A Druid's Herbal

[Mita]

Hello
my name is Chris
I am an herbalist/ healer and have been practicing for five years now and I would like to start a buisness where I could sell herbs and ritual supplies and work as a healer!
I found this is my calling after working in a small health food store ... i enjoyed it very much and many people took to me very well! The problem I have found is 1) there is no government certification I can obtain to work privately ( like a chiropractor ) and 2) I am afraid that the community will reject something different. I am also having trouble finding funding!

i f anyone has advice or have any ideas please don't keep it a secret! :- )

[MistOfTheSea86]

Because if so, I have seen many of those shops and they seem to be independent. If it is a small business, then I am sure you can get it patented or something

[Lavender]

You haven't said anything about what your qualifications are. Are you looking for some kind of certification? What about checking at your local colleges for certification courses? I don't know how different things are in the US but here in Canada, herbal studies are gaining in popularity. Yay! We have colleges devoted to certifying herbalists - Dominion Herbal College and a few others. And a lot of the local colleges are offering part time herbalist courses now too.

[Mita]

in the u.s. unfortunatly there is no certifications and a couple known schools. Although there are a couple herbalist Associations but they do not offer certification either.

[Twig]

Look under College of Oriential Medicines. ;)

Peace,
Twig

[Lavender]

Originally posted by Mita
in the u.s. unfortunatly there is no certifications and a couple known schools. Although there are a couple herbalist Associations but they do not offer certification either.

Wow! So, there's no regulation for herbalists? Anyone who's read a book or two can call themselves a herbalist?

I'm not sure how open people are to alternative medicine in your area but it seems to be gaining in popularity around here. We have several local magazines & newspapers that are for alternative lifestyles & healing methods. I've seen quite a few ads for healers/herbalists that work out of their own homes. Do you have anything like that there?

[Twig]

Wow! So, there's no regulation for herbalists? Anyone who's read a book or two can call themselves a herbalist?

State and even individual county regulations vary widely. Your first step would be to consult your county and state to find out what the particulars are. It's all part of the C.Y.A. factor. ;)

Peace
Twig
:elf:

ps- C.Y.A.= Cover Your A**! ;) :D :cool:

[Mita]

C.Y.A.

**Smile**

[Sephiroth]

is that u in ur pic twig

oh and hello to the fellow druid too

[Scottish Pride]

Merry Meet Mita,

You may want to Check with the Small Business Administration They may be able to atleast point you in the correct direction. A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step. So keep intouch with the Gods and they will provide you with the opportunities you need to make this happen. I wish you all the best of luck in your travels.


Blessed Be

[thefluiddruid]

Originally posted by Wildchild


Wow! So, there's no regulation for herbalists? Anyone who's read a book or two can call themselves a herbalist?



While they can call themselves herbalist, if they perscribe herbs in any form they can be prosicuted for praticing medicine without a license.

Anyone serious about being a holistic healer/doctor should go to medical school, as well as get a degree in botany, in order to avoid a long prison term.

As herbalist we can tell folks what traditional remidies have been used for a medical problem, but we can't legally tell someone to use a specific herb.
In otherwords we can provide information, but the individual patient has to decide wheather or not to use any herb(s) themselfs.

[Lavender]

Yes, here, we have various different certification programs for becoming an herbalist. Programs & courses are being offered in main streamed colleges & universities...not just the herbal colleges. It's starting to become more regulated. In many ways, it's a good thing. That's always been one of my peeves...it's like someone who brushes their teeth calling themselves a dentist! :rolleyes: It's frightening that in some places certification is not necessary.