I have wondered this a few times in my plant career and the only thing that I say that stays the same is that the answer keeps changing!
Bare with me here , at the baby stage of my herbal career i thought want made a good herbalist was to read all the book and know at least 200 plants, i mean that would great herbalist right? Then I thought that to be great, I need to atleast know the latin name of those 200 plants. Is it important to you that your herbalist knows the 2,700 year old language ?
Maybe what makes a great herbalist is that they know the moon phases and what soil you need to grow your solomon seal plant in ( its partial shade, moist but well drained soil just in case you were wondering).
Is a great herbalist, one who can research the latest herbal study papers.
Maybe a good herbalist is one who follows the same set of political party as you, Or should they all follow the green party so it seems like they are environmentally conscious.
Would you like a herbalist who only makes their medicine from plants grown on their own land?
What do people want from a herbalist it like asking how long is a piece of string ?
Do people view what doctor they go to with the same intent ? or is that the luxury of coming to a holistic practice you can research and ask around.
I know when I was a kid there was a doctor in my town ( and this is when people had a choice to what doctor they signed up to) he was so ignorant, but his surgery was always full. Why ? was he a good doctor because he was sharp and very ignorant and had no time for any women’s issues? Was he good because he took no crap and was to the point? Who knows my point here is that what make a good person to help you on your health journey may be a mix of all the above it may be that you meet me and run for the hill because i am too hippy dippy for you , you may want to be greeted with a white coat and an white office.
How ever and who ever you feel safe and connected with is the right herbalist for you.
If you love science you might want your herbalist to give you a link to research, if you love knowing the spiritual side of things you might want a herbalist who understands and works with plant essences.
There is no wrong answer or wrong herbalist- if we can’t choose our own primary health care doctor we can certainly make an effort to choose the right herbalist for us.
And in that spirit below is a list of a few other herbalist whom work differently than be but i greatly respect
Ps there is nothing to stop you from becoming your own herbalist also!
What makes a good herbalist ?
Aug 8, 2025
