What You Need to Know as an Herbalist

July 08, 2025

If you're a Black woman exploring herbalism, you're probably not new to herbs. But maybe you’re wondering:
"What do I actually need to study to really help myself, my family, or my community heal, deeply and sustainably?"

You’re not alone. Many Black women feel called to this work because we carry generations of wisdom alongside generations of trauma. We often become the healers in our families, whether we intended to or not.

In this post, I’ll give you the starting points to build your skills. But the full story and step-by-step details are waiting for you inside the video.

Why Understanding the Body Matters (herbalist education, study herbalism)

Many aspiring herbalists skip this first step: learning how the body actually works.

Without understanding anatomy and physiology, it’s easy to get stuck in symptom-chasing. When you know how body systems connect, your herbal support becomes precise, safe, and holistic.

This is especially important for Black women who are managing complex health challenges like fibroids, autoimmune conditions, and chronic stress.

So what body systems should you focus on first? I’ll explain that in the video.

Beyond Symptoms: Pathophysiology for Herbalists (pathophysiology and herbs, clinical herbalist training)

Pathophysiology teaches you how disease changes the way the body functions.

This is what helps herbalists work with people facing multiple conditions, rather than just picking an herb for each symptom. Most herbal books stop at "X herb for Y condition." But what happens when someone has both autoimmune disease and digestive issues? Or when their diagnosis doesn’t match what they’re feeling?

In the video, I’ll break down:

• Why some common herbs like hawthorn can be the wrong choice, depending on the diagnosis

• The mistake herbalists make when they hear the word "hypertension"

Phytochemistry: How to Make Herbs Work (phytochemistry for herbalists, how to use herbal medicine)

Ever wonder why your tea doesn’t work the way you hoped?
It’s not your fault. It’s the chemistry.

Phytochemistry shows you how herbal constituents extract differently in water, alcohol, oil, or vinegar.

For example: brewing fatty acids in a tea won’t deliver the hormonal support you’re looking for. That plant needs oil, not water.

So which herbs work best as tinctures versus teas? Which plant parts hold the medicine?
I’ll walk through that in the video so you can stop wasting your herbs and your time.

Nutrition as the Foundation of Healing (nutrition for herbalists, holistic healing with herbs)

Food is the first medicine. But modern food systems don’t nourish us the way they used to, especially in Black communities.

Today’s fruits and vegetables have less magnesium, calcium, and zinc than they did 50 years ago. And not everyone has access to organic food or farmers markets.

As herbalists, we need to know how to meet people where they are. That means teaching basic nourishment and using herbs that replenish what’s missing.

Inside the video, I’ll share the practical food shifts and herbs I use when supporting people living in food deserts and navigating limited food access.

The Mind-Body-Spirit Connection in Herbal Practice (Black women’s wellness, holistic healing with herbs)

Healing isn’t only physical.

It includes rest, boundaries, ancestral healing, and emotional care. As Black women, our bodies hold the weight of both personal and generational stress.

So how do you support emotional healing in a way that is herbal and holistic?
In the video, I’ll share the tools I use like medical astrology and the deeper energetic patterns I see when working with Black women one-on-one.

Where Do You Start? (study herbalism, self-taught herbalist)

This is where most people get stuck. Should you enroll in a certification program? Self-study? Join a mentorship?

The truth is, you don’t need to do it all. But you do need a focused study plan.

Inside the video, I’ll help you figure out:

• How to choose your first study topic

• Why focusing on one body system builds your confidence faster

• The biggest mistake most self-taught herbalists make when they’re just starting out

The Missing Piece Most Herbalists Overlook

So far, I’ve shared the subjects every serious herbalist should study. But there’s one thing I didn’t explain here.

It’s the part of my work where I help people uncover the emotional and energetic roots of their illness.

I explain how I use this in my own herbal practice inside the full video.

Watch the Full Video + Take the Next Step

Ready to build confidence as a healer?
Watch the full video on YouTube where I break down the complete framework for becoming a skillful, trusted herbalist.

Keep Learning, Keep Healing

If you’re ready for mentorship, book a free discovery call with me.
We’ll map out your next steps together.
👉🏽 [Book your free call]

Want more tools for becoming a confident clinical herbalist?

• Subscribe to my YouTube channel

• Explore my mentorship program, Herbal Medicine for the Soul®

• Join a community of Black women reclaiming our healing wisdom

Leave a comment

Comments will be approved before showing up.

Also in Iwilla Remedy Herbalism & Spirituality Blog