For me, herbalism is everything. It affects everything I do. The way I walk in the world; the way I relate to people. I can be walking streets in an inner city, and I’ll be identifying the weeds growing out of the cracks in the pavement. Weeding the garden is complicated. A weed is an unwanted plant. Well, there are so few unwanted plants in my mind, how do I choose what goes into the kitchen or medicine cabinet or feeds the chickens or is returned to the earth in the compost? It’s satisfying to walk through forests, fields, even deserts and recognize the plants. It’s even more satisfying to know how to use them. And quite exhilarating to find plants I’ve never met before and wonder what magic they hold.
Simply put, herbalism is the use of plants to nourish and heal. There are endless ways to do this. You might already know that every herbalist does things differently depending on their training, education, and how they relate to plants.
Why is it that traditional approaches persist despite scientific advances?
The best answer I can come up with is that they are satisfying. Herbalism is about nourishment and healing on individual and community levels. Plants affect body, mind, and spirit. Herbs enhance cooking; increasing the diversity of diet. Herbalism empowers people to learn about the plants in their backyards. It gets people out into nature and sometimes gets their hands dirty. And we know that both of these things improve physical and mental health by exposing us to clean air, beauty, and beneficial bacteria. For those who have forgotten, herbalism reminds us of our deep connection to our ancestors and their ways of living.
To define herbalism first, consider at least three general perspectives on medicine and healing: traditional/folk, heroic, and scientific. Herbalism stretches across all three perspectives. As more people turn to natural therapies, the medical model is finding ways to incorporate herbs, energy therapies, and healing touch. Many herbalists and traditional healers throughout the world use heroic approaches, such as cupping, fasting and purging. And, interestingly, some of those same people are reading scientific journals that take a reductionist approach to herbs, breaking them down into active parts. Please take these generalizations as a loose guide rather than concrete definitions.
Traditional Herbalism or Folk Medicine
The acceptance that humans are utterly dependent on plants for air/food/shelter is at the heart of traditional or folk healing. The use of plants to heal the body mind and spirit is common to all cultures. The plant traditions of past and present indigenous peoples are as unique and as numerous as the tribes themselves. Many herbalists in the U.S. practice Traditional Western Herbalism, which primarily focuses on the healing traditions of Europe and is not a licensable vocation. Traditional Chinese Medicine practitioners can get licensed to practice acupuncture.
I prefer to practice and teach bioregional North American herbalism, which incorporates:
Emphasis on using common, abundant local or regional plants
Healing traditions imported by European settlers
Plant uses learned from Native Americans
Healing traditions adapted by African slaves who came only with knowledge, and in some cases with seeds woven into their hair.
Integration of approaches from other continents (most common are Traditional Chinese Medicine and Ayurveda (includes yoga, diet, and other wellness regimens)
Direct experience with plants and other healing traditions
Traditional healing focuses on maintaining balance in the body, mind, and spirit as a person goes through life. Imbalances are associated with the elements, social environment, directions, phases of life, colors, taste, and more. And often, the tradition heals by using therapies that counter the imbalance. For example, a person who is craving sweets would be given bitters. A person who has a runny nose might use a remedy that dries up excess fluids. The emphasis is on the individual, rather than the disease.
Clinical Herbalism
Clinical herbalists offer the service of helping people understand their needs and matching plants to those needs. They might consider the elements, a person’s social and physical environment, exercise, diet, or they might use lab tests and diagnoses. Many herbalists do not diagnose or treat disease; they focus on restoring balance and nourishing the body, mind, and spirit. Some clinical herbalists and naturopathic doctors take a medical approach. All good herbalists check for drug/supplement interactions, allergies, and contraindications. If you are looking for an herbalist it is important to learn about their education, experience, and philosophy about healing and medicine. A clinical herbalist should have annual continuing education to ensure that they are staying up to date with the latest scientific findings and experiences from other herbalists. Here is my CV as an example of what long-term continuing education looks like.
Commercial Herbalism
Herbal formulations are based on body systems or therapeutic effects (such as a detox supplement), not individual needs. Many products are made from exotic plants from faraway places. Some supplements are similar to pharmaceuticals in that plant chemicals have been isolated to increase potency. Other supplements may include herbs but also have other chemicals in them. Sometimes supplements include illegal ingredients, adulterants, or fillers. Negative interactions are most common with weight loss and performance supplements. The Food and Drug Administration classifies herbs as supplements but doesn’t regulate the industry. Companies can’t make claims about the benefits of supplements so descriptions on bottles are often vague. Consumers are expected to educate themselves and are vulnerable to companies with low standards or poor practices. To report a bad interaction, go to: http://www.fda.gov/Safety/MedWatch/default.htm
Community Herbalism
Community herbalists strive to engage the community through projects and education. Classes and consultations are often made available according to income. Community herbalists recognize the relationship between income and health and get involved with free clinics, community gardens, and other projects to improve access to healthy food and herbs. If they teach, they focus on safety and practical uses.
Magical Herbalism
Some people use herbs for magical purposes. This is common among pagan practitioners. The magical ways in which herbs are used often differ from the way that they are used by other herbalists. For instance, herbs might be carried in pouches around the neck for protection or in magical spells. Folklore about herbs often delves into this realm by harnessing the powers of spirits or as protection from those who would do evil. Herbal folklore often reveals archetypal associations, but should be differentiated from medical uses of plants. For instance, a plant such as rue with round light or bluish leaves might be associated with the moon. In many traditions, moon qualities are considered of cool, moist, reflective, and descending. However, the sap of the plant can cause skin burns if the person is in the sun. This association fits in with the qualities of the sun, fiery, or perhaps Mars, the red planet associated with the Greek god of war.
Herbal Safety
With many uses of herbs, it’s important to consider safety. Some herbs have contraindications, meaning they shouldn’t be used in people with certain conditions or health patterns. Some herbs interact with medications or supplements. Some herbs are toxic in small doses, while others are toxic in large doses, and yet others are only toxic if used for too long. This is a big topic, so I wrote a guide to understanding the process of developing an herbal safety plan in a free ebook, Radical Responsible Herbalism, check it out at my website.