certified herbalist course?

August 8, 2005

If I can add a question to Deannas. When we talk about a certified herbalist

class is there a " generic " type curriculum I mean do they cover herbs for

health, healing, eating and various types of therapy e.g. aromatherapy? How

many types of certifications are there?

Is it like Computer certifications like with MCSE you can work with microsoft

and with a CCNA you can deal with cisco systems but not vice versa?

Are there mostly one type of certtification that deals with the many uses for

herbs or are the certifications specific to a type of usage?

D

Deanna Berkemeier <deanna wrote:

Hi all!

I don't come out and talk much here, but do learn so much from you

all. I was wondering if anyone had any thoughts on courses to become a

certified herbalist here in the USA? Also, is there any one

organization that does the actual certifying? Somehow I don't think

so. I have been pondering doing this for a while, but don't have a clue

what would be a reputable " school " . I would prefer something online or

via snail mail correspondence, that I could work at on my own time

schedule. Any thoughts or direction you can give would be appreciated.

Thanks,

Deanna

--

" Courage is the art of being the only one who knows you're scared to death. "

-Earl Wilson

Everyone I meet is Both Teacher and Student.

Start your day with - make it your home page

August 8, 2005

I don't know much more about the topic than those who have asked

questions so far... and I'm looking forward to hearing the responses.

Anyway, here's an article that may shed some light:

http://www.planetherbs.com/courses/

It's from Michael Tierra's site, he's a well known herbalist, and his

classes cover Western, Chinese, and Ayurvedic herbs. He points out

that knowledge of herbs is not very useful without integratoin into a

system of diagnoses or assessment (e.g. western medicine, TCM,

ayurveda, etc).

-Josh

August 8, 2005

Hi all!

I don't come out and talk much here, but do learn so much from you

all. I was wondering if anyone had any thoughts on courses to become a

certified herbalist here in the USA? Also, is there any one

organization that does the actual certifying? Somehow I don't think

so. I have been pondering doing this for a while, but don't have a clue

what would be a reputable " school " . I would prefer something online or

via snail mail correspondence, that I could work at on my own time

schedule. Any thoughts or direction you can give would be appreciated.

Thanks,

Deanna

--

" Courage is the art of being the only one who knows you're scared to death. "

-Earl Wilson

August 9, 2005

There is no overlighting group in the US that handles certification or

licensure of herbalism. Some of us feel this is a good thing, others

feel that it discredits us in the public eye.

There are a few fantastic programs available via correspondence, but

IMHO they are not going to be nearly as intense as an apprenticeship

where you put time in on a monthly basis getting to know the plants

where they grow. It's one thing to learn about the herbs in books,

it's another thing to actually meet and work with them as living beings.

As far as correspondence courses go, Rosemary Gladstar's has a

reputation above and beyond all others. Rosemary is a wonderful

woman, incredibly knowledgeable, and radiates with green energy

wherever she goes. You can find more info on The Art and Science of

Herbalism at www.sagemountain.com

Another fantastic program is by Susun Weed. Hers is called Spirit &

Practice of the Wise Woman Tradition. I have met this wonderful

woman, but you need to remember that she doesn't believe whatsoever in

the use of essential oils or flower essences. You can find her at

www.susunweed.com

If Aromatherapy is truly close to your heart, you may wish to do

Jeanne Rose's correspondenc program. You can find her at

www.jeannerose.net

The Heart of Herbs is a good program; Demetria is well studied and is

building a good name for herself. www.heartofherbs.com

I've heard some good things about Clayton College (www.ccnh.edu),

Australasian College (www.achs.edu), and The School of Natural

Healing (www.schoolofnaturalhealing.com) but found them to be a bit

more impersonal than I wanted. They're fantastic programs, just not

for me.

I did my apprenticeship at Misty Meadows here in New Hampshire, and it

was one of the most life-affirming moves I've ever made. To get an

idea of what an in-person program is like, look around at Sage

Mountain, and also check out www.mistymeadows.org.

Finally, to find programs that are close to you, check out

http://www.naturalhealers.com/results.shtml?location=. & special=Herbal

Hope that helps! Feel free to drop a line!

Green Blessings,

Rebecca Jones

Kestrel Crossings

Concord, NH

www.kestrelcrossings.com

, Joshua Alexander

<listservs@e...> wrote:

> I don't know much more about the topic than those who have asked

> questions so far... and I'm looking forward to hearing the responses.

>

> Anyway, here's an article that may shed some light:

> http://www.planetherbs.com/courses/

>

> It's from Michael Tierra's site, he's a well known herbalist, and his

> classes cover Western, Chinese, and Ayurvedic herbs. He points out

> that knowledge of herbs is not very useful without integratoin into a

> system of diagnoses or assessment (e.g. western medicine, TCM,

> ayurveda, etc).

>

> -Josh

August 9, 2005

Here is a link that may help with your research:

http://www.naturalhealers.com

Im looking into this one:

https://www.achs.edu

HTH

Liza

, Deanna Berkemeier

<deanna@w...> wrote:

> Hi all!

>

> I don't come out and talk much here, but do learn so much from

you

> all. I was wondering if anyone had any thoughts on courses to

become a

> certified herbalist here in the USA? Also, is there any one

> organization that does the actual certifying? Somehow I don't

think

> so. I have been pondering doing this for a while, but don't have a

clue

> what would be a reputable " school " . I would prefer something

online or

> via snail mail correspondence, that I could work at on my own time

> schedule. Any thoughts or direction you can give would be

appreciated.

>

> Thanks,

> Deanna

>

> --

> " Courage is the art of being the only one who knows you're scared

to death. "

>

> -Earl Wilson

August 11, 2005

Hi Josh, Others Interested,

I came to aromatherapy with a background in herbalism and ethnobotany

research and practice as a folklorist specializing in Native American and

cross-cultural programs. I studied western herbalism with David Hoffmann

when he was at the California Institute for Herbal studies

http://www.cshs.com/ David's endeavors can now be found at

http://www.smileherb.com/Smilebiz/fda.asp

Michael Tierra is very reputable, and there are other good choices:

David Winston, founder of the American Herbalists Guild

http://www.herbaltherapeutics.net/

Michael Moore is considered one of the very best - you may find a waiting

list to enroll in his program http://www.swsbm.com/HOMEPAGE/HomePage.html

The American Herbalists Guild http://www.americanherbalistsguild.com/

Here's Maureen Roger's Educational resource pages

http://www.herbnet.com/university_p2.htm

Another tremendous resource http://www.unitedplantsavers.org/index.php

My colleague and friend Jeanne Rose offers a combined herbal/aromatherapy

course. http://www.jeannerose.net/

And, last, an excellent searchable site for herbal related information

http://www.ibiblio.org/herbmed/

Be well,

Marcia Elston, Samara Botane, http://www.wingedseed.com

" First of all, cultivate a contented spirit; a garden is a good place to