Master Herbalist

[Shawn Cameron]

Good afternoon everyone, I’m not very good at preliminary discussions so I’m just going to jump right in.

I have been doing some research into herbalism, specifically Master Herbalist programs offered via distance learning. However I’m not sure how to judge a good course from a not so good course… and I would like some help/advice if available.

I’m interested in learning some Botany in addition to the medical applications, because to me, what is the point in calling yourself a master herbalist if you can do prescriptions and diagnosis but can’t grow your own herbs? I also want something that is in-depth and really thorough getting to the (forgive the pun) root of the subject/lessons, if I wanted a general over view I would do an online search and call it a day.

But that’s really all I can pin down. I’m a seeker of knowledge and not really sure if I would ever use said knowledge in a profession or in anything outside my own home. If I do find my calling in this I would like to join the American Herbalist Guild some day, if not I’ll have an herb garden and be happy with it.

So far the courses I’ve found and am considering are:

Global Collage of Natural Medicine-
http://www.gcnm.com/master-herbalist-program.html

It seems quite complete and charges what I’ve come to think is the average price for this kind of certification. It covers both eastern and western herbology with a small section on botany. It appears to be extensive but I’m not sure about how thorough the classes are with the outline provided. In addition 80% of the tuition cost can be applied to further studies into their Holistic Health Practitioner course, though most of the classes seem to over lap.

Heart of Herbs
http://www.heartofherbs.com/master1.htm

This one is much cheaper and appears to be quite thorough in each topic. The down side is it only focuses on western herbology and though it has a full staff it is biased off of the founders lessons, and though she is quite skilled and very experienced and intelligent she is one person. But at the same time it feels more personal and down to earth, with plenty of science but not so much as to drown out the spiritual and emotional possibilities that arise when working with herbs and nature in general.

Both appear to have very good student support and student forums as well as graded final exams and good books.

I have read threw a few more but these two are the ones that jump out at me the most, if anyone knows of any others that they would recommend or has any observations about the above two that could help in making a decision it would be greatly appreciated. Also if anyone else is interested in taking either of these courses I would love a study partner, though I probably won’t be able to afford either course for a few months to come.

[brymble]

You're going to want to train in person, not just through distance learning, if you're serious about practicing herbalism. I recommend http://www.7song.com/
in Ithaca, NY. You will learn to grow as well as process, etc. A friend of mine began his herbal education there; he's now an Ayurvedic herbalist, and has studied in India. Just remember the studies are as "alive" as the plants, so in a sense, you never "complete" your education.

[Shawn Cameron]

Honestly I agree with you, sadly it’s not an option at the moment. I’m in the Coast Guard and currently stationed in Portland Maine, I’ll only be here for 3 years and though I plan on taking what college classes I can all of the botany/herbology/gardening classes take place during the work day and so are not an option. And sadly neither is traveling, or long term in person training, as I am set to move every 3-4 years or so.

Honestly I’m looking at these courses as a kind of ground work to find out if I’m serious about it or not because right now its just an interest that won’t leave me alone until I peruse it as best I can in my current living condition.

But again thank you for the link I will defiantly look into it and keep it in mind if I’m ever stationed in New York.

[Earthwalker]

What's good and what's not probably depends on what you want to get out of it. Personally, I've been immensely skeptical of these sorts of programs in general because I don't get the impression that they bring science to the forefront of what they're doing. Given that herbalism simply *is* a combination of natural science and medical science - and that there is so much sham and nonsense out there on alternative medicine in general - any training that doesn't put this front and center isn't one that I think I would want to take. I'd want someone who trains a student how to discern the vast amount of BS out there from what has actually been tested and proven. I would not take a program if it wasn't firmly grounded in hard science. As much as I enjoy folklore, anecdotes, and spiritual uses of plants, if I'm going to practice and administer in any medical fashion, it better be science-based. And probably require at least a two-year (full time) degree that includes rigorous background in human physiology and plant physiology.

I fully admit that I set high standards for this sort of thing, though. I find it hard to justify spending the amount of money they ask, though, without it being extremely professional and well-researched, both on the science end and for whatever folklore they present.

[Shawn Cameron]

Very true, and it was my inherent skepticism that caused me to take so long in deciding to try it and in asking for research help. So far I'm leaning toward the Global Collage of Natural Medicine degree course. It’s an accredited school threw the Bureau for Private Postsecondary and Vocational Education and its operational plan satisfies the minimum standards listed in Education Code section 94915(b)

It is also accredited with the American Association of Drugless Practitioners and the American Naturopathic Medical Accreditation Board. And are, according to their website, associated with the fallowing organizations;

- American Association of Drugless Practitioners (AADP)
- The American Herb Association (AHA)
- American Naturopathic Medical Association (ANMA)
- American Association of Nutritional Consultants (AANC)
- American Holistic Health Association (AHHA)
- American Holistic Nurses’ Association (AHNA)
- Association for Comprehensive Energy Psychology (ACEP)
- Flower Essence Society (FES)
- The Herb Society of America (HSA)
- The International Herb Association (IHA)

It feels very scientific to me and so I’m leaning in that direction. I’m doing it for knowledge but if I can get a degree out of it then Woo Hoo! I don’t plan on getting out of the military, I have every intention of retiring form it, and so I doubt I will ever be a paid practitioner. I just have this burning unwavering push to learn and know… dose that make sense?

[Earthwalker]

Yup; I very much understand the desire just to learn. I might do the same thing you're doing at some point, but presently I'm working on my graduate degree and have more than enough payments to do with tuition for that, never mind something like this on top of it! =) Hope you find what you're looking for and have a fun time discovering new things!