UK and EU Students - Herbal Medicine Diploma Course
About the Course

What is Herbal Medicine?
Herbal medicine has a long tradition in all cultures, and recent research has begun to prove some of the huge benefits of using herbs. Whereas much modern medicine has unwelcome side effects, herbs can provide a gentle, yet powerful, solution to a wide range of physical and emotional problems.
As well as relieving symptoms, herbal medicine also works on a deeper level to help patients return to full harmony. Herbal medicine is becoming ever more popular in the UK, as ever more people seek out qualified herbalists.
Why Study Herbal Medicine with The CNM?
The CNM Herbal Medicine Diploma Course provides high quality training that equips graduates to build highly successful practices. It is carefully structured so each study unit builds on the previous one, allowing students to develop their confidence and skills, and reach their full potential as professional Herbalists. Students are strongly encouraged to develop their own unique style of consultation and application.
One of the strengths of The College of Naturopathic Medicine course is that we draw on a variety of herbal traditions: we have expert lecturers in western, Ayurvedic (Indian) and Chinese herbal medicine.
Students study the energetic models of these systems, allowing them to make a multi–faceted, holistic diagnosis. Graduates can to draw on a wide variety of herbs from different traditions, helping them to provide the best possible treatment for their patients.
The Regulation of Herbal Medicine
In the UK, the Department of Health is expected to create a statutory register of practitioners within about three years. In order to use the title “Practitioner of Herbal Medicine”, therapists will have to be on the register. CNM is fully committed to gaining accreditation for its herbal medicine graduates, which would allow them to practice legally within the UK.
Prerequisites
5 GCSEs or 2 A Levels, or equivalent academic and/or work experience.
If you are able to demonstrate previous study or work experience you may apply to gain exemptions from some units. Please contact us for more information and to see if you qualify for direct enrolment.
Biomedicine Study
Duration - 1 year.
- Medical terminology, cells, tissues, embryology
- Anatomy, physiology, pathology
- Clinical diagnostic, differential diagnosis
- Blood- urine analysis, examination methods
- Infectious Diseases
Naturopathy Study
Duration - 1 year.
- Toxicity, Detoxification, Cleansing
- Fasting, Diet, Nutrition
- Bach Flower Therapy
- Introduction to Homeopathy
- Introduction to Herbal Medicine
- Tissue Salts
- Naturopathy
Naturopathic Practical
Duration - 1 year.
- Chinese diagnostic
- Face
- Tongue
- Pulse
- Nail
- Abdominal Diagnostic
- Ear Acupuncture
- Introduction to Acupuncture
- Cause of disease and pathogenic energies
- Important Acupuncture points
- Specific effects of needle stimulation
- Examination methods and diagnostic rules
- Iridology
- History of Iridology
- Technique of Examination
- Topography of the Iris
- Constitution, Disposition and Diathesis
- Pupil Phenomena
- Study of the signs
- Study of pigments
- Prescriptions
Herbal Medicine
Duration: 2 years, 2 weekends per month, plus 2 sets of 10 days during the 2-year course.
Biochemistry and Pharmacology
Students will study these subjects in enough depth to get an understanding of how herbs work from a western, biomedical perspective. This will also give an insight into how certain western drugs work.
Pharmacognosy and Dispensing
Students will learn techniques of herb identification, so they can identify the correct herbs, and ensure they are of the best quality. They will learn procedures of setting up a herbal pharmacy, or of getting the most from an external pharmacy if they prefer to use one instead of setting up their own. Graduates will be kept fully informed of legislative requirements in this area, as the UK moves closer to statutory regulation.
Materia Medica
Students will cover a wide variety of herbs from many traditions, and become familiar with the qualities of each herb. The thorough knowledge of herbs gained in this Unit will form the basis for selecting the herbs for patients in clinic.
Herbal Energetics
Students will learn the basic energetic models of Chinese and Ayurvedic herbal medicine. This will allow them to diagnose patients from different angles, and thereby create a comprehensive treatment programme of maximum effectiveness.
Diagnosis and Case Taking
In this Unit students will become confident in taking the cases of a variety of people. They will draw on the subtle Chinese methods of diagnosis, including pulse palpation and tongue observation. The diagnostic methods learned in this Unit will allow the formation of an accurate and precise diagnosis, which identifies the root cause of illnesses, and allows the development of an effective treatment plan.
Disease Differentiation
In herbal medicine, it is recognised that any one disease may be cause by a variety of energetic patterns. This means that everyone who comes in is seen as an individual, with a unique pattern of imbalance. This Unit allows students to differentiate the causes of a wide variety of common diseases seen in clinic, including digestive problems, gynaecology, nervous system disorders, musculo – skeletal problems, breathing problems, and mental - emotional problems.
Clinical Practice
We provide approximately 350 hours of clinical experience, after which students should be confident to take control of treatments of a very wide range of disorders.
Practitioner Development and Ethics
This Unit helps students focus on setting up and maintain a thriving practice. It helps The College of Naturopathic Medicine graduates to build the support systems they need to reach their full potential as practitioners of herbal medicine, and keeps them abreast of regulatory developments in complementary medicine.
Research and Dissertation
This Unit will teach research methods, so students can identify best practice, and most effective techniques. Students are supported in writing a dissertation.
Study Programme and Locations
Options
- Full time, weekends, weekdays and evenings (London only)
- Part time, weekends (all colleges - London, Bristol, Brighton, Birmingham, Manchester, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Belfast)
- At this time, Specialist courses are held in London only
Intake Dates
Typically, students enrol for the Autumn (Oct) and Spring (Feb) semesters. However, since our Biomedicine and Naturopathy courses are built around a modular system, new students can join a course throughout the year.
Examples
Depending on your study schedule, the diploma courses can be completed in 3 to 6 years.
Full time study
- Year 1: Biomedicine, Naturopathy Study and Naturopathic Practical
- Years 2 and 3: Specialist training (Acupuncture, Nutrition, Herbal Medicine or Homeopathy)
Part time study
- Year 1: Biomedicine
- Year 2: Naturopathy Study
- Year 3: Naturopathic Practical
- Years 4 and 5: Specialist training (Acupuncture, Nutrition, Herbal Medicine or Homeopathy)
Our course advisors are here to help you create a schedule that suits your needs - contact us for information.
Cost
Please contact our registration advisors for exact course pricing, discounts, and financing options.
Recognition
Herbal Medicine Training
CNM graduates are accepted by the ANP (Association of Naturopathic Practitioners).
Naturopathy Training
The Naturopathy training is recognised by the ANP (Association of Naturopathic Practitioners).
How to Apply
We advise you to first contact us and discuss your personal needs and goals. We can then assist you in tailoring a study schedule that suits your lifestyle and commitments. Our course advisors are knowledgable, friendly, and deal with students from all walks of life - please call us at +44 (0)1342 410 505, use our contact form, or email info@naturopathy-uk.com.
Admissions Contact
Lynne Ott
info@naturopathy-uk.com
+44 (0)1342 410 505
Unit 1, Bulrushes Farm
Coombe Hill Road
East Grinstead
West Sussex, RH19 4LZ
T: (+44) 1342 410 505
F: (+44) 1342 410 90
Continuing Study Options
Further Study with the CNM
Students who have completed the Biomedicine, Naturopathy Study, and Naturopathic Practical study Units may opt to study the other specialist diploma courses, Homeopathy, Acupuncture, and Naturopathic Nutrition.
Degrees
CNM has developed an exclusive alliance with Charles Sturt University (CSU) in New South Wales, Australia, which allows CNM students and graduates to enrol into the Bachelor of Health Science Degree (Complementary Medicine). The CSU Degree programme is a distance learning course which starts each February and can be completed in 1 or 2 years. CSU offers the further opportunity for ongoing study to obtain a Master’s Degree, or a PH.D. in Complementary Medicine.
Charles Stuart University is Australia’s leading distance learning University, being responsible for the on-line education of over 28,000 students. CSU was awarded a "University of the Year" award in Australia, for its nationally recognised ability to reflect the needs of today’s society, and responsiveness to the need for life-long learning in a changing world.
Applications must be completed by the end of November; please contact us for more information. Students must have completed their CNM course before being issued with a CSU degree.
Tags: alternative healing, chinese herbal medicine, health care courses, health courses, herbal course, herbal courses, herbal medicine, herbal medicine course, herbal medicine courses, herbal medicine diploma, Herbal Medicine Diploma Course, herbal medicine study, herbal study, herbal training, herbalism, herbalist, herbalist training, herbs, holistic healing, natural healing, traditional chinese medicine, UK and EU Students

Naturopathic Nutrition stresses the use of whole and organic foods as medicine - an integral concept of healing in many indigenous societies. Today, we see that a return to chemical-free foods, along with other dietary measures, is an effective answer to many health complaints and common conditions.