natural products industry

[Guest guest]

Since we are talking about education in herbs I was wondering if most

of the people with their own businesses making/selling soaps, lotions,

etc. are doing so with any formal training or if it was an education

" picked up " along the way, perhaps through work experience in the

natural products industry which then lead to branching out on their

own. I'd love to learn all things related to creating natural

products and maybe working in the field but don't quite know what

background is required, such as chemistry perhaps or other more

mainstream educations that would carry over or what exactly are the

opportunities available. I looked up the info on becoming and

herbalist and aromatherapist but wonder how one learns more related to

natural the products industry. Any suggestions? Susan

[Guest guest]

, " susan " <ripple95 wrote:

>

> Since we are talking about education in herbs I was wondering if most

> of the people with their own businesses making/selling soaps, lotions,

> etc. are doing so with any formal training or if it was an education

> " picked up " along the way, perhaps through work experience in the

> natural products industry which then lead to branching out on their

> own. I'd love to learn all things related to creating natural

> products and maybe working in the field but don't quite know what

> background is required, such as chemistry perhaps or other more

> mainstream educations that would carry over or what exactly are the

> opportunities available. I looked up the info on becoming and

> herbalist and aromatherapist but wonder how one learns more related to

> natural the products industry. Any suggestions? Susan

>

Hi, Susan;

I myself became interested in making soap because of my eczema; and the

fact that I had just gotten a puppy back in 1999!! I figured that if

our skin could " act up " thru use of chmeicals, then why not pets, too?

It took the time to research, and read all that I could get ahold of,

thru the internet; and books about herbs, oils, etc. I'm sure that if

you wanted to study this directly that there are plenty of official

schools, but this I just did on my own; btw, not in a business; this is

for myself.

I wish you luck,

Jan

[Guest guest]

, " susan " <ripple95 wrote:

>

> Since we are talking about education in herbs I was wondering if most

> of the people with their own businesses making/selling soaps,

lotions,

> etc. are doing so with any formal training or if it was an education

> " picked up " along the way, perhaps through work experience in the

> natural products industry which then lead to branching out on their

> own. I'd love to learn all things related to creating natural

> products and maybe working in the field but don't quite know what

> background is required, such as chemistry perhaps or other more

> mainstream educations that would carry over or what exactly are the

> opportunities available. I looked up the info on becoming and

> herbalist and aromatherapist but wonder how one learns more related

to

> natural the products industry. Any suggestions? Susan

>

-------------------

Many of us are self educated. Some have backgrounds in chemistry and

even allopathic medicine. There are doctors and nurses in the field,

as well as botanists.

 

Before you spend a lot on classes, you might want to invest in some of

the leading books on the subject. Check your local community college

for classes on horticulture and herbalism. If you are interested in

the cosmetic end of things, consider joining the cosmetic lab list

here at . There are several well-qualified chemists on the

list that are very knowledgeable.

Joanne