The example below is an actual RH application from an herbal practitioner with an extensive education grounded in independent study (used with her permission). As you can see, she kept careful records of her studies over many years. Her education also included mentoring with several experienced herbalists as she began to practice.
Independent Study AHG Professional Membership Application Example
Herbal Medicine Education and Training
What follows is an hourly description of my study between 1991 and the present with a focus on courses and independent study. My clinical mentorship with Leslie Alexander, PhD. RH (AHG) began in April 2015, see page 3 for further details.
Basic Human Sciences (203 hours documented)
Conferences
Sep 28, 2007, 1.5 hours (h), The Endocrine System, Kathleen Maier, Southeast Women’s Herbal Conference (SEWHC)
Sep 18, 2010, 2.5h, The G.I. Protocol, Howie Brounstein, Traditions in Western Herbalism Conference (TWHC)
Jun 7, 2014, 1.5h, Colors of Vitality, Lisa Ganora, Midwest Women’s Herbal Conference (MWHC)
Postal Correspondence Courses
Sep 4, 2006, 80h, The Science and Art of Herbalism Correspondence Course, Rosemary Gladstar, Certificate
Online Courses/Webinars/Recordings
Jun 4, 2010, 10h, Food Energetics Course, Darcey Blue French
Jun 25, 2011, 20 hours, Culinary Herbalism with K.P. Khalsa, K. P. Khalsa, LearningHerbs.com
Mar 16, 2015, 2h, How to Bust the Sugar Habit & Repair the Damage Webinar, K.P. Khalsa
Mar 9, 2016, 75h, Anatomy & Physiology for Herbalists, Tammi Sweet, Certificate
Self Study (books), at least, not less than 20h+ from
Caldecott, T. Food as Medicine: The Theory and Practice of Food
Colbin, A Food and Healing
Fallon, S. Nourishing Traditions: The Cookbook that Challenges Politically Correct Nutrition and Diet Dictocrats
Haas, E. Staying Healthy With the Seasons
Layman, D. Medical Terminology Demystified
Sanfilippo, D. The 21 Day Sugar Detox: Bust Sugar & Carb Cravings Naturally
Botany and Plant Identification (208h+ documented)
Conferences
Jun 30, 2012, 1.5h, Tree Walk, Susun Weed & Isla Burgess, MWHC
Jun 30 & Jul 1, 2012, 1h, Morning Herb walk/drawing, Isla Burgess, MWHC
Jul 21, 2013, 1.5h, Permaculture Gardening, Michael Pilarski, Montana Herb Gathering (MHG)
Jun 7 & 8, 2014,1h, Wild Plant Connections Morning Weed Walks, Isla Burgess, MWHC
Sep 12, 2015, 1.5h, Herb Walk, jim mcdonald, Great Lakes Herb Faire (GLHF)
Oct 16, 2015, 1.5h, Plant Walk, Feather Jones, American Herbalists Guild Symposium (AHG)
Onsite Courses
2009, 100h, State Master Naturalist Training with studies including plants, ecology, urban environment, geology and soil, forests, prairies, and wetlands
Self Study (books), at least, and not less than 100h+ from
Derig, B. & Fuller, M. Wild Berries of the West
Earle, A. & Lundin, J. 265 Images of Northern Rocky Mountain Wildflowers
Elpel, T. Botany in a Day
Foster, S. & Duke, J. Peterson Field Guides: Eastern/Central Medicinal Plants & Herbs
Foster, S. & Hobbs, C. Peterson Field Guides: Western Medicinal Plants & Herbs
Helm, K. & Arbor Day Foundation. What Tree is That?
Kavanaugh, J. Yellowstone Trees & Wildflowers
Kershaw, L., MacKinnon, A., & Pojar, J. Plants of the Rocky Mountains
McFarland, J. & Mueller, G. Edible Wild Mushrooms of Illinois
Mohlenbrock, R. Forest Trees of Illinois
Newcomb, L. Newcomb’s Wildflower Guide
Peterson, R. & McKenny, M. Peterson Field Guides: Wildflowers Northeastern/Northcentral North America Schwab, A. Mushrooming Without Fear
Stone, M. Missouri’s Wild Mushrooms
Thayer, S. Nature’s Garden
Thayer, S. The Forager’s Harvest
Materia Medica/Therapeutic Herbalism (765h+ documented)
Conferences
Sep 28, 2007, 1.5h, Three Herbs for Wellness, Corinna Wood, SEWHC
Sep 29, 2007, 1.5h, Healing with Honey, Patricia Kyritsi Howell, SEWHC
Sep 29, 2007, 1.5h, Wellness for Women, Rosemary Gladstar, SEWHC
Sep 17, 2011, 2h, Entheogens & the Dying Process, Kathleen Maier, TWHC
Sep 17, 2011, 1.5h, Allies for the Underworld Journey, Sean Donahue, TWHC
Sep 14, 2012, 1.5h, Entheogens & Trauma, Sean Donahue, TWHC
Sep 15, 2012, 1.5h, Death & Dying: Coping for the Herbalist, Chuck Garcia, TWHC
Sep 15, 2012, 1.5h, Wolf Chemistry: How to Smell & Taste Herbal Constituents, Lisa Ganora, TWHC
Sep 15, 2012, 1.5h, Treating Chronic Illness, Katja Swift & Ryn Midera, TWHC
Sep 16, 2012 1.5h, Chronic Pain, Chuck Garcia, TWHC
Jun 8, 2013, 1.5h, Herbs for Insulin Resistance, Kathleen Wildwood, MWHC
Jul 19, 2013, 1.5h, Herbs for Clearing & Protection, Sean Donahue, Montana Herb Gathering (MHG)
Jul 20, 2013, 1.5h, Herpes, Chicken Pox & Shingles, Katrina Farnum, MHG
Jul 21, 2013, 1.5h, Navigating the Darkness, Sean Donahue, MHG
Jul 21, 2013, 1.5h, Breathing Free and Easy, Todd Caldecott, MHG
Aug 10, 2013, 1.5h, Plantain the Future, jim mcdonald & Betsy Bancroft, United Plant Savers
Conference: Planting the Future (UpS)
Aug 10, 2013, 1.5h, Medicinal Preservation through the Use of Small Dosages, Matthew Wood, UpS
Aug 10, 2013, 1.5h, Your Brain on Lyme, Carol Jacobs, UpS
Aug 10, 2013, 1.5h, Musculoskeletal Medicines, Matthew Wood & jim mcdonald, UpS
Jan 18, 2014, 1hr, Herbs for Family Health, Rosemary Gladstar, University of Illinois Herb Day
Jun 6, 2014, 1.5h, Life is Your Best Medicine, Tieraona Low Dog, MD, MWHC
Jun 7, 2014, 1.5h, Herbs for Menopause, Gail Faith Edwards, MWHC
Nov 11, 2014, 2h, Research Based Principles Every Herbal Educator Should Know, Lana Dvorkin Camiel, AHG
Nov 8, 2014, 2h, Differential Treatment of Depression and Anxiety with Botanical & Nutritional Medicines, David Winston, AHG
Nov 8, 2014, 1.5h, Managing Surgery with Botanicals and Nutrition, Chanchal Cabrera, AHG
Nov 8, 2014, 2h, Preventing and Treating Flu and Other Upper Respiratory Tract Infections, Christopher Hobbs, AHG
Nov 9, 2014, 2h, The Circulation in Traditional Western Herbalism, Matthew Wood, AHG
Nov 9, 2014, 2h, Herbal Support in the Postpartum Period, Camille Freeman, AHG
Jun 6, 2015, 1.5h, Cancer Strategies, Dr. Jody Noé, MWHC
Sep 13, 2015, 1.5h, Building Community Herbalism, Lisa Rose, GLHF
Oct 15, 2015, 4h, Alternatives: Branches and Roots, Lisa Ganora, AHG
Oct 15, 2015, 4h, Comprehensive Approach to Global Pain / Fibromyalgia Syndrome, Dr. Chris Kleronomos, AHG
Oct 16, 2015, 0.5h, Parkinson’s & MS as Case Studies for the Herbal Treatment of Neurological Disease, Karen Vaughan, AHG
Oct 16, 2015, 1.5h, Herbal Bitters: Appetite Regulation, Blood Glucose Levels & Obesity, Guido Masé, AHG
Oct 17, 2015, 1.5h, Male Aging and “Low T”, Eric Yarnell, AHG
Oct 17, 2015, 1.5h, Botanical Influences on Metabolism and Diabetes, Jillian Stansbury, AHG
Oct 17, 2015, 1.5h, Mental Illness: Neurotonics, Entheogens & the Microbiome, Guido Masé, AHG
Oct 17, 2015, 1.5h, Herbs to Lift the Vital Spirit, Suppress Cancer, & Reduce Recurrence & Metastasis, Donnie Yance, AHG
Jun 5, 2016, 1.5h, Biophilia, Isla Burgess, MWHC 2016
Jun 5, 2016, 1.5h, Medical Marijuana Primer, Dr. Jody Noé, MWHC 2016
Online Courses/Webinars/Recordings
Jun 3, 2009, 40h, The Village Herbalist, Heather Nic au Fhleisdeir, HerbMentor.com
Sep 30, 2009, 20h, Think Like an Herbalist, Heather Nic au Fhleisdeir, HerbMentor.com
Mar 2, 2011, 5h, Nourishing Infusions, Susun Weed
Mar 15, 2011, 2h, Bitter Herbal Medicine, Rosalee de la Forêt & Michael Tierra
Aug 24, 2014, 1h, Herbal Remedies for Autism, K.P. Khalsa
Nov 28, 2014, 1.5h, Understanding and Treating Diseases of the Skin, Althea Northage-Orr, 2006 AHG
Postal Correspondence Courses Sep 4, 2006, 80h, The Science and Art of Herbalism Correspondence Course, Rosemary Gladstar2, Certificate
Publication Related Research 2009 – present, 546h+ for 91 issues of herbal magazine. Each 50+ page issue focuses on an individual herb and includes original songs, text, stories, games, puzzles, illustrations and botanical drawings, which I research, write, publish, market, design, and archive online. Live link to illustrative copies can be found at:
Self Study (books), at least, not less than 80h+ from
Holmes, P. The Energetics of Western Herbs, Volumes 1 & 2
Kuhn, M & Winston, D. Herbal Therapy & Supplements
Ross, J. A Clinical Materia Medica Skenderi, G. Herbal Vade Mecum
Pharmacy, Pharmacognosy and Dispensing (99h+ documented)
Conferences
Sep 17, 2010, 1.5h, Differentiating Diaphoretics, jim mcdonald, TWHC
Sep 18, 2010, 2.5h, Foundational Herbcraft & Talking with Plants, jim mcdonald & Kiva Rose, TWHC
Sep 17, 2011, 1.5h, Traditional Cannabis Medicines, Lisa Ganora, TWHC
Sep 15, 2012, 1.5h, Wolf Chemistry: How to Smell & Taste Herbal Constituents, Lisa Ganora, TWHC
Aug 10, 2013, 1.5h, Medicinal Preservation through the Use of Small Dosages, Matthew Wood, UpS
Sep 12, 2015, 1.5h, Understanding Formulating, Leslie Williams, GLHF
Oct 15, 2015, 4h, Alternatives: Branches and Roots, Lisa Ganora, AHG
Jun 3, 2016, 1.5h, Herbal Cox-2 Anti-inflammatory Therapies in Cancer Treatment, Dr. Jody Noé, MWHC 2016
Online Courses/Webinars/Recordings
Dec 9, 2013, 3h, What Do the FDA Good Manufacturing Practices Mean for Herbalists?, Roy Upton, AHG
Self Study (books), at least, not less than 80h+ from
Brinker, F. Herbal Contraindications and Drug Interactions plus Herbal Adjuncts with Medicines
Cech, R. Making Plant Medicine
Hoffmann, D. Medical Herbalism
Moore, M. Herb Formulas for Clinic and Home
Moore, M. Herbal Materia Medica
Moore, M. Herbal/Medical Contraindications
Moore, M. Specific Indications for Herbs in General Use
Clinical Skills (440h+ documented)
Clinical Mentorships
April 2015 – present with Leslie Alexander, RH (AHG), 100h+, We meet online using conference type software, at least weekly as casework has necessitated, on topics including: the formation of holistic protocols, and protocol review, interviewing and note taking skills, general and physical assessments, laboratory findings, dosing strategies, informed consent and full disclosure, record keeping, and nutritional, dietary, and wellness advocacy.
November 2015 – present with Leslie Williams, RH (AHG), 30h+
Conferences
Sep 29, 2007, 1.5h, The Art of the Intake, Kathleen Maier, SEWHC
Sep 30, 2007, 3.5h, Advanced Diagnostics, Kathleen Maier, SEWHC
Sep 17, 2010, 4h, Vitalist Principles of Western Herbalism, Paul Bergner, TWHC
Sep 19, 2010, 2.75h, Reading the Body, Margi Flint, TWHC
Sep 16, 2011, 3h, Humoral Temperaments: Adapted for Mongrel Herbalists, jim mcdonald, TWHC
Sep 16, 2011, 1.5h, First Aid Essentials Part 2: Bones & Joint Injuries, Linda Garcia, TWHC
Sep 14, 2012, 1.5h, The Herbalist Street Medic, 7song, TWHC
Nov 9, 2014, 2h, Death, Bereavement and Grief: What Herbalists Can Do, Amanda Mcquade Crawford, AHG
Jun 5, 2015, 3h, Tongue and Pulse Diagnosis, Lesley Tierra, MWHC
Jun 6, 2015, 1.5h, Depth Diagnosis for Clinical Practice & Fun, Julie McIntyre, MWHC
Oct 16, 2015, 0.5h, Complementing Empirical Knowing: Haptic and Intuitive, Kathryn Niemeyer, AHG
Jun 4, 2016, 1.5h, Women’s Wellness Into Older Age, Isla Burgess, 2016 MWHC
Online Courses/Webinars/Recordings
Dec 7, 2010, Apr 21, 2015, 18h, Herb Energetics Online Course 2010, Kiva Rose, LearningHerbs.com
Apr 11, 2013, 25h, Herb First Aid 9 Week Online Course, 7song, LearningHerbs.com
Nov 4, 2013, 1.5h, Obtaining an Effective Case History, Aviva Romm, 2006 AHG
Nov 11, 2013, 1.5h, The Art of the Follow-up Parts 1 & 2, Paul Bergner, 2007 AHG
Jan 5, 2014, 1.5h, Interview Skills, SOAP Notes, and Record keeping Part 1 & 2, Kathleen Maier, 2007 AHG
Feb 10, 2015, 1.5h, Interview Skills in Chronic Disease, Paul Bergner, 2009 AHG
Nov 12, 2015, 1.5h, Stop Treating Disease, Start Building Health, Steven Horne
Onsite Courses
1991, 155h, Certified Nurse Assistant Training and Certification, Lewis and Clark Community College, Basic Nurse Assistant Training Program Certificate
Jul 25-27, 2014, 15h, Herbalism in Context: A Round Table to Enhance Clinical Skills, Leslie Alexander & Leslie Williams w/jim mcdonald, Certificate of Completion
Apr 15-17, 2016, 20h, Clinical Round Table with Allegheny Herbal: Case Studies, Leslie Alexander & Leslie Williams, Certificate of Completion
May 31-Jun 2, 2016, 24h, Working with Women at all Ages & Stages Clinical Herbal Immersion, Isla Burgess, 2016 MWHC, Certificate of Completion
Self Study (books), at least, not less than 20h+ from
Bickley, L. Bates’ Guide to Physical Examination & History Taking
Burka Wild, D. The Skin, Tongue and Nails Speak
Flint, M. The Practicing Herbalist: Meeting with Clients, Reading the Body Hechtman, L. Clinical Naturopathic Medicine
Priest, A. & Priest, L. Herbal Medication: A Clinical and Dispensary Handbook Wood, M, Ronaldo, F. & Light, P. Traditional Western Herbalism & Pulse Evaluation
Career Preparation/Practice Development/Ethics (54h documented)
Conferences Sep 18, 2011, 2h, Teaching Herbcraft, jim mcdonald, TWHC
Sep 15, 2012, 1.5h, Thoughts on Creating a Personal & Dynamic Practice, jim mcdonald & Kiva Rose, TWHC
Sep 13, 2015, 1.5h, Building Community Herbalism, Lisa Rose, GLHF
Online Courses/Webinars/Recordings
Mar 24, 2015, 1.5h, Starting an Herbal Practice: Professional Considerations and Business Basics, Amanda McQuade Crawford, 2006 AHG
Jan 2, 2014, 1.5h, Starting and Building an Herbal Practice, Nicholas Schnell, Sep 2008 AHG
Jan 9, 2015, 1.25h, Transitioning from Student to Practitioner: Considerations for Starting Your Practice, Rosalee de la Forêt RH(AHG), Jan 2015 AHG
Oct 29, 2015, 1.5h, Marketing for Herbalists, Steven Horne, Aug 2014 AHG
Oct 30, 2015, 1.75h, Networking for Herbalists, Ben Zappin, Sep 2013 AHG
Jan 19, 2016, 1h, Client Retention, Michele Collins Vergara, Jan 2016 AHG
Postal Correspondence Courses
Sep 4, 2006, 40h, The Science and Art of Herbalism Correspondence Course, Rosemary Gladstar3, Certificate
History & Philosophy/Introduction to Research (63h+ documented)
Conferences
Sep 17, 2010, 4 hours, Vitalist Principles of Western Herbalism, Paul Bergner, TWHC
Sep 16, 2011, 1.5h, Curandisamo, Chuck Garcia, TWHC
Nov 7, 2014, 2h, Research Based Principles Every Herbal Educator Should Know, Lana Dvorkin Camiel, AHG
Nov 9, 2014, 2h, The Circulation in Traditional Western Herbalism, Matthew Wood, AHG
Online Courses/Webinars/Recordings
Feb 4, 2014, 1.5h, Lessons of the Eclectic Physicians, James Snow, 2006 AHG
Feb 5, 2014, 1.5h, Concepts in TCM for Western Herbalists, Lesley Tierra, 2006 AHG
Feb 6, 2014, 1.5h, Evidence Based Herbal Medicine: A New Block on the Kids, Jonathan Treasure, 2006 AHG
Oct 1, 2014, 3.25h, Ayurveda for the American Herbalist: Part 1 & 2, Candice Cantin, 2009 AHG
Fall 2014, 16h, Curanderismo: Traditional Medicine, Eliseo Torres, www.coursera.org
Self Study (books), at least, not less than 30h+ from
Griggs, Barbara. Green Pharmacy: The History and Evolution of Western Herbal Medicine
Wood, Matthew. The Practice of Traditional Western Herbalism: Basic Doctrine, Energetics, and Classification