Herbalists gain knowledge about medicinal plants through traditional methods or specialized educational programs. In some areas, lay herbal medicine is unregulated, while in others, herbalism is integrated into the medical system and regulated by the government. Professional organizations offer recognition and stringent membership requirements. In the US, practicing herbal medicine as a form of medical treatment is generally illegal.
In short, a person can become a herbalist by gaining knowledge about the medicinal properties of plants. Traditionally, herbalists learned from folklore or apprenticeship. Today, specialized educational programs and professional organizations provide much of this knowledge for those entering the field of herbology.
By strict definition, a mother who gives her child a cup of chamomile tea for an upset stomach has become a herbalist. In rural or indigenous populations, where conventional medical treatment is rare, these types of herbal remedies are passed down from generation to generation. Those individuals who are particularly talented in the art come to be considered shamans, healers or wise women. This type of lay herbal medicine is largely unregulated.
In more developed areas, herbalism is often met with skepticism from major health care providers. In these areas, a person wishing to become a herbalist must often provide proof of their knowledge. A specialized curriculum that combines folklore with modern botany and pharmaceutical texts is offered to these aspiring herbalists. As these courses are more grounded in scientifically recognized fields, attrition with the medical community is generally reduced.
An individual who wants to become a herbalist can seek recognition from professional organizations. In places with little or no regulation, membership in these organizations often acts as a surrogate license. Membership requirements in these organizations are often stringent. The National Association of Herbalists of Australia (NHAA), for example, has a curriculum, clinical hours, and continuing education requirements comparable to those of registered nurses in the United States.
The extent of government regulation for the practice of herbalists varies greatly from region to region. In Japan, where herbalism is highly integrated into the medical system, only a pharmacist or practicing physician can become an herbalist. The UK also regulates and protects herbal medicines.
Even within a country, licensing standards can be inconsistent. Within the United States, for example, only a handful of states have specific regulations for herbalists. In general, a person who wants to become a herbalist is regulated by the Small Business Act. Those wishing to prepare herbal remedies may also be subject to health department regulations for food preparation.
In the United States, it is generally illegal to practice herbal medicine as a form of medical treatment. Often this comes down to semantics. An herbal consultant, for example, might tell a client that fever is used to treat headaches. He or she can also tell the customer how a tea can be made from the herb. An herbalist, however, cannot tell a client that intense pain in their temples is a headache.
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