Becoming a herbalist

A career helping people through the healing power of plants

For thousands of years, people have used plants to support health and wellbeing. Today, herbal medicine combines this rich tradition with modern scientific understanding, creating a profession that is both deeply rooted in history and increasingly relevant in today's world.

For many people, becoming a herbalist is about much more than learning the medicinal uses of plants. It is about understanding how herbs work within the body, appreciating the remarkable relationship between people and nature, and developing the knowledge and skills to help others improve their health naturally.

Whether you're considering a complete career change, looking to add herbal medicine to your existing practice or simply exploring the profession for the first time, this page will help you understand what becoming a herbalist involves.

Every year we welcome students from many different backgrounds. Some are therapists wanting to broaden their clinical skills, while others are gardeners, nutritionists, homeopaths, healthcare professionals or simply people with a lifelong fascination for plants and natural health.

Why choose a career in herbal medicine?

Herbal medicine offers a unique opportunity to combine traditional wisdom with modern healthcare.

As a herbalist, you learn how medicinal plants can support the body's natural healing processes and how carefully selected herbs may help people maintain and restore their health.

Many practitioners enjoy the diversity of the profession. Some work in private practice, others teach, write, manufacture herbal products or combine herbal medicine with nutrition, naturopathy or other complementary therapies.

For many herbalists, one of the greatest pleasures is reconnecting people with the healing potential of the natural world.

Is becoming a herbalist right for you?

You don't need previous medical qualifications to begin learning herbal medicine. The best herbalists are naturally curious. They enjoy understanding how plants work, appreciate science as much as tradition and are fascinated by the relationship between nature and human health. They are thoughtful practitioners who enjoy continual learning, careful observation and working closely with people. If you love plants, enjoy learning and want to help others improve their health naturally, herbal medicine may be an excellent career to explore. Many people considering a career in herbal medicine also wonder whether they should become a Herbalist or Homeopath?

What does the journey look like?

Becoming a professional herbalist is a gradual process of building scientific knowledge, clinical understanding and practical experience. Professional training normally takes four years or more and includes anatomy and physiology, pathology, herbal pharmacology, botany, medicine making, clinical skills and supervised practice with patients. Like all healthcare professions, becoming a confident practitioner takes time, experience and ongoing learning.

Where does our Herbal Medicine Foundation Course fit?

Our Herbal Medicine Foundation Course has been designed as the ideal place to begin. It provides a thorough introduction to herbal medicine and allows you to explore the subject before committing to a full professional training programme. During the course you'll discover the principles of herbal medicine, learn about medicinal plants, understand how herbs are prepared and prescribed, and gain the confidence to use herbs safely for everyday health.

For therapists, it also provides an excellent foundation for incorporating herbal remedies into an existing practice where appropriate. At present, we offer the first year of what we intend to become a complete professional training programme. If, after completing the Foundation Course, you decide that you would like to qualify as a medical herbalist, you can continue your studies with one of the established degree or professional herbal medicine programmes. We are also working towards developing the later years of our own practitioner training.

For those that want a more basic introduction we also have the Herbal Medicine Beginners Course.

How long does it take?

Our Foundation Course takes one year to complete on a part-time basis (7 hours a week) and is suitable for students balancing work, family and other commitments. To become a fully qualified practising herbalist generally requires four years or more of professional education, together with supervised clinical training. Many students begin with the Foundation Course because they want to discover whether herbal medicine is the right path before committing to longer-term study.

What does a herbalist actually do each day?

A herbalist spends much of their time understanding the health of each individual patient and selecting herbs that best support their needs. Consultations involve listening carefully, taking a detailed case history, understanding lifestyle and medical history, and developing personalised herbal prescriptions. Outside the clinic, herbalists prepare remedies, study medicinal plants, continue their professional development and often spend time growing, harvesting or learning about herbs in their natural environment. No two patients and no two days are ever quite the same.

Can you earn a living as a herbalist?

Like any healthcare profession, building a successful herbal practice takes time. Many herbalists are self-employed, allowing them to create careers that suit their own interests and lifestyle. Some work full-time in clinical practice, while others combine herbal medicine with nutrition, naturopathy, homeopathy, teaching or writing. Many also develop specialist interests in women's health, digestive health, stress management or other areas of practice.

Who studies herbal medicine?

Herbal medicine attracts people with wonderfully varied backgrounds. Some already work in healthcare and want to expand their therapeutic skills. Others are gardeners, environmentalists, nutritionists, homeopaths or simply people who have always been fascinated by medicinal plants. Many students first become interested after successfully using herbs themselves or discovering how closely human health is connected to the natural world. What they all share is curiosity, respect for nature and a genuine desire to help others.

Is herbal medicine a good career later in life?

Very much so. Many people begin studying herbal medicine after successful careers elsewhere. Life experience, patience and good communication skills are often just as valuable as academic knowledge. Herbal medicine is a profession that rewards curiosity, observation and continual learning throughout life. Many practitioners build their practices gradually while continuing existing careers, creating a rewarding and flexible transition into professional practice.

What will you learn?

Our Foundation Course introduces you to the fascinating world of medicinal plants and the principles that underpin herbal medicine. You'll study medicinal herbs, anatomy and physiology, herbal preparations, medicine making, nutrition, botany, safety, prescribing principles and the traditional and modern uses of herbal medicine. Most importantly, you'll begin developing the knowledge and confidence needed to understand how herbs can support health safely and effectively.

What can you do after completing the Foundation Course?

Many students take the course simply to improve their own knowledge or to use herbs more confidently with family and friends. Others are therapists who want to incorporate herbal medicine into their existing work where appropriate. For students inspired to become professional herbalists, the Foundation Course provides an excellent first step before progressing to a full practitioner programme. The Herbal Medicine Foundation Course is accredited by the Complementary Medical Association (CMA) and upon graduation you can register with the CMA. 

Before you begin

Before beginning your studies, spend some time reflecting on what draws you towards herbal medicine. Is it your love of plants? Your interest in natural healthcare? A desire to work more closely with nature? Or perhaps you're looking for a profession that combines science, traditional knowledge and compassionate healthcare? There are no right or wrong answers. Curiosity and a genuine interest in learning are the perfect place to begin.

Your next step

If herbal medicine inspires you, our Foundation Course offers an ideal introduction to this fascinating profession. Whether your goal is to enrich your own understanding of medicinal plants, complement your existing therapy or take the first step towards becoming a professional herbalist, we'd be delighted to help you begin your journey.

Download a prospectus or contact us to find out whether the Herbal Medicine Foundation Course is the right place to start.

 

 Additional questions to ask yourself

The route to becoming a herbalist is a real journey of discovery, from both a personal and a professional perspective. You will be encouraged to be reflective and aware of your developing skills as a healer, as well as building a base of herbal knowledge for your practice. We hope that the following questions may guide and help you in making your first choices. Please do call us if you would like to chat about your options.

What makes me want to become a herbalist? 
Many people spend time creating a career and family and then come to a point where they feel they have unanswered questions about their life. Maybe they are at a 'crossroads' and they fancy a change of direction? Maybe they want to find more balance in life and want to work for themselves? Many people are drawn to studying herbal medicine through positive personal experiences and just know that it seems to make sense. Whatever your reason for taking our course, our aim is to listen fully and to provide you with sound information. This will enable you to make a well informed and good decision about your future.

Do I know what I'm getting into? 
We highly recommend that you have received treatment from a professional herbalist, so that you understand this system of medicine from personal experience. This will give you an insight into the role of a practitioner, as well as gaining empathy from the patient's perspective and learning about the effect of the herbal remedies.

Do I have the required skills?
You don't need to have any specific prior experience or training to enrol on our Herbal Medicine Foundation course. You do need to be willing to study and if you like researching and pulling together ideas this is right up your street! Being self-motivated and organised is also pretty vital. But most important of all are general 'life skills' as a level of maturity is needed. This is rarely appropriate training for anyone who has just left school.

Have I got the time and commitment? 
To become a fully qualified professional herbalist takes three to five years of full time training. Having said this, you can simply take it as far as you wish to. Some people just want to be able to help family and friends, in which case our Herbal Medicine Foundation Course will probably be sufficient.

What will it cost? 
Each course provider sets their own fees and we always ensure that our courses are competitively and fairly priced. The price for the Herbal Medicine Foundation course can be found on the course enrolment page.

Have I got the support of friends/family?
It is always good to have the support of friends and family when embarking on any new course of study. Learning a new subject is inspiring but it does take time away from other aspects of life. Family and friends will need to support you and give you the time and space to study. 

Do I want to be self-employed? 
Becoming a herbalist means you can steer your career through many different pathways. However, most herbalists are self-employed, consulting with individual patients. Whilst this can be a big plus for many, it is important to take into account this may also involve a more unpredictable income and the need to be adaptable. Other aspects that you will consider at some stage will be marketing and maintaining accounts etc. It also means you need to set realistic charges and make sure you get paid!

Choosing your education
There are many different courses available, both in the UK and elsewhere, and it is important to find one that is right for you. There are fantastic herbal medicine schools all over the world.