What is Herbalism?
Mary explains in a short interview what herbalism is, what an herbalist does, and why herbs are an important part of your wellness practice even if you’re not acutely sick.
Summary
- Herbalism is about more than just herbs … it’s about lifestyle practices, including eating chicken soup when you have the flu, and using steam to relieve croup.
- All cultures of the world developed a native medical system using the available plants and herbs and what worked … Chinese Medicine (TCM), Ayurveda, Native American, etc.
- Herbalists today use not only herbs but foods, targeted supplements, essential oils, flower essences, therapeutic baths and selected exercise in the combination necessary to help the client.
- Foods are the first area I look at as it is highly specific for the individual based on their genetics and ancestry.
- Herbalism is a holistic practice focused on the whole person, not the specific symptoms or disease condition that they have. In the process of helping the whole person, the symptoms are alleviated. It even addresses their beliefs and challenges them to change their thinking.
- Herbalism today is a blend of science and art.
- Herbalism cannot “fix” every disease, but are often effective with acute, as well as chronic and lingering “mystery” conditions. There is an appropriate time for every medical practice, including Western medicine and drugs.
- Even if you’re not “actively” sick today, herbs can benefit you to address chronic conditions, the effects of 21st century living, i.e. toxic exposures, drug-resistant germs, virulent diseases, and even the weaknesses and imbalances in your genetics and body functions.
Leave me a comment below (sophozwellness.com/blog if you’re viewing this somewhere else) with your “burning” question about herbalism.