03.01.04
The American Botanical Council (ABC), Austin, TX, has launched the “ABC Herbal Information Course” at www.herbtraining.com. The training and certification program is designed for retailers, those who sell herbal products and those who advise patients. Based on the ABC Clinical Guide to Herbs, the program covers many aspects of the herb trade, including history, regulation, trends, science and details on 29 commonly used herbs. The program consists of two modules, each concluding with a multiple-choice test. Upon completion of both modules, the participant is certified as an ABC Herbal Information Specialist (HIS). Retail operations that participate in the program receive certificates for each employee completing the program, a window decal stating that an ABC-certified Herbal Information Specialist is on staff and a formatted press release to distribute. Healthcare practitioners can use the program as an additional certification to their own.