Herbal Therapists (Herbalists) are professionals who use a holistic approach to treating the patients. They can treat patients who are healthy and seeking preventative advice as well as patients who are overcoming a diagnosis. Herbal Therapists use a combination of techniques such as traditional medicine and the use of herbal and natural remedies to treat diseases and disorders.
Herbal Therapist Eligibility
The minimum educational qualification for becoming eligible for courses of Herbal Therapist is 12th class in science stream.
Herbal Therapist Required Skills
- Herbal Therapists should have excellent people skills for the purposes of listening to their patients and assessing their conditions.
- They also possess skills like undertaking patient consultations to diagnose illnesses/conditions and to select appropriate remedies; gaining information from patients about the previous physical/medical history and symptoms.
- Herbal Therapists should have good communication skills as they have to advise patients about use of remedies; providing advice about diet, exercise and lifestyle.
- They also need to be keeping themselves up-to-date with new research and developments in the profession.
How to become an Herbal Therapist?
Herbal Therapist should show an interest in medicine, treating people and illnesses and most importantly, have the belief that the use of natural remedies for most illnesses or disorders can promote health. They have to follow below-given steps for becoming a Herbal Therapist.
Step 1
Herbal Therapists are required to have an extensive educational background in order to learn about the human body and disease. Although there is not a specific path in order to become an Herbal Therapist. They mostly begin their career as Acupuncturists, Medical Doctors or Doctors of Osteopathic Medicine.
Certificate/Diploma courses:
- Certificate in Herbal Home Remedies
- Diploma in Herbal Medicine
- Diploma in Herbal Products
Educational qualification-
For this course, students should be passed 10th or 12th class in science stream.
Step 2
Herbal Therapist can have Masters’ degrees for higher positions. There are many institutes offering courses for this profession. Some of the institutions conduct their entrance test for admission to their courses.
Postgraduate courses:
- M.Sc. (Herbal Science)
- Post Graduate Diploma in Herbal Science
Educational qualification-
For Master Degree courses, students should be graduate pass with subjects in herbal science.
Institutes offering Courses for Herbal Therapist
- Chhattisgarh University (CGU), Raipur
- Pandit Sundarlal Sharma (Open) University, Bilaspur
- Indian Board of Alternative Medicines (IBAM), Kolkata
- Avinashilingam University for Women, Coimbatore
Herbal Therapist Job Description
Herbal Therapists are medical practitioners that treat their patients using a variety of natural methods. These practitioners carry out their patients' treatment by finding and implementing a plant-based or non-pharmaceutical form of medicine. Herbal Therapists are able to provide treatment for a variety of illnesses or conditions and their practices are considered to be a form of alternative medicine to the Western world. Herbal Therapists suggest natural remedies such as a plant-based treatment to help patients heal and prevent the onset of disease. They can make suggestions to help improve a patient's health and can recommend treatments that focus on a holistic approach.
Herbal Therapist Career Prospects
Herbalists have many career options in various fields they can choose from; and also most of them are self-employed.
- Herbalists can work with other providers of complementary therapies at complementary health centres working as part of a team with other alternative health practitioners. Nowadays it has been increased in the number of Herbalists selling and promoting their own products via the internet.
- They have also a number of opportunities for herbalists with a high level of experience to move into teaching or training, and research into the medical applications of herbal remedies.
Herbal Therapist Salary
The salary of Herbal Therapist varies from place to place and experience basis. At some place, they are paid on hour basis such as Rs. 50 to Rs. 100. Initially, Herbalists can get a salary ranging from Rs. 8,000 to Rs. 10,000 per month. And as they having experience and popularity with the passage of time, then they can earn much more than the above-mentioned figure.
