HERBcare: Herbalist Job Description

By Cheryl Block • November 22, 2022

What do herbalists do, anyway? I have heard this asked in a variety of ways. The answer is as varied as the number of people who are called herbalist by self-designation or by affiliation with an Herbal School, company, or professional organization such as the National Institute of Medical Herbalists (UK) or the American Herbal Guild.

I base my job description on the curriculum of my education as a Family Herbalist (previously Home Herbalist) from the Eclectic School of Herbal Medicine, as well as the experience I have gained through independent study and practice. The fundamental knowledge of a Family Herbalist incorporates:

  1. A strong clinical focus
    • Understand health and in turn disease
    • Basic healing modalities—An integrative approach to herbal medicine
    • ABC+D approach to assessment of the client
    • Addressing health challenges of the 21st century
    • Basic therapeutic Guidelines
    • Addressing diet, stress reduction, sleep and exercise
  2. Acute care situations
    • Addressing cold & flu symptoms, minor illness and injuries
    • The role of microbes in illness and injury
    • Inflammation responses
    • Herbs to use and when to use them
    • When to see a medical doctor
  3. Clinical nutrition
    • Understanding how nutrients are utilized in the body
    • Assess nutrient deficiencies and recommend dietary changes
  4. Medicine making
    • The art and science of plant medicine making
  5. Critical thinking

There are several words bolded in the job description above that raised some challenges for me personally. The bolded words are strongly associated with allopathic medicine (think Dr. Strobel’s medical practice); their use in herbal practice could construe practicing medicine without a license. With 40 plus years in a medical profession, the bolded words have been a regular part of my understanding and vocabulary. Taking this challenge seriously (see the link below), I have begun retraining in how I think, speak, and write about this herbal journey I am on! 

The Right to Practice Herbology, Legal History and Basis by Roger W. Wicke: 

Cheryl Block

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