Community Herbalist

Community herbalists, with formal training in herbalism, engage with the public, often integrating folk herbalism and various preparations into their practice. Typically, they are the ones you'll find running herb shops and providing community herbal education programs.

Clinical Herbalist

A clinical herbalist has extensive formal training in herbalism, including clinical training, with a heavy focus on evidence-based science, but also includes folk, traditional, and other aspects of herbalism. Clinical herbalists often work in a one-on-one setting, and although they still can't diagnose or treat, they will usually do a health intake and can give personalized advice. 

It's important to note, there is no herbalist licensing in the US. There are herbal certifications, but every herb school is different. Check around before choosing an herb school or herbalist. 

Herbal Educator

This type of herbalist can be the most liberal with how they describe herbs and what they do. Herbal educators can either fit into several categories of herbalists, or their entire focus is on education. When education is the main focus, they are not making claims that can be tied back to any products or service, so they can share the most specific herbal health information of any other type of herbalist. 

Herbal Supplier

An herbal supplier is who you go to for herbs or herbal products. These can be places like a brick-and-mortar shop, an online shop, or a booth at a farmer's market. Often, an herbal supplier is a community herbalist or other type of herbalist in addition to supplying herbs and herbal products.

Herbal Maker or Formulator

This is someone who makes herbal remedies such as extracts, infusion, tea blends, balms, or any type of herbal preparation for internal or external use.  An herbal formulator is often someone who fits into several other herbal categories, or they may put all of their focus on making products. 

Herb Farmer

An herb farmer is someone who grows herbs to use in aspects of herbalism. They may grow them to make their own products, to sell directly to customers, or to sell to other types of herbalists. An herb farmer is often one or more of the other types of herbalists. 

Home Herbalist 

A home herbalist is an individual who engages in herbalism within the confines of their home for personal use or for their family. They might have formal training or be self-taught, integrating herbal remedies into their everyday routine. This form of herbalism is commonly transmitted through generations by family elders or shared among friends.

Whether you are an herbalist or aspire to become one, we're curious about how you would like to engage with herbs. Share your thoughts in a comment below.