Career options as far as herbalism goes ... What are they? Thanks:)

So i have great news!!! I've finally found the one thing i'm good at... and now the bad news i dont know what to do next. I love herbs and aromatherapy. I can remember herbal stuff better than anything else ive ever tried because i care about it. Now i could google this but was just wondering if anyone had any personal experience they would like to share about how to make a career out of a passion for herbalism and possibly aromatherapy. Ive come to a point where i might have the money to invest in this sort of study soon and need help!! Any and all responses are deeply appreciated and also i hope everyone here on this site has a great day and is blessed. Your two cents: always welcome:) Thanks !

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Permalink Reply by Azraelwitch on November 14, 2009 at 3:36pm: Thats very nice... I am not sure which school to go to, or whcih courses to take online, but its the only thing i like to do besides my study of world religions...I'm not sure how to make a career out of that either, but being disabled with no job sucks. I have way too much free time. All that does is cause problems . Something about idle hands and the devils work:); ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by soulsurvivor on November 14, 2009 at 2:48pm: Well I've got good news and bad news.Lets do the good first! I was raised in the craft.I assumed that when someone was sick you went to the drying shed or the root cellar.and fixed some nasty smelling stuff to make me drink,Hey I'm not kidding that stuff would knock flies out of the air for 10 feet! But it worked.Things are different now,way different!How much experance have you had as far as treating someone? even yourself? Have you studied with anyone? gotta book?
Now the Bad News,depeding on wich state you live in the laws are all different.Some staes require you to have 2 years of colleage on health and well being.Some don't.but the killer is malpractice insurance,it can be as much as $30 grand check your state,research iton line. but never give up! soulsurvivor; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Azraelwitch on November 14, 2009 at 3:42pm: I have some experience treating myself and others with aromatherapyy oils and soem light herbal preparatins that are pretty safe. Such as the echinacea nad the chamomile, but have plenty of books and am learning quick. its kind of complicated... i can make things that can go either way, but im not sure i trust to believe that my friends willl always tell me everything i need to know beforehand such as the medications they are on. I am not one that wants to accidentally kill someone through negligence. That and i am just curious as to my options. I am not a doctor nor do i play one on tv. Thanks for telling me though and I'll be back later. I need to do some things. It means alot to me though.:); ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Woad JadeWolf on November 14, 2009 at 3:03pm: There are schools that offer herbalist-specific training for a professional atmosphere. Clayton College of Natural Health is a distance education school, it's where I'm currently attending. They offer certifications up to Master Herbalist, which includes aromatherapy, and they're recognized by the American Herbalists Guild (both the founder and the current president of the Guild have textbooks currently being used by CCNH students). What's more, CCNH is going through federal accreditation right now, and is recognized in all fifty states. In some states, however, you need to pursue further education and go through a licensing exam before you can practice as a professional. That's fairly normal procedure, however.

Good luck.

EDIT: Also, CCNH sends coursework through the mail, so if you're sight impaired or just don't want to deal with the internet, you can correspond with it.

(Also, if you wanted to go beyond herbalism, many schools, including CCNH, are offering hollistic courses and degrees in naturopathic healing and personal wellness.); ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Rhiannonfirewitch on November 14, 2009 at 3:04pm: Clayton college is a good one. ;); ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Meredith on November 14, 2009 at 6:14pm: http://www.heartofherbs.com/ <---Correspondence course
http://www.sagemountain.com <----Rosemary Gladstar's herbalism course; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by AlanHeartsong on November 14, 2009 at 11:10pm: After reading this topic, I got curious and went looking for herbalism courses locally. Found one that, in 4 saturdays gives you a certificate as a certified herbalist.... but somehow, I don't think it's supposed to be that easy and still be legit.

Plus, they spelled it wrong. In one place it was "herbalogy", and in another it was "herbalology". How qualified to teach it can they be if they don't even know how to spell it right? LOL; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Woad JadeWolf on November 15, 2009 at 2:28am: Ohhhh yeah, that sounds totally bunk. I have, at the very least, three years of training before I get my Master Herbalist cert, and it'll only take me that long because I'm unemployed and can study all day, every day. A good rule of thumb is to send the name of the course and the school to the AHG. If they won't take you, even under student membership, then I'd be having some major doubts.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Azraelwitch on November 15, 2009 at 8:52am: I just happen to have all day to study too. i think thats cool . in between my housekeeping , i could be learning a craft. Thanks you guys!!! Also, thanks for the funny story, i expect to spend years learning the herbs and i promise!!!; ▶ Reply to This