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See Available Herbalist Schools
One of the areas of holistic medicine
that is gaining in popularity is herbology, or the study
of plants and their health benefits, especially as pharmaceutical
medicines have increasing and sometimes dangerous side
effects. There are several different paths a herbalist
can follow, including Western, Indigenous, Traditional
Chinese, and Ayurvedic (East Indian).
Herbalists use these traditional methods
both to maintain good health and also to treat illnesses
such as arthritis, rheumatism, stomach ailments, skin
disorders, and asthma. They may recommend herbal remedies
for their clients, prepare compounds and tinctures,
cultivate herbs for personal use or to trade or distribute
commercially, or they may even teach and write about
herbology and its uses. When treating a client, the
herbalist will gather a detailed medical history, including
health problems, family medical history, diet, and lifestyle.
They may also observe their clients in order to determine
their mental, physical, and emotional conditions. Using
this information, they will determine the likely cause
of their malady and prescribe a dietary or lifestyle
change, recommend an herbal supplement, or prepare a
special herbal remedy for them.
There are presently no national or standard
certification or licensing requirements for herbalists.
Practitioners can, however, receive training and/or
complete various independent certification programs.
There are several schools throughout the United States
that offer certification courses in herbalism. There
is also a guild for herbalists, the American Herbalist
Guild, which is the only one of its kind. There are
strict qualifications for joining, and each applicant
must pass a proficiency exam. The guild also has continuing
education requirements, and its members are certified
and given the title “Herbalist AHG” for
use after their name to show proof of accreditation,
though most prefer to use only the AHG.
Herbalists may work in private homes,
health stores, clinics (with chiropractors, naturopaths
or other holistic heath practitioners), wellness centers
or greenhouses. The hours for herbalists vary, and they
may work evenings and weekends depending upon where
they practice. Some herbalists are on call for their
clients anytime, but that is a personal decision. The
employment outlook for herbalists relies on a variety
of factors, including location, turnover, occupational
growth, and trends and events that may bring interest
to herbology, such as the recent health scares with
pharmaceuticals.
The salary for an herbalist also relies
on a variety of factors, including location, the type
of practice they have, and the size of their client
base. Naturally those with more clients will make more
money. Self-employed herbalists may make anywhere from
$60 to $280 per hour, but that does not include the
cost of their overhead (office rental, supplies, etc.).
Herbalists employed in health stores may make $8 to
$15 per hour, and sales representatives in the health
food/herbal supplement industry may make $24,000 to
$75,000 per year, depending on experience and sales.
If you can build a wide client base and are in a good
location, herbalism can be a very rewarding career,
both personally and financially.
California Schools
Academy
of Professional Careers* (Boise, San Diego) - Medical Assisting, Pharmacy Technician, Holistic Health Practitioner,
Massage Therapy, Optical Technician, Administrative Medical/Dental Assistant
Golden
State College - (Bakersfield)* - Holistic Health Practitioner
Maric
College (Vista)*
- Holistic Health Practitioner
National
Holistic Institute (SF
Bay Area) - Massage Therapist and Health Educator
Silicon
Valley College* (Emeryville, Fremont, San
Jose , Walnut
Creek ) - Holistic Health Practitioner, Massage Therapy
Idaho Schools
Academy
of Professional Careers (Boise)
- Administrative Medical/Dental Assistant, Dental Assisting, Holistic Health
Practitioner, Massage Therapy, Medical Assisting, Pharmacy Technician
Oregon Schools
Ashmead
College (Tigard)
- Massage Therapy, Spa & Aromatherapy
Washington Schools
Ashmead
College* (Seattle, Fife, Vancouver , Everett)
- Fitness Trainer, Massage Therapy, Spa and Aromatherapy
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