Potential and current students in our long term programs always ask, “what are the best jobs for herbalists?” and “what career opportunities do we have after we graduate?”
To help answer all of your questions about the opportunities for herbalists, we created an e-book. It is dedicated to jump-starting your career as an herbalist. You can download it for free by signing up here:
If you already have your herbal school plan mapped out and you want to get a better idea of what is awaiting you after your graduate, here are 14 jobs for herbalists!
The most obvious career choice for herbalists is to become a clinical herbalist. Because we are one of the only herbal schools that combines a training program and a community clinic, many of our graduates go on to create their own private herbal practices. We see more and more of our graduates getting creative with their practices too. They build mobile clinics, host herbal pop ups, and support under-served communities with their training!
Herbal medicine makers create an array of herbal medicine for internal and topical use. In our programs we train extensively on medicine making. We teach you everything from basic teas, tinctures, and salves, to oxymels, hydrosols, and glycerites. You can use this information to develop your own private product line, consult or advise herbal product brands, work in CGMP certified labs, or work assisting a formulator.
Clinical herbalists and medicine makers always need herbs. And they prefer purchasing from other herbalists. Why? Because herbalists understand the plants and share the same values as they do. They know that they can trust you to use regenerative growing techniques that bring out the most useful constituents. Aside from supplying other herbalists, you can grow your own medicine, create an herbal CSA, or grow the plants for your own product line.
If you are interested in plants and looking to specialize in your writing career, become an herbalist. You will learn so much about plants and the Earth, ingredients and constituents, clients and physical healing that your inspiration will never dwindle. Write a book or connect with a health blog looking for a credible source. Freelance job opportunities will flourish because people are always looking for unique healing resources.
Of course we are biased, but there is almost nothing more beautiful than a garden full of wild growing things. If you are a photographer or a visual artist, using your knowledge of plants to capture their beauty gives you a leg up on your competition. Connect with herbal companies that need branding and product photography or create and sell your own botanical designs.
Herbal companies need marketing too, and business owners appreciate it a lot when their marketers understand how their products work in depth. It allows you to create unique content with details that a typical marketer would not know to add. If you currently work in marketing for an herbal company, becoming an herbalist is a great next step to help bolster your career.
When it comes to jobs for herbalists, herbal pharmacists are one of the most pivotal jobs you can have. Since they are typically employed at an apothecary or dispensary, herbal pharmacists are expected to know a lot about herbal medicine. They have to understand the herbs, how different herbal formulas could interact, and know how to formulate because they fulfill herbal medicine orders constantly.
Have you ever been in an herb shop, apothecary, or small handmade boutique where the person behind the counter did not know about herbs? No. Because they are trained herbalists. Retail herbalists field questions from customers all day about their health and help them find products that can help them on their healing journey.
Understanding how medicinal plants grow in their native habitats and in relationship with primary indigenous cultures provides invaluable context to botanists and herbal researchers. Many botanists immerse themselves in historical wisdom and in cultures that have been working with medicinal plants over many generations to enter into a deeper relationship with their healing power. Herbal researchers may combine healing histories with research on plant constituents to better understand how plants work with human physiology to promote healing.
Food is medicine. Every herbalist learns this on day one. If you can prevent illness and heal with your diet, most folks almost never need additional medicine. Chefs that become herbalists (and herbalists that become chefs) create unique, delicious dishes that combine the healing arts and nutrition. We are based in the Bay Area – a food capital of the world – and we can tell you, there are not enough chefs out there making things like rose and lavender infused chocolates, nettle pesto, mineral seaweed broths, or adaptogenic cakes!
Anyone doing it will tell you, being a homesteader is a full time job! And it is the perfect job for an herbalist. With the knowledge you gain as an herbalist, you have a great basis in learning how to live off the land. Herbalists know how to grow herbs and foods to sustain their families. Plus you will be able to support your community with your herbal medicine.
If you are interested in teaching, herbalism is a fantastic career choice. Teaching is a natural fit because Herbalism is a tradition that is passed down through word of mouth. You can teach classes to your community at herb schools, apothecaries, libraries, craft stores, or even in your own home. You can lead herb-focused retreats, or offer plant ID walks in local parks!
Becoming an herbalist is a great place to start if your dream job is formulating products for an herbal company. You will be in the unique position to formulate simple, useful blends that can scale sustainably. This is because herbalists understand the interactions of herbs and their constituents.
For those folks that are interested in gaining access to festivals, helping in disaster relief areas, or being on the front lines of a community protests, volunteering to offer herbal first aid is a great way to be invited! Herbalists make great first responders because they know how to use the earth around them in first aid.
Our list contains 14 fantastic careers that herbalists are very well suited for, but there are so many more. Becoming an herbalist is more than having a knowledge of healing plants. It also includes understanding healthy habits for balancing your work and lifestyle. It helps you develop the soft skills that leaders use everyday, and it gives you the tools to keep you grounded when you are making stressful decisions.
Even if you are not working with plants and healing every day, the skills you gain by becoming an herbalist are priceless!
Interested in taking the next step in your herbalism career? Sign up for our next certification course! Click here to learn more.
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Berkeley Herbal Center
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