Become a Registered Christian Herbalist
Get a Recognized Herbal Credential from the Christian Herbalist Guild
Now Offering Two Herbal Registrations
Become a registered Christian Herbalist. The Christian Herbalist Guild offers two professional herbal registrations, the Christian Community Herbalist registration (CHGe), and the Christian Clinical Herbalist registration (CHGp). Both of these herbal registrations are professional level designations.
The Christian Community Herbalist registration is primarily geared towards herbal educators, who work with the public to educate them on herbal practices from a Christian worldview. This does not mean that you do not offer holistic assessment and make herbal recommendations, but your primary role is to work as an educator.
The Christian Clinical Herbalist registration is primarily geared towards those who work with clients one-on-one in a clinical setting. This describes the herbalist who does a detailed intake and evaluation of clients, and offers on-going herbal recommendations to clients. As a clinical herbalist, you still work to educate your clients, but your primary role is to be an herbal clinician, working one-on-one with clients.
How do I become a Registered Christian Herbalist?
The first step towards becoming a registered Christian herbalist is to become a member of the Christian Herbalist Guild. Once you are a member in good standing, you will need to complete the appropriate forms contained in the members only section of the website. If your application is approved, you will then need to have an interview with a senior member of the Christian Herbalist Guild who will further assess your credentials and beliefs. After the interview you will receive a follow-up communication with the results of your application and interview.
Training and Experience Requirements
To become a registered Christian Herbalist with the Christian Herbalist Guild, you will need to demonstrate knowledge of herbal medicine, as well as a dedication to Christ and membership to a local Christian fellowship (ie, church or bible study).
Requirements Christian Clinical Herbalist (CHGp)
- 800 hours of training and education in herbal medicine. This can be formal education at an herbal school, self-study via books and/or videos, an apprenticeship, or a combination of methods. You will need to thoroughly document your education and training, including listing courses, books, and other materials you used for training purposes.
- Demonstrate a knowledge of 45 herbs. This includes knowing how these herbs are traditionally used, their safety and contraindications, drug interactions, and preparation.
- Posses a basic understanding of anatomy and physiology as well as plant chemistry.
- 400 hours of clinical experience. This experience must be documented and must be from direct work with clients. These hours can be earned either independently, or under the guidance of an clinical mentor.
- Submission of two detailed case studies of clients that you have worked with.
- A knowledge of medical ethics, including but not limited to privacy and confidentiality.
- Must be an active member of a local church, bible study, or Christian fellowship. A letter of endorsement must be attached from a recognized church leader such as a pastor, deacon, or elder.
Requirements Christian Community Herbalist (CHGe)
- 600 hours of training and education in herbal medicine. This can be formal education at an herbal school, self-study via books and/or videos, an apprenticeship, or a combination of methods. You will need to thoroughly document your education and training, including listing courses, books, and other materials you used for training purposes.
- Demonstrate a knowledge of 25 herbs. This includes knowing how these herbs are traditionally used, their safety and contraindications, drug interactions, and preparation.
- Posses a basic understanding of anatomy and physiology as well as plant chemistry.
- 2 years of regular teaching experience. This can include in-person course work, plant walks, online courses and workshops, and one-on-one teaching.
- Submit a written outline of two courses you taught.
- Submit an endorsement from two students you have taught.
- Must be an active member of a local church, bible study, or Christian fellowship. A letter of endorsement must be attached from a recognized church leader such as a pastor, deacon, or elder.
Once you have been approved, you may use the registration designations after your name. CHGe for the Christian Community Herbalist registration, and GHGp for the Christian Clinical Herbalist registration.
What do the professional registration designations mean?
CHGe – Christian Herbalist Guild Educator (Christian Community Herbalists)
CHGp – Christian Herbalist Guild Practitioner (Christian Clinical Herbalist)
Why have a registered Christian herbalist program?
Our goal is to provide a place where Christians can find reputable and skilled herbal practitioners and teachers. having a registered herbalist program will help to ensure that those looking for an herbalist can trust that the herbalist they choose is not only skilled, but also subscribes to the Christian worldview.
Additionally, our mission is to advance the Kingdom of God through herbal medicine. We want our work to be missional and incarnational. To do so, there needs to be a way to identify qualified teachers and practitioners who can offer the highest quality herbal education and assessment to those in need.
Join the Christian Herbalist Guild today and help advanced the Kingdom of God.
Note: The Christian Herbalist Guild is hosted by the School of Christian Herbalism.