How to Become Certified in Herbology
Herbology is the study of the medicinal uses of plants. Herbalists must have an understanding not only of the botanical world and how to make medicines from plants, but also of the human body and how its functions relate to disease and health. A certification in herbalism or herbology can be obtained through several avenues and is not always a guarantee of a steady income or even a job prospect, as most herbalism certificates are not accredited by any official body.
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Instructions
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Go to an herbal school. There are many small private herbal schools across the country that offer certificates in herbalism for programs that last anywhere from three months to a year. Most of these schools are run by practicing herbalists and offer the opportunity to study underneath an established herbalist. Read books by prominent herbalists and then check to see if the ones you like the best offer herbal classes or programs. Check an Internet directory of herbal schools, like herbNET.com, to find a school near you. Most of these schools are not accredited in any official sense, and any certificate you may receive will only carry weight within the herbalism community.
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Get a naturopathy degree. There are colleges of naturopathy in Washington State, Arizona, Connecticut, Canada and Europe. Naturopathic colleges offer four-year and graduate programs in holistic health, and many offer herbalism tracks. Naturopathic colleges are sometimes accredited by nonprofit accrediting bodies, but these are rarely recognized by governmental agencies or insurance companies. Your degree or certificate from a naturopathic college will allow you to work for or as a naturopath in private practice or teach in a naturopathic college.
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Go to a Chinese medicine school. Schools of Traditional Chinese Medicine are usually three years in length and lead to a L.Ac degree (Licensed acupuncturist). Although acupuncture is taught in these schools, herbalism is usually given just as much attention if not more, as it is the primary healing modality in TCM. An L.Ac degree will license you to practice acupuncture and herbalism in a clinical setting or private practice and is accredited by the U.S. Department of Education through the Accreditation Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine. Acupuncturists are covered by insurance in some states and are regulated by some state governments.
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Tips & Warnings
Avoid expensive correspondence and mail-order certificates in herbalism. Any herbalism course without hands-on medicine making and clinical practice is just theory.
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Comments
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Great information.
