What is an Herbalist?
Medical herbalists use the healing power of plants to treat a wide range of medical conditions, including skin problems, allergies, arthritis and stress-related conditions. Herbal medicine (also known as phytotherapy) combines knowledge of traditional plant remedies with modern medical science. Many conventional medicines are based on chemicals found in plants, but herbalists use whole parts of the plant (such as leaves, berries or roots) as they believe this makes a more ‘balanced’ natural remedy.

An herbalist would treat a patient after looking at their lifestyle, diet and emotional issues as well as the physical symptoms. Your work would involve:

• taking a detailed history of the patient’s symptoms and lifestyle
• carrying out a physical examination and tests
• making a diagnosis and prescribing an appropriate herbal medicine
• (in some cases) growing herbs and preparing remedies in various forms, including capsules, extracts, ointments or infusions advising on wider health and lifestyle issues
• keeping detailed patient notes
• seeing patients for follow-up appointments

You could specialise in western herbal medicine, or in Chinese or Indian herbal traditions.

Herbalist Career
Careers in herbalism include working within the herb industry as an herb buyer, formulator, researcher, consultant, retailer, grower, medicine maker, writer/journalist, or educator. Some herbalists have found positions working in practices with physicians or other practitioners. While there are some opportunities for working in an integrative setting, the practice of herbal "medicine" is not legally recognized in most states. In the current climate even licensed health professionals are at risk if they practice or supervise a practitioner of herbal medicine. Based on a review of salaries published by the American Herbalists Guild (AHG), herbalists' incomes range from $20k-$120k. Most practicing herbalists supplement their incomes with a variety of professional activities including teaching, writing, and consulting.

Find Schools Offering Herbalism

What is a Holistic Nutritionist?
Holistic Nutritionists are nutritionists and nutrition consultants who develop diets that match an individual's health and nutritional needs while looking at the individual as a whole. They pomote balance of proteins, vitamins, and other nutrients to maiximize energy levels and overall physical and emotional health. Natural and organic foods are very important elements of holistic nutrition. A holistic nutrition professional may or may not be a traditional medical professional.

Holistic Nutritionist Career
Although this is a newer career field, it shows much promise as the public is becoming more interested in a holistic approach to nutrition and health. Holistic nutritionists' salaries can vary from $25,000 to $50,000 a year. Most holistic nutritionists work in private practice, rather than in large institutions. Holistic nutrition is focused on in-depth individual counseling and the consumption of natural and organic foods. In addition to a private practice, holistic nutritionists often write articles or books or teach workshops and classes. Holistic nutritionists can also find careers in the natural foods, supplements, and herbal products industries. There are currently no industry regulations, lincesure or certifications.

Find Schools Offering Holistic Nutrition

What is Naturopathy?
Naturopathy is a form of alternative medicine based on the idea that the body has an innate capacity to fight disease and heal itself. Naturopaths improve health and treat illness by treating the person holistically, tapping a person's own internal body, mind, and spirit resources. Naturopathy comprises a blend of different therapies, all attempting to restore the body to health in the most natural, noninvasive way possible by stimulating the body's own healing powers. Naturopathic treatments can include manual therapy, hydrotherapy, herbalism, and environmental medicine, as well as other modes of alternative medicine such as aromatherapy, homeopathy, and acupuncture. Drugs and surgery are not offered by a naturopath.

Naturopathic Doctor Career
Because of the exploding interest in natural health care, there are more career opportunities in natural medicine than ever before. Graduates of naturopathic programs are establishing thriving practices, with many choosing multi-faceted careers. They are working as primary care physicians in private practice and in integrative clinics. They are working as research scientists and faculty members in alternative or conventional medical institutions. Naturopaths are also filling positions as:

• Natural pharmacists
• Wellness educators
• Public health administrators
• Research and development scientists in the natural products industry
• Consultants to industry, insurance companies, public service, political and other organizations

Find Schools Offering Naturopathic Medicine