become an herbalist

Objective: They say a good herbalist has at least five uses for every herb they grow.

1. Standard decoction, tisane or an infusion
2. Tincture
3. herbal bath or facial steam
4. Poultices and compresses
5. oils (which I think is some kind of evaporation process?)
6. flower essences-not an herb but it’s an extraction I want to learn
7. herbal salve, lotion or soaps
8. eat them as spices, in salads, vegetable dishes, etc.

For smell, taste/flavor, eating for substance or for functional use in the case of soap or lotion, but most of all I want to do natural remedies in the form of using herbs or flower essences for curing ailments. I’ll probably start out with five herbs, knowing only about 7 things on each of them, but I hope in 10 or 20 years I’ll have an extensive materia medica of at least 100 or more-always knowing at least 7 or more things about each. I know some herbalists who after 30-40 some years of studying and experience claim to have 365 herbs in their materia medica. I’m not sure that much is required. I’d like to stick with wild-crafted home-grown stuff by me.

There are a lot of distance learning courses out there to become an herbalist but I can’t quite “learn outside the classroom” so to speak. I need methods of teaching that’s hands-on. In the wild. In someone’s garden. In someone’s greenhouse. So I think I need to find someone who’ll let me be their herbal apprentice.

Found a great school in the Maryland area that offers degree programs in healing arts, including herbal medicine, traditional chinese medicine, acupuncture, etc. Advantages: close by (hopefully) to where I’ll end up if my other job prospects work out, and not that expensive. Im excited to learn more about herbs and hopefully start to grow some of my own!

I really want to find a good, recognized, online school to become a certified master herbalist. I would need to be able to go at my own pace, and make payments or get aid for the tuition. I just think this is the best way to learn and become familiar with herbs and their uses.. one step toward my ultimate goal :)

I know that it has taken me a while, but I finally started taking my correspondance course in herboloby. It is really interesting and rewarding information to know and to use for you, your family, and friends.

I’d like to start my correspondance course for herbology next week. The course is divided into 22 lessons. I plan on completing atleast 1 lesson a week.

I want to be able to grow all kinds of herbs and help whoever I can with them.