Modern Medical Herbalism

Medical herbalists are health care providers trained in Western orthodox and holistic medical diagnosis who use plant based medicines to treat their patients.  

For many patients, their first visit to a medical herbalist can be a life changing experience and a chance to experience true healthcare. Your medical herbalist is a genuine, caring partner in health from the cradle to the third age. Many people come to appreciate the power of correctly prescribed, natural herbal medicines dispensed by a highly trained medical professional.

Patients value the opportunity and time given to discussing their physical, emotional and spiritual wellbeing in depth, and the sense of freedom and empowerment it gives them.  

Training in Herbal Medicine

Qualified practitioners have a BSc Honours Degree in Herbal Medicine from an accredited university which covers the following subject areas:

Knowledge

Anatomy, physiology, pathophysiology, botany, biochemistry, diagnostic procedures, clinical physical examinations, differential diagnosis, materia medica & phytochemistry, posology, nutrition, diet, orthodox medicines and procedures, practice management, health and safety, medical legislation.

Skills

Skills of communication with patients and other professionals, history taking, health assessment, maintaining a clean and secure dispensary, herbal pharmacy, liaison with other practitioners.

Understanding

An understanding of the ethics of professional practice, issues of confidentiality, botanical therapeutics, the responsibility to maintain fitness to practise and the need for continuing professional and personal development.

In addition to academic education, graduates have undertaken a minimum of 500 hours supervised clinical training within a university clinic. They have also completed a research dissertation on a specialist herbal medicine subject.

Source: The National Institute of Medical Herbalists.