1.1. Have respect for every patient regardless of race, colour, creed, class, gender or sexual orientation.
1.2. Take care to explain to patients fully the nature of any treatment to be administered.
1.3. Observe strict confidentiality at all times regarding all aspects of the relationship, including the fact of the patient’s attendance for treatment, unless required to disclose information under the following circumstances
1.4. Take care not to act in such a way as to invade or infringe personal propriety, or to perform any action which may reasonably be considered to be an assault upon the patient.
1.5. Be aware of all legal obligations and considerations attendant upon the professional practice of herbal medicine as they currently stand, and keep up to date with all changes thereto.
1.6. Maintain their practice in an efficient and diligent manner.
1.7. Refrain from any action which may bring themselves or the practice of herbal medicine into disrepute.
1.8. Maintain appropriate professional insurance.
1.9. Respect and uphold the plant-centred ethos of Master Herbalism, including the traditional use of herbs, plant-based nutrition, dietary cleansing, lifestyle education, and the support of the body’s innate healing capacity as integral parts of the Master Herbalist tradition.
1.10. Recognise that, within the tradition represented by the Register, plant-based nutrition is not incidental but forms a central part of the therapeutic philosophy, educational standards and public identity of Master Herbalism.
1.11. Ensure that their clinical work, public teaching, professional representation, educational activity and public communications actively reflect, support and uphold the plant-based foundations, therapeutic principles, educational standards and stated objectives of the Register.
1.12. Professional herbal practice is based on individual consultation, case-taking and patient-specific remedies, extemporaneously prepared following a one-to-one, in-person consultation. The practice of herbalism itself is not regulated by the HPRA. However, the over-the-counter or online sale of generic herbal products is a separate commercial activity and is subject to HPRA regulation where applicable. Any such product sales should be clearly distinguished from professional herbal practice and must not be presented as forming part of the same clinical service or therapeutic relationship.
2. Deal honestly and helpfully with the public, seeking at all times to present themselves and their profession as responsible and honourable, and ensuring that all advertising is conducted in a manner appropriate to the interests of the public, the profession and the Register itself.
(The use of the qualification ‘Dr’ as gained via a PhD can be used in a general way, e.g. when giving an academic lecture where the doctorate speaks of the level of academic qualification of the person. It is advised that the epithet ‘Dr’ should not be used in any advertising or on literature regarding the person’s practice, since in such a case it would give a misleading impression that the person had a medical degree and was a doctor of medicine. If the person does not have this qualification, the title ‘Dr’ should not be used in connection with the person’s practice.)
3. Deal honourably and respectfully with other herbalists and practitioners of other health care disciplines by observing the following principles:
4. Refrain from teaching or administering any training course purporting to lead to a professional certification in herbal medicine unless the course has been approved as such by the Irish Association of Master Medical Herbalists.
5. Refrain from teaching or administering any training course purporting to lead to a professional certification in iridology unless the course has been approved as such by the Irish Institute of Iridologists.
6. Abide by the rules of the Register as expressed in this Code of Ethics and in the Register’s Code of Practice, and respect and honour the objectives of the Register as defined in the Constitution.