GENERAL INFORMATION
all years
welcome to betonica
2024 - 2025
WELCOME
We are glad you could join the Betonica Herbal Community, we look forward to working with you over the coming year.
We sincerely hope to challenge, excite, and inspire you on your unique journey toward becoming a knowledgeable herbalist. Our aim is for you to find not only valuable insights but also firm and lasting friendships with your fellow cohorts, dedicated teachers, and, of course, the remarkable herbs themselves that will accompany you every step of the way.
This Learning Platform will provide all the comprehensive information and course materials you need on your Medical Herbalist pathway. We encourage you to take some time to familiarise yourself thoroughly by exploring the various sections available. Additionally, please ensure that you take the time to watch the ‘How to Navigate the Learning Platform’ video and thoroughly read all the important documents provided, including the Student Handbook.
Use the Herbal Forum for any queries or concerns you may have, as well as for additional support while working closely with your Head of Year, Personal Academic Tutor, or any other relevant resources available to you.
Best of luck!
THE BETONICA TEAM
A BLEND OF MODERN SCIENCE AND TRADITIONAL KNOWLEDGE
A BLEND OF MODERN SCIENCE AND TRADITIONAL KNOWLEDGE
BETONICA | \ bə-ˈtä-nə-kə \
Inspired by and named after Betonica officinalis (syn. Stachys officinalis). Commonly named wood betony. It was traditionally valued as a herb for the head, and a valuable panacea.
ABOUT betonica
A COMMUNITY INTEREST COMPANY
WE ARE A SOCIAL ENTERPRISE WITH A MISSION TO SUPPORT SOCIAL CHANGE THROUGH EDUCATION IN HERBALISM.
A social enterprise is a cause-driven business whose primary reason for being is to improve social objectives and serve the common good.
We have a strong focus on our herbal community and environmental initiatives. Our Professional Medical Herbalist Programme and Home Herbalist courses have been built to empower all herbalists to optimise herbs for social equality and reduce environmental damage. All our profits go towards supporting our students, community herb gardens, nonprofit associations devoted to providing holistic care, and offering an affordable herbal clinic.
“A HERBALIST IN EVERY HOME,
A PRACTITIONER IN EVERY TOWN”
Dr John Christopher (1909 – 1983)
ABOUT THE MEDICAL HERBALIST
TRAINING PROGRAMME
The programme content and assessment are at the same level as a BSc (Level 6 in the national Framework for Higher Education Qualifications), but the final award you will receive for successfully completing the programme will be a diploma. The title of diploma gives us the flexibility to combine academic learning with clinical training.
The programme is what’s called blended learning, much of it is home study but you are required to attend Seminar Weekends from September until June. In order to complete the programme, you will need to attend 80% of the seminar weekends.
The course and award title of Diploma have been agreed by Balens Ltd who will insure Betonica students as Medical Herbalists upon successful completion of the course. Balens are the leading insurers for complementary health professionals in the UK.
This four year diploma programme (on completion of the final clinical exam), will allow you to practice as a medical herbalist with full insurance and the ability to join a professional association (if you so wish).
NIMH ACCREDITATION
Betonica's Medical Herbalist Training Programme was awarded full Accredited status by the NIMH Accreditation Board at the beginning of September 2021.
Upon graduation, our herbalists will be able to apply to become fully fledged NIMH members if they wish.
ehtpa ACCREDITATION
Betonica has entered the EHTPA accreditation process.
STUDENT TESTIMONIALS
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“The Betonica course provided me with a sound knowledge foundation in both medicine and herbs as well as good clinical experience, such that I have had the confidence to start a practice. I also understand the world of herbal medicine practice sufficiently to be able to continue my learning journey with good research skills and support from other professionals, including through NIMH. The course is very demanding but wonderful fellow students contributed hugely to the success of the experience.”
— TRYPHENA HUNTINGFORD
Graduate 2020
Harpford Herbs -
“Studying at Betonica was nothing short of life-changing. It was hard but it was worth it. The depth and breadth of knowledge needed to become a Medical Herbalist is far more than you imagine BUT the staff genuinely care about their subject and that makes all the difference. Betonica is truly a grass-roots organisation (pun intended) and any difficulties were addressed and any successes celebrated. For 4 years it was the centre point of my life and it has changed my perspective on so many things. If you want a course that will shake you to your core, run by people who truly care about the survival of herbal medicine, then don't hesitate! The relationships I have developed with fellow students and staff still guides me on my journey as a herbalist. There's nothing quite like it!”
— HANNAH ROBSON
Graduate 2021
Rekindling Abundance -
“It all begins with an idea. Maybe you want to launch a business. Maybe you want to turn a hobby into something more. Or maybe you have a creative project to share with the world. Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference.”
— ARLENE BURNETT
Graduate 2022
Queen of Camellias
COPYRIGHT
ALL CONTENT IS COPYRIGHT OF BETONICA
Any redistribution or reproduction of part or all of the contents in any form is prohibited by the following:
You may not, except with our express written permission, distribute or commercially exploit the content. Nor may you transmit it or store it in any other website or form of electronic retrieval system.
You may print or download to a local hard disk for your personal and non-commercial use only.