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Complimentary Medicine Practitioner
In Canada, the federal government groups and organizes occupations based on a National Occupational Classification (NOC) system. This alis occupation may not reflect the entire NOC group it is part of. Data for the NOC group can apply across multiple occupations.
The NOC system is updated every 5 years to reflect changes in the labour market. Government forms and labour market data may group and refer to an occupation differently, depending on the system used. Here is how this occupation has been classified over time:
Interest in analyzing information provided by patients concerning health problems and disorders
Interest in handling varieties of herbs used as sources of healing; may sell these herbs
Interest in instructing patients on the proper use of herbs to treat disorders
The interest code helps you figure out if you’d like to work in a particular occupation.
It’s based on the Canadian Work Preference Inventory (CWPI), which measures 5 occupational interests: Directive, Innovative, Methodical, Objective and Social.
Each set of 3 interest codes is listed in order of importance.
A code in capital letters means it’s a strong fit for the occupation.
A code in all lowercase letters means the fit is weaker.
Herbology is the study of plants and their health benefits. There are a number of different traditions of herbology including Western, Indigenous, Traditional Chinese and Ayurvedic (East Indian).
Herbalists may apply their knowledge of herbology to:
Clinical herbalists deal directly with clients. Their duties and responsibilities depend on where they work and the type of herbology they practice. In general, however, they:
Practical herbalists working in herbal or health food stores answer customers' questions and make recommendations. Those working in herbal wellness centres generally conduct lengthier interviews and may be more knowledgeable.
Herbalists may work in private homes, stores, clinics (sometimes alongside chiropractors, naturopaths or other health practitioners), wellness centres or greenhouses. Lifting up to 10 kilograms may be required.
Hours of work vary and may include some evenings and weekends. Sometimes, clients call herbalists for advice outside of regular working hours.
Herbalists need the following characteristics:
They should enjoy talking to people, analyzing information and handling herbs.
The practice of herbology is not regulated in Alberta. There are no standard minimum education or training requirements. However, practising herbalists strongly recommend education or training in herbology, nutrition, anatomy and physiology.
The Ontario Herbalist Association reviews training programs offered across Canada and lists approved programs on their website. Before enrolling in an education program, prospective herbalists should discuss their training options with practising herbalists.
The following schools offer programs or courses that are related to this occupation but are not required to enter the field.
For a broad list of programs and courses that may be related to this occupation try searching using keywords.
Three and four year programs in Traditional Chinese Medicine may include courses in herbology (for more information, see the Acupuncturist occupational profile).
Self-employed herbalists may be required to have a municipal business license and should have some form of malpractice insurance.
Herbalists work in:
They may be employed by others or set up their own shops or private practices. Some herbalists:
Advancement in this occupation generally takes the form of building a larger client base or offering other alternative health services (for example, providing diet and lifestyle recommendations, bioresonance therapy).
Herbalists are part of the larger 2011 National Occupational Classification 3232: Practitioners of Natural Healing. In Alberta, 75% of people employed in this classification work in the Health Care and Social Assistance (PDF) industry.
The employment outlook in this occupation will be influenced by a wide variety of factors including:
Employment turnover is expected to increase as members of the baby boom generation retire over the next few years.
Practical herbalists employed in health food stores or other retail outlets earn hourly wages comparable to other retail salespersons (for more information, see the Retail Salesperson occupational profile).
Treatment fees charged by self-employed clinical herbologists vary considerably. Their take-home pay for any given period depends on the number of clients they see and their overhead costs (for example, the cost of renting office space). Some herbalists supplement their incomes via product sales from dispensaries.
Canadian Herbalist's Association of British Columbia website: www.chaofbc.ca
Ontario Herbalist Association website: www.herbalists.on.ca
For more information on career planning, education and jobs call the Alberta Supports Contact Centre toll-free at 1-877-644-9992 or 780-644-9992 in Edmonton, or visit an Alberta Works Centre near you.
Updated Mar 20, 2014. The information contained in this profile is current as of the dates shown. Salary, employment outlook and educational program information may change without notice. It is advised that you confirm this information before making any career decisions.