How to Choose an Herbalist

Finding the right herbalist is a lot like finding the right personal physician; the patient needs to select a healer that they can trust. Many patients and alternative health seekers find themselves a little lost among the many people that call themselves herbalists and healers, unsure of who to go to.

Herbalism: Past and Present

Herbalism is a traditional, and some would call alternative, medicinal practice based on the use of plants. This practice is one of the earliest forms of medicine. Every culture has used herbalism to treat major and minor illnesses. The oldest practitioners of herbalism are the witch doctors, shamans, and wise people of the tribes.

Before the age of modern allopathic medicine, the herbalist would have been the primary medical expert and would care for all of those in his or her area. The household would also have one or two people, usually the mother or grandmother, who used herbs to heal minor problems.

Today, herbalists continue the practice of natural healing. Known as Master Herbalists (M.H.), most obtain certification through a school program, like that of Herbal Healer Academy and Clayton College of Natural Healing. The course usually covers many different types of herbs and their properties, reading from specialized texts, learning how to create herbal medicines like tinctures and liniments, and taking a final exam covering the course material. After passing the exam, the herbalist is then given certification that is meant to show achievement of that course and is not a federal certification like that of a Medical Doctor (M.D.).

For further formalization, an herbalist might join a group like the American Herbalist Guild (A.H.G.) where they undergo testing and must have some clinical experience in order to join. Most groups have a strict code of ethics an herbalist must abide by in order to become and remain a member of said community.

A problem some patients have is finding an herbalist. Most practitioners specialize in two or more forms of alternative healing, including herbalism. Herbalists can be found among acupuncturists, reflexologists, practitioners of Traditional Chinese Medicine (T.C.M.), aromatherapists, nutritionists, homeopaths, naturopaths, and many other alternative healers.

Choosing an Herbalist Involves Questions

The best way to choose an herbalist is to ask questions.

First ask family members and friends if they have an herbalist, and if so, would they recommend them? Usually the family members and friends, if not seeing an herbalist themselves, will ask around as well. Using personal networks is usually the best way to obtain specific information about healers and their personality as well as practice.

Asking employees or owners of local health markets might give the seeker an idea of how many herbalists and healers are in their area as well as names to contact. Some health markets even have a wall or table where healers can leave business cards and flyers.

There are also many online registries of healers, such as that of the American Herbalist Guild, which provides herbalist contact information by state.

Upon finding an herbalist, the patient should ask themselves some questions to determine how helpful the healer is. Below are some questions from Complete Idiot's Guide to Herbal Remedies by Frankie Avalon Wolfe:

• Does this person engage you in their healing process?
• Does this person assure you that the body heals itself and that the herbs give opportunity to heal? Or does he or she take all the credit?
• Does this person make you feel that you can trust him or her?
• Do you learn from this person?
• Does this person guide or dictate you?
• Can this person answer your questions to your satisfaction?
• Does this person teach you the nature of herbs and why you might be ill in the first place?
• Do they help you find a plan that's right for you?
• Do you get results from working with this person?
• Does this person listen to you?

Lack of Trust Hinders the Natural Healing Process

Good chemistry is a must between healer and patient in any field because of the amount of time spent together between check-ups, consultations and other meetings. If the patient feels uncomfortable with their healer, then trust cannot be fully felt and if they don't trust the healer then they may not be truthful. If the patient doesn't tell the truth about their diet or drug regiment, then the healer cannot know for sure how to treat the patient and may harm them instead of cure them. Lack of trust can hinder healing just as much as poison or a bad diet plan.

There are No Magic Bullets

Lastly, when searching for an herbalist, the patient must remember that true healing takes time. Any healer, herbalist or otherwise, that offers a quick fix to all problems is not offering health. There are no magic bullets or miracle cures, as any true healer will be quick to say. Anybody offering a quick fix that cures everything from hair loss to cancer is offering nothing more than snake oil.

**I originally wrote this article for Suite101

Ritual Bath

In the months and year to come I will be taking a few courses on spirituality and healing/herbalism.

One of these courses is the First Degree course for Witch School. The first lesson in this degree involves a bath as the spell of the month. Sounds simple enough except when you get into the spell, it involves reviewing and releasing all the painful memories of the past. 

That being said, the spell does involve some herbs. 

In the bath or in a cheesecloth (like a tea bag) I'm asked to add a handful each of Rosemary, Sage and Sea Salt. 

Rosemary:

A sun-related masculine herb with the element of fire.

Energies include cleansing and purification as well as protection. 

This is also a great herb for mental clarity.

Used for kitchen witchery as well as ritual magic, this is also a great herb for the garden or a small potted plant. 

Other purposes- rosemary is used in incense, dream pillows, to asperge a ritual space with holy water, and was even used in wedding garlands in the past. 

On a more personal note - Rosemary was one of the herbs in the bath mix i was given for my first less on with Herbal Healer Academy. I find it suiting that it is another rosemary bath that starts me on this first degree course. 

Sage

Another masculine herb, sage has the properties of Air and is associated with Jupiter. 

Energies include purification, healing, mental clarity and amplification, and prosperity.

Sage can even be used to contact spirit guides and expand the self to reach the Higher Self. 

I am most used to using Sage as a smudging stick for ritual cleansing of a space or a person and I believe that this use most reflects is Air-like quality. 

Salt

While not an herb, salt is used in all forms of magick form High Ritual to low garden or kitchen witchery. 

Today we have access to all kinds of salt from Pink Himalayan (my personal favorite) to black to white flaky sea salt. 

For this bath purpose course sea salt or even bath salts can be used. 

Its always best to make your own ritual tools, including herbal blends, but if you wanted something ready to go, there are many stores online and off that offer a variety of herbal bath salt blends for various purposes. 

This Wicca Ritual Cleansing Bath Salt is made with quartz crystal (which you can easily add to your own bath mix if using a tea ball or cheesecloth). This particular blend was mixed on a Full Moon during a "Raging" storm, so it will also hold that powerful energy amplified by the crystals. 

Buy at The Witches Corner on Etsy

This beautiful blend I could not describe better than the words on the website so I will simply share them here with you:

"This is the "healed" blend of exclusive Sage Goddess bath salts, designed to facilitate physical and emotional wellness through purification and detoxification. This mixture of pure essential oils and organic herbs will encourage you to breathe deeply and clearly...

The mint leaves (spearmint and peppermint) are organic. The four essential oils in my blend - a mixture of rosemary, peppermint, and ruby grapefruit - are organic and pure. A combination of sea and dead salt provides texture and softens skin.

I package the salt mixture with one piece of bloodstone, which you can see in the photo; all salts are smudged with sage before shipping. My intention is that when you open the package, you will feel instantly at peace, ready to clear your mind and body of whatever illness or unwell sensations you have. Let go of what does not serve."

You can buy this exquisite blend at The Sage Goddess on Etsy

This collection of bath salts use herbs, resins and essential oils and are made individuality so that you can decide on just one herbal energy or a few to blend yourself to your discretion. 

Currently available are Dragons Blood, Lemongrass Sage, Hyssop (another clarifying herb), and the aforementioned Rosemary. 

Plus, they're available in these darling apothecary jars that I love. 

You can purchase these salts at Findias Emporium on Etsy.








*Magickal properties of herbs found in Scott Cunningham's Encyclopedia of Magical Herbs

Magical Classes and Coursework

There are so many people in the world that want to learn to create magick. Students seek mentors, teachers, leaders, priests and more to teach them about magick, spellwork, herbs, healing, crystals, and more.
With the wonderful world wide web, finding these classes has become easier and easier with a variety of classes ranging from free mini-courses to more expensive classes that end with certifications and know-how to start your own practice.

The following are just a few of those courses that I've come across in my time looking for my own teacher.

Free:

Confessions of a Kitchen Witch offers Free Wicca/Witchcraft Lessons and, while there are already a few lessons up, they haven't gone very far and you can sign up to be part of the lessons any time.

WitchSchool is a very popular website that I usually don't feel a need to explain the site or what it offers. Amongst its many offerings is a selection of basic classes for free including Basic Herbs, Living the Wiccan Life, and Progressive Witchcraft.
While this is on the Free section of this post, if you want access to their other classes like Wicca in the Military or Intro to Animal Herbology you can pay a variety of ways - $5 a month or $99 lifetime memberships available.


Tuition Based Coursework

The Enchanted School of Witchcraft offers 3 degrees (Initiat, Adept, High Priestess) with classes like Herb magic, Craft Tools, Psychic Skills and Tarot. Their cost is $2500 or $50 a month. There is a waiting list as she only accepts a limited number of students so that each student can get individual time with their teacher.

Karmic Journey offers courses online and through correspondence. Each student receives a Practitioner's Starter Kit of sample oils and herbs. Classes include basic Wicca theory and correspondences and there are 15-16 lessons. Tuition for Internet based students is currently $10.50 with a promotion they're currently offering. Correspondence student tuition is $75.

The Magicka School offers 2 sets of courses. There is a free membership program that offers 2 set of courses - Wicca Revealed and Beginners Tarot. The Paid membership program costs $55 for lifetime membership or $33 annually and among the many benefits are the Advanced Tarot and Herbal Compleat Courses as well as various e-books, e-zines and the ability to obtain certificates for completed courses.


Oberon Zell-Ravenheart created The Grey School of Wizardry with several other well-known witches and wizards to provide classes to interested student both young and adult. Inspired by the Harry Potter classes, the school even has houses for younger students and lodges for the older students with contests between and within said groups. Classes offered include Wortcunning, Dark Arts, Performance Magick and Alchemy.
For younger students the monthly fee is $4 with a level up fee ranging form $2.50 to $15. For adult students the cost is $8 monthly with level up fee from $5 to $30.


Certified Course Work

Certified Crystal Healer Course is offered by the Hibiscus Moon Crystal Academy. It is not continuous so if you miss an opening, feel free to sign up to receive updates on the course and when it will be enrolling again.

Herbal Healer Academy offers classes for students to obtain certifications for Herbalism, Acupressure, Qi Gong, Homeopathy, Bach Flower Remedies, and Survival as well as other courses. Students can even obtain certification as a Naturopathic Healer. Herbalism courses are $20 a lesson with $8 shipping. Other courses vary in price depending on number of lessons, books and other text involved.

Susun Weed's Wise Woman University offers a variety of courses created by Susun Weed and other herbal teaching experts. Classes include Herbal First Aid, Green Witch, Intuitive Developement, Creating Altars and Creative Writing. Correspondence courses range from $450 to $550 with the ability to pay $50 monthly. Online courses range from $75 to $175 depending on how lengthy or in-depth the course is.



If you find other courses online that you have found beneficial and offer classes on herbs or magick please let me know. Thank you.

Happy 25th Birthday

Happy 25th Birthday Herbal Healer Academy!

In my newsletter from Herbal Healer, Marijah McCain wrote:

"We are celebrating 25 years now at Herbal Healer Academy. We have come a long way since I started this company with a $50.00 investment.

It all started with the Herbology Course and then came products to sell. After many years of research and talking with thousands of you, I have found some of the best natural medicines available. I am very particular about the products I offer, if I won't take them myself, I wouldn't sell them. They have to be safe and cause no side effects and be effective.

Many of the HHA Members have been with us since the beginning and I would like to say thank you for sticking with us through the thick and thin. We have had some rocky times, but perseverance and the truth always prevails. I have no regrets, which is really amazing when you think about it.

There is a sign on my wall that say "Goal: To generate the most reputable, results oriented, natural medicine supplier and alternative healing correspondence educator on the planet" Sums it up nicely, and thank you all!"

I am so happy to be a student of Herbal Healer Academy's Herbology course and hope to see many more anniversary notes in the future.