The Board was established in 1996 by the National Institute of Medical Herbalists (the Institute) to accredit training courses in herbal medicine which lead to entry to the Institute. It consists of lay
and herbalist members who direct and undertake the process of accreditation of courses in herbal medicine.
The accreditation process exists to ensure that consistently high standards are applied in the training of Medical Herbalists. Working in collaboration with the Institute, the AB develops processes for accrediting training courses, which will allow graduates to become eligible to apply for membership of the Institute.
The aims of the Institute’s Accreditation Board:
a) To promote and maintain standards of education which ensure the good practice of herbal medicine through the accreditation of individual programmes of study.
b) To encourage institutions to respond to developments in healthcare practice and research.
c) To collaborate with institutions in order to recognise, develop, and ensure they deliver good quality education in herbal medicine and so justify public confidence in the validity of qualifications awarded.
d) To ensure that public safety is placed first and foremost in the training of the medical herbalist
Kamaldeep is a medical herbalist and health coach in private practice, who has also taught extensively.
She has been a board member of the European Herbal and Traditional Medicine Practitioner Association and is an active member of the British Herbal Medicine Association. She joined the Institute's Council in May 2023.
Roisin has over 20 years experience in the health care profession. Her practice in Manchester includes Herbal Medicine, NLP, Hypnotherapy, Coaching and Nutrition.
She holds a MSc in Integrative Medicine, as well as a PGCE, and was a lecturer and clinical supervisor on the herbal medicine course at Leeds Beckett University.
As well as being in herbal practice, Caroline has specialist experience in education, skills and apprenticeships. She is Chair of
Dumfries and Galloway College, and has also held positions as a board member on the Scottish Police Authority, Scottish Funding Council and Skills Development Scotland.
Caroline also spent 16 years as a director at Oracle, responsible for Oracle’s business development and external relationships in Scotland.
Nicholas studied a degree in Herbal Medicine at Lincoln University from 2006-2009. After working in the healthfood and education sectors, he continued to study the natural world by completing a master's degree in Ethnobotany at the University of Kent, graduating with a distinction. This course opened up the amazing world of how plants are used by different peoples all over the world. He is currently working towards a PhD at Durham University, looking into Herbal Medicine use and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, and practices in Bristol.
Diane has had a lengthy career in local government, as a social worker and counsellor, and then working across numerous learning and development roles.
A keen advocate for herbal medicine, Diane uses her insight from her career to help professional training support new generations of herbalists.
Ric is an experienced clinical academic with a wide range of experiences including scientific research in molecular virology (Rinderpest Virus, Hepatitis C and HIV), acupuncture training at the Northern College to level 7 and subsequent research supervision on the Masters program in addition to extensive experience in clinical practice, teaching and management.
Ric has been an external examiner at ICOM and committee member on the British Acupuncture Accreditation Board attending accreditation visits and validation events, and uses his passion for education and professional standards across his work with the Accreditation Board.