This is a comparison list, not a ranking. Reiki courses teach a spiritual practice; herbal education studies plants, materia medica and systems of herbalism. They are different subjects, and a Reiki course is not a substitute for herbal study or a healthcare qualification. The options below range from community herbalism certificates to university degrees, so compare what is taught and what credential is awarded. The inclusion of a school is not an endorsement.
Programs and schools to investigate
Swipe or scroll to compare the schools, formats and questions to ask.
| School | Study focus and format | What to verify |
|---|---|---|
| California School of Herbal Studies | Founded in 1978, it describes a community-based Western herbalism tradition, with a campus garden and lab. Its Roots of Herbalism intensive covers materia medica, medicine making and plant identification; the school also lists weekend series and workshops. | It awards certificates of completion. Ask about current dates, attendance expectations, costs and the difference between the first-year intensive and second-year Community Herbalist program. |
| Colorado School of Clinical Herbalism | Its online option is the Fundamentals of Medical Herbalism certificate. The school lists separate in-person programs, including Fundamentals, Advanced Herbalism and Clinical Herbalism. | Confirm which curriculum and format you are considering; the online Fundamentals certificate and campus programs are distinct offerings. |
| Evergreen Herb Garden and School of Integrative Herbology | Its home-study correspondence course combines Western herbology with Ayurveda and describes two parts of its integrative herbology program. | Review the current course pack, support, fees and course availability directly with the school. |
| National University of Natural Medicine | The College of Classical Chinese Medicine includes Chinese herbal medicine in its Master of Acupuncture and Doctor of Acupuncture programs. | This is university degree study in Chinese medicine, not a short Western-herbalism certificate. Compare prerequisites and the full curriculum in the current catalog. |
| Northwest School for Botanical Studies | Christa Sinadinos’s biography identifies her as founder and director of the school in Fieldbrook, California, and describes Western botanical medicine teaching. | The page does not confirm current cohort dates or enrollment. Contact the teacher directly before treating it as an active course option. |
| American College of Traditional Chinese Medicine | CIIS records the college’s 2015 merger with the institute. This is included as a historical school name associated with Chinese medicine education. | Do not assume older ACTCM listings are open programs. Check current CIIS programs and admissions. |
| Maryland University of Integrative Health | MUIH merged into the School of Integrative Health at Notre Dame of Maryland University in August 2025. | The university’s FAQ says its acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine programs were discontinued in December 2025. That statement concerns those Chinese medicine programs; check current university listings separately for any other herbal education. |
| Northwestern Health Sciences University | The College of Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine lists Master of Acupuncture and Doctor of Acupuncture with Chinese herbal medicine options. | This is a Chinese medicine degree path. Review the current program page for curriculum, format and admissions. |
| Southwest Institute of Healing Arts | The school lists a campus-based Western Herbalism program and certificate. | Check the current class format, certificate title, dates, curriculum and total cost before enrolling. |
| Bastyr University | Bastyr lists a Bachelor of Science in Herbal Sciences, an academic degree path. | Compare its degree-level scope and admissions requirements with community certificates and shorter courses. |
How to compare a program
Start with what you want to learn: plant identification and ecology, traditional materia medica, Western herbalism, Chinese herbal medicine, or a formal academic degree. Then compare curriculum, teaching format, supervised or field practice, faculty background, student support, total tuition and fees, credential awarded, and current admissions status. Ask what graduates may and may not claim or do in the jurisdiction where they live; an educational certificate is not automatically a professional licence.
Herbal products can interact with medicines and can carry risks. A school’s educational approach is not a substitute for individual medical advice. Choose a program for the learning it actually offers, not for promises about employment, clinical outcomes, or guaranteed authority to practise.
Related topic: Running a Reiki practice, Equipment you need, Getting the business started, The therapist-client relationship, Home space clearing.