Final answer:
In the U.S., herbalists are not overseen by a specific licensing agency, but the FDA regulates the herbal products they may produce. Herbal medicine education, provided by colleges and universities, is crucial for those pursuing this field, offering certificates and degrees as credentials.
Step-by-step explanation:
The certification or licensing agency that oversees herbalists may vary by region, but in the United States, there is no federal licensing body dedicated to herbalists. However, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is the agency that enforces laws to ensure the purity, effectiveness, and truthful labeling of food, drugs, and cosmetics.
This includes overseeing the inspections of the production and shipment of these products. While the FDA does not specifically license herbalists, they do oversee the distribution of herbal supplements and products.
Herbal medicine educational programs are also important to consider. Institutions like Southwest College of Naturopathic Medicine and Health Sciences, where Boyd Campbell is associated, and universities where experts like Julie Bowers from East Tennessee State University, Emily Bradshaw from Florida Southern College, Nishi Bryska from the University of North Carolina, Charlotte, and others teach, provide rigorous training for those seeking to enter the field of herbal medicine.
These educational programs can offer certificates or degrees in herbalism, which while not a license, can be a significant credential in the field.