Halebee recommends you work with a registered herbalist
The American Herbalist Guild (AHG), an association of herbal practitioners, offers a registration for practicing herbal clinicians who “demonstrate a core level of knowledge and experience in herbal practice that establishes a meaningful standard of competency for themselves, their communities, and other health professionals and institutions.”1 In the United States there is no governmental licensure to practice herbal medicine, unlike the governing bodies required to teach yoga or work as a masseuse. In other countries, like the United Kingdom, herbalists are licensed by a regulatory authority.
If you are interested in working with a registered herbalist, please consult the AHG website to find one located near you. A competent herbalist is one who is able to work with you and your doctor in developing a wellness plan especially for you. Your herbalist should take a detailed health history and inquire about any medication and supplements that you are currently taking. A broad range of knowledge of your physical, mental, and emotional state is important in helping achieve balance in the body. Don’t be surprised if your herbalist suggests that you tell your doctor about any herbal medicine that you are taking. You, your doctor, and your herbalist working in concert for your wellness is integrative health at its best.
No matter which philosophical herbal approach calls to you, work with your herbalist to bring balance before drilling down to acute symptoms. If an herbalist instructs you to stop taking your prescribed medication or to stop talking to your doctor, you should find a new herbal clinician. Check out Halebee’s page on herbal monographs to learn more about diabetic friendly herbs.