What is an herbalist?

Reading Time: 5 minutes By Andrée Noye, adapted from Becoming an Herbalist Mini-Course, Herbal Academy.

For centuries, people worldwide have worked with plants to benefit their families, communities, and ecosystems. The modern practice of herbalism continues this tradition, offering countless paths for individuals with varied goals, from supporting loved ones to starting a business.

Core Roles of Herbalists

• Use plants to promote physical, emotional, and spiritual wellness, improve vitality, correct imbalances, and ease symptoms.

• Serve diverse roles, from clinical herbalists in private practices or clinics to community herbalists helping their neighborhoods.

• Often combine herbalism with other professions, such as nursing, naturopathy, or mental health counseling.

  
  

  

Paths in Herbalism

• Clinical Practice: Herbalists work in clinics, homes, or businesses and may pursue continuing education to enhance their skills.

• Herb Farming: For those who love working outdoors, herb cultivation on farms or as part of permaculture is a fulfilling option.

• Product Making: Create teas, tinctures, salves, and more, often blending this craft with teaching or writing.

• Spiritual Practice: Some focus on plants' spiritual qualities, drawing on traditions like Ayurveda, shamanism, or Indigenous healing.

• Teaching & Research: Many herbalists teach in workshops or schools, while others explore research or creative fields like botanical illustration.

  
  

Key Takeaway:   An herbalist can fulfill many roles, from community-focused work to academic or entrepreneurial ventures. Herbalism is a broad, dynamic field that values passion, adaptability, and a commitment to ongoing learning. It offers a unique opportunity to connect deeply with plants and help others in profound ways.

The Practice of Herbalism in Canada

In much of the world, including Canada, herbalism is not regulated by a governing body with official standards or licensing requirements. This allows individuals from diverse backgrounds and levels of training to identify as herbalists. However, this lack of regulation also means that titles such as "Certified Herbalist", "Master Herbalist", and even "Clinical Herbalist" (like me) are determined by the programs that issue them, rather than being universally recognized.

While systems of herbalism have evolved over millennia through formal and informal traditions, contemporary herbal practices in Canada exist largely outside codified requirements for skillsets, educational curricula, or professional examinations.

This makes it the responsibility of herbalists themselves to pursue rigorous education and practical experience, uphold high ethical standards, and support their community in fostering accessible and competent herbal care.

In Europe, clinical herbal practices and herbal product regulation are more common, while in Canada, these topics remain debated. Some advocate for government oversight to ensure higher standards of care and protection from misinformation or unethical practices. Others, however, argue that the roots of herbalism lie in communal plant knowledge, which has been disrupted by colonization and other forms of oppression.

These practitioners believe government regulation could erode the accessibility and self-regulating nature of herbal care that has sustained communities for generations.

Despite differing opinions, herbalists across Canada come together in educational and community settings to preserve the vital relationship between humans and plants. This shared commitment continues to shape the evolution of herbalism while honoring its deep historical and cultural roots.

Registered Herbalists

Modern students of herbalism may feel a mix of inspiration and overwhelm as they delve into the wide range of traditions, methodologies, and styles that shape herbal practice.

In the West, aspiring herbalists often have access to a wealth of resources and extensive knowledge about plants, the human body, and approaches to supporting wellness. Some are drawn to structured and comprehensive systems like Traditional Chinese Medicine or Ayurveda, which offer a solid foundation for clinical work. Others might resonate more with Western herbal energetics or traditional folk practices, while some prefer to focus on herbalism grounded in contemporary research and scientific principles.

Canada does not have official national regulations concerning herbalism, although it is specified that an unlicensed practitioner must not in language or in action conflict the legal definition of the "practice of medicine." Likewise, Canada is home to a number of provincial organizations offering peer-reviewed professional membership. In Nova Scotia, it is Herbalist Association of Nova Scotia: http://herbalns.org/ .

Concluding remarks

While herbalism is an ancient tradition, the modern field is ripe with opportunities for innovative and curious practitioners to combine traditional knowledge with expanding research and experience. However, globalization poses challenges to herbal traditions, much like other cultural practices worldwide. It risks diluting both the quality of herbal products and the integrity of traditional practices.

Issues like cultural appropriation and shallow understandings driven by commercialism and marketing further threaten these valuable legacies. Additionally, the high global demand for certain herbs can disrupt the communities and ecosystems where these plants have been traditionally cultivated and used.

On the flip side, globalization also facilitates communication and access to diverse information, offering aspiring herbalists a vast and well-resourced education. By committing to comprehensive and thoughtful study, students of herbalism can respect the long-standing bond between humans and plants while promoting the sustainability of both human and ecological well-being. If you have question about using herbs with intention in your life, or even becoming an herbalist, please contact me.