So many people walk into the apothecary and the first thing they ask is, “Tal, how do I become an herbalist?” My heart lights up every single time because my dream is to see a healer in every home. Here in the U.S., there isn’t a license or one official path that makes you an herbalist. It’s more like a lifelong adventure that looks different for everyone. You might start by making tea in your kitchen, signing up for classes, or learning from someone in your community who’s been doing this work for years. However you begin, the most important part is letting the plants become part of your everyday life.
When I first started with herbs, I wasn’t even thinking about becoming an herbalist or getting some type of certification. I just wanted poppin’ skin and longer hair, y’all! So there I was in my kitchen, whipping up masks, sipping on teas, and trying out anything that felt simple and natural.
But things changed little by little. I began to realize that herbs were good for more than just beauty. They were also good for my health in general, which caught my attention.
A lot of that spark came from my mom. She’s a nurse who practiced a holistic lifestyle when I was young, so I grew up watching her make everything from scratch. That rubbed off on me. And when I saw my own recipes actually work on people I care about, especially my son Eli, it hit different. That was the moment I realized this wasn’t just a fun experiment. It was something I wanted to dig into for real. That’s what led me into herbal studies and, eventually, into sharing all of this with you.
Let’s Clear Something Up: “Certified Herbalist” Doesn’t Really Exist
One of the biggest questions I get when people ask how to become an herbalist is about certification. Folks assume it’s like nursing or becoming a doctor, where you take your classes, pass a test, and then you’re officially licensed. But here’s the truth: in the United States, there’s no such thing as a federally recognized “certified herbalist.”
That doesn’t mean your education isn’t valuable or that you can’t practice. It just means there isn’t a government board handing out licenses to herbalists. Some schools might use fancy titles like “Certified Herbalist” or “Master Herbalist” when you finish their program, but those words don’t hold legal weight. What you can do is learn from trusted teachers, take solid programs, and build the kind of experience that helps you feel confident in your practice.
So if you’ve been stressing about what letters should go after your name, don’t. Becoming an herbalist is less about chasing a title and more about how you use the plants in everyday life, how you keep learning, and how you share that wisdom with others.
Finding the Right Herbal Education for You
Once you know that there’s no one “official” certification, the next question is usually, “Okay Tal, then how do I actually learn this stuff?” The good news is, there are so many paths to choose from, and you can shape your learning around what excites you most. Here are a few ways people dive into herbal education:
Herbal Schools and Courses
Herbal schools are such a great way to start if you want a solid foundation. You’ll get introduced to everything from identifying plants and learning their uses, to making recipes, safety, and even some business skills depending on the program. I’ve taken several courses with the Herbal Academy (Advanced Herbal Course, Intermediate Herbal Course, Introductory Herbal Course, and Tincture Making 101) and they really helped me build confidence. Those classes gave me a framework to grow on top of the experimenting I was already doing in my own kitchen.
Clinical Herbalist Training
If you want to open your own clinical practice one day, this is the path to look at. Clinical programs take you deeper into things like anatomy, physiology, herb safety, and how to put blends together. Most programs also include case studies and time working with real people, which is where it all starts to click. It’s a bigger time commitment, but if helping clients one-on-one is your dream, this kind of training gives you the confidence to do it safely while you follow your passion.
Herbal Apprenticeships
It's so cool to learn from a mentor. You can see what herbal life is really like behind the scenes through apprenticeships. This could be anything from learning how to make custom herbal blends to running a store to growing plants to helping clients. It's always a good idea to ask questions ahead of time and make sure you both know what to expect. This way, you can concentrate on enjoying the experience and learning everything your teacher has to teach you.
Self-Study
Self-study is really just being curious and letting the plants teach you as you go along. For me, it meant looking through herb books, cooking in the kitchen, writing down notes in a journal, and trying out different recipes until I found one that worked. I did a lot of this while I was in school, and to be honest y'all, I learned a lot from making mistakes. It's all part of the process to burn a batch or make something that tastes down right nasty. The plants will keep showing you the way.
Which Herbal Path Fits You Best?
Once you’ve started learning, the next thing to figure out is how you want to bring herbalism into your life and your work. There are a few main directions people usually take, and each one can look a little different.
Becoming a Registered Herbalist
The American Herbalists Guild can help you become a Registered Herbalist if you want to run a clinic or meet with clients. It's not a government license, but herbalists know what it is and respect it. It’s a peer-reviewed organization that confirms you’ve spent enough time studying, practicing, and working with other people to be an experienced herbalist. To apply, you need to have a heck of a lot of education hours, real client experience, case studies, and a few recommendations from teachers or coworkers. If you get in, you can add "RH (AHG)" after your name (which sounds fancy, but stands for Registered Herbalist, American Herbalist Guild) and you’ll be listed in their online directory so people can find you.
Sharing Herbs in Everyday Life
It’s totally fine if not everyone wants to open a clinic. You might be excited about making things, running a store, growing herbs for your community, or just using them at home for yourself and your family. To be honest, this is where most herbalists end up. We learn by taking classes, working as apprentices, and trying things out in the kitchen or garden. You don't need an official title here. It's really about the love you put into your work and the things you learn along the way. This is how I got started before BodyLove by Tal became the store we have today.
Pairing Herbs with a Licensed Practice
If your dream is to diagnose and write prescriptions, then you’ll need to head down the medical school route. That could look like becoming a naturopathic doctor, chiropractor, or another licensed healthcare provider. Some schools, like Bastyr or the American College of Healthcare Sciences, even let you mix in herbal studies while you train, which I think is pretty awesome. It definitely takes longer and costs more money, but if that’s the path you feel called to, it can be such a meaningful way to bring herbs into a more traditional medical space.
Your Next Step in Becoming an Herbalist
If you’re riding the vibe of wanting to keep learning, I always recommend starting with the Herbal Academy. Their courses gave me such a strong foundation when I was first getting serious about herbalism, and I still lean on what I learned there today. You can start with something simple like their Introductory Herbal Course or go deeper with their Intermediate and Advanced options. The cool thing is you can move at your own pace and study when it fits your schedule.
Not ready to sign up for a full course yet? No worries, love! My new ebook, Tal’s Guide to Holistic Health: Herbal Recipes for Year-Round Wellness & Glowing Skin, has everything you need. It has 12 plant profiles, 37 recipes, and the kind of herbal knowledge that would have helped me when I first started. Start here.
And make sure you sign up for my emails. I regularly share new blog posts and recipes and will keep you posted about other chances to learn herbalism alongside me.
I’m so thankful y’all are here. It means the world to share this journey with you, and I hope the plants light up your life the way they’ve lit up mine.
