Are you looking to learn all about herbal medicine? If yes, then you’ve come to the right place… We’ve spent the time researching the best herbalism courses that are available online so that you can update your skills from the comfort of your own home! We have included both free and paid courses, that are suitable for all levels, to ensure that you can find a course best suited to you!
But first, let’s answer a very important question – what is herbalism?
Herbalism, or herbal medicine, is an alternative medicine that uses medicinal plants to treat a various number of conditions. It is thought that these natural plants can treat anything from skin rashes to mild depression. Common forms of herbalism treatments include teas, capsules, bath salts, oils and skin creams and ointments.
There isn’t one common training or certificate program for herbalist, but most are requited to have a membership or certification. However, for those of you who are deciding whether herbalism is for you, or have a certification but just want to refresh your knowledge, online learning is a fantastic place to start. Suitable for all levels, I have spent the time researching the best online herbalism tutorials out there. So, if you’re looking to progress your skills in this area, then there will be an online course out there for you!
1. Herbalism: Introduction & Medicine Making Certificate (Udemy)
- Level: Beginner
- Completion time: 3h 56m
- Cost: $79.99
- Certification: No
- Number of people who have completed the course: 53,567
- Course rating: 4.7/5 (out of 10,579 ratings)
Designed to be an introductory course for anyone who is curious about herbal medicine, the supplies and ingredients needed are minimal. This wonderful course is taught by experienced herbalist Elizabeth Heck, who is Udemy’s most qualified herbalism instructor.
Elizabeth will cover various herbalism related topics over the four hour course. She will share her expert knowledge on how to make tinctures, teas, oils, salves, honeys, syrups, compresses and poultices. You will also take a look at the 20 most commonly used herbal medicines and their benefits. All this knowledge will give you a practical understanding of what herbalism is, how it works and you will walk away with the necessary foundations to follow a herbal career.
2. Herbalism: Professional Herbalist Certificate (Udemy)
- Level: Beginner
- Completion time: 4h 35m
- Cost: $79.99
- Certification: No
- Number of people who have completed the course: 1,403
- Course rating: 4.7/5 (out of 1,403 ratings)
Taught by top Udemy course instructor Elizabeth Heck, this course will give you the opportunity to work with clients, pursue a herbal products entrepreneurship, venture into medicinal plant farming, teaching, writing and more!
Throughout the course, Elizabeth will use her 25 years of industry experience to guide you through herbalism. The course will begin by looking at how to visit clients and start a herbalist consultancy. You will then look at making and selling herbal medicine products and how to grow and harvest medicinal products, for those of you more interested in that side of herbalism. The final module will take a look at how to teach herbalism to others, giving you the skills to become a herbalism teacher.
All in all, this course is an incredibly useful and functional course for those who are passionate about herbalism and natural medicine, but aren’t yet sure what career path they would specifically like to go down.
3. Herbalism For Everyone – Professional Herbalism Course (Udemy)
- Level: Beginner
- Completion time: 2h 16m
- Cost: $79.99
- Certification: No
- Number of people who have completed the course: 5,566
- Course rating: 4.5/5 (out of 1,180 ratings)
All you need to complete this course is a love of plant and herbs and the desire to help others. You will be taken back in time to a time where herbs and plants were provided as a part of a daily wellness routine.
Over the 2 hours, you will learn how to extract essential plant benefits from everyday plants that grow in the fields around us, such as dandelions and other wild flowers. You will also learn how to create tinctures, salves, herbal infusions, herbal decoctions, glycerites, herbal honey and infused oils in a step by step easy to follow path.
Once the course is done, you will be able to create herbal recipes using alcohol, water, glycerine and oil and will be able to create wonderful organic products.
4. Master Herbalist Diploma Course (Centre of Excellence)
- Level: All levels
- Completion time: 50-250 hours
- Cost: $147
- Certification: Yes
- Number of people who have completed the course: 6,900
- Course rating: N/A
This diploma is a guide through the ancient art of herbal medicine. The course offers you a framework that will shape all your future interactions with herbs, which ensures you can offer herbal medicines with an excellent understanding of its active constituents, its therapeutic actions and its potential uses.
With the foundations of your knowledge set early on, you will then go on to learn about various herbs and the different ailments that can treat the body’s 6 systems. Finally, you will then be guided through the application of all these herbal medicinal treatments in the modern, western world. By the end, you should be able to apply traditional medicine to the modern world so that you can offer the best possible care.
5. Make Your Own Herbal Tinctures, Tonics and Teas (Skillshare)
- Level: Beginner
- Completion time: 835m
- Cost: 14 day free trial
- Certification: No
- Number of people who have completed the course: 849
- Course rating: N/A
Suitable for those who are wanting to develop herbalism skills at home, this Skillshare course will get you started on your natural wellness journey!
In a short space of time, you will learn the many benefits of 43 different herbs, flowers, seeds, roots, barks and spices and how to use them effectively for specific health goals. Once the course is completed, you will have the knowledge to confidently blend herbs and make healthy tinctures, tonics and teas! Essentially, you’ll have unleashed the power of natural healing so that you can take your health to a whole new level of vitality and strength.
Conclusion
These are the 5 best herbalism courses that are available online. These courses are all suited to anyone who is wanting to develop an understanding of herbalism so that they can use it professionally or personally. Specific careers where having an understanding of herbalism might be incredibly helpful include:
- Counselor
- Occupational Therapist
- Physician
- Physiotherapist
- Respiratory Therapist
- Sales Manager (or representative) in the field
- Teacher
To gather these herbalism skills, there are lots of online courses available for you. There are herbalism courses that are free and take less than an hour to complete. Then there are more expensive courses that take longer to complete! Some courses are suitable for those with no prior herbalism experience. Whereas other courses are better suited for those with lots of experience in herbal medicine, but are specifically looking to increase their skillset or refresh their knowledge.
The online classes in this list are the best of the best. Each is taught by an experienced and dedicated teacher that has lots of satisfied and happy customers.
So, which course you decide take depends on your experience, funds and spare time. Do you have a huge amount of money to spend on your skill development? Do you have a lot of spare time, or are you just looking for a quick, but effective, skill top up?
