Frequently Asked Questions
Do I have to take Western Herbalism before I take Chinese Herbalism?
Can I take both the Western Herbalism and Chinese Herbalism Program at the same time?
Do I have to take Western Herbalism 101 before I start the Western Herbalism program?
How much does it cost to complete the Western Herbalism Program?
How much does it cost to complete the Chinese Herbalism Program?
I already have experience in herbalism, can I take the clinical part without the classes?
With this program, will I become a Registered Herbalist (RH)?
What is the difference between Western and Chinese Herbalism?
I am unable to commit to a 2 year program. Are there other options for me?
What career opportunities are available for an herbal school graduate?
What do I get certified in when I finish the two year coarse?
Do I have to take Western Herbalism before I take Chinese Herbalism?
No, this is not a requirement, but if you do not have experience in TCM or Chinese Herbalism, it may be best to enroll in the Western program prior to beginning your Chinese studies. We highly encourage all students enrolled in our Chinese Herbalism program to also enroll in Western Herbalism 101.
Can I take both the Western Herbalism and Chinese Herbalism Program at the same time?
While you can take both programs at the same time, we discourage this for most students. As the two programs discuss differing diagnostic systems, it would be challenging to grasp both of these at the same time. Most students who enroll in both programs do so one after the other.
What if I want to take the classes but do not want to participate in the clinical part of the program?
If you choose to not take part in clinicals, or do not complete all of your required clinical hours, you will graduate with a Certified (Western or Chinese) Herbalism certificate, not a Clinical Herbalist certificate. (As long as you successfully complete all of your required academic classes)
Do I have to take Western Herbalism 101 before I start the Western Herbalism program?
Western Herbalism 101 is the required prerequisite to continuing on to Foundations of Western Herbalism. The Western Herbalism program consists of three separate series - Western Herbalism 101, Foundations of Western Herbalism, and Advanced Western Herbalism. Each piece is required to be completed before moving forward.
How much does it cost to complete the Western Herbalism Program?
Western Herbalism 101 costs $300 for the weekend. Foundations of Western Herbalism and Advanced Western Herbalism are each 8 months of classes that cost $300 each, for a total of $2400 (each). If you choose to pay in full before a class series starts, there is a 10% discount (the total will then be $2180. Additionally, there is a $50 application fee for Foundations and $100 application fee for Advanced. There is also a one time $200 Clinic Supply Fee for Advanced Western Herbalism. Textbooks are purchased separately.
In total, the entire program will cost $5,450 (does not include textbooks).
How much does it cost to complete the Chinese Herbalism Program?
The application fee for Chinese Herbalism is $100. Each weekend class in this 24 month program is $300, for a total of $7200. If you choose to pay in full before the first class commences, the cost with a 10% discount is $6480). There is also a one time Clinic Supply Fee of $300.
In total, the entire program will cost $7,600 (does not include textbooks).
What is Western Herbalism?
Our Western Herbalism program is perfect for the beginning herbalist, or as a refresher for the more experienced. This program introduces the basics of Western Herbalism which includes learning over 250 western herbs and how they interact with the systems of the human body. Students will also learn herbal energetics, diagnostics, medicine making, and spiritual as well as clinical practice. There is a certain element of creativity to this program, as students take the information learned and create new and innovative herbal products.
What is Chinese Herbalism?
Chinese Herbal Medicine is based on a long history of empirical observation and clinical trial and error. Written records documenting Chinese herbal medicine extend over three thousand years into the past with some formulas still being used today. Grounded in the comprehensive base of traditional Chinese medicine and diagnostics, students will learn the theoretical principles, treatment strategies, and herbal formulations that make an excellent clinical herbalist practitioner. This program is an excellent addition to students planning to attend acupuncture school.
What is the curriculum for each program?
Western
Western Herbalism 101
Learn about 30 herbs
Foundations
Advanced Herbal Actions and Energetics
Herb Cultivation and Storage
Botany for the Herbalist
Plant Spirit Medicine
Herbal Medica by Body System
Client Evaluation Techniques (Tongue, Pulse, etc)
Anatomy and Physiology
Advanced
Applied Energetics
The Ethics of Herbalism
Advanced Herbal Preparations & Formulation
Barefoot Doctoring
Herb/Drug Interactions
Pathology
Field Experience
Chinese
Basic TCM Theory
General Herbal Therapy
General TCM Diagnostics
Tonify Qi, Blood, Yin, and Yang
Fertility and Gynecology
Pharmacology and Herb/Drug Interactions
Geriatrics, Children, and Infants
Western Herbal Formulation
Vitamin and Mineral Therapies
Release Exterior and Drain Fire
Drain Damp/Transform Phlegm
Regulate Qi & Blood
Building Qi, Blood & Yin/Yang
Calming the Shen & Extinguishing Wind
Stabilize and Bind, Open Orifices
Making Herbal Products/Medicine Making
Chronic Disease
Herbal First Aid
The Business of Herbalism
Anatomy & Physiology
Herb/Drug Interactions
Western Herbal Practices
Vitamin & Mineral Therapies
Pathology for Herbalists
Barefoot Doctoring
Patent & Other Herbal Formulas
Overnight Field Study
Botany
Is your program accredited?
The Herb School industry does not have a unified accreditation body. Therefore, NO herb school can grant its graduates an accredited herbalist degree, or an herbalist masters degree.
When will I begin the clinical component of my education?
Western Herbalism- The clinical component will begin once you start the third section of the Western Herbalism Program titled “Advanced Western Herbalism”. You will be working in the clinic one day a week for one full year. Attendance and participation of at least 40 sessions of student clinics qualifies students for graduation as a Clinician.
Chinese Herbalism program, the clinical component will begin after you complete the third class in the program series. You will be working in the clinic one day a week for two years. Graduation requires at least 40 sessions as an observing intern and 25 sessions as a treating intern.
Will I see clients during clinic hours?
New students will start observing in the clinic one night per week; treating status will be granted with permission of the clinical supervision once basic evaluation techniques are well understood The clinic allows students to apply their skills in a safe, supervised setting. They gain experience in case intakes, creating appropriate herbal formulas, and preparing medicine.
I already have experience in herbalism, can I take the clinical part without the classes?
The classes are integral to the clinical experience and so we do not allow people to just take the clinical part only.
I already have experience in herbalism, can I skip Foundations of Western Herbalism and just take Advanced Western Herbalism?
This program is designed to develop clinical herbalists and has specific information that builds with each portion of the program. We have had many students with experience in herbalism express that our program has filled in the gaps of knowledge they were missing.
Is there any financial aid available?
Financial aid is not currently available at our program. The classes are set up as pay as you go so that they are not overly taxing for anyone. If you choose to pay for a class series in full in advance, you will receive a 10% discount.
Do you accept the GI bill for tuition?
Unfortunately we cannot accept the GI bill for tuition.
With this program, will I become a Registered Herbalist (RH)?
Completing either program will provide you with all the coursework and most of the clinical hours to apply to become a registered herbalist. Click here to understand the requirements to become a registered herbalist.
Do I have to apply to get into a program?
Yes, you do have to apply to get into either program.
For Western Herbalism, you must pay a $50 application fee and complete the online application
For Chinese Herbalism, you must pay a $100 application fee and complete the online application
Is there a graduation if I complete a program?
Yes we do hold a graduation ceremony if you complete the program. It is held in our beautiful half acre medicinal garden. You can invite your family and loved ones to cheer you on for all your hard work!
What is the difference between Chinese and Western Herbalism?
Philosophical Foundations, Diagnosis, and Treatment Approach.
Western Herbalism blends traditional European herbal practices with modern scientific understanding. It uses a holistic, body-system-based approach to assess health and choose herbal treatments.
Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) uses a systematic, holistic framework to diagnose and treat illness. Unlike Western medicine, which focuses on named diseases, TCM identifies patterns of disharmony and aims to restore balance in the body’s energetic systems.
Western Herbalism Approach
Diagnosis Method: Based on symptoms, body systems, constitution, and lifestyle
Focus: Treat the person, not just the disease
Herb Selection: Based on herbal actions, organ/system affinity
Formulas: Simple blends tailored to individual needs
Goal: Restore balance, support self-healing, prevent recurrence
Chinese Herbalism Approach
Diagnosis Method: Observation, listening/smelling, inquiry, palpation, tongue, pulse
Pattern analysis: Based on Eight Principles and Zang-Fu organ theory
Focus: Treat underlying pattern of disharmony, not just symptoms
Formula style: Multi-herb, role-based prescriptions tailored to individual
Goal: Restore balance of Qi, Blood, Yin, Yang, and organ systems
Is there homework in the programs?
Yes, there is homework in our Western Herbalism program. This is designed to help students process and receive constructive feedback on their learning process.
Is there an Anatomy requirement for either program?
Western Herbalism- An Anatomy class is required for your participation in “Foundations of Western Herbalism”. If you have taken college level coursework in Anatomy and Physiology, please let us know in your application. We offer a two hour crash course for each body system called “Anatomy for the Herbalist”. This series lines up with each body system that you will be learning in the Foundations courses and fulfills the Anatomy requirement. Each individual class costs $35. Classes are offered monthly, and each class covers a different body system.
Chinese Herbalism - You will take a weekend of Anatomy and Physiology as part of your program. If you have not taken Anatomy before, we also highly encourage you to take the “Anatomy for the Herbalist” series.
I am unable to commit to a 2 year program. Are there other options for me?
We have so many options!
We offer a variety of community classes and weekend programs!
Chinese - You can take the first three courses
Ch 1: Basic Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) Theory
Ch 2: General Chinese Herbal Theory & Legal and Ethical issues in Herbalism
Ch 3: General Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) Diagnostics
Western - Take Western Herbalism 101 and get to know over 30 herbs in one weekend!
What skills will I get out of completing either program?
Upon graduation, students will be able to professionally see clients, design herbal formulas, and more. Students learn the skills to create their own product lines, work with established herbal companies, consult with other healthcare providers, and help friends and family with lifelong wellness. The fields of herbalism and natural healthcare are expanding rapidly, and more opportunities arise every day.
Can I complete either program virtually?
We encourage you to attend class and clinic in person because there is an element of interaction that will be helpful for your training in herbalism. However, if you cannot attend in person, all classes are hybrid and so you can attend online. To obtain the clinical designation, you can attend the clinic virtually each week and present at least one case presentation per month.
What textbooks are required?
Western Herbalism
101
Included in your tuition price is the book Rosemary Gladstar's Medicinal Herbs: A Beginner's Guide: 33 Healing Herbs to Know, Grow, and Use
Foundations
Advanced
Chinese Herbalism
What is Herbal Medicine?
Many different types of natural medicine use herbs as a part of their practice. In the United States, herbal medicine generally refers to a system of medicine that uses European or North American plants. Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) uses plants native to China or Asia, while Ayurvedic herbal medicine uses plants native to India. Modern herbalists often use plants from many different regions of the world, and they do not restrict their practice only to those plants classified as an herb (a seed plant whose stem withers away annually). Instead, in medicine, an herb can be a root, a piece of tree bark, a mushroom or anything else which grows naturally and falls into the plant kingdom. Chinese herbalism actually goes a step further and includes rocks, shells and even some insects and seafoods as herbs.
Phytopharmaceutical literally means “plant medicine” and has become a popular term for some types of herbal medicine, especially those practices that treat the herb or the herbal extract as a drug.
What is an Herbalist?
In the United States, an herbalist is a self-defined professional. There is no national or state system of licensure or certification for herbalists. Professional groups may grant certification to members that have reached a certain level of training as an herbalist. Some herbalists concentrate on growing or wildcrafting (picking) herbs. Others manufacture herbal products. Still others teach or counsel people about the use of herbs as medicine.
One branch of anthropology, called ethnobotany, studies the use of plants in other cultures, particularly their use as medicine. Ethnobotanists, who receive their training through the standard university system, have classified a number of medicinal herbs. Their work helps preserve the traditional folk medicines of indigenous people around the world.
Can an herbalist practice medicine?
Legally, in the United States, the practice of medicine is restricted to those professionals who have a medical license. Practice is generally defined as both diagnosis and prescription, with a focus on the treatment of disease (the laws vary from state to state). There are no restrictions however, on teaching people how to take better care of themselves. Most herbalists define themselves as teachers, healers, or counselors rather than as medical practitioners.
Several natural medicine professions are licensed and do use herbal medicine as part of their practice. So herbalists who want to practice medicine generally choose to do so under the license of another profession such as acupuncturist, naturopath or chiropractor.
What career opportunities are available for an herbal school graduate?
Most herbalists are self-employed. They may run small manufacturing companies making herbal products, grow herbs for sale to manufacturers, own retail stores, counsel others about herbal products, and more. There are a few teaching positions available through the alternative medicine colleges. The goal of this program is to focus on the clinical practice of herbal care. Clinical herbalists may open their own practice, work with MDs, chiropractors or acupuncturists.
How much money will I make as an herbalist?
A large number of working herbalists were interviewed and asked this question. The most common answer was “as much as you want.” Some choose to live very Spartan lives, “off the grid” and away from civilization. Others make comfortable wages as counselors, teachers, manufacturers or writers. Many herbalists have more than one job—it’s not unusual to see someone running an herb farm and writing books and teaching classes. Herbalists enjoy the variety and independence of being self-employed.
What are the eligibility requirements to begin school?
Our program requires that you are at least 17 years of age when you start and able to attend classes on weekends and the intern clinic on weekday evenings. Our program is very rigorous and requires outside study between formal classes. Before starting the program a student should know that they are prepared for a fast paced, academically challenging course of study in a real world clinical setting.
How do I get started?
The program begins in October or November of each year. To begin the program, just fill out the application with a non refundable $100 deposit. Once this is complete, we will contact you to schedule a short admissions interview. When you start the program, your fee will be used for your student membership in the American Herbalists Guild and American Botanical Council. Confirmation of your acceptance into the program will be given within 8 weeks of receiving your application. Classes are limited to 25 students and are on a first come, first served basis.
BECOMING A REGISTERED HERBALIST (AHG)
Cancellation Policy
•The administrative fee due upon registering for the program is non-refundable.
•Cancelling up to three days prior to class, refunds are available with a 5% deduction, or payment is transferable to future classes.
•Cancelling after the first class: 50% of total remaining prorated tuition is refundable.
•Cancelling after the second class: 25% of total remaining prorated tuition is refundable.
•After the third class, there are no refunds given and the total sum of tuition is due in full – even if all classes are not completed.
What do I get certified in when I finish the two year coarse?
•If you finish the two year course you will become a Certified Western OR Chinese Herbalist.
•If you finish the two year coarse along with all of your student clinic hours, then you will become a Certified Clinical Herbalist.
•Attendance and participation of at least 40 sessions of student clinics qualifies students for graduation as a Certified Clinician.
What does clinic entail?
Clinic takes place on - Mondays for Acupuncture Students
Tuesdays for Western Herbal Students
Wednesdays for Chinese Herbal Students
•Sessions consist of a full health evaluation where students get a detailed history, current complaints, and perform a tongue and pulse evaluation.
•Students gather all of this information, then prepare a wellness plan and custom herbal formula. The students also collaborate with a supervisor, who will confirm a wellness plan by checking on the client.
When do classes happen?
Class intensives are one weekend a month.
Saturdays and Sundays from 10am to 5pm.