A robot is shown in an herbal pharmacy.

Artificial intelligence (AI), whether we like it or not is now a part of the technology that we use every day. As with all technology, its usefulness or harm depends on the person using it. We hear a lot about AI's dangers and the ways it can be misused. Yet, it offers some promising solutions to the most complex global problems. This article will focus on the dangers of using AI for herbalism and herbal education.

As a long-time plant lover and seasoned herbalist, I am concerned about the impact machine learning may have on herbal medicine's nuanced and ancient practice. Herbalists face unique challenges in the complex world of herbal medicine. Let's examine why AI is not the best guide for herbalists in the making and why traditional educational institutions, such as the Chestnut School of Herbal Medicine continue to be vibrant places of wisdom.

This article will be based on my experience as a herbalist and author who has studied and researched artificial intelligence. As a former technophobe who lived without running water, electricity or a telephone in my 20s, and now owns a tech-based business, I can offer a unique viewpoint.

We'll look at how AI can help small businesses and herbal education. What to watch out for as you learn about herbal medicine and my advice for finding reliable teachers, authors and schools. Last but not least, I will share with you my favorite herbal sources so that you can find reliable information.

There's a link between AI-based herbal medicine and sources on the internet that are unreliable, inaccurate and fragmented.

Artificial intelligence, when applied to search engine results, looks for the best sources of information. Most of the top-ranking websites covering a particular health condition or herb were not written by herbalists. AI can also take liberties when populating. Artificial intelligence, in its current form, sometimes fills the gaps with lies.

It was a test I did, where I asked a popular emerging AI to write my biography. It inserted falsehoods between accurate statements: it misreported the title of my herbal book, and gave it the wrong information about my education. The human brain is confused about the reliability of truths when they are mixed with lies. Our nation's education system doesn't teach critical thinking or how to check facts from sources that are not biased. We know that people are easily swayed by misinformation when it is mixed with truth.

The AI provided inaccurate information about the author's past and current employment. Although I knew that an AI didn't have personality, I felt like it delivered falsehoods with a frankness and confidence. Artificial intelligence (AI) can be taught to have a "voice" or persona that makes them seem more human. This can make humans more susceptible to manipulation.

A computer-generated image of Juliet Blankespoor (founder of Chestnut School of Herbal Medicine).

AI often pulls its herbal information first from popular medical or gardening websites. These articles are usually written by people who have no expertise in herbal medicine. They rely instead on cursory searches from non-experts, and expertise in search engine optimization (which gets their article ranked number one). AI can be a problem because it pulls information from multiple sources. This results in an array of data with obvious gaps in knowledge, and sometimes even inconsistencies.

Let's talk about how this impacts online research. Imagine you are conducting herbal research by using the top-ranking search engine results (which already use AI in their algorithms and will continue to do so in the future). You'll only find a few details in this case. For example, the correct plant part to use, the best preparations and safety concerns. The machine learning algorithm will also miss out on the most common questions and confusions that the public may have. It's important to seek out herbal information from reliable sources.

A computer chip intertwined in herbs.

There are some drawbacks to using AI for learning herbalism, including the need for personalized guidance and more safety information.

Artificial intelligence is the collection of data, analysis of patterns and providing information based on those patterns. When it comes to herbalists, however, the nuances of the subject can be lost during translation. Take the herb elderberry, for example ( Sambucus black vari. canadensis). Machine learning may correctly inform you that elderberry is antiviral, but it may not warn you of the cyanogenic glycosides in raw seeds, which could cause digestive distress when improperly prepared.

For example, preparing a powerful calendula oil or tincture (Calendula officinalis), requires not only an understanding of its properties, but also the best way to extract its medicinal effects. The AI may suggest that you only use the petals and ignore the green bases of the flower heads (involucres), which contain the majority of the antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory resins. Calendula's stimulating effect on the uterus could make it appear that it is not safe to use during pregnancy. The reason is that artificial intelligence uses the data of the site with highest ranking, which is almost never an herbalist. If you search for "calendula medicinal properties" and click on the top-ranking result, you will likely land on an informational site or hospital system. These articles were written for SEO and not by medical experts.

A computer-generated image shows some inaccuracies.

Another example: An AI may suggest drinking comfrey tea (Symphtum officianle), but not mention that the pyrrolizidine-alkaloids in comfrey are toxic to the liver. Artificial intelligence could also suggest St. John's Wort for depression ( hypericum perforatum), without explaining how it interacts dangerously with prescribed medications, such as hormonal birth control or many psychiatric drugs.

Herbalism does not consist of a list of plants with their effects. Herbalism requires a thorough understanding of the different herbs, and how they can be used safely and effectively. The nuances of human constitutions are also included, as well as how a particular herb may affect an individual depending on their body's temperature. Expert herbalists know the best places to look for current information about drug-herb interactions. Years of experience and knowledge are required to achieve this level of understanding and wisdom. An AI cannot replicate it.

Beware of the dangers associated with artificial intelligence and herbal manipulation tactics.

Avoid sites that do not include sources or citations for scientific information. Avoid sites or AI responses that are overly sensationalistic, absolutist, or present perspectives in a simplistic, black-and-white manner. Herbalists that blame one's health or disease on their diet or thinking are not always considering the whole picture. This includes genetics, epigenetics and environmental pollution.

It's not to say that diet and the mind don't influence health. You should avoid herbalists or natural health experts that don't take into account all the factors affecting your health and wellbeing.

Authors who claim to be the "only" owner of information about specific remedies is another red flag. These charismatic "experts" in natural health align themselves with their supporters by sharing "secret" and unique information. The "experts" present themselves as generous and benevolent imparters of previously unknown remedies or "cures", despite the alleged threat from the authoritarian medical establishment or government agencies. I'm not saying that censorship and greed-based policies don't exist, but when it is always, the "expert" becomes the heroic superhero who saves you from medical authoritarianism. This is a classic cult leader manipulative technique, which unfortunately is present in the community of natural health.

A computer-generated image of a purple elephant with lavender ears is displayed in a field.

Machine Learning is only as accurate as the human beings who provide and use the information.

A computer-generated image shows ginseng near a stream with an unusual root structure.

A computer-generated image showing mushrooms growing in the forest.

Learning herbal medicine is best done through structured learning from experienced herbalists.

Herbalism is much more than a list or properties of plants. It's a way to dance with the natural world. This intimate tango was born from years of practice, and a tangible touch. It's a duet AI cannot quite master.

I recommend that you find an herbal teacher, whether in person or online, if your passion for plants medicine is deep. AI is not a substitute for the mentorship that traditional herbalism schools offer. The Chestnut School of Herbal Medicine, for example, offers a comprehensive learning approach. We teach not only the science of herbs, but also the traditional uses, safety measures, and best preparation methods. This holistic approach allows students to understand the why and how behind herbal medicine.

Our instructors come from diverse backgrounds and offer a well rounded perspective, including traditions from all over the world. Our herbal medicine approach is bioregional. We encourage you to cultivate your own medicine, and use the healing herbs that grow right outside your front door.

Our staff will also provide feedback to your work, so that you can better understand complex topics like botany or herbal medicine. Every day of the year, our staff is on hand to answer your questions about medicine making, gardening or foraging. Machine learning and artificial intelligence cannot provide this invaluable guidance. We are not the only herbalist school. Other schools may better suit your needs due to professional goals, financial constraints, location or if you want an in-person teacher.

For this reason, we have compiled the most comprehensive list of herb schools. We created a guide that will help you choose the right school to get an herb education.

A botanistically-generated AI illustration of chestnut contains many errors.

The real-life herbalists outperform artificial intelligent as a source for herbal instruction.

A well-designed curriculum will guide you from beginner to expert. A good teacher will begin with the basics and focus on core skills, and then build upon this foundational knowledge.

Herbal programs that are well-established offer you feedback and ways to refine your learning. At the Chestnut school, for example, we ask review questions at each module's end. You will then move onto a quiz, and then to experiential projects. This is to ensure that the knowledge you have gained has been absorbed deeply into your mind and body. The courses are designed to ensure that you have a thorough education so you can use herbs safely at home, or pursue a career in herbal medicine.

Artificial intelligence is a great complement to this type of learning, but it cannot replace it. Without the nuances that come with tailored feedback and an extensive curriculum, it falls short. Here are some examples of how personalized instruction helped our students on their journey to becoming herbalists.

The education and guidance that I received at the Chestnut Herbal School gave me the confidence and knowledge to open my own business making tea blends and tinctures. I feel empowered to give my clients advice on how to improve their health using natural .". Rita L.

"I was always afraid to experiment in the kitchen. But after discovering the Hibiscus ice cubes, I felt inspired to try more. I made a lot of recipes that brought me joy, laughter, and confidence in my home. They also helped improve my mental health. This past year, and the events of 6 January have made it difficult for me to find peace and even hope. The projects that you have done during this difficult time are a great help. I'm grateful for the joy they brought to my home.

I am so grateful to the Chestnut Herbal School for allowing me to expand my knowledge and skills. This course was a truly amazing and transformative experience. The course has had a profound impact on my life. I've already used my newfound knowledge to bring wellness and joy to the marginalized groups that I work with .".

AI-generated image showing a robotic herbist looking forlorn and confused. This robot should attend Chestnut School of Herbal medicine.

Despite AI's downsides, it has many valuable applications for herbal businesses. These include search engine optimization (SEO), copywriting, and even marketing.

Small businesses are often short on time. SEO is important if you want to be found by your clients or customers on the Internet. It gives you an advantage with search engines. You'll want to use keywords and phrases that people search for when developing your SEO strategy. Then, you'll need to integrate these terms into your blog, social media and website. You can use AI to improve SEO.

We used AI for the article outline and to identify the keywords that people are searching for. (I want my articles to be found and read by everyone!). Even a few AI-generated sentences were used as a starting point. If you haven't already guessed, Astra Intergalactica, in conjunction with Chestnut AI expert Amanda Lael Davis, created the AI-generated images that adorn this blog.

Harmony is essential in our digital ballroom. We must remember that the spirit of herbalism is a personal connection with plants, Earth and one another.

LEARN FROM THE HERBAL EDUCATORS