These herbalists are some of the most well trained Western herbalists in the world. Most of these professional herbalists have graduated from a complete training program in TCM and are trained as primary health care providers. Traditional Chinese medicine is a licensed profession in 27 states. Herbal medicine is also an integral part of TCM training programs in most states. Graduates of these programs are fully trained primary care providers.
Botanical medicine is a primary modality of naturopathic physicians.
Consumers must inquire as to the level of training the ND has acquired. Naturopathic medicine is a licensed profession in 13 states. The first test is scheduled for the fall of 2000. The American Herbalists Guild provides additional guidelines for choosing an herbal practitioner in suggesting that those seeking herbal practitioners ask for a full disclosure of the practitioner's training, experience, practice protocols, expectations, modalities employed, potential financial conflicts, fee structure, and limitations. This is a valuable guideline for choosing any health care provider.