BC Herbalists Association

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BC Herbalists Association

A nonprofit, volunteer-run, professional association dedicated to providing leadership & standards of education & practice for professional herbalists in BC.
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The purpose and goals of the Canadian Herbalist’s Association of BC is to:
Monitor and maintain the educational qualifications and the practice of ethical Herbal Practitioners
Strive to promote better health with herbs
Advance the understanding and knowledge of the practice of Herbalism
Aim to increase the acceptance of herbal medicine through public awareness and the cultivation of research in th

e field of herbal medicine
Provide a collective voice for all herbal practitioners at the government level by providing input for Sector Studies and an application to the Health Protections Branch for recognition as a profession
The CHA of BC also works to unite herbal professionals worldwide; assisting in the protection of the character and status of all herbalists. The posts on our page are intended to promote education in herbal medicine, to share information about the CHA of BC and its members. We do not accept postings from members wanting to promote or sell products or treat diseases. To learn about becoming a member of the CHA of BC visit: http://www.chaofbc.ca/wp/membership/

06/03/2026

🌿 Summer is in full bloom across British Columbia - flowers are blooming and birds are filling the mornings with song. June has arrived quickly, and it’s the perfect moment to share important information from BCHA with our herbal community.

📚 To qualify as a Registered Herbal Therapist (RHT), practitioners must complete:
• 2000 hours of Educational Training
• 500 hours of Supervised Clinical Training

Previously, all 500 hours of Supervised Clinical Training required the student and supervisor to be in person. To create more flexibilty, the BCHA has amended this to allow for a portion of the hours to be done virtually. Current requirements include:

• Up to 250 hours may now be completed virtually, with the supervisor and student together
• A minimum of 250 hours must be completed in‑person, with supervisor and student physically present together

📝 Stay informed, stay connected
Don’t forget to register with BCHA to stay updated on laws, regulations, standards of practice, and the latest herbalist news in British Columbia.

👉 Register here: https://www.bcherbalists.ca/Membership

📷 courtesy of Canva

05/27/2026

Dear BCHA Members and Herbal Community,

🌿We would like to announce a change in BCHA membership fees starting June 1, 2026.✍

This update will allow BCHA to cover annual operating expenses and ensure the long‑term sustainability of the Association. It also supports expanded opportunities for members, including new mentorship programs and additional learning resources and support.

Different membership opportunities are available. Choose the level of connection and support that fits your herbal journey:

• Registered Herbal Therapist
• Professional Herbal Advocate
• Associate
• Student
• Corporate Sponsor

Membership renewals are due June 1. See our new fees and membership details on the BCHA website.

Thank you to our voting members for your participation, and to all of our members for your continued support of the BCHA. 💚

📷 courtesy of Canva

05/26/2026

For our herb students and practitioners, we’ve prepared a full year of inspiring topics, plant reviews, and educational videos.
Become a BCHA member to deepen your learning, access additional materials, and receive ongoing support on your herbalist journey. Don't forget to join us today at 6 PM PST.

2026 Learning Schedule:

🌿 May 26 — All About Adaptogens
🌿 June 30 — Meet‑Up at the Herb Gathering
🌿 July 28 — All About Nervines
🌿 August 25 — Herbs for Anxiety
🌿 September 29 — Fall Transition: Immunity, Rest & Back‑to‑Routine
🌿 October 27 — Digestion, Gut‑Brain Axis & Emotional Balance
🌿 November 24 — Winter Rest, Rituals & Preventive Self‑Care
🌿 December — No meeting (Winter Break)

05/20/2026

Dear friends and herbal community, 🧡

At BCHA we’re committed to sharing current herbal knowledge, learning opportunities, and strong standards of practice. Today, we’re delighted to introduce the people behind this work — our dedicated 2026 Board of Directors.

✨ Meet Colleen Emery — BCHA President, Clinical Herbalist, Aromatherapist, Mentor & Medicine Maker

Founder of Emery Herbals (est. 2003), Colleen has been serving the herbal community for over 20 years. Her practice focuses on accessible, inclusive care for all ages, with special interests in reproductive wellness, children’s health, eldercare, and complex conditions.

Located in the heart of the West Kootenay Mountains on the traditional, ancestral and unceded təmxʷulaʔxʷ (homeland) of the Sinixt Peoples, Emery Herbals offers:

• Consciously sourced botanicals & compounding services
• Professional wellness care
• Online and onsite herbal education

Colleen is also the co‑founder and producer of the Canadian Herb Conference and has served on the BCHA Board since 2019. As President, she works to ensure the Board acts in the best interest of our members and to uplift all branches of herbal work, including Clinical Herbalists, Herbal Advocate members, and Herbal Students.

We’re grateful for Colleen’s leadership and dedication to our herbal community. 💚

05/19/2026

The next Student Herb Club meeting will be on ✨Tuesday, May 26th, from 6:00–7:00 PM, and will focus on Adaptogens ✨.

In this meeting, we will:
🌿Focus: What do Adaptogens actually do? When are they useful? Let’s discuss!
🌿Herbal deep dive: Rhodiola, Eleuthero.
🎬Featured video: Minerals for the Nervous System: Making Wild Herbal Vinegar Extracts - Tamara Segal

✔️Register through the link in our bio, or visit our website to become a student member and continue connecting, learning, and thriving on your herbalist path.

📷 courtesy of Canva

04/27/2026

The next Student Herb Club meeting will be on Tuesday, April 28th, from 6:00–7:00 PM, and will focus on the topic of Spring Renewal: Liver Support & Emotional Detox.

In this meeting, we will:
🌿Focus: Seasonal transitions, gentle reset practices, and the liver’s role in mood and detoxification.
🌿Herbal deep dive: Hepatics & Alternatives (Dandelion, Milk thistle, Burdock, Nettles).
🎬Featured video: Stimulating Healthy Digestion with Herbs by Maria Noel Groves OR Flower Essences for Harmonizing the Mind by Hannah Forest.

Students from all disciplines are welcome. If you’re not yet a member, you can join the BCHA and become part of a growing herbal community.

✔️Register through the link in our bio to become a member and continue connecting, learning, and thriving on your herbalist path.

📷 courtesy of Canva

04/17/2026

Today, we celebrate the wisdom, dedication, and heart of herbalists across British Columbia and beyond. From tending gardens and wildcrafting with care to supporting community wellness and preserving plant knowledge, herbalists play a vital role in keeping traditional and modern herbal medicine alive.

🌱 Whether you’re a student, practitioner, educator, or plant‑lover, this day honours your commitment to working with the healing power of plants and contributing to a healthier, more connected world.

💚 At BCHA, we’re proud to support herbalists through education, professional standards, advocacy, and community connection. Thank you for the work you do — in clinics, classrooms, forests, kitchens, and gardens.

If you’re not yet a member, Herbalist Day is a perfect moment to join our growing community and stay informed about regulations, standards of practice, and herbalist news in British Columbia.
👉 Register at the link in our bio or here: https://www.bcherbalists.ca/Membership

📷 courtesy of Canva

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03/30/2026

The next Student Herb Club meeting will be on Tuesday March 31st from 6:00–7:00 PM, and will focus on the topic of Rest & Restorative Sleep.

In this meeting we will:
🌿Chat about how herbs support deeper rest and restorative sleep cycles
🌿Herbal deep dive on nervine relaxants & antispasmodics such as valerian, hops, passionflower, and chamomile
🌿Watch a talk from the 2025 Canadian Herb Conference: “Chamomile: Everybody’s Nervine” by Oren Hercz

Bring your questions, favourite sleepy herb stories, or a cozy mug. Hope to see you there!

02/24/2026

Join the Student Herb Class on February 24th from 6 pm - 7 pm to explore Resilience and Nervous System Support.
We’ll look at what resilience really means, how the stress response works, and which herbal allies can support the nervous system.

🌿Herbal deep dive:
Nervine tonics and adaptogens, including Oats, Reishi, and Ashwagandha.

🎬Featured video:
Mutual Aid Herbalism in a World on Fire by Ember Peters.

Students from all disciplines are welcome. If you’re not yet a member, you can join the BCHA and become part of a growing herbal community.
✔️Register through the link in our bio, or visit our website to become a student member and continue connecting, learning, and thriving on your herbalist path.

02/20/2026

✍Pyrrolizidine alkaloids (PAs) are complex plant compounds built around a pyrrolizidine nucleus - two linked five‑membered rings containing carbon and nitrogen. More than 6,000 plant species are known to contain PAs, and over 600 different PA structures have been identified. PAs are plant secondary metabolites serving as a natural defence against herbivores.

PAs occur mainly in three plant families:
• Boraginaceae (all genera)
• Asteraceae (Senecioneae and Eupatorieae tribes)
• Fabaceae (Crotalaria genus)

These plants have long histories of traditional use, yet some have been associated with toxic reactions when taken in large amounts or over long periods.

How they act in the body:
PAs themselves have minimal toxicity, but certain types can be metabolized in the liver into highly reactive pyrrole metabolites. These metabolites may bind to cellular structures and disrupt normal liver function.

‼️At higher doses, toxic PAs may contribute to:
• enlargement of liver cells
• metabolic disturbances
• areas of cell damage
• fatty degeneration

Long‑term exposure, even at very small amounts, can lead to veno‑occlusive liver disease, where small veins in the liver become obstructed. In severe cases, reactive metabolites may overflow into the lungs, contributing to pulmonary edema or pleural effusions.

Understanding the phytochemistry and metabolism of PAs helps herbalists make informed decisions, honour traditional knowledge, and support safe, responsible practice.

👀Stay tuned for more phytochemistry spotlights from BCHA. We will also discuss the latest research update on Pyrrolizidine Alkaloids in Comfrey, Coltsfoot, and Borage, including current supply concerns.

Some information adapted from “Safety Issues Affecting Herbs: Pyrrolizidine Alkaloids” by Subhuti Dharmananda, Ph.D., Institute for Traditional Medicine.

Information shared in this post is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult a qualified healthcare practitioner for guidance specific to your health needs.

📷 courtesy of Canva

Address

Box 8326, Victoria Main
Victoria, BC
V8W3R9

Website

https://bcherbalists.ca/

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