What is herbal medicine?
Herbal medicine is a plant-based remedy treatment. It uses a holistic approach that focuses on ensuring the optimal functioning of different organ systems and the overall health of the client. There are a couple of branches of herbal medicine which include Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) and Indian Ayurvedic Medicine. Herbalists assist people to deal and even overcome a range of issues such as:
- Allergies
- Chronic fatigue
- Arthritis
- Digestive issues
- Colds and flu
- Hay fever and asthma
- Mood disorders
- Eczema and skin problems
- Headaches and migraines
- Insomnia
- Stress
- Menopausal symptoms
Herbalists in the Brisbane region have the opportunity to join one of the following herbal medicine industry bodies:
- Western Herbal Medicine Accreditation (WHMA)
- Australian Natural Therapists Association (ANTA)
- National Herbalists Association of Australia (NHAA)
- Australian Register of Naturopaths and Herbalists (ARONAH)
Should you complete a herbal medicine course?
Herbal medicine is the perfect career for anyone who wants to learn about how natural remedy treatments can improve an individual's health. Furthermore, if you want to succeed as a herbalist, you will need to possess the following characteristics:
- An empathetic listener who is able to get a holistic understanding of a client's problems, concerns and desired outcomes.
- Good problem-solving skills and high attention to detail when creating herbal remedies for clients.
- Strong written and verbal communication skills in order to accurately explain the proposed herbal medicine remedy treatment to clients.
- Ability to maintain a high level of confidentiality of clients' personal and medical information.
If this matches your interests and career ambitions, continue reading to learn about your study and the professional opportunities in herbal medicine available to you in Brisbane.
What are the course and study options for herbalists in Brisbane?
Initially, you are able to enrol in a weekend workshop or seminar to gain a better understanding of the career and study opportunities of herbalists and learn more about what this modality entails. This will allow you to determine if herbal medicine is the right career choice for you.
If you are interested in pursuing a long-term qualification in order to become an accredited herbalist you will need to complete either an advanced diploma or bachelor's degree in Health Science with a major in Western herbal medicine. Many accredited herbal medicine course providers in Brisbane offer a variety of options to accommodate your preferred learning style and commitments. This includes on-campus, online or through a blended learning system.
In these courses, you will learn about a range of topics such as biochemistry, herbal medicine, physiology, botany, herbal therapeutics and pharmacology. Additionally, you will be equipped with practical skills necessary for when working in clinical practice and communicating with clients.
If you are ready to begin your journey to becoming a herbalist, this page will provide you with a list of herbal medicine courses in Brisbane. For any further information regarding the course duration, tuition fees and accreditation you can enquire with the school directly.
What happens after you complete your herbal medicine course in Brisbane?
After you finish your initial qualification course in herbal medicine, you will need to register with the Australian Register of Naturopaths and Herbalists (ARONAH). This will give you the chance to kickstart your herbal medicine career in Brisbane.
Herbalists usually have the option to work either in a specialist health clinic or herbal dispensary with other herbal medicine practitioners. After gaining some experience you will have the opportunity to be self-employed where you will be able to manage your own business and determine the days you work. Natural Therapy Pages will be able to assist you to grow your business by obtaining more clients. This would be achieved by letting you list your in-person herbal medicine services or through an online herbal medicine consult.
Finally, if you want to develop your knowledge of herbal medicine, you have the choice to complete a postgraduate course where you get to specialise in a particular area of herbal medicine.
