From Hobbyist to Healer: Stepping Into Herbal and Aromatic Practice

Many of us step onto the plant path as hobbyists, captivated by herbs and aromatic plants, experimenting with teas, oils, or incense blends for personal use. Sometimes we share our creations with friends or family, and their stories come back to us: “That tea gave me the best sleep ever,” or “Your oil really soothed my skin.” 

Then, one day, they run out and come back asking for more. And in that moment, something stirs within us – a realization that this is more than a hobby. A deeper calling begins to root: the call to serve, to heal, and to walk in true partnership with people, plants, and the natural world.

Whether the shift happens slowly or all at once, this is the threshold where the herbal hobbyist becomes the holistic healer. And the difference has nothing to do with how many herbs you can name or how many remedies you’ve crafted. It lies in depth, intention, and devotion. It’s the movement from curiosity to calling. But how do you cross that threshold? How do you step fully onto your dream path and begin serving your community with skill and confidence?

In this blog post, we’ll explore the 5 stages of growth that chart the plant path from curious hobbyist to skilled practitioner. As you read through these 5 stages, reflect on which stage you currently reside in. Just as a plant grows, so do we on our journey towards becoming an effective herbalist and aromatic medicine practitioner. The world is in great need of healing. The question is: how will you answer the call?

Every journey begins with a seed. For the herbal hobbyist, the plant path often starts as a spark of curiosity or a desire to live more naturally. You may be drawn to plants for your own health, or simply enchanted by their beauty and power. There is something deeply empowering about being able to craft your own medicine from nature.

But for the holistic practitioner, the roots run even deeper. You feel an inner pull to be of service, not just to yourself, but to the people, the plants, and the planet. Maybe you’ve felt the transformation and potential of plants, and want to share it with the world. This “why” becomes your foundation, the grounding force you’ll return to again and again, especially when things feel challenging.

The next step on the plant path is deepening your relationship with the botanical world, moving from collecting facts to truly knowing plants in their wholeness. The herbal hobbyist often begins with a treasury of quick associations: Lavender for stress, Ginger for digestion, Rosemary for mental clarity. These insights are valuable, but they only scratch the surface. The herbalist and aromatic practitioner goes further. You begin to experience plants on every level: physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual. Each herb becomes more than a list of uses; it reveals itself as a living ally with layers of personality and presence.

Instead of solely memorizing what herbs are “for,” you cultivate a relationship with them. You listen, observe, and integrate. In this way, your confidence emerges not from just rote knowledge, but also from direct experience and connection. You don’t just know about the plants, you truly know them.

Plants are only half the equation, of course! To be a true holistic herbalist or aromatic medicine practitioner, you must also understand people in their full complexity: body, mind, emotions, and spirit. This means looking beyond isolated symptoms and considering how every aspect of a person’s life interacts with their health. 

It’s not just about understanding body processes like digestion, circulation, or hormonal balance. It’s about seeing how diet, stress, sleep, relationships, and emotional patterns all shape well-being. You also learn how the mind and body influence each other: anxiety can manifest as digestive upset, chronic pain can affect emotional health, emotional resilience can support physical recovery, and so on.

By studying both the physical and energetic realms of the human body (and these connections), you can begin to see each person as a whole, unique system. This holistic perspective allows you to tailor your herbal and aromatic medicine approaches with precision, addressing the root of imbalance rather than just the symptoms.

This is the stage where knowledge of plants and people truly comes together, where the holistic healer begins to blossom. An herbal hobbyist might look for quick fixes: “What herb works for anxiety?” or “What oil helps with sleep?” But the truth is: plants don’t work that way. The “one problem, one remedy” mindset may work in modern medicine, but it doesn’t translate well to the world of plants. (To dive into this topic more, visit our blog: Why True Plant Wisdom Goes Beyond Facts & Recipes.)

The holistic practitioner recognizes that every individual is unique. True holistic health reaches beyond symptom relief, tending instead to the whole story, both the system and the soul. By seeing the person behind the imbalance, you begin to match not just “plant to problem,” but person to plant. For one person, Jasmine may bring profound nourishment to the nervous system, easing stress and restoring long-awaited sleep; for another, it may offer little effect at all. This is where the deeper art lies in understanding the many dimensions and energetics of both plants and people, and bringing them together with wisdom.

The holistic practitioner learns the art of assessment: identifying root causes, asking the right questions, and offering solutions and plants in ways that meet each person where they are. This stage is about skillfully guiding others through their healing journey, merging intuition with knowledge and compassion with clarity. It’s where you step fully into the role of herbal and aromatic practitioner.

The final stage is where your practice becomes sustainable and nourishing, not only for those you serve, but for yourself. A hobbyist may enjoy herbalism and aromatic medicine purely as a personal passion. A holistic practitioner, however, steps into the responsibility and logistics of creating a structure for their work: designing a welcoming consultation space or workshop; organizing a dispensary; and navigating the practicalities of legality, ethics, and livelihood.

While it may not be as exciting as blending herbs or crafting remedies, this stage is essential. It’s where you transform your calling into a full-fledged practice; where your knowledge, skill, and heart can reach more people; and where your work as a practitioner can truly thrive. This is the stage that solidifies your transition from hobbyist to healer. It’s where your dream becomes reality.

The difference between an herbal hobbyist and an herbalist or aromatic medicine practitioner lies in commitment: to know yourself, to know the plants, to know the people, and to step into service with skill, care, and integrity. The holistic healing perspective of vitalism reminds us that both plants and humans are alive with a dynamic, intelligent energy – something that goes beyond formulas, facts, or quick fixes. As a holistic practitioner, you learn to work with this life force, to support it, and to guide it toward balance and wellness. (To learn more about vitalism, click here to view our free vlog.)

So ask yourself: where are you on this journey? Are you content observing plants from a distance, or are you feeling called and ready to fully engage with their potent wisdom and bring it into service for others? The path of the herbal healer isn't for everyone, so only you can make the decision for yourself. But the world is in need of those who can meet it with wisdom, heart, and the understanding that healing is an intricate web.

If you feel the call to move from hobbyist to holistic healer, now is the time to answer it. Take the next step on your plant path, deepen your connection with the natural world, honor the vitality within yourself and others, and let your journey unfold in service, skill, and true plant wisdom.

Stay tuned next week as we dive into exactly how to take the next steps on your journey from hobbyist to healer.

Are you ready to take your work with aromatic plants to the next level? Do you find yourself dreaming about making your own herbal remedies and aromatic preparations, but unsure where to begin?

Now’s the time to bring those dreams to life.

Our Art of Aromatic Preparations Mini-Course is now open! This hands-on mini-course features in-depth video tutorials on how to make core aromatic remedies: teas, tinctures, glycerites, cordials, oil infusions, salves, stovetop distillation hydrosols, honey extracts, and more. Led by our instructor Erika Galentin, clinical herbalist and aromatherapist, you'll be guided step-by-step through each preparation, with expert insights, tips, and techniques.

Article Written By Melissa Szaro

© 2025 The Northwest School of Aromatic Medicine. All rights reserved.

*The statements above have not been evaluated by the FDA, and are for educational purposes only. This article is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. This article should not be taken as medical advice. Please consult your physician before you use this information for health purposes.