A thought on herbalism
Many people in recent years have been turning to herbalism for many different reasons.
Some of those reasons are:
Distrust in doctors
Distrust in pharmaceuticals
Searching for a deeper understanding of nature
Searching for a connection to earth
Spiritually
Learning and understanding ones self
Trying to heal the body when modern medicine and science have failed
Belief that herbal medicine in inheritly safer or more effective
There are many of these things I agree with, and many I disagree with but understand. But one thing I must state for those who are just learning about herbalism or have only come from the analytical approach to it, is that truly effective herbalism first and foremost relies on one to listen to, understand, and nourish ones own body. Another statement I must make, is that though there are many paths, plants and aspects of herbalism that ARE safe, that herbal medicine is not inherently safe because it is natural. Many plants that are worked with for faster results and accute conditions are in fact quite poisonous, sometimes far more poisonous than the pharmaceuticals available. And in knowing that, you then need to be conscious of your choice to take one form of poison or another. Neither is inherently wrong, but truly in depth research and objectivity should be applied regardless of your choice.
I personally work with nourishment, and safe - mostly safe herbs alone for conventional healing, and only move into real poisons upon addressing spiritual healing and personal expansion. When i cannot heal with these, I will choose the pharmaceutical. BUT I will not ever call someone out for choosing differently than myself unless I see their choice coming from a place of dogma, misinformation or fear.
I choose to work with herbalism not only to find a deeper connection, but a deeper form of healing. And that comes from true nourishment, and taking your time to first work withresearch, and meeting individual plant allies before moving on to mixing and combinations to achieve something stronger or more well rounded.
You will never have a well rounded and in-depth understanding of your herbal allies through study alone. And though research in invaluable and necessary, taking expensive courses is not the only way to learn unless you’re truly going to explore the poisons. Don’t get me wrong, I am not calling people out for taking a course. I only aim to encourage others to be brave enough to learn without being leashed to a bank account if they so wish to.
In time, I hope to start sharing the recipes I’ve worked with over the years with others and work to help answer questions on what I know, and when I don’t know, direct people to those that do.
Just keep in mind that no two paths in herbalism are the same, and what may be wrong for you may be the right fit for another. It’s ok to only know 3-4 plants in depth and never desire to explore further. It’s also admirable to strive to know every single one under the sun. But don’t hate on or lash out at others because their path and ways of healing do not mirror your own.
To you, the reader (if your there) tell me your thoughts, opinions, and experiences. Do you have arguments? Questions? I’m certainly open to open discussion so long as it does not devolve into name calling or devaluation of myself or another individual.?
