Fee (USD): $100.00
Section 1: Clinical Assessments and Herbal Protocols (50 points total, 10 per case). Five cases in total.
Demonstrate your ability to assess and create herb protocols for two sample cases provided. The sample cases in this guide will not be the same cases found on the official RH Application Part 2 but are provided as practice.
- We understand that the information included in these cases does not contain all the details typically gathered during a thorough client intake. With that in mind, please list up to five follow-up questions you would ask the client, along with a brief rationale for each. Your rationale should explain why the information would be important in forming a more complete and accurate assessment.
- Include detailed recommendations for acute and long-term herbal protocols, specifying the purpose of each formula. Be sure to include dosage information, duration of use, and any relevant cautions, contraindications, or safety considerations. If you recommend any proprietary herbal products or pre-made formulas, list all ingredients in each product and explain your rationale for including them, including how each herb supports the intended therapeutic outcome.
- Include recommendations for dietary supplements (with dosage) and any appropriate nutritional and lifestyle changes.
- If you regularly use other complementary healing methods in your practice, you may include them too. However, your primary recommendations should be based on an herbal protocol.
- Include referrals to other specific practitioners if needed.
- Example Case A: A cisgender female (43) presents with premenstrual tension, irregular cycles, dysmenorrhea, and irregular night sweats and hot flashes. Client is about 50 lbs overweight and the weight has accumulated around her abdomen. Client complains of dry hair and skin and has noticed that her head hair has begun to thin. Symptoms have gotten worse in the past year after a stressful situation with her husband. Client has sought treatment and was told that this is all a natural part of aging. Client is frustrated and upset that nobody has been able to help her or has listened to her complaints. She is open to all kinds of support.
- Example Case B: A 49-year-old cisgender queer male, 5′ 10″, 240 lb. His husband complains that he never wants to go out and “have fun” anymore. Client states that he has low energy, low libido, sore knees and lower back. He often wakes in the night to use the bathroom which disrupts his sleep. Partner notes that he often gasps for air before he wakes up. Now gets “chills” and finds himself having to wear more layers of clothing. He has been on a vegan diet for the last 5 years. He would like help with feeling “more like myself again” and have increased energy.
Section 2: Materia Medica (50 points, 10 points per herb)
For this portion of the application you will choose five herbs from this list. Without relying on reference materials, provide the following information for each:
- Briefly describe your personal and clinical relationship with this plant. How have you used it in your practice? Be as specific as possible.
- What do you consider to be the primary actions of this herb? If you use different parts of the plant (e.g., leaf vs root), describe the distinct actions of each part.
- What are the key clinical indications or patterns of imbalance that guide your choice to use this herb?
- What forms of preparation do you typically use with this plant (e.g., tincture, infusion, topical)? Include dosage ranges for each form, if applicable.
- Are there any safety considerations to be aware of? Please include known contraindications, potential interactions, toxicity concerns, side effects, or recommended limits on duration of use.
- If you frequently use this herb in formulas, what combinations do you find most effective? Share your reasoning for how and why you pair this herb with others.
- What standards or criteria do you use to assess the quality of herbal products? Discuss why these considerations are important in ensuring both safety and effectiveness.
Section 3: Your Case Histories (300 points total, 100 per case). There are follow up questions for each case.
Provide three comprehensive case histories from your practice that demonstrate your clinical skills. Please read our detailed instructions about what information must be included for each case you submit here.
Submit (3) comprehensive cases from your practice to demonstrate your clinical skills. Each case should have at least three visits, including (1) intake and (2) follow-ups. A follow-up is a formal review of the client’s progress in person or via telehealth. Emails do not count as follow-ups. Cases should be within the past two years. There are follow-up questions to ensure you have submitted examples that meet the requirements. Each case is worth (100 pts)
Section 4: Your Referral Network
List three health care practitioners you consult with or refer clients to when a case is beyond your scope of practice. Please include their credentials or qualifications, and do not include anyone you have also asked to write a letter of recommendation for this application.
For each practitioner, provide their full name, credentials and qualifications, email address and phone number.
Section 5: Letters of Recommendation
Two letters of recommendation are required as part of your application. These should come from colleagues who are familiar with your training and clinical herbal practice.
- At least one letter must be from a primary herbal instructor. If this is not possible, please provide a brief explanation in your application.
- If one of your instructors or colleagues is an RH (AHG), we recommend asking them to write a letter—but this is not a requirement.
To request your letters:
Go to the “References” tab at the top of the application and enter your references’ names and email addresses. An automated email will be sent to them with a secure link to upload their letter.
Please note: All reference materials are confidential and will only be viewed by the Admissions Review Advisory Committee.