7 things you should know about herbalism

Everyone knows ABOUT herbalism, but how much do you really KNOW about herbalism? Here are some things that might be new to you:

1 - Herbalism doesn’t replace conventional medicine but it may reduce your need for it by improving your health. A medical diagnosis can be helpful for an herbalism in making recommendations. It helps an herbalist avoid herbs that might be contraindicated by a medical condition. It can also help us determine what is going on in your body at a foundational level… which leads to item #2.

2 - Herbalism doesn’t need a medical diagnosis. Feeling crummy… or just not right… is enough to work with. Feeling crummy can come from many things that don’t show up on standard lab tests. Excessive dryness in your body, poor digestive processes, immune system imbalances, and so much more, can really leave you feeling out of sorts. There’s very little your medical provider can do for these conditions. It’s simply not their training, and it’s not something their tools (medications and surgeries) are designed to address.

   3 - Herbalism is often better for chronic conditions, particularly for the “syndromes” that don’t have a known cause. The tools an herbalist uses address the body foundationally. I know, it sounds trite or simplistic, but imbalances that are very fixable with herbs can cause significant symptoms that impair quality of life.

4. While we’re talking about herbalism versus conventional medicine, they don’t have to be in competition. In fact, I would say that conventional medicine is often more effective than herbalism for acute conditions. Where herbalism shines is in cases where acute conditions are recurring. Then we have diagnostic criteria that conventional medicine simply doesn’t have. We live in an amazing day and age. Why would you not take advantage of the best that different healthcare modalities offer?

5. Herbalism is powerful but it can also be simple. When you learn to listen to your body you can make adjustments that will improve your quality of life. Adding some warmth to your system when you’re feeling sluggish, some moisture when you’re feeling dry... 

6. Herbalism doesn’t have to be expensive. You can grow many of the herbs that you may want to use. You can learn to make tinctures. The Herbal Art & Science - Evergreen program is very unique and aims to make even advanced herbalism accessible to everyone. Besides, your health is worth an investment.

7. There are a couple of tools in herbalism that nothing else has. One is demulcents. Think of them as lotion for your insides. The other is bitters, and they get your digestive tract working as it should. If you have digestive problems, bitters are usually a great starting point.

Herbalism should definitely be part of your healthcare options. It can address issues that no other modality can as effectively.