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When To Call Yourself an Herbalist! Are You Ready?
- KhadiYah Preciado
- Jul 3, 2023
- 3 min read
Updated: Dec 19, 2025
Shalom, family.
This question comes up more than almost any other: “When can I actually call myself an herbalist?”
Not when you finish a checklist. Not when someone online says you can. And not when you’ve collected enough jars or books to feel legitimate.
The truth is, herbalism doesn’t work like that.
No Checklist, Just Confidence:
Unlike many modern professions, herbalism does not have a single governing body that decides who is “in” and who is “out.” There’s no universal license, no standardized exam, and no moment where someone hands you permission.
That doesn’t mean anything goes.
It means responsibility matters more than labels.
Calling yourself an herbalist isn’t about confidence alone—it’s about whether you understand what you’re doing, why you’re doing it, and the impact your choices have on real bodies.
Intuition and Experience:
There’s a difference between using herbs and knowing herbs.
You can:
buy tinctures
drink teas
follow recipes
make oils and salves
…and still not be practicing herbalism.
Herbalism begins when you move beyond copying and start understanding:
what system you’re working with
why a plant is appropriate
how it behaves in the body
when it’s not appropriate
This is where many people get stuck—mistaking activity for skill.
No Official Certification Required:
Intuition matters.
Experience matters.
Relationship with plants matters.
But intuition without structure leads to inconsistency.And experience without understanding leads to mistakes.
A responsible herbalist can explain:
why they chose a plant
how it works
what systems it affects
who it may not be safe for
That explanation doesn’t need to be academic—but it does need to be accurate.
Embracing Individuality:
Not every herbalist is meant to do the same kind of work.
Some people practice for their household.
Some people support friends and family.
Some people move into client work, teaching, or business.
The question isn’t “Am I an herbalist yet?
”It’s “What level of responsibility am I ready to carry?”
If you’re:
still guessing
still chasing symptoms
still unsure about safety
still copying without understanding
Then the work right now is learning—not labeling.
Tired of Hobbyist Confusion?
There’s a difference between buying herbs and becoming an herbalist.
Get the free breakdown of what it really takes—Steps to Becoming an Herbalist.
Validation Comes from Within:
You’re ready to use the word herbalist when you can honestly say:
I understand basic body systems
I can choose herbs with intention
I know when to say “I don’t know”
I respect safety and boundaries
I’m committed to continued learning
Not perfection.
But integrity.
Many people stay stuck in “herb hobbyist” mode because they never receive structure.
They learn plants out of order.
They skip the body.
They avoid safety.
They rely on social media soundbites.
Structure is what turns curiosity into competence.
You need a clear path.
That’s exactly why I created the Steps to Becoming an Herbalist™ Guide—to break down:
what to study first
what to stop skipping
how to move from interest → understanding → practice
and how to avoid the most common mistakes
There’s a difference between buying herbs and becoming an herbalist.
This guide helps you see that difference clearly.
Final Word
Herbalism isn’t about titles.
When you’re ready, the word will fit naturally—without forcing it.
Until then, keep learning. Keep studying. Keep honoring the plants and the bodies they touch.
Shalom.
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