Frequently Asked Questions
Click on the questions below to read the answers. If you have any other questions, please contact me.
Medical Herbalists
A Medical Herbalist is a qualifying trained herbalist who has have gone through a rigorous screening process in addition to have met the educational requirements of The National Institute of Medical Herbalist in the UK. This is the oldest and most respected herbalist association in the world.
The Ontario Herbalists Association offers a list of herbalists that have also joined this local herbal association and are referred to as Registered Herbalists. For a complete list of those members, please go to http://www.herbalists.on.ca/rh-ontario/
Yes, they most certainly do! All Medical Herbalists must abide by the professional codes for maintenance of professional membership to the National Institute of Medical Herbalists.
Medical Herbalists are the Herbal Medicine experts. They are THE specialists in herbal medicine having had their years of training focusing on and specializing in herbal medicines. Naturopaths have studied several different healing modalities in the same time frame that Medical Herbalists have studied and focused on one modality – herbal medicines. Medical Herbalists are not dabblers in herbal medicine, rather they are the highest trained, thus experts, in the field. A Homeopath has studied homeopathic medicines that may or may not include herbs.
Regulation
At this point no they are not. However, in Ontario, the Ontario Herbalists Association believe in self regulation and have taken it upon ourselves to regulate practicing herbalists for public safety. Those qualifying members are referred to as Registered Herbalists.
Anyone can call himself or herself a herbalist or herbal practitioner and sell herbs and herbal medicines. However, like any profession, one should look to determine what sort of education an individual may or may not have who claims to be an expert in herbs and herbal medicine. Medical Herbalists are internationally renowned for the high level of education and standards that are necessary to safely practice herbal medicine.
Restricted or ban herbs refers to all parts of herbs that may be cited by Health Canada reference list for which there is a safety concern. The list is intended as a guide only and is not necessarily all inclusive. Those herbs, or their concentrates, for which use is already prohibited or restricted by the Food and Drugs Regulations (Schedule F, C.01.038) are not included in this list. For other herbs not included in this list, it is the manufacturer’s responsibility to support the safety of a herb where this is at any time questioned by the Drugs Directorate. The lack of acceptability of the herbs included in this list applies to all routes of administration unless otherwise indicated.
Herbs & Herbal Medicine
Herbal Medicine, sometimes referred to as Herbalism, Phytotherapy or Botanical Medicine, is the use of herbs for their therapeutic or medicinal value. Many well-established medicines come from plants.
Plants generally have a specific affinity to a particular organ or tissue where they then aim to restore the normal function of these organs or tissues. However, much like most pharmaceutical drugs, the exact mechanisms are often not fully understood.
When given under the supervision of a Medical Herbalist, the remedies are completely safe without side effects and no cumulative effects.
There is no simple answer here and really it depends on the individual and illness. Generally speaking, the longer you have been sick the longer it will take to regain your health thus you could expect to see some improvement within 2 to 3 weeks but significant results usually within 2 to 3 months. It is also important to recognize that herbs are only a part of the therapeutic protocol – attention to diet, exercise, lifestyle and so on are also usually essential and without this, the herbs cannot be expected to work well as optimally.
No, not typically as the herbs will not usually interfere with the prescription drugs. However, herbs may make it possible that you need to reduce the dosage of the medication as the herbs work and become more effective. Therefore, if you are currently on prescription medication, do not self medicate with herbs, rather consult with a Medical Herbalist and work in with your doctor.
No, you are free to seek whatever health care wherever you wish. However, it is advisable that you let your doctor know so that he/she and the Medical Herbalist can work together.
An initial consultation usually takes 1 ½ to 2 hrs for a full medical history and to perform any necessary physical assessments. Diet, lifestyle and herbal recommendations can then be given and discussed. In subsequent visits, the changes and are reviewed and remedies may be adjusted.
Herbal remedies and visits to the herbalist are not covered by most health care plans. The first visit costs vary from herbalist to herbalist and can range anywhere from $30 – $120 for a 20 min to 2 hour consultation. Subsequent visits are typically $15 – $50 each. The remedies are an additional charge and can range from $10 to $15 per week. Some herbalists offer reduced rate clinics or have a sliding scale for different patients.
A Registered Herbalist is a person who is a professional member of the Ontario Herbalists Association. This means they have met the OHA education and professional standards, and agree to abide by the OHA Code of Ethics, Code of Practice and Scope of Practice.
Health & Safety
When given under the supervision of a Medical Herbalist, the remedies are completely safe without side effects and no cumulative effects.
Herbal remedies differ from pharmaceutical drugs in that pharmaceuticals isolate only one property of the plant or are often chemically derived, and thus can cause undesirable side effects. Herbs are whole plant remedies, unless stated otherwise, and rarely cause side effects due to the fact that herbs contain all of the properties of that particular plant or plant part thus synergism. If one property would cause side effects, the other properties present counteract the undesirable quality. Additionally, herbs tend to have a slower and gentler action on the body resulting in a slower but more steady and complete healing rather than the direct, harsh and often incomplete action that drugs can exhibit.
Yes, you can since typically herbs will not usually interfere with the prescription drugs. However, herbs can interact with medication and may even make it possible that you need to reduce the dosage of the medication as the herbs work and become more effective. Therefore, if you are currently on prescription medication, do not self medicate with herbs, rather consult with a Medical Herbalist and work in with your doctor.
Some herbal remedies have traditionally been used during pregnancy. However, some herbs have been known to not be safe during pregnancy as well. Be certain to consult a Medical Herbalist before taking any herbal remedies.
They most certainly can. However, because their bodies and systems react very differently than the average adult, it is advisable to consult a Medical Herbalist for more guidelines regarding dosing and types of herbs that are best suited for these individuals.
Herbs can be taken for all sorts of illnesses including both acute and chronic illnesses. Herbs can have both gentle as well as strong actions and will depend on the specific treatment needed for each condition. Consulting a Medical Herbalist will best determine what sort of herbs and actions are necessary for each individual.
Herbal Education & Apprenticing
The OHA website has a page specifically dedicated to herbal education. There you will find information on which courses would qualify a person for professional membership and which courses are just general interest courses.
Please go to http://www.herbalists.on.ca/professional-ed-standards/ for a current description of the educational standards for professional membership to the OHA.
Contact a herbalist that has the education and experience that is necessary for training an apprentice. The OHA website has a page specifically dedicated to herbal education and may included any known apprenticeship programs. However, there are various other schools and individuals that offer apprenticeship as well. It is up to you to determine if they are a reputable herbalist to train with.
Miscellaneous
Yes. Herbs that are organically grown have not had any chemicals used to grow them. Many chemicals are known to be dangerous to the body and health overall, and can adversely affect the impact that the herbs have on the body.
There are many books and on line resources for reliable information on how to grow herbs. To get you started, go to Richter’s Herbs at www.richters.com.
RH – OHA designation for qualifying practicing Registered Herbalists
CH – Chartered Herbalist from Dominion Herbal College in BC; a home study course
MH – Master Herbalist from Dominion Herbal College in BC or Master of Herbology from Emerson College of Herbology (no longer in existence); both are 1 yr home study courses
Dip.Phyto – Diploma in Phytotherapy – a clinical program from Mohawk College, with 300 clinical hours.
PSM – Plant Spirit Medicine Practitioner – a one year program studying with Elliot Cowan.
TH – Traditional Herbalist from Living Earth School of Natural Therapies; an in-class program with 250 clinical training hours.
CHT – Clinical Herbal Therapist from Dominion Herbal College in BC; an in-class program with 500 clinical training hours
MNIMH – designation for Medical Herbalist who are members of the National Institute of Medical Herbalists in England; members must have studied at a qualifying school or college including a minimum of 500 clinical training hours
MSc in Herbal Medicine – a Master of Science degree from a university; acceptance into the program requires a BSc level of herbal medicine education. This is the highest qualification available in herbal medicine.