Who do we call an herbalist?

[crabapple]

There are many kinds of regulation... Regulation from the government is one thing, but as a group we regulate each other by defining who is or isn't an herbalist.

As herbalism gets more professionalized in the Western world, we start getting more picky about who we call an herbalist. (Did they go to school? Did they apprentice? Who did they study with? For how long? Etc.) These can be useful questions, but they can also lead to a situation where traditional herbalists, especially from minority cultures, are marginalized and denied the title "herbalist."

How can we as herbwives make sure that our title is not an exclusive one?

[linden]

I do get annoyed, though, when someone reads one book and goes out and sets themselves up as an expert. How do we avoid condoning people like that?

[crabapple]

This is a risk we take when no one owns a title. Right now in the US, anyone can call themselves an herbalist. Some people think this is risky in terms of consumer protection and public health.

But what are the alternatives?

If someone (or some group) has the official power to decide who is an herbalist and who isn't, some kinds of herbalism will be left out. Likely the grassroots, non-money-making kinds. Regulation sounds good, but the consequences can be far reaching. (See the new thread 'When herbalism is official" with insightful commentary from Sarah in the UK.)

I guess the bottom line for me is that I really really really do not want any one group to have the power to decide who is or isn't an herbalist. And I'm willing to risk having people out there calling themselves herbalists who don't know what they're talking about. (I think that would likely continue to happen with regulation anyway.)

I suppose the question is, how can we get information out to people about what to look for in an herbal practitioner? How can we help people to be savvy customers? More than that, how can we encourage people not to be customers at all, but to be practitioners of their own health?
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Rebecca Hartman
Crabapple Herbs: http://crabappleherbs.com/
The Herbwife's Kitchen: http://crabappleherbs.com/blog/