Our Mission
Founded in 2013, the Canadian Association of Medical Herbalists (CAMH) is a federally recognized non-profit academic society committed to advancing the profession of clinical herbalism in Canada. We strive to preserve tradition, foster innovation, and establish high professional standards in herbal medicine. Our goal is to enhance public awareness, promote evidence-based practice, and integrate medical herbalism into modern healthcare for the benefit of individuals and communities.
What is Medical Herbalism?
Medical herbalism is the science-based practice of using plant-based medicines to prevent and treat health conditions. As the oldest form of healthcare, herbal medicine has remained relevant across cultures for thousands of years. Today, its effectiveness and safety are widely recognized, with the World Health Organization (WHO) reporting that up to 80% of the global population continues to rely on herbal medicine.
Unlike traditional herbal practices that are rooted in cultural philosophies (such as Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) or Ayurveda), medical herbalists apply modern biomedical principles. They integrate contemporary medical knowledge—including anatomy, physiology, pathology, and microbiology—with the use of clinically validated botanical medicines to treat the root cause of diseases rather than just alleviating symptoms.
Our Approach
CAMH recognizes the global diversity of herbal medicine traditions, including:
- Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM)
- Ayurvedic Medicine (India)
- South American Herbology
- Egyptian Herbal Medicine
- Mongolian, Tibetan, Japanese (Kampo), and Korean Oriental Medicine
- Naturopathic Medicine in Europe and North America
While Canadian medical herbalists are part of this vast tradition, our approach is distinct. We emphasize scientific validation, evidence-based practice, and modern diagnostic techniques to ensure safe and effective treatment.
What Makes Medical Herbalists Different?
Medical herbalists differ from TCM practitioners and other ethnobotanical medicine practitioners in several ways:
- Holistic yet scientific: We combine traditional herbal wisdom with modern biomedical assessments.
- Root-cause treatment: We don’t just manage symptoms—we identify and treat underlying health issues.
- Advanced diagnostic methods: We use physical examinations, lab tests (blood, urine), and imaging (X-ray, ultrasound, CT scans) to assess patients.
- Personalized herbal prescriptions: We select European and North American herbs based on evidence-based research and a patient’s specific medical profile.
Our Commitment
At CAMH, we are dedicated to:
✅ Setting high educational and professional standards for medical herbalists
✅ Advocating for herbal medicine as a credible and respected healthcare option
✅ Providing ongoing education and training for practitioners
✅ Fostering collaboration between herbalists, researchers, and healthcare professionals
✅ Increasing public awareness about the benefits of clinical herbalism
Join Us
We welcome practitioners, researchers, and students who are passionate about clinical herbalism. By becoming a member of CAMH, you join a community committed to advancing herbal medicine in Canada and beyond. Together, we can shape the future of medical herbalism and make a meaningful impact on healthcare.