History has always found a way to repeat itself and we in the United States are making the decision to integrate herbal remedies into our daily lives. We take the advice of friends or people that appear knowledgeable about what to buy to make our bodies feel better. But what if you make the decision to find an herbalist? Or what if you want to become accredited yourself?
My first visit was to the American Herbalists Guild. www.americanherbalistsguild.com They give a great overview of the different types of herbalists and some suggestions about how to go about finding someone reliable. But as with anyone treating you for any condition, first and foremost, you need to be comfortable and trust eh person you’re talking to. Once again, common sense is your friend.
As I was reading the overview, I noticed that herbalists aren’t certified, they are registered or members of schools or organizations. But if your practitioner is specializing in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), Traditional Ayurvedic Medicine (M.D. (Ayur.) when coming from foreign countries or the American accreditation, D.Av.) or Naturopathic Medicine (N.D.), there are licenses and accreditations for this individual to practice. So what’s up with herbalists?
According to the article “Enhancing the Accountability of Alternative Medicine”, http://www.milbank.org/mraltmed.html#acknowledgments, “only chiropractic, acupuncture and naturopathy have accrediting bodies recognized by the United States Department of Education.” The article also states that most consumers “choose and administer herbal medicine themselves, following recommendations by friends, employees in health food stores, and the increasing number of books, magazines, and magazine article devoted to the subject.” Crazy. I’m going to let Chuck, the stock guy at Whole Foods tell me whether St John’s Wort will truly ease my depression or Echinacea shorten my cold?
Well, not necessarily. But before I take Chuck’s advice I buy the books, read the magazine articles and the websites and make my own informed choices about what is best for my body. I have three mortar and pestles and make my own tea remedies for my friends and myself. Herbs are one of the many opportunities we have to reconnect with our own bodies by listening to what it says to you. If you do make the decision to consult an herbalist for perhaps a prolonged illness, you should find someone you feel is qualified and is associated with a known organization such as the AHG and the National Institute of Medical Herbalists located in the U.K. http://www.nimh.org.uk/
And if Chuck does recommend an herbalist to you, research and talk to the practitioner about their training and expertise. Would you expect anything less from a medical doctor?
“The strongest principle of growth lies in human choice.” George Eliot
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