This major is a program that prepares individuals to utilize the materia medica and clinical practices of Western, Native American, African, Australasian, and other herbal medicine traditions to prevent and cure illness and temporary physical disorders.
Includes instruction in basic anatomy, physiology, pathology, and toxicology; nutrition; terminology and materia medica; therapeutic herbalism; herbal pharmacy; botanicals and ethnobotany; wildcrafting and harvesting; labeling and dispensing phytotherapy; counterindications; practice management; consultation skills; and professional standards and ethics.
What can you do with a major/degree in Herbalism/Herbalist Major?
Working in this field as an Herbalist, you have numerous venues relative to career potential including (but not exclusive to) blogging, sales and consulting, growing herbs, clinical herbalism, teaching, and public speaking.
Relative to formal education, a bachelor’s degree is not necessary. However, an in-depth understanding of botany, chemistry, anatomy and physiology, earth sciences, and general biology are essential.
Trade Associations and Professional Organizations in Herbalism/Herbalist Major
Professional associations are groups of professionals dedicated to topics in specific fields. Professional associations provide a wealth of online resources, some of which are geared specifically towards students. These organizations typically also host conferences and events, providing great opportunities for learning and networking across your field of interest.
Publications/Magazines in Herbalism/Herbalist Major