Herbal Certification: Necessary or Not?

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I get asked a lot about whether our programs certify you to become an herbalist.

This is a big question in the herbal education world, and it can be a little confusing as there is no singular "herbal certification" out there- the best is really becoming a Registered Herbalist (RH) by the American Herbalist Guild (AHG).

Most schools will offer a "certificate of completion" after going through a course. There's a wide range here. I've heard of people becoming a "Certified Master Herbalist" after a simple weekend workshop, whereas others certify an herbalist after going through a set number of hours of clinical training and classroom hours. But these are "internal certifications" by the school or teacher and aren't necessarily regulated or overseen by some board or anything like that.

The big point of confusion amongst a lot of herbalists, is that you need some form of certification to help people with plants. This just isn't true. There is no governmental body that oversees the practice of herbalism (thank the light) and as such, there is no licensure. In my opinion this is a good thing because it keeps herbalism in the people's hands, as I feel it is the people's medicine. Imagine what herbal medicine would turn into if the government starting controlling what we can and can't do with the plants we know and love...

In my opinion, to become a qualified practicing herbalist requires a balance of study, practice, and experience- both in the classroom, the clinic, and the forest. To me, the best certification is what we receive from the plants themselves, a certain knowingness in our hearts that we are ready to start helping people. When you are ready to practice you will simply know it.

Sometimes having a certification can externally instill confidence in someone that maybe isn't necessarily ready to start practicing. They may not really know what they are doing, but because they have a certificate they think they do. Luckily most plants herbalists use are super safe and don't run the risk of harming anyone, but it certainly is possible.

Our confidence should be internally generated through developing competence in our herbal art. The best certification is the actual results we get in the people we serve and this requires training and practice.

To clarify, I'm not totally against herbal certification- there's good ones out there, and not so good ones out there. Rather, I believe it's important as herbalists that we don't think we NEED to piece of paper to give us permission to heal people with plants. That we don't become dependent on someone telling us we can do it and have that overshadow our own intuitive sense as to when it's our time.

I hope I don't offend anyone with this post, I'm certainly not trying to get after anyone here and am just sharing my thoughts on this topic, as I get a lot of questions about it.

For Evolutionary Herbalism students, or anyone who might consider joining one of our programs someday, please know that we are in the process of developing both internal certification of completion of our courses along with adequate testing to make sure the information is understood and integrated, as well as having our courses help to move someone towards AHG certification as well.

This video is for educational purposes only. The information provided is not intended to diagnose, treat, or cure any diseases. Please contact a qualified health care professional for medical advice.

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I’m a pharmacist and I would like to become a self trained herbalist 🍃 I’m glad that I did pharmaceutical studies ONLY because they gave me a strong background in terms of chemistry, biology, anatomy and how drugs works.

iamafollowerofChrist

You are so spot on. As an unlicensed, direct entry midwife in the last state with voluntary licensure, I can tell you I get the same level of respect from the medical community as my licensed colleagues. This idea that certification or government oversight will make someone more credible or valid is a completely false idea. It's what you do, what you know, how you move through the world and interact with others that makes the difference.

moonygoony

I couldn’t agree more. I’m a medic who’s seen many other LICENSED medics who are incompetent, even though they passed all the licensure we need to go through. Some of these have been medics for years. And the difference is the the difference between confidence and cocky. I was not very confident as a student, but one of my instructors told me the difference and it changed my approach to treatment because of my confidence in my training and my protocols, not what or how good I thought I was. In medicine in general I see this from the EMT level all the way into the trauma doctors I work with. Although most are very good and definitely competent and confident in their skills and training, I see those that have much more confidence in themselves then they should have. One example in particular was a trauma doc who had pulled a King Airway, which was functioning perfectly, and decided that they would intubate the pt. After 5 attempts the pt finally died. The dr turned to the scribe and told her to record that 3 attempts had been made. This is an ego, and an integrity problem, and it stems from a false confidence, or cocky attitude. In that case it killed someone. I practice herbal medicine, apart from my job, and as a result have helped many people with asthma, diabetes, and some renal issues because of my knowledge of the herb, the disease process, and a healthy dose of humility and willingness to learn, as well as a respect and trust in the herbs and tinctures I use. If I don’t know I reference what I need to or refer them to some one with greater knowledge and then I ask them to follow up and let me know so I can help someone else down the road. Excellent video. Thank you.

visamedic

loving the sympathy between you and the tree, almost as if you both hold the same wisdom, and you are speaking as the animated part of the forest. Love it! <3

jacksonandmarileen

YES! Well said Brother, well said.
Folks really have to get back to more Heart based learning, knowing, and feeling.
I am not an Herbalist, though I've healed myself from a ton of ailments(some of the worst) with my own Cannabis infused Coconut Oil. Made a video documenting it called A Path to Health, if any are interested.
Much Care to you Brother, your work is really great. 🙂

Ron.

You are amazing.. You have such a good understanding of entire mission of herbalism.. I wish I've found your channel earlier

wadjeturaeus

Agreed. We are in the age of weekend master certificates.

TheAngeliaMusic

I think they will be moving towards regulating that pretty soon. They have a whole degree program here in Maryland. one of the major schools here is called Maryland University of Integrative health. I think the government are really catching on to people gravitating more to holistic healing and to herbal medicine in light of the whole opioid epidemic. Natural medicine is really taking off, they are going to be coming for a piece of that pie.. Believe that..

TysVideoDiaries

UK here...totally agree beautifully explained...having worked in mental health and drowning in a sea of labels for want of an explanation not for status with a label I trained in an aspect of qigong and shamanic ...and truly it's so important this is kept in its integrity that we empower our SELVES 🙏🙏🙏🙏that we are our own healer the alchemy within your approach really encourages a build up of spirit nature trust and multifaceted beings we can ALL bring our own take on this to the table xxx ...it really resonates with me this

PlantPlanetPeople

Thanks for sharing this information wowsers

RepampGhana

Great points. Thank you for defining what we need to do to build our internal confidence.

dbarb

oh so true. i was never interested in any certification. so well explained sajah. thank you

irinastanciulescu

love!!!! thank you for this. started my herbal studies recently and this was an awesome
video. thanks for the info. can’t wait to learn more ♥️

kassandraettore

I have so many certificates that they fill up a case and are currently taking up lodgings in the roof space. I have been using herbs since I was a child taught by my grandmother and I am now 66 yrs old and still trying. My neighbours and friends call me the village witch and all know where to come to but no one yet has asked for a certificate. I do however never charge but try to impart a little wisdom and a lot of love along with some herbs.

TheMickie

ok ive been into this biz since 1974/76 and have tried just about everything for extraction and now im into vacuum chambers i have to agree with you a paper does not make you a pro ! first you need to understand what you are extracting mineral or alkaloid and thats just the top of the rabbit hole in my experience every book is different and a new theory so if you got a you got a diploma from a old school theory thats what you get i know you are into the old old old school of alchemy been there . My latest is trying to put alkaloids into MCT oil so it goes directly into the liver wow tincture /freeze/ alcohol into MCT some success my biggest problem is trying to find someone to to pass my knowledge on to a youngster theyall want instant fix and thats what everyone wants the closest thing ive found is guinea weed<hard to find> chinese skull cap astragalus BUT needs to be taken everyday once a month takening a break
sorry long winded

rominesew