What is herbal medicine?
Herbal medicine is a type of holistic treatment that involves the usage of plant-based and herbal remedies. Some types of herbal medicine include Indian Ayurvedic Medicine and Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM).
Herbalists aim to improve the overall state of the body instead of treating the symptom and as a result, they rely on a variety of factors such as a client’s lifestyle, medical history and nutritional levels to determine the best natural treatment plan for their clients. Herbalists assist people who are dealing with a range of physical and psychological issues such as:
- Allergies
- Digestive issues
- Arthritis
- Colds and flu
- Chronic fatigue
- Stress
- Insomnia
- Eczema and skin problems
- Headaches and migraines
- Hay fever and asthma
- Menopausal symptoms
- Mood disorders
Herbalists in Adelaide are able to join one of the following professional associations for herbal medicine practitioners:
- Australian Natural Therapists Association (ANTA)
- Australian Register of Naturopaths and Herbalists (ARONAH)
- National Herbalists Association of Australia (NHAA)
- Western Herbal Medicine Accreditation
Should you complete a herbal medicine course?
Are you interested in pursuing a career where you get to learn how plant-based and natural remedies can improve an individual's long-term health? If you answered yes, herbal medicine is the best career path for you. In Adelaide, herbalists possess the below interpersonal skills:
- Empathetic attitude and good listening skills in order to get a better understanding of a client's needs and lifestyle as well as being able to build trust.
- Strong analytical skills where they are able to discern the best treatment plan for the client.
- A client-centric mindset in order to communicate the treatment plan in an easy-to-understand and clear manner.
If you possess the following soft skills and interests continue reading to discover your course and professional opportunities available in the Adelaide region.
What are the course and study options for herbalists in Adelaide?
If you are interested in completing a short course where you get a brief overview of the work that herbalists do and core concepts of herbal medicine, there are many Adelaide schools that offer weekend workshops or seminars.
After completing these short-term courses you decide that you want to pursue a career in herbal medicine, then you will need to enrol in either an advanced diploma or bachelor's degree in Health Science with a major in Western herbal medicine from an accredited school in Adelaide. Many of these course providers provide flexible options to suit your learning pace such as on-campus, online or through blended learning delivery modes.
These courses will cover topics relevant to herbal medicine like herbal therapeutics, physiology, pharmacology, biochemistry and botany. Additionally, these courses will provide you with practical skills such as how to communicate with a client and manage a clinical practice that draws upon the experiences of herbal medicine professionals who have had years of experience in this field. Sometimes these schools offer a practical work experience module.
If you are ready to begin your journey to becoming a herbalist you will be able to find a list of course options available to you in Adelaide. If you have any questions regarding their tuition fees, syllabus and delivery methods you should enquire with your desired school directly.
What happens after you complete your herbal medicine course in Adelaide?
After completing your initial educational requirements in herbal medicine you are eligible to register with the Australian Register of Naturopaths and Herbalists. This allows you to work in a range of different professional settings with other herbal medicine practitioners such as a specialist herbal medicine health clinic or herbal dispensary.
Moreover, you are able to start your private practice after you gain a couple of years of experience in the herbal medicine industry. This is a highly sought-after alternative for many herbalists as it gives them the flexibility to manage their own business. If you decide to pursue this option in the future, Natural Therapy Pages will be there to assist you with the process of obtaining new clients by letting you list either your in-person herbal medicine services or through online herbal medicine consults via the website.
Finally, you can enrol in a postgraduate course such as a Master's or PhD degree where you have the opportunity to increase your knowledge of herbal medicine.
