Careers which use herbs instead of meds?

I am looking for the specific career titles here. As many as you can think of please. And if by chance you know the amount of school involved?

Naturopath doctor (N.D.) is one option. They believe in healing the body using natural means. Commonly, they give nutritional advice, homeopathic medications, herbs, acupuncture, and spinal manipulation. You don't necessarily have to do all, find your niche and go with that. The catch is that N.D. is not recognized in all 50 states. 13 states is fully recognized and some territories, 2 states it's illegal, other states where licensing is not available, it is tolerated. Schooling usually takes 4 years, very similar to med school. 2 years of basic science, and the rest is clinical science.

Another career that uses herbs is traditional chinese medicine although it encompasses mostly asian herbs and some european herbs. This profession is more recognized and legal in all 50 states as a title of L.Ac (Licensed Acupuncturist). Some states recognize OMD or DOM as Doctor of Oriental Medicine such as California. Schooling usually involves 4, may require 1 additional year including herbs depending on the school. In Asia, chinese medicine is a more rigorous and difficult program like MD program in US and usually consist of 8 years to obtain a doctorate.

Hope this helps and good luck!


It's also typically a 4 year program.

First off I will tell you that it will be a waste of time, herbs may be okay and do little harm (There are many that do however), but God gave us today's medicines to deal with today's new diseases and eradicate, cure and heal those of yesterday.
That being said here are the following professions that involve the use of herbs: Dr. of Naturopathy (Bachelors degree, whereas a real requires at least 12-14), and a herbologist.

You could train as a naturopathic doctor (ND)... that is completely holistic, using natural herbs, and other natural healing methods. The training can take up to 4 years (at a naturopathic college) but there are some very good home-study training courses, such as the one at Clayton College of Natural Health (http://www.ccnh.edu/) and the one at American Institute of Holistic Theology (http://www.aiht.edu/)
Both of these schools give very comprehensive training for the ND degree, as well as holistic nutrition, and other areas.
Books and exams are typically included in the programs, which must be ordered in full. (both schools offer payment plans)
Both schools include herbology courses in their training programs.

There is also a very interesting home study training available through Herbal Healer(http://www.herbalhealer.com)... this program can be done course by course, the prices are very reasonable, and all books and materials are included. Herbal medicine figures heavily in this program.

Acupuncture training also typically involves herbs.

Chiropractic training, which involves, I think, 4 years of training beyond a bachelor's degree, includes training in such areas as herbology and natural nutrition, from what my chiropractor tells me.

Naturopathy is the next trillion dollar industry and pharmaceuticals for the first time in history spent more on advertising than drug research because they are losing the battle against natural remedies.

There was an article in the Los AngelesTimes about how the AMA membership has declined considerably. The title was , AMA Isn't What It Used To Be.

You see, there is a wellness paradigm taking place, and a good book called "The Tipping Point" illustrates this economic phenomenon very clearly. (It's a top seller).

The Tipping Point illustrates how a technology or way of thinking happens outside of the box of conventional thinking, which your answer from Kalos has illustrated so well (He's an engineer by the way, not an MD or doctor of anything, shhhh, don't tell this young man who by the way, has a 98% chance of being diagnosed with cancer in his life time.... If he survives long enough he will realize that he is responsible for saving his own life).

In "The Tipping Point" the author talks about repetative truths that happen in our world... That it seems to happen virtually over night to the unsuspecting to people like Kalos, in which everyone begins to think and behave the same way like the Internet taking over the conventional typewriter.

You see, people are gearing toward wellness products and services which will be more money than the billion dollar computer dot com boom of the 90's.

This industry is called "wellness" - not to be confused with the free sickness care industry.

Wellness will make more millionaires at neck breaking pace in this decade then in any other industry.

So, herbologists, chiropractors, message therapists, selling top of the line supplements etc... which lower health care costs for both patient, doctor, employee etc... Is an embraced change by the majority.

The only people fighting this change are the dinasaurs involved in the big pharma cartel. By the way, big pharma is working on a way to monopolize supplements but are failing at it. Look up CODEX.

I believe in drugs when its involved in integrative medicine, but not drugs for the rest of someone's life unless its very rare circumstances. After all, the fourth leading cause of death is drug interactions from properly prescribed drugs and the US and Canada combined are number 38 world wide for disease management.

We know this. Congress knows this.

So, your choice in wellness is going to make you a mint! Just look to the DSHEA Law passed in congress in 1994, called the Dietary Supplement Health and Education Act. "We the People" did this because we are sick and tired of being sick and tired.

People like you who answer to this calling are to make the world a better place. Answer that inner voice, because that is God talking to you.

traditional chinese doctor
naturopathic doctor
holistic health doctor

I suggest that you get this kind of knowledge while you earn money... Go to work for the best private local health food store you can find. They are "in the loop" on what works and what doesn't work. In this field, practical knowledge like that is the key...

Save your money and learn as you work and eventually open your own health food store.

jen,
the National Institute Of Health, NCCAM link will give you data on all altmed