Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Why should I become a member of the Christian Natural Health Network?
A: As a member of the Christian Natural Health Network, you will become part of a growing body of beginning, intermediate, and professional Christian herbalists and practitioners who take their natural health care ministry seriously. Membership tells your clients that you are involved in continuing education and testing. Christian Natural Health Network members realize that medicinal herbology is a life-time pursuit of on-going education, learning, and evaluation.
As an active member in good standing, you will be authorized to state and disclose that you are: "a member of the Christian Natural Health Network of bivocational and professional Christian herbalists and medicinal herbology practitioners".
Q: How can I become a Christian herbalist?
A: Like any other Christian ministry, the study and practice of Christian medicinal herbology starts with a call and a vision. If you are called to be a Christian herbalist, the place to start is in God's Word. You must learn and understand the true Biblical meaning of whole health and healing. Next, you must study and understand human anatomy and physiology, medicinal herbs, herbal preparations, contraindications, side effects, and use. And you must learn how to organize and practice your natural health care ministry safely and effectively. To become a Christian herbalist takes time, patience, and commitment. The Christian Natural Health Network will help you to grow and prosper as a knowledgeable, confident, and skillful Christian herbalist.
Q: Do you provide Christian herbalist certification?
A: Currently, we only offer continuting education study sessions and quizzes. But we are in the process of developing an intensive online course of study and certification in Christian medicinal herbology that will be available soon. If you would like to be updated on certification course availability, tuition, and other related topics, please sign up to receive our free news and updates emails (free sign up form is available on our home page).
Q: Are there real jobs available as a certified Christian herbalist or is this just something to share with friends and family?
A: Like many things in life - it is what we make it. There are many non-Christian (in some cases, anti-Christian) herbal clinics throughout the country that are very successful (some have been in business for many years). But what we need are more Christian based herbal clinics. The blessing of medicinal herbs came from the living God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob ... so why aren't more of His people taking this wonderful career in Christian medicinal herbology more seriously? There are, or can be, real jobs in Christian herbal practice if we just get out there and start practicing what we love and preach.
Q: How do I access the weekly continuing education study sessions and quizzes?
A: After you log on as a member of the Christian Natural Health Network, click on the "Study Sessions and Quizzes" link to access the study session library. You will also be able to access previous study sessions and quizzes as new study sessions are added to our ever-growing study session library.
Q: How are the quizzes graded?
A: Each quiz is automatically graded at the completion of the quiz. You must receive a score of 80% or higher to pass.
Q: What happens if I don't pass a quiz?
A: The quizzes are created to help you build, evaluate, and measure your own personal continuing educational progress. The quizzes will help you retain and learn the information. You can re-take the quiz as many times as you like.
Q: Are herbs safe?
A: The medicinal herbs studied at the Christian Natural Health Network are safer than pharmaceutical drugs. But just because herbs are considered "natural" does not make them all completely safe. While many herbs are effective and safe to use, some herbs contain substances that can cause acute poisoining or organ damage if used over an extended period of time. Some herbs do not mix well with certain prescribed or over the counter medications and some herbs are dangerous to take prior to certain surgical procedures. Allergic reactions (although rare) may also be a concern for some people. Herbs are safe and effective if used with common sense and for the right reason, in the right dose, and over the right amount of time.
Q: Do herbs really work?
A: Yes ... if it is the right herb, for the right reason, in the right dose, over the right amount of time. Many people take herbs in the wrong dose over the wrong period of time solely based on a news story, marketing pitch, or advertisement. Millions of dollars are wasted each year using the wrong herb, for the wrong reason, in the wrong dose, over the wrong amount of time!
The local drug stores, supermarkets, and pharmacies have shelves full of popular herbal "supplements" and sugar loaded "herbal" drinks and teas. But to properly, safely, and effectively use herbs, you must spend time researching, studying, and comparing all the available and trustworthy information that you can find. The Christian Natural Health Network's study sessions and quizzes will help you do that.
Remember - if you use the wrong herb, for the wrong reason, in the wrong dose, over the wrong amount of time ... you will not get the health promoting results that you desire and you may even cause bodily harm. That is why it is important to study hard and understand each medicinal herb before you use it or recommend to others.
Q: What evidence is there that herbs really do work?
A: First of all - we have the confidence in God's Word that herbs were created for medicinal purposes (this is the best proof of all that herbs really do work):
"And by the river upon the bank thereof, on this side and on that side, shall grow all trees for meat, whose leaf shall not fade, neither shall the fruit thereof be consumed: it shall bring forth new fruit according to his months, because their waters they issued out of the sanctuary: and the fruit thereof shall be for meat, and the leaf thereof for medicine." (Ezekiel 47:12)
"For Isaiah had said, Let them take a lump of figs, and lay it for a plaister upon the boil, and he shall recover." (Isaiah 38:21)"Then Isaiah said, 'Bring a lump of pressed figs.' So they brought it and applied it to his infected skin, and he recovered." (2 Kings 20:7)
"He causeth the grass to grow for the cattle, and herb for the service of man: that he may bring forth food out of the earth; And wine that maketh glad the heart of man, and oil to make his face to shine, and bread which strengtheneth man's heart." (Psalms 104:14-15)
"But the olive tree said to them, 'Should I stop giving my oil that honors both God and man, and rule over the trees?'" (Judges 9:9)
"Is there no balm in Gilead; is there no physician there? why then is not the health of the daughter of my people recovered?" (Jeremiah 8:22)
"Eat honey, my son, for it is good, and the honeycomb is sweet to your palate." (Proverbs 24:13)
"And went to him, and bound up his wounds, pouring in oil and wine, and set him on his own beast, and brought him to an inn, and took care of him." (Luke 10:34)
"Don't continue drinking only water, but use a little wine because of your stomach and your frequent illnesses." (1 Timothy 5:23)
"In the midst of the street of it, and on either side of the river, was there the tree of life, which bare twelve manner of fruits, and yielded her fruit every month: and the leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations." (Revelation 22:2)
Some may say that Ezekiel 47:12 and Revelation 22:2 are prophetic or symbolic descriptions of herbal medicine. While these two verses may pertain to a future time or place ... there is no doubt that herbs and other natural substances are Biblically recommended for injury and illness and were used by God's people in therapeutic ways (figs, grapes, wine, honey, olive oil, balm of Gilead, bread, wheat, barley, etc). We also have the Biblical record of the natural health care laws that were given to and used by Moses (Leviticus). In addition, according to Jewish tradition, Solomon, Ezra, and Nehemiah were very well versed in the virtues of herbs and the qualities of roots. Solomon is considered as having taught how to cure diseases by natural means, and tradition ascribes to him "the Sepher Refuoth," or book of healing diseases.
Secondly, we have the value of successful herbal use in historical/traditional records. Time and history are great teachers. If an herb has been used over the centuries (especially for the same health condition) - it is wise to pay attention. Although anecdotal (personal reports or observations) are not as reliable as controlled scientific studies -- anecdotal evidence that is consistent over time in many different parts of the world for the same health condition(s) has some clinical value and should not be ignored.
Thirdly, when historical and traditional (anecdotal) herb use is confirmed by modern clinical studies, the anti-herbal critics must finally admit defeat. We see this happening today. More and more clinical studies are confirming the medicinal value of certain herbs. When God says He made the herbs to serve man as medicine and the historical anecdotal "story" is confirmed by science -- Christians should be joyful and confident to use the natural medicine created by the Greatest Physician in the universe! In fact, many of the templates of modern medicines were created directly or indirectly using medicinal herbs (aspirin, digitalis, atropine, morphine, and many others).
The Christian Natural Health Network study sessions only include herbs that have a historical record of medicinal benefit and are confirmed by extensive anecdotal and/or scientific research for that same use and benefit.
Q: Do you support the use of Cannabis?
A: While we agree that Cannabis sativa does have some medicinal value, the potential for "high" addiction or abuse outweighs its use in a Christian clinical setting. Other "non-high" herbs can be used to help with pain, nausea, and the other symptoms that are relieved with Cannabis use.
We believe that in the beginning, God created everything to be good (including Cannabis). But, unfortunately, man rejected God and caused the earth to become corrupted. Lions are an awesome creation of God and, in the beginning, they did not eat you in the Garden of Eden - but now they will attack and kill you. Bees are a beautiful creation of God and they did not sting you in the Garden of Eden - but now they will sting you if you are not careful. Cannabis was created by God too - but it will also now "sting" you if you are not careful.
We believe that Cannabis was corrupted by the fall of man and now has an obvious strong potential for abuse or even idol worship (some people worship the creation (plant) rather than the Creator). Mind altering plants have the potential to weaken our spiritual defenses and may open the door to the reality of demon influence and spiritual, emotional, and physical danger.
In addition, the word of God clearly tells us to not be drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, we are to be filled with the Holy Spirit (Eph. 5:18). Any kind of "drunkenness" can ruin our lives - be it drunk with wine or buzzing on weed. As Christians, we need to always be alert with a sound and clear mind (1 Peter 4:7, 1 Peter 5:8) because Jesus is coming back soon and the devil knows it.
With Cannabis sativa - we believe that the spiritual risks outweigh the medicinal benefits. And even if it becomes "legal" - the Christian Natural Health Network will never include or support the use of Cannabis sativa.
Q: What is complimentary health care?
A: Complimentary health care incorporates natural health and healing measures taken along side licensed medical care. For example, some people under the care of a licensed physician also take herbs with their prescribed medicines or are also under the care of a massage therapist or herbologist. This mixing of traditional and/or natural health care options compliments the care provided to you by a licensed health care provider.
The Christian Natural Health Network recommends that you combine your health care resources to take advantage of the benefits of modern medicine and the beauty and effectiveness of God's medicinal herbs and other natural health care options. The best complimentary health care options emphasize the importance of preventive health care and the value of our own internal God given healing abilities (faith in Christ, attitude, immune system, and other internal mechanisms).
Complimentary health care is not "alternative" health care. Alternative health care completely replaces modern medical science with traditional and/or natural health care alternatives. For example, a person replaces all of his prescribed medication with herbs. The Christian Natural Health Network believes that herbs can eventually replace some medicines but only under the supervision and guidance of your physician and an experienced Christian medicinal herbologist. It is unwise, foolish, and dangerous to replace all modern health care procedures and medicines with herbs or other natural health care alternatives without the supervision and guidance of a professional health care team.
Learn more about Biblical natural health care and medicinal herbology by becoming a Christian Natural Health Network member today. Click here for more information.
