Dictionary.com
Thesaurus.com

herbalist

American  
[hur-buh-list, ur-] / ˈhɜr bə lɪst, ˈɜr- /

noun

  1. a person who collects or deals in herbs, especially medicinal herbs.

  2. herb doctor.

  3. an author of an herbal.

  4. (formerly) a botanist.


herbalist British  
/ ˈhɜːbəlɪst /

noun

  1. a person who grows, collects, sells, or specializes in the use of herbs, esp medicinal herbs

  2. (formerly) a descriptive botanist

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Etymology

Origin of herbalist

First recorded in 1585–95; herbal + -ist

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

During one of the weekend’s lectures, Australian medical herbalist Lee Carroll explains how mushrooms have been used to boost immunity and extend health span for millennia.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jan. 28, 2026

Helm’s narration alternates with chapters from perspectives including an astrologer, an astronomer, a Crusader, an herbalist and a climatologist, each adding to the strength of the immortal force.

From Los Angeles Times • Nov. 1, 2025

Leal’s contribution to the menu is a strawberry twist on the French 75 inspired by Marie Laveau, a voodoo herbalist and healer from New Orleans.

From Salon • Oct. 31, 2024

Christopher Hobbs, herbalist, mycologist, and author of Medicinal Mushrooms: The Essential Guide, attributes the recent explosion in interest to an “exponentially” growing scientific literature about the healing qualities of mushrooms.

From National Geographic • Jan. 31, 2024

And maybe the herbalist on the corner wouldn’t mind if I nailed a small billboard to the side of his building.

From "The Red Car to Hollywood" by Jennie Liu