It may be a confusing and daunting task attempting to choose a qualified natural health care practitioner. Commonly asked questions are: What is the difference between an Herbal practitioner, Naturopath, Homeopath, and Traditional Chinese Medicine? Do all herbalists have the same training? What is the difference between the various herbal designations?
Most natural health care professionals, with the exception of naturopathic doctors, are not licensed or regulated by the government. Be sure to verify your natural health provider has had adequate training and is qualified to help you reach your health goal. Verifying the practitioner is a graduate of a well-known college that is accredited by both the provincial government and any professional association will ensure they have received a minimum standard of education, quality training, and experience.
Herbal medicine and herbal designations:
Herbalists use medicinal plant material for healing purposes and the prevention of illness. Professional herbalists must have at least three years of training and complete between 300 - 500 hours of supervised practicum at an accredited college.
Herbal Consultant:
graduate of a one year of training program in basic herbal efficacy and the safe use of herbs in compliance with industry and government regulations. They are trained how to market herbs for industry and qualified to work in health food stores, herb shops, pharmacies, or wherever herbs are sold, and in herbal product manufacturing or distributing. This program is offered by Dominion Herbal College.
Chartered Herbalist (CH):
graduate of a one year training program that provides the basic fundamentals of herbology. It is an introductory level program to herbal medicine and many go on to become master or clinical herbalists. They work as health food store consultants, herbal writers, workshop leaders and product distributors, but they do not work in clinical settings. This program is offered by Dominion Herbal College.
Master Herbalist (MH):
graduate of the one year of exclusive herbal training program from Dominion Herbal College. It involves the completion of a research thesis. They often write books and articles but do not have clinical practices.
Master Herbalist (M.H.):
graduate of the two year program offered by Wild Rose College of Natural Healing that includes 100 hours of clinical training.
Clinical Herbal Therapist (CHT):
graduate of the four year full-time training from Dominion Herbal College, with the completion of a minimum of 500 hours of supervised practicum. Clinical herbalism is highly advanced and the practitioners are trained in the same medical skills as orthodox doctors, but take a more holistic approach to illness. They are able to combine a sound understanding of medical science and of the chemical composition of plants with time honored traditional experience and knowledge of herbal medicines. Clinical herbalists assess the general state of health and medical history of a client, perform physical exams, use diagnostic techniques and interpret lab results. They are qualified to set up clinical practices.
Clinical Herbalist (Cl.H.):
graduate of a three year training program from Wild Rose College of Natural Healing. It includes 300 hours of clinical training.
MSc in Herbal Medicine:
this is a Master of Science degree in Herbal Medicine from the University of Wales. This is a part-time 2 1/2 year in-class program
Practical Herbalist (P.H.):
this is the first year course of the Master Herbalist Program offered by Wild Rose College of Natural Healing.
Wholistic Therapist (W.T.):
this is offered by Wild Rose College of Natural Healing
Registered Herbal Practitioner (RHP):
a designation given to members of the Canadian Herbalists Association of BC.
Registered Herbalist (RH):
a designation given by the Ontario Herbalist Association for Qualifying Practicing Herbalists.
Member of the National Institute of Medical Herbalists (MNIMH):
a designation given to members of the National Institute of Medical Herbalists in the UK.
For more information on Herbal Medicine Practitioners please use the following resources:
Dominion Herbal College (www.dominionherbal.com)
Wild Rose College of Natural Healing (www.wrc.net)
National Institute of Medical Herbalists (www.nimh.org.uk)
Ontario Herbalists Association (www.herbalists.on.ca)
Homeopathy:
Homeopaths use highly diluted doses of substances to stimulate the body's own healing mechanism to promote health based on the principle of "like cures like". There are currently four CHE approved homeopathic schools in Canada: Canadian Academy of Homeopathy, Toronto School of Homeopathic Medicine, Vancouver Homeopathic Academy, and the Canadian College of Naturopathic medicine. For more information please visit www.canadahomeopathy.com
Naturopathic Medicine:
Naturopathic doctors (ND) are general practitioners of clinical nutrition, herbal medicine, homeopathy, acupuncture, Oriental medicine, counseling and physical medicine. There are two colleges in Canada that offer training: the Canadian College of Naturopathic Medicine in Toronto, and the Boucher Institute of Naturopathic Medicine in Vancouver. Naturopathic medicine is currently regulated in British Columbia, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, and Ontario. Alberta and Nova Scotia are currently in the regulation process. For more information please visit www.cand.ca.
Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM):
For information on TCM practitioners, please visit www.ctcmpc.com.