Master Herbalist

You’ll study herbal medicine by looking at the history of phytoptherapy and find out the roots of this incredible field. From there, you’ll move on to study plant botany and plant chemistry (in the context of herbal medicine).

Studying the Master Herbalist Diploma Course, you’ll be better prepared to use herbs safely, as you gain an understanding of issues such as contraindications and drug-herb interactions. With the foundations of your knowledge set, you’ll go on to learn about the herbs you’ll encounter, and will discover how various plants can be used to support wellness within the body’s 6 systems. There will be plenty of mini herb profiles, each detailing the relevant areas when learning about a new herb.

You’ll then explore two more herbal modalities in the form of traditional Chinese medicine and Ayurveda. By looking at these, you’ll gain the opportunity to consider approaches that might suit your own style of herbalism, as not everyone wants to take a purely Western approach.

Of course, you will also be guided through the systems used by Western herbalists for formulating herbs. You’ll learn how professional herbalists conduct their consultations, including the questions they ask to extract the information that will ultimately lead to their herb choices.

You’ll find out how practitioners make herbal preparations and gain insight into two other ways that plants can be used, as you explore essential oils and flower essences. This herbalist course also talks you through herb gardening basics and foraging for herbs.

Finally, you’ll reflect on the formal career pathways for aspiring herbalists, including traditional clinic-based work and modern online herbal businesses, providing a balanced view of the profession today.

The Master Herbalist Diploma Course will teach you how herbalists prepare and use herbs, providing a structured method for learning about a broad collection of plants. By the end of the course, you’ll have a solid understanding of traditional herbal uses for supporting wellness across various bodily systems. You’ll also learn how practitioners make herbal preparations to support these applications.

This course is open to anyone who wishes to learn more about natural alternatives for health and well-being. Students of our Naturopath, Homeopathy, and Chinese Nutritional Therapy courses will also enjoy and find the content valuable and applicable to continued professional development.

This Herbalist Course is fully accredited by the Complementary Medical Association (CMA). On successful completion, you’ll be eligible to apply for CMA membership. If you are looking to start a new career as a Herbalist this course is a great starting point and we encourage further ongoing learning to master your skills with the Advanced Master Herbalist Diploma and the Herbal Compendium Diploma. 

As with all online studies, we recommend gaining practical hands-on experience where possible to enhance your understanding and confidence. This course offers a comprehensive overview of Herbalism,  and we encourage further reading, training, or mentorship for those wishing to apply these principles in a professional or clinical setting. Always work safely, ethically, and refer people to qualified healthcare professionals where appropriate. 

Please note:

• In the UK, herbalism is not a statutorily regulated profession, which means you can legally practise as a herbalist once insured.

• However, only practitioners registered with recognised professional bodies that form part of the Professional Standards Authority (PSA) Accredited Register may prescribe or supply certain restricted herbal medicines. This course does not provide that legal entitlement.

• As a graduate of this course, you may practise within the scope of your training — offering guidance on the safe and appropriate use of herbs for wellbeing, lifestyle support, and general health promotion.

• The information provided is for educational and professional development purposes. It should never replace medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment from a qualified healthcare professional.

This course also contributes towards your Continuing Professional Development (CPD), making it a valuable addition to your ongoing learning journey.