Plants are the foundation of our modern medical system. It may sound like a stretch, but many of the most commonly-recommended and prescribed medications of our day came about because of the study of plants and their compounds – morphine and poppy, aspirin and white willow, menthol, and mint. While we’ve strayed from this model as science has evolved, there is no denying the impact herbs can have on our health and well-being.* The modern-day study and application of these time-tested botanicals are referred to as Herbalism, and those that practice it, Herbalists.
Herbalists, by the most simple definition, practice healing through the use of herbs. In many cultures, herbalists were the primary healers of the community – experts on local plant medicine, the body, and the soul. Over the years, our traditional understanding of these plants – passed down from these healers through the generations – has combined with scientific study, to lend an even greater understanding of how these beautiful botanicals can impact our health. Herbalists study these plants, and the human body, to understand the ways we can incorporate them into our lives to promote wellness and bring the body back into balance.
My path to herbalism began very organically. Growing up, our household was always full of fresh flowers and lots of plants, thanks to the green thumb of my mother. That close proximity to botanicals piqued my interest at a young age. I did inherit her tendency to reach for plants rather than pills when I needed headache help or stress support.
Perhaps you yearn to tend a backyard herbal garden or forage for botanicals, gathering flowers, leaves, and roots to prepare for later use. Or maybe you imagine creating herbal preparations and offering them for sale at the farmer’s market, providing nourishment and support to your local community.
It could be that your vision includes making herbalism your full-time career, becoming a speaker at herbal conferences, seeing clients, and educating individuals about herbs that can support their wellness needs.
No matter what your herbal dreams are, they are beautiful and attainable, and we here at the Herbal Academy want to help you make your herbal dreams a reality.
Since herbalism comes in many shapes and sizes, and there is no one-size-fits-all approach, it‘s no surprise there are also many options when choosing a course of study.
To help you find the right fit, we created a course comparison chart that displays all courses and path packages side by side.
Keep in mind that your goals and current herbal knowledge will greatly determine your course selection! If you are unfamiliar with the different ways to explore herbalism and/or practice as an herbalist, we’d love to share a little more information with you.
One popular way is to become a Family Herbalist. This type of herbalist often prefers to stay close to home, applying their herbal knowledge and resourcefulness to support the overall wellness of their friends and family. These herbalists usually find our Introductory and Intermediate Herbal Courses a great choice in learning to safely and mindfully use herbs.
The Entrepreneur Herbalist
An Entrepreneur Herbalist is someone who enjoys working for themselves and often desires to run a product-based business. This may mean selling herbal preparations at farmer’s markets or craft fairs, but could also include working with a company that produces a variety of products, including teas, tinctures, and other extracts, syrups, salves, oils, liniments, body care products, supplements, flower essences, and many other plant-based product offerings.
Our Entrepreneur Herbal Path will help you build and mature a necessary herbal knowledge base before jumping into the business side of herbs, but it will also provide an understanding of the laws and regulations governing the handling, labeling, and selling of herbal products.
Another option is to become a Clinical Herbalist. You may feel called to the world of clinical herbalism if you are diligent, curious, enjoy helping others, and are passionate about sharing herbalism! A Clinical Herbalist works at a professional level with clients or companies and requires a high level of herbal knowledge.
Many Clinical Herbalists combine herbalism with other wellness-supportive practices or services, such as naturopathy, midwifery, acupuncture, nursing, and more. Just like many aspects of herbalism, that are a variety of ways to be a Clinical Herbalist.
No matter which path you want to take, we have a course or path ready to support and guide you.
Our online herbal programs are comprehensive and convenient; a wonderful way to reach your herbal goals while studying from home on your own schedule.
If you’ve been longing for some herbal instruction, now is a great time to jump in. We don’t have sales like this very often, so take advantage of the opportunity to save while you can!
Don’t forget, you can delay your start date! This means you can take advantage of the savings now, but wait to begin when you’re ready.
Payment plans are available. These plans break courses and path packages into affordable installments, making them easy to fit into your budget. During registration, you will find payment options on
each course and path package page.
No matter where you are at in your herbal studies, the Herbal Academy has a training program for you!
The Introductory Herbal Course is a good place to start if you are new to herbal medicine. It’s a beginner’s course filled with easy training guides, recipes, downloadable flipping books and charts to get you well on your way to becoming an herbalist. The course begins with the basics of medicine making and wildcrafting, anatomy, introduces you to many many plants, covers common discomforts for adults and children, and discusses the overarching holistic approach of herbalism.
The Intermediate Herbal Course begins with an introductory unit as a review, and then quickly advances into more complex topics. The program dives in deeper, working through each body system and discussing the herbs; their actions and energetics; their safety and side effects; in-depth coverage of anatomy and physiology; and guidance for herbal formulation.
The Entrepreneur Herbal Course is geared towards herbalists who have already studied at the beginner and intermediate levels, who want to make and sell their own herbal products. Lessons on sourcing herbs, Good Manufacturing Practices, labeling requirements, writing a business plan, and creating a brand are some of the many lessons included in this fast track program!
The Advanced Herbal Course is an in-depth program geared towards students interested in becoming clinical herbalists. This program picks up on the body systems not fully covered in the Intermediate Course and covers more complex topics including herbal wisdom traditions, health and wellness of men, women, and elderly, assessment and herbal therapeutics, and steps to becoming a clinical herbalist; as well as regulatory and legal obstacles facing professional herbalists and herbal products businesses.
If you are looking for a place to study herbalism in a safe and guided environment, we welcome you to join our ever-growing online community of herbalists!
Students come from all backgrounds and countries with varying levels of experience, so you’ll be right at home, no matter where you begin.
Start and continue your herbalism journey in just a few clicks. We are ready and waiting for you!
As we close out the year (and the decade!), we hope you carve out time to fill your mind and soul with the things you love.
We hope your holiday season has been a joyous one!
Herbal Blessings,
Diana
Good Witches Homestead 
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