What is herbal medicine?
Herbal medicine is a type of treatment where herbalists will tailor treatments according to the patient's medical history, lifestyle and nutrition levels. Using this information, herbalists create plant-based medicines that will help cure patients and improve their long-term mental and physical wellbeing. Herbalists treat a variety of problems including:
- Headaches and migraines
- Colds and flu
- Hay fever
- Asthma
- Allergies
- Insomnia and other sleep problems
- Chronic fatigue
- Mood disorders
- Digestive issues
- Eczema and skin problems
- Menopausal symptoms
- Stress
Some other types of herbal medicine include Indian Ayurvedic Medicine and Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM).
The certified associations available for herbalists based in Perth that provide professional development support, industry updates are:
- National Herbalists Association of Australia (NHAA)
- Australian Register of Naturopaths and Herbalists (ARONAH)
- Western Herbal Medicine Accreditation
- Australian Natural Therapists Association (ANTA)
Should you complete a herbal medicine course?
Are you passionate about promoting wellness and looking to learn about how natural remedy treatments can improve an individual's health? If this matches your career goals, pursuing a herbal medicine course is a must. The below characteristics are vital for anyone looking to enter the herbal medicine industry:
- Willingness to learn and constantly update your knowledge of the changing nature of anatomy, biology, herbal treatment fields.
- An empathetic and attentive listener who is able to build trust with a patient and understand their history and needs.
- Strong critical thinking skills to discern the best treatment according to the patient's needs and lifestyle.
- Strong written and verbal communication skills to ensure high levels of transparency are upheld when explaining the proposed remedy treatment and its possible benefits and risks.
- High attention to detail when producing herbal remedies.
If you already possess these skills, read on to discover the different herbal medicine study options available for you in Perth.
What are the course and study options for herbalists in Perth?
If you are looking to gain a brief overview of the work of a herbalist, weekend workshops or seminars would be perfect for you. This gives you the chance to see if herbal medicine is the right choice for you.
However, if you are set on pursuing a career in herbal medicine, you will need to commit to a long-term qualification like an Advanced Diploma or Bachelor of Health Science with a specialisation in Western Herbal Medicine. Certified herbal medicine schools in Perth offer many flexible options to suit your own learning pace and commitments. They incorporate a range of options like on-campus, online and blended learning courses.
These courses are taught by herbal medicine industry professionals who have had years of experience in this field. They will teach you about a variety of subjects such as medicinal plants, herbal therapeutics, botany, biochemistry and pharmacology. You will also gain practical experience through the clinical practices and learn about important workplace skills that you need before working as a herbalist such as knowing how to communicate with clients.
Natural Therapy Pages has already made the process of finding the perfect herbal medicine school for you easier. On this page, you will discover a list of accredited courses near you. For further information, enquire with the schools directly to learn more about their study options, tuition fees and course duration.
What happens after you complete your herbal medicine course in Perth?
These Perth-based herbal medicine qualifications are formally accredited by Australia's top associations for herbal practitioners. Even though it is not mandatory, it is still highly encouraged that you apply for a membership with the Australian Register of Naturopaths and Herbalists (ARONAH) to accelerate your career opportunities.
Working as a herbalist allows you to pursue a career working in a range of professional work settings like a herbal dispensary or specialist health clinic. Once you gain a couple of years of professional experience, you will have the option to start your own practice and become self-employed. This gives you the chance to set your own hours around your preferred lifestyle. If you decide to choose this option in the future, Natural Therapy Pages will be able to make the process of running your own business easier. Listing your herbal medicine services on the Natural Therapy Pages website will assist you with growing your client base. You can also create a listing if you offer an online herbal medicine consult.
In addition, if you are interested in growing your herbal medicine knowledge, you can decide to pursue further education through a postgraduate degree where you will be able to specialise in a field of interest in herbal medicine.
