Some of our herbal studies take place amid 800 private acres of countryside, offering diverse wild habitats and cultivat
Some of our herbal studies take place amid 800 private acres of countryside, offering diverse wild habitats and cultivated gardens, like this 33 foot medicine wheel of herbs.
 
 
 
 
     THE POTENTIAL FOR A Master Herbalist level of study arises out of the context and fulfillment of our full core natural medicine program- the Naturopathy program.  The ability to integrate study in human physiology, effects of diet, assessment skills, bodywork therapies, energy medicine, and natural therapeutics allows the student of herbal medicine to more deeply apply, understand, and share herbal wisdom.

     A Consultant Herbalist- a master herbalist- would be fully versed and practiced in the 8 pillars of natural medicine- which is the curriculum of our core ND program:
 
 diet/nutrition, herbal medicine, bodywork, movement therapeutics, sleep/rest dynamics, hydrotherapy,  energy medicine, and education/counseling.
 
     With this foundation, the practitioner working at the Master Herbalist  (MH)  level of health care is best able to holistically evaluate clients and guide case histories.

     To study and achieve with herbal medicine as a primary protocol,  beyond the core natural medicine program- which itself offers 3 years of herbal medicine study- the Master Herbalist student will work to combine a total of 200 hours of direct, documented supervised clinical cases.  
 
     A growing number of people are called to study the rich tradition of evidence based western herbal medicine and herbal therapeutics with experienced practicing teachers.  
 
CERTIFICATION options for herbal study

If you are not interested in an extensive, 3.5 year professional program, but do wish to study herbal medicine  within a guided learning community, please follow this link for a thorough outline of our annual foundational and introductory herbal medicine program, entitled Foundational Medicinal Herbalist Study Course.

This spring/summer course, going into it's 9th year, is open to all people, regardless of their potential interest in continuing further studies or professional program participation:  The website for our learning community is at :  http://www.gaiaherbalstudies.net


     We hear weekly from callers with positive experiences in the medicines of the earth, who are beginning to realize that the success of gentle effective medicinals will continue to grow, and has always been a part of living world cultures.

     We offer a strong curriculum focus in the study of botanical medicine and evidence based, traditional herbal therapeutics, grounded in classical traditional naturopathic ideals for the clinical practice of herbal therapeutics.  

     To that end we keep our own Apothecary and Dispensary of raw herbs, and teach from the "ground up" - starting with foundational education in field idenfication and quality, and finishing with clinical protocols. 
 

     Our core foundation at NSHA is  traditional natural medicine - and out of the achievements of  within this field, the foundation to evolve into a Master Herbalist is created. 


     The application process is open for the Master Herbalist program once the second year of the core natural medicine program is successfully completed, with 90% or higher average grade.  At this time, students may begin their outlines and proposals for the 200 hours clinical work required by the MH program.  Participants in this program will also choose among a list of additional elective courses.   It is helpful to the prospective student to look upon this program as a graduate level program.

     Clinical clients will work with you for advisory and guidance on how to put herbs and botanicals to use for all types of health goals- frequent infections, constipation, atrial fibrillation, fertility issues, chronic fatigue, hypo and hyper thyroid, adrenal fatigue, digestive problems, immune system issues, and other health conditions.


Master Herbalists offer services in natural therapeutics, applied botanical healing sessions, dosage and frequency of herbal formulations, education and advisory on choosing herbal medicines, and consultations which integrate all aspects of natural healing, including healing diets, movement and bodywork therapeutics, and applied natural therapeutics.

      While in School, the student practitioner does not “medically diagnose and treat”, but rather interprets through the lens of traditional naturopathic practice, which is and always has been the bedrock and foundation for all global herbal traditions, including modern western herbal therapeutics.

     Our ND program prepares the student on many different levels to perform well in a Master Herbalist program- to assess, research, communicate, make medicines, exercise therapeutic judgment, integrate naturopathic tools, and provides training in all of these areas which ultimately create a quality Master Herbalist. 

     NSHA is the first school to have defined , designed, and offered a Master Herbalist curriculum.  Our criteria has been drawn from discussions and ten years of observation within the herbalist community for standards for master herbalist.  NSHA has taken the curriculum and clinical requirements  further by integrating this pathway of achievement within our naturopath/natural physician program.