How to Learn Herbology
Although herbology is often considered a branch of alternative medicine, certification for herbalists is as stringent as many traditional medical certifications. To qualify for certification as an herbalist, a formal course is necessary. These courses can be taken through colleges or universities, and often require an internship at an herb farm for certification.
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Instructions
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Find the School You'd Like to Attend
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Spend some time carefully researching herb farms, colleges, and universities that offer herbology programs or internships. Be sure that the program you choose is reputable and will result in you attaining an Herbalist Certification.
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After choosing a program, fill out your application carefully.
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Be sure to note any relevant work or life experience you have - many herbology internship programs have a very limited number of spots, and competition can be fierce.
Spend Time Learning to Identify Plants
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After you've been accepted to an herbology program, you'll likely spend quite a bit of your time working outdoors. Either on a farm or in a school greenhouse, you'll learn about herbs and how they grow. You'll learn to identify each herb by both its English and Latin names.
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In addition, you'll learn about how the different parts of each herb are used. Herbs have aerial parts, roots, and flowers, and the uses vary for each part.
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Some herbs are useful, while other plants are poisonous if used incorrectly. Your herbology program will help you learn to identify these plants, as well.
Learn to Use Herbs
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You'll also learn how to prepare and use herbal preparations. Herbs can be made into teas, tinctures, poultices, and more.
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Herbal preparations must be carefully stored. During your herbology training, you'll learn how to harvest herbs and prepare them for medicinal use.
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You'll also learn about drying herbs, storing your preparations, and how to keep your herbal remedies from spoiling.
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Tips & Warnings
If you don't need a certificate, there are many great books and web sites that you can use to learn about herbs on your own.
Be prepared --- training to be an herbalist involves quite a bit of outdoor work. You'll be involved in an intensive course of outdoor study, often during the warm months of spring and summer.
