Community Herbalists and Herbal Medicine Practitioners
Moon Daisy or Ox eyed daisies
The difference between the two is a question of scope and limit of practice.
Community Herbalists:
have completed our Traditional Herbal and Botanical Medicine Apprenticeship course.
A community herbalist is able to:
Identify at least 50 and preferably more local plants and have knowledge of their food and medicine use. They should also be aware of the more noxious local plants that should be avoided.
Explain the principles of ethical foraging.
Have a basic knowledge of botany.
Be able to explain how to grow and harvest plants.
Explain the most common forms of medicines and how to make them- tinctures, aceta, salves, creams, syrups, honeys, infusions, decoctions, salts, flower essences, aromatic waters, macerated oils, pills, capsules, baths.
Be able to explain what essential oils are and how to use them safely.
Be able to describe the use of herbs and foraged plants in food
Have a good knowledge of nutrition and be able to demonstrate some simple food preparation.
Have an understanding of energetics and the role they play in healthcare
Have a working knowledge of AP&P and be able to advise people on whether they are able to treat themselves at home or need more in-depth advice - referral to a clinical herbalist or other practitioner.
Have basic consultation and communication/listening skills to facilitate giving people the advice outlined above, make recommendations of herbs to use and also to hone communication skills for running workshops and dealing with the public.
They do not have the clinical experience or skills to be able to diagnose or to prescribe extemporaneous preparations for a fee but can give advice.
They are able to run workshops on these various aspects and to grow herbs or make artisan products.
Certification
Only students who have undertaken the two years, attended the immersions (or provided documented evidence that they have acquired similar training in their locality), submitted their assignments and passed all elements of the continuous assessment will be awarded a certificate of completion.
Community Herbalists may get insurance to cover their activities from Balens and other brokers.
Solomon Seal
Herbal Medicine Practitioners:
have completed our Herbal Medicine Practitioner Training.
Students wishing to become full clinical practitioners undertake a further three years of clinical training and study to gain the Herbal Practitioner Diploma.
Undertaking the Apprenticeship and Clinical Training Programme, completing all course assignments and requirements and passing the final clinical exam gives a sufficient level of training to enable graduates to apply for full membership of the Irish Rregister of Herbalists, which is a cross-border organisation so covers members in both the Republic of Ireland and the UK. It also enables people to apply for full membership of the Association of Master Herbalists UK since they also recognise the course as do the College of Practitioners of PHytotherapy
Recognition and Professional Organisations
Irish Register of Herbalists
The IRH accepts our graduates into full membership and our students can join as student members.
Association of Master Herbalists
The AMH in the UK also accepts our graduates into full membership and while studying students can join as student members.
The Association of Master Herbalists
Our Graduates may also apply to the :
The College of Practitioners of Phytotherapy
In the UK and Ireland, since we are under common law and herbalists are not governed by statutory regulation but by voluntary self-regulation, there is no licencing of herbalists.
This means that it is not obligatory for herbalists to join a professional organisation, although it does have benefits.
Insurances
Also, it should be noted that significant numbers of practitioners choose to practice without joining a Professional Organisation but still obtain their practice insurance as individuals via Balens or another broker.