herbalism and work with the public in some kind of way, often incorporating folk herbalism and preparations into their practice. A community herbalist is frequently who you'll find operating herb shops and offering community herbal programs.

Clinical Herbalist

A clinical herbalist has extensive formal training in herbalism, including clinical training, with a heavy focus on evidence-based science, but also includes folk, traditional, and other aspects of herbalism. Clinical herbalists often work in a one-on-one setting, and although they still can't diagnose or treat, they will usually do a health intake and can give personalized advice. 

Herbal Educator

This type of herbalist can be the most liberal with how they describe herbs and what they do. Herbal educators can either fit into several categories of herbalists, or their entire focus is on education. When education is the main focus, they are not making claims that can be tied back to any products or service, so they can share the most specific herbal health information of any other type of herbalist. 

Herbal Supplier

An herbal supplier is who you go to for herbs or herbal products. These can be places like a brick-and-mortar shop, an online shop, or a booth at a farmer's market. Often, an herbal supplier is a community herbalist or other type of herbalist in addition to supplying herbs and herbal products.

Herbal Maker or Formulator

This is someone who makes herbal remedies such as extracts, infusions, tea blends, balms, or any type of herbal preparation for internal or external use.  An herbal formulator is often someone who fits into several other herbal categories, or they may put all of their focus on making products. 

Herb Farmer

An herb farmer is someone who grows herbs to use in aspects of herbalism. They may grow them to make their own products, to sell directly to customers, or to sell to other types of herbalists. An herb farmer is often one or more of the other types of herbalists.

Common Conditions that Herbalists Treat

Some of the most common conditions that a herbalist can treat are as follows:

- Digestive conditions: IBS, constipation, dysbiosis, diarrhea, ulcers, colitis, IBD, high cholesterol

- Cardiovascular conditions: high blood pressure, high cholesterol, varicose veins, leg ulcers

- Respiratory conditions: sinusitis, colds, coughs, asthma, hay fever, COPD, lung cancer

- Skin conditions: eczema, psoriasis, acne, fungal infections

- Emotional & Mental Health: anxiety, stress, PTSD, insomnia, depression, addiction, drug & alcohol recovery & withdrawal

- Musculoskeletal disorders: osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, auto-immune conditions, carpal tunnel syndrome

- Endocrine disorders: thyroid imbalance, Type 2 diabetes, metabolic syndrome,

- Reproductive Health: painful periods, irregular menstruation, PMS, fibroids, endometriosis, fertility, menopausal symptoms, benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH)

- Children’s health: skin disorders, allergies, tonsilitis

- Supportive treatment for chronic illnesses

Reasons to See an Herbalist

1. Prevention is Easy and Less Costly than Illness

With simple lifestyle and diet changes, preventing serious issues isn’t difficult, plus taking care of simple issues can drastically improve your quality of life! An herbalist will see what you have going on and help you get a handle on it before it turns into a disease that is going to be costly and time-consuming to deal with.

2. Trace Imbalances to Root Out Disease

The disease can always be traced to imbalances in one of three things like body, spirit, and mind. All of these parts of ourselves need to be in harmony to allow for positive health and wellness.

When you’re already ill and you go to the doctor, they very often treat the symptoms of the problem – but the disease will persist until the cause is determined and solved. Herbalists talk with YOU. They get to know you and your life so that you can take the right steps toward finding balance in your body, mind, and spirit. 

3. Get a Holistic Picture of Your Health

Herbalists look at all aspects of the self, your nutrition, and your lifestyle to strengthen the parts of you that hold weakness. This work is holistic, not symptom-focused. While they’ll get a good understanding of your symptoms, don’t expect to understand all the questions that your herbalist asks you. They are trying to know you so that they can truly help you find the path toward healing yourself.

4. See an Herbalist to Define Areas of Weakness and Make a Plan

Scheduling a visit with an herbalist will help you identify your blind spots and weaknesses to create a treatment plan before a problem gets bigger, worse, and meaner. This might be even a problem that you don’t see yet! It’s your herbal practitioner’s job to see a potential weakness and help you create a lifestyle and nutrition plan to strengthen and heal yourself before a problem arises (see reason number one).

5. Herbalists are Committed

Herbalists are healers first. They’re committed to their clients and their needs – they’re not in it for the ego or the money. They want to have a hand in creating communities of people who love their lives, are healthy, feel empowered, and have functioning communities of support.

Benefits of Seeing an Herbalist

Seeing an herbalist can be a beneficial addition to your health providers if other medical treatments haven't been helpful, or if you are looking for a more natural path to managing your health. Herbalists advocate for treating the whole body and how everything is connected, instead of isolating body parts and treating each component individually, according to the National Institute of Medical Herbalists. Many herbalists work in conjunction with modern medical interventions, considering family history and concurrent medical conditions you may have. Herbalists also take into account the holistic lifestyles of their clients when curating individualized treatment plans. If this sounds like a course of treatment that may be right for you, then it is important to find an herbalist whose approach fits your health needs and goals.

What to Expect in a Herbalist Appointment

An initial herbal consultation lasts for 1 to 1.5 hours. During this time we will discuss your main health issues, previous medical history, family history, and your general health and well-being. This will include your diet and lifestyle, emotional health, and social circumstances. All information provided by you at the consultation will be strictly confidential (there are a few exceptions to this however. If you would like to discuss this then please get in touch). Depending on your health issues a physical examination may be required with your consent. This in-depth level of information is necessary to help us get to the root cause of your complaint rather than just treating your symptoms. Follow-up appointments usually last half an hour and will be arranged within a time scale suitable to your condition, usually for 1-4 weeks.

What are the Side Effects of Herbalism?

It is very important that people do not self-diagnose any health conditions. Any medication (herbal or otherwise) should be taken under the supervision of a knowledgeable and qualified practitioner.

Herbal medicines can be mistakenly thought to be completely safe because they are 'natural' products. This is not always correct.

Herbal medicines may produce negative effects that can range from mild to severe, including:

- allergic reactions and rashes

- asthma

- headaches

- nausea

- vomiting

- Diarrhea

Who Should Avoid Herbal Medicines?

Taking herbal medicine may not be suitable for:

- people taking other medicines, including hormonal contraceptives, such as the combined pill

- people with serious health conditions, such as liver or kidney disease

- people who are going to have surgery

- pregnant or breastfeeding women

- the elderly

- children – as with all medicines, herbal medicines should be kept out of the sight and reach of children

- Speak to your doctor or pharmacist for advice before trying herbal medicine if you fall into one of these groups.

How to Find an Herbalist

If you’re new to herbal medicine, you may not know where to go for good care. Here are some tips for getting off to a good start.

- Look in the phone book and ask a lot of questions. If you can’t find a ­listing for herbalists, try related categories such as “holistic practitioners,” “chiro­prac­tors” and “na­tu­ro­paths.”

- Ask your friends. Sometimes nothing is better than word of mouth. Don’t forget to inquire at your local health-food store.

- Ask your doctor. Don’t assume your physician will laugh when you ask about alternative medicine. More than ever before, medical doctors are asking questions, taking classes, and

networking with alternative practitioners. And the Journal of the American Medical Association listed alternative medicine as one of the top topics for 1998.

- Call national resources. The American Herbalists Guild, which has members nationwide, can be reached at (435) 722-8434. The School of Phytotherapy (previously the National College of Phytotherapy) can provide information about the graduates of its bachelor’s program in western herbalism at (505) 275-0620. The American Association of Oriental Medicine can refer

you to board-certified practitioners at (610) 266-1433.

Sources:

American Herbalists Guild

WebMD

Target Jobs

Alchemy & Herbs

Mental Help

Best Accredited Colleges

Wins or Fit

Aroma Chaitea

Grass Roots Remedies

Barkeley Herbal Center

Health Digest

Mother Earth Living

Better Health

NHS

 

The content herein is provided for general informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Medical information changes constantly, and therefore the content on this website should not be assumed to be current, complete or exhaustive. Always seek the advice of your doctor before starting or changing treatment. If you think you may have a medical emergency, please call your doctor or 9-1-1 (in the United States) immediately.