Medical Herbalist
First things first and in case you didn't know...
A medical herbalist is a practitioner trained in using plant-based remedies to treat various health conditions.
Their role involves diagnosing, prescribing, and creating herbal treatments tailored to individual patient needs, focusing on holistic and natural healing approaches. And as Jodie says in the chat, they work comfortably and closely with conventional medicine, so this isn’t a yin and yang thing and the two remedies can work side by side brilliantly.
Key skills/talents
Here are the SOME key skills needed to be a successful medical herbalist in the UK:
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Herbal Knowledge: OBVIOUSLY! You need a deep understanding of medicinal plants, their properties, and safe usage.
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Pharmacology and Safety: Ability to assess how herbs interact with the body and other medications.
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Clinical Diagnosis: Skills in taking patient histories and diagnosing conditions holistically.
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Formulation Expertise: Proficiency in creating personalised herbal remedies (tinctures, teas, etc.).
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Scientific Understanding: Knowledge of anatomy, physiology, and biochemistry.
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Patient Care: Strong listening, empathy, and communication skills to understand and support patients.
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Holistic Thinking: Treating the whole person by considering lifestyle, diet, and mental health.
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Problem Solving: Critical thinking to address the root causes of health issues.
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Attention to Detail: Precision in documenting patient records and formulating safe, effective treatments.
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Communication Skills: Effective communication with patients to build trust and explain treatment plans.
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Continuing Education: Commitment to staying updated with the latest research and advancements in acupuncture.
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Business Skills: Knowledge of running a practice, including patient management, marketing, and financial management.
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Cross-Cultural Competence: Ability to work effectively with patients from diverse backgrounds.
These combine practical, scientific, and interpersonal skills crucial to thriving as a medical herbalist.
Qualifications required
To prepare for work as a medical herbalist, you can complete a degree level course in herbal medicine approved by the National Institute of Medical Herbalist: https://nimh.org.uk/about-us/types-of-memberships/herbalism-courses
Bachelor's Degree (BSc) in Herbal Medicine: Several universities offer BSc degrees that combine medical sciences with traditional herbal knowledge. These courses generally last 3-4 years and cover anatomy, physiology, biochemistry, botany, and pharmacology, alongside clinical practice. Below we have listed just a few of the courses available:
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University of Westminster: Offers a BSc in Herbal Medicine: https://www.westminster.ac.uk/sites/default/public-files/programme-specifications/Herbal-Medicine-BSc-Honours-2017-18.pdf
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Lincoln College: Offers courses in conjunction with accrediting bodies: https://www.lincolncollege.ac.uk/course/level-6-bsc-hons-clinical-herbalism-full-time
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Heartwood Education: Offers a foundation and professional courses in herbal medicine: https://heartwoodeducation.net/courses/professional.html
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Postgraduate Opportunities: Some universities also provide postgraduate diplomas or MSc degrees for further specialisation. These could be in complementary therapies, plant-based medicine, or integrative health: https://www.naturopathy-uk.com/courses-eu/courses-pg-herbal-medicine
Apprenticeships and Workshops: Some medical herbalists opt for hands-on learning through apprenticeships with established practitioners or attending workshops to enhance specific skills: https://www.getmyfirstjob.co.uk
Rules and regs
Medical herbalists in the UK must follow specific laws and guidelines:
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Herbal Medicine Registration: They can supply unlicensed herbal medicines under the Herbal Medicines Advisory Committee guidance. However, certain restrictions apply regarding the type of herbs used and whether they are licensed: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/apply-for-a-traditional-herbal-registration-thr
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MHRA Regulations: The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) regulates herbal products for safety and quality. Any medicinal claims on herbal products must comply with their standards: https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/medicines-and-healthcare-products-regulatory-agency
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Traditional Herbal Registration Scheme (THR): Ensures that over-the-counter herbal medicines meet safety, quality, and patient information standards : https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/5fef1924e90e0776aa141302/The_Traditional_Herbal_Registration__THR__Certification_Mark_Guidance_for_Business.pdf
In addition to BAcC regulations, Medical Herbalists must also comply with general business and health and safety laws, such as:
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Business registration: Registering their business with the local authority: https://www.gov.uk/set-up-business
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Health and safety regulations: Maintaining a clean and safe working environment. https://www.hse.gov.uk
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Data protection: Handling patient information securely. https://www.gov.uk/data-protection
To practise legally and protect themselves and their clients, medical herbalists typically need:
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Professional Indemnity Insurance: Covers claims of malpractice or professional errors.
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Public Liability Insurance: Protects against claims of injury or damage caused during treatment.
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Product Liability Insurance: If they create or sell herbal products, they will also need this coverage to protect against claims related to the product's safety or quality.
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Medical herbalists also need to maintain detailed patient records and ensure their treatments adhere to ethical standards of safety and care.
With regard to insurances, you will need treatment & public liability. Below are links to a few providers:
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https://www.salongold.co.uk/holistic-complementary-therapist-insurance/herbalism-western
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https://www.balens.co.uk/individuals/complementary-alternative-therapists
Remuneration framework
As you'll typically be self-employed, your earnings will be related to how much you charge and the success of your practice. Plus, what/how many hours you want to work each week/month.
Fees for patients are around £30 to £90 for the initial 1 hour to 90 minute consultation session (and depending on whether online or in person), with subsequent shorter sessions costing around £20-40, again subject to whether these are in person or not.
Your salary will rise as you establish your practice as you'll be able to charge more per session with your growing experience and you'll attract a larger client base.
Salaries may also be affected by any links you have with GP practices and other healthcare professionals, as this may supply referrals.
How to get started
Getting started as a medical herbalist in the UK is a mix of education, hands-on experience, and setting yourself up as a professional.
If you are genuinely interested in this field as a career, then we would fully advocate finding a herbalist near you (which if you’re interested you probably already know and regularly visit one)... Ask if you could do some voluntary work to get a feel for what it’s really like day-to-day.
If after this you’re still in, it’s all about diving into the world of plant-based medicine and enrolling in a degree like a **BSc in Herbal Medicine**.
Universities such as Westminster or Lincoln offer programs that give you a solid foundation in subjects like herbal pharmacology, botany, and human anatomy.
You'll also get some practical experience through supervised clinical practice, which is key to learning how to apply your knowledge with real patients.
Once you're qualified, joining a professional body like the National Institute of Medical Herbalists (NIMH) is a great next step. This helps you stay connected with other professionals and ensures you’re meeting ethical and professional standards: https://nimh.org.uk
Word of mouth recommendation is always going to be your biggest driver for a profession like this, however, investing in some local media (local magazines and newspapers) will help. And of course, as with all things, having a clear social media presence is key, particularly Facebook and particularly focussing on your local geographical area.
Continuous professional development (CPD) is vital for maintaining up-to-date knowledge and skills (which you can also promote). Regular attendance at workshops and seminars is recommended to stay abreast of the latest techniques and research.
Job site links
You can, of course, try all the usual job sites, however, roles like this are few and far between.
We would recommend finding a herbalist or store near you (or near where you might like to be) and making job enquiries with them - as work experience, apprenticeships or indeed once fully qualified: https://nimh.org.uk/find-a-herbalist
The College of Naturopathic Medicine may list the occasional role: https://www.naturopathy-uk.com/jobs
Associations or official bodies to register with
As a medical herbalist in the UK, joining professional bodies and associations is important for credibility, networking, and staying up-to-date with industry standards. Here are the key ones you should consider:
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National Institute of Medical Herbalists (NIMH): The oldest and most respected professional body for herbalists in the UK. They provide support, resources, and enforce a code of ethics, ensuring you maintain high professional standards. Membership also gives you access to continuing professional development (CPD) and networking opportunities: https://nimh.org.uk
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College of Practitioners of Phytotherapy (CPP): Another well-recognized body that offers support, resources, and guidelines for practising herbalists. It focuses on maintaining high educational standards and ethical practice in phytotherapy (the use of plant-based treatments): https://thecpp.uk
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Herbal Medicines Advisory Committee (HMAC): While not a membership body, this committee advises on the safety, quality, and efficacy of herbal medicines in the UK. Staying informed about their guidelines helps you comply with regulations: https://www.gov.uk/government/groups/herbal-medicines-advisory-committee
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European Herbal & Traditional Medicine Practitioners Association (EHTPA): This organisation promotes high professional standards across Europe and helps with education, professional development, and representing herbalists at the European level: https://ehtpa.org
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Unified Register of Herbal Practitioners (URHP): This organisation provides a framework for safe and professional practice, offering support to herbalists in maintaining their practice within legal and ethical guidelines: https://www.urhp.com
Membership in these organisations can offer you support, legal advice, and opportunities for professional growth, as well as ensure your practice aligns with the current laws and standards.
Progression pathway
Herbal medicine, like many ‘alternative’ health professions, is one that can take you as far as you want to go… Geographically (yep, travel is there for you) and, potentially, financially.
If you want to increase your knowledge and your working hours - and therefore your earning potential - you can look into specific areas of medicine to gain unique, ‘expert level’ skill in. You can also look into other holistic medical therapies to ‘add to your bow’, i.e. Reiki, Acupuncture.
You could also collaborate with other healing professionals and open a wellness centre, or studio. Use each other’s skill sets and client-bases for referral and indeed cross pollination.