Scientific Research in Herbalism Certification
Section 1: Introduction
Why conduct research in herbalism?
It is important to conduct research in herbalism to make sure you are up to date on discoveries made.
Example:
Research also confirms the information that you know about, to refute any claims that the remedy is
“pseudoscience.”
Finally, you can learn about new alternatives that have been studied for certain issues.
Are there benefits of scientific research in herbalism?
The information you research can help you learn about the dosages that were studied included effective
and ineffective results. This can influence your product making on your herbalism journey.
Researching conditions can help you learn the root causes to these issues. You may learn that a skin
disease can be caused by live functioning, or that a heart issue can be caused by a mental health issue.
Our body is connected, and doing scientific research allows you to back track to the root cause in
addition to rebuilding with the supportive herbs.
Finally, if you are interested in researching for yourself or someone close to you, you can use scientific
research to take to your doctor. Your doctor may be open, closed, or neutral to the idea of herbalism. If
you provide them with the research, they can complete additional research to help you with your
condition.
SECTION 2: Exploring the different types of research in herbalism
1. Randomized Control Trials
a. Benefits
b. Drawbacks
2. Cohort Studies
3. Meta Analysis
4. Qualitative Studies
Section 3: How to conduct scientific research of an herb
1. Compare Search Engines: Google, Google Scholar, Bing, Duck Duck Go, Safari, VPN
2. Search: Benefits of ______ studies, Studied benefits of _______.
a. Three things to analyze on an herb search: Source, year, and results.
b. Look for a database, .gov website, or online journal publication
c. Initially skim the study: Hypothesis, methods, and results
d. Analyze/summarize the study: Background, conflict of interests, who performed the
study
Section 4: How to conduct scientific research for natural options for a
problem
1. Same steps as above just search “herbs for ____ studies,” “mineral deficiencies and _____
studies,” or causes of _____ studies,” or “_______ international studies, “chemical toxicity and
_____ studies.”
Section 5: Scientific Journals and Databases- include herb drug
interaction
Free Standard Online Study Databases: National Institute of Health, Research Gate, Science Direct,
Complementary and Alternative Medicine, PubMed, International Journal of Herbal Medicine, National
Institute of Health
Herb- Drug Interaction Checker: [Link], National Center for Complementary and
Integrative Health, Medscape Drug Reference, The Chinese-Western Medicine Integrative Information
Network
There are thousands of others, and it might be helpful for you to create a list of your favorites.
Section 6: Draw backs, takeaways, and things to note.
1. Language of Scientific Studies
a. Numbers, Confidence intervals, graphs, and charts
2. Length of Studies
a. Long term studies, studies just registered, older studies, conflict of interest
3. Disconnection between doctors, scientists, school, and the pharmaceutical industry
a. Doctors: aught how to check symptoms and prescribe
b. Scientists: Conduct studies
c. Schooling
d. Pharmaceutical Industry: Lobby for regulations
