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Herbalist

Herbalists treat a variety of physical conditions, illnesses and allergies by exploiting the human body's self-healing capacities through the holistic use of plants in conjunction with medical knowledge.

Newly qualified herbalists generally have to obtain additional employment to supplement incomes whilst establishing new practices: it can take as long as two years to become established

Herbalist job description: Typical employers | Qualifications and training | Key skills | Useful links | Find jobs and courses

Responsibilities of the job typically include:

undertaking patient consultations to diagnose illnesses/conditions and to select appropriate remedies
gaining information from patients about previous physical/medical history and symptoms
making physical examinations/assessments
planning and explaining treatment requirements
using tiny doses of herbal remedies to aid the body to heal itself
advising patients about use of remedies
liaising with and making referrals to specialists/other health care practitioners
providing advice about diet, exercise and lifestyle
keeping accurate confidential patient records
undertaking research for product manufacturers/herbal growers
keeping up-to-date with new research and developments in the profession
managing stock levels
teaching/supporting trainees
marketing and promoting the business/practice
growing and producing herbal remedies.

Typical employers of herbalists

Most herbalists are self-employed, working full or part-time from home or from their own practice. Many work as part of a team of alternative health practitioners for private practices such as specialist and complementary health care clinics and herbal dispensaries.

A very limited amount of contract work may be available with some GP practices and National Health Service (NHS) Trusts (in hospitals and community health centres). Vacancies are advertised via the internet and in specialist journals including the NIMH ‘in-house’ publication.

Qualifications and training required

To qualify to practise as a medical herbalist it is necessary to obtain membership of the National Institute of Medical Herbalists (NIMH). This can be gained by undertaking a relevant, NIMH accredited academic study programme (undergraduate degree/postgraduate diploma etc.) combined with at least 500 hours of clinical training.

Herbalist courses take three to four years of full-time study to complete. Undergraduate qualifications in pharmacy, physiology, anatomy, biology, pharmacology, medicine and botany are of benefit. The NIMH website lists details of accredited courses.

Pre-entry experience gained working in a clinic or dispensary is helpful, although difficult to obtain. Job shadowing herbalists working locally is a possibility.

Key skills for herbalists

It is necessary to have a good understanding of anatomy and physiology, in addition to detailed knowledge of herbs and their preparation. Excellent organisational, interpersonal, listening and communication skills are essential. Herbalists also need to possess a mature, confident, sensitive and resilient temperament.