how to get started with herbalism
Hello! Welcome! I am so happy you’re looking for more information on Herbalism – it completely changed my life.
Getting started in herbalism is like stepping into a world that’s equal parts magic, science, and rebellion against a system that thinks pills are the only answer. Whether you want to dive into clinical herbalism, or take the self-taught route (hi, same, I did that), there’s really no wrong way to start. herbalism for beginners is not as scary as it sounds.
The beauty of herbalism is that it meets you where you are. Whether you’re ready to memorize Latin plant names or just want to figure out how to make your own chamomile tea, Herbalism is a skill that belongs in every household. There are two main paths to becoming an herbalism that I will outline below, but first, lets just take a quick second.
I want to let you know that its okay to be overwhelmed, intimidated, and nervous to start this. Herbalism is a lot at first, but I promise you, anyone can do it. Anyone can become proficient in this.
self taught herbalism
This is the path I took, and honestly, I wouldn’t have it any other way. Self-taught herbalism is about diving in at your own pace, following your curiosity, and learning directly from the plants themselves. Since Herbalism is also spiritual for me, I loved learning within the framework of my beliefs.
Also, lets get one thing straight. You don’t need a certificate, a fancy school, or anyone’s permission to call yourself an herbalist. You just need a desire to learn and the willingness to experiment. Now, that being said, flaunting yourself as a highly educated master of herbal medicine when you’ve only read a book or two is not cool. Reputation matters!
How to get started:
Read, Watch, Listen: Start with a few solid herbalism books (anything by Rosemary Gladstar is gold), watch YouTube videos, and listen to podcasts. There’s a wealth of free and affordable knowledge out there. I have a few recommended for beginners, but my favorite is The Modern Herbal Dispensary for anyone starting. This book contains answers to most of the questions you’re going to have.
Journal: Write down everything. I am serious. Every batch that goes bad, every sour oil, all of it. We learn as much from our failures as we do from our successes, arguably more. If you document your process, you will find you come out a much more well-rounded herbalist.
Learn About Energetics: I am so serious, energetics is a little discussed, but necessary aspect of herbalism. Energetics is what determines if your salve or tincture will work for your patient or not, how strong they are, if they’re even effective. I have a post on herbal energetics for you, I will link it here.
Experiment: Make teas, tinctures, salves – whatever interests you. Learn by doing, that is a big takeaway. This is not just a modicum of knowledge, Herbalism is a craft, an art, that takes practice and experimentation. Burn some batches; it’s all part of the process. You don’t need to get it right every time – but getting your hands dirty is absolutely necessary. I have a post about the basics you need, and the things you don’t, for medicine making.
Community: Join herbal forums online and listen to some pros, take local workshops, or find a foraging group in your city. Even as a self-taught herbalist, community is everything. There are so many staggeringly powerful herbalists that learned from their mother, their grandmother, their family, who won’t necessarily be certified, or found within the online communities.
This route is affordable, flexible, and deeply personal. Plus, you get to skip the red tape and connect directly to the plants without someone else’s curriculum telling you how.
clinical herbalism: the formal route
If structure, classes, and formal licensure is your thing, clinical herbalism might be for you. This path comes with courses, certifications, and a lot of hours, which was the main issue for me when I was looking into Herbalism. I wanted to take classes, but I just plain and simple didn’t have the time. Its rough out here.
It’s difficult to take this route if you are working full time or don’t have a flexible schedule, but that doesn’t mean it’s not worth it. There are some incredible programs available, truly. The one I would take is the programs offered by The Herbal Academy.
While there’s no official “herbalist license” in the U.S. (fact: you don’t need certification to call yourself an herbalist), some programs offer training that looks good on paper and helps you build confidence with guided hands.
What this path looks like:
- Study Hours: Expect 800+ hours of botanical education. Yeah, it’s a lot, but invaluable time. Again, if I could I would, and I am by no means bashing this route. Its just an intensive one.
- Clinical Training: Add another 300-400 hours of hands-on experience with real clients. You’ll learn how to recommend remedies without crossing into “doctor territory”, which is something you should absolutely be aware of. Without a medical license, herbalists cannot diagnose illness. Remember that, it will keep you out of legal trouble.
- Certificates: At the end, you get a shiny certificate saying you’ve completed the program. It’s not legally required, but it can boost credibility if you plan to work with clients professionally, and help out a LOT if you plan on turning this into a business.
If you like having a roadmap, clinical herbalism is great. Just know it can get pricey, and you’ll need to dedicate some serious time.
the truth about certification in the U.S
Here’s the deal: In the U.S., there’s no governing body that regulates herbalists. This means you don’t need certification to practice herbalism. Organizations like the American Herbalists Guild (AHG) offer credentials like “Registered Herbalist” (RH), but they’re voluntary.
These certifications can be useful if you want to work in a clinical setting, but they’re not required to share herbal knowledge, make remedies, start a brick n mortar shop, or even call yourself an herbalist.
However, there are two very important things to remember.
1. Know your legal boundaries. You can’t diagnose or treat medical conditions—leave that to the doctors. What you can do is educate, recommend herbs, and empower people to take charge of their health.
2. Make sure you are giving the community a good reputation. When people read a book, declare themselves an Herbalist, and then go around making poor recommendations and spreading misinformation, it gives the us a bad reputation, especially those of us that are self taught. Remember, this is a family of people who care deeply for their practice, please take care to respect that.
what path should you take
It depends on your goals, really. Want to work with clients in a formal setting? A clinical program might be worth it, and would help you land jobs in the sphere. Just want to grow your own remedies, geek out about plants, and help friends and family? The self-taught route will suit you just fine.
However, both paths require curiosity, commitment, hard work, and respect for the plants. Herbalism isn’t about knowing everything. It’s about building a relationship with the natural world and trusting it to guide you.
Start small, stay curious, and let the plants lead the way. They’ve been here a lot longer than we have – they know what they’re doing.
