Herbs don’t heal us…
I wish I’d understood this sooner going into studying & practicing herbalism. This belief is something I now share with every aspiring herbalist, or those in my life turning to support their health more holistically. Herbs don’t heal. No, as much as some would hope life was like a harry potter movie where a wave of a wand & the right potion could fix all ailments & gift us with everlasting life… that’s still just a fantasy, for now at least. If there is ever to be such a potion discovered trust & believe I WILL SHARE IT WITH YOU ALL. There’s definitely herbal remedies that come pretty dang close…
So herbs don’t heal…Why use them at all then?
I’ve come to firmly stand behind the shared belief that herbs have the ability to support our body recalibrating back to homeostasis & balance. I fully understand that even with the healthiest, Non-GMO & organic diet : our soil composition is VASTLY depleted in comparison to even just a few generations ago. My body needs more support than just a healthy diet. Mass scale monocrops, unsustainable agricultural & farming practices have all contributed to the depletion of our soil. This is where herbs have a part to play. Our bodies often have an easier time recognizing & absorbing bioavailable nutrients than a lab formulated capsule. Don’t believe me? I’ll share some further reading below! Yet, I have to wonder, did the decline of home gardens & farms ALSO contribute to our soil losing vital minerals & nutrients? If you believe in coincidences you’re in the wrong place. I look to connect the dots, so here are some to consider
before WWII an estimated 4.8 million homes had gardens in the United States alone
by the peak of WWII (1943-1944) nearly 18-20 MILLION HOMES had what was referred to as ‘Victory Gardens’
through the 1950s-1970s A HUGE NOTICEABLE decline in family home gardens was documented alongside the rise of industrially manufactured goods, canned foods, etc.
by the 80s-90s home gardens & farms reached an all time low
to bring some hope to our hearts, covid shutdown was the largest surge in families creating home gardens since WWII
& to further instill hope, today around 79% of households participate in some type of gardening!
I continue to urge those considering studying herbalism to begin their journey by getting their hands in the soil. I truly believe there is no better way to study than with hands on experience. Through the time it takes to germinate seedlings to harvesting you’ll be surprised at the depth of knowledge you’ll have the opportunity to cultivate. There are plenty of wonderful herbal farmers doing their part to sustain the rising demand of our herbal allies, yet I can promise there is truly no better ethical source for your remedies than the ones grown by your own hands. If you’re unsure of ‘where to start’ when it comes to gardening in your zone or particular homespace, please feel free to comment your zone along with some details about the space available (this can be as big as a yard & as small as a windowsill). I would be happy to offer you some suggestions to consider adding to your own medicinal garden!
I share this to preface our deeper dive into herbal preparations that’ve supported my mental health journey, as a LOT of these can easily be cultivated even in a sunny widow! I aim to demystifying herbalism and the expectations around this practice. I can now look back & recognize how I ‘quit in the 11th hour’ or perhaps didn’t give remedies enough time to fully support my well-being. In general we’ve all grown so accustom to ‘instant gratification’. Need to lose weight? Ozempic. Sluggish digestion? GLP1 injections. Skin irritation & eczema? Steroids. Severe menstrual discomfort? Midol, & birth control. Wanna call a friend? You’ve got a phone in your pocket. Need to know something? We have tiny computers IN OUR POCKETS! Do you see what I’m getting at? ‘We want it & we want it NOW’, but at what cost?
Good things take time. Healing at the root takes time. Addressing our health holistically takes time, patience, & a great deal of effort in comparison to popping a pill & forgetting about it for a while. So wherever you are on this journey, I’m sending you tons of compassion & grace. Please feel free to let me know where you are on this path, what you need support with the most, & even what herbal remedies you’re already growing!
More soon.
Video: School of Evolutionary Herbalism “What science got right (& wrong) about how herbs work
Herbs contains less compounds that bind to minerals and reduce absorption
Aromatic Herbs as a Source of Bioactive Compounds study