Herbalist

Herbalist

An Herbalist is a professional trained in herbalism, the use of plants for medicinal purposes. The practice of herbalism is not strictly regulated by most countries, and a person can claim to be an herbalist without any formal education. However, professional organizations exist that provide training, certification, and networking opportunities for those interested in the field.

History

The use of plants for medicinal purposes dates back to prehistoric times and is the origin of much of modern medicine. Many of the pharmaceuticals currently available to physicians have a long history of use as herbal remedies, including aspirin, digitalis, quinine, and opium.

Practice

Herbalists tend to use extracts from parts of plants, such as the roots or leaves but not isolate particular phytochemicals. Pharmaceutical medicine prefers single ingredients on the grounds that dosage can be more easily quantified. It is also possible to patent single compounds, and a significant pharmaceutical company can earn more money from this.

Training and certification

In some countries, formalized training and minimum education standards exist, although these are not necessarily uniform within or between countries. Moreover, there is a broad range of natural health courses available, both online and in person, ranging from introductory diploma courses to degree programs.

See also

• Herbalism
• Phytotherapy
• Traditional medicine
• Medicinal plants

External links

• American Herbalists Guild
• American Association of Naturopathic Physicians

Herbalist Resources
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