The Herbalism Hype: Everything You Should Know
For centuries, herbs have been used for physical, emotional, and mental healing. It is only really now that they have started being recognized in mainstream Western culture. More and more people are waking up to the fact that their conditions can be treated using natural remedies, and people are seeking herbs to help with everything from stress, anxiety, and depression to inflammation, pain, bloating, and PMS. In fact, we’ve written a blog about how herbs heal humans, so be sure to give that a read!
But, as more people have grown curious about herbalism, a whole slew of questions have emerged, like what is it? Who does it? How does it work? And do I need it?
The World Health Organization defines herbalism as the use of crude plant materials like leaves, flowers, fruit, seeds, stems, wood, bark, roots, rhizomes, and other plant parts, which can be used entirely, fragmented or powdered. Herbalism refers to the long historical use of these plant medicines to support the body’s healing function. Herbalism has a history that spans thousands of years and predates recorded history, and forms the origin of much of modern medicine. Herbalism has influenced many cultures, and countries like India, China, and Africa have established their own unique herbal traditions. Because of the use of medicinal plants to promote health for so many years, the use of herbs is well established and widely acknowledged as effective and safe. Herbalism involves the careful selection of plants to treat specific conditions, and that is where a herbalist comes in.
What do Herbalists Do?
Herbalists work to find the root cause of the illness and don’t just treat the symptoms. They have a holistic approach to healing and choose herbs based on the ailments or symptoms the patient describes during the consultation. Herbalists inspect certain areas of the body and create personalized prescriptions that consist of either one herbal treatment or a combination of herbal supplements.
1. Support Wellness with Plants
Herbalists use specific herbal remedies to support overall wellness as well as treat specific conditions. They use herbs and supplements that are organically grown and sourced in their native environment to ensure that no chemicals like pesticides and fertilizers are present in their formulations.
2. Use Whole Herbs in Their Formulas
Modern medicine uses synthetic, lab-created copies of active herbal ingredients, but herbalists use the actual herb to create their remedies. Herbalists use whole herb extraction to gather the active compound of the plant. In some cases, using the active ingredient on its own can be dangerous, and it needs to be used in conjunction with other parts of the plant. Herbalists are trained to ensure that herbs are used safely and effectively.
4. Customize Formulations for Your Needs
Herbalists are aware that not every remedy is one-size-fits-all. Instead, their formulations are customized to treat the patient’s specific needs or conditions. Herbalists take a holistic approach to healthcare and consider their patients’ physical, emotional, mental, spiritual, economic, and social needs to develop a remedy that works specifically for them.
When to seek out a herbalist
Depending on your values or beliefs, you can seek the care of a herbalist alongside that of conventional healthcare, or you can seek their care in place of seeing a doctor. No one is wrong or right; it is an entirely personal choice.
If you are using herbal medicine alongside conventional care, it is advised to seek the help of a herbalist to get a second opinion from a different point of view. You can also visit a herbalist to get a few natural remedies that either help with the side effects of the allopathic medicine or complement the conventional treatment. If you are seeing a herbalist and taking natural remedies alongside conventional medicine, it is highly recommended that you discuss this with your physician so that they are aware of the remedies you are taking.
If you are seeking herbal remedies in place of anything pharmaceutical, you should see a herbalist for natural alternatives. Getting their guidance on incorporating lifestyle practices like stress reduction into your healing is also a good idea.
A herbalist can advise you on incorporating herbs into your everyday life for general well-being or for a specific condition like sleep, relaxation, digestion, or pain. Using herbs regularly is a great way to connect with nature – especially if you live in an urban area. That, and some well-placed house plants.
What happens during the first consultation?
During your first visit with a herbalist, they will build a picture of you and your health. You will likely discuss the nature, onset, and progression of your condition or complaint, as well as any other treatment you’ve had up to date. The herbalist will put together a file including allergies, medical history, family history, treatment history, and social history.
If necessary, they may do a physical examination to assist with the diagnosis, which could include:
Checking your blood pressure
Listening to your lungs and breathing
Looking more closely at your skin, mouth, eyes, hands, or nails
Pressing on and around your abdomen
Asking you to move your limbs
Asking you to complete a cognitive task
Checking your reflexes
This assessment allows the herbalist to better understand the underlying causes of your condition and formulate a mixture of herbal remedies tailored to your individual needs. They will explain the specific herbs they prescribe so you understand exactly why you’re taking them and what to expect. Your personalized treatment plan will include herbal remedies and potentially some dietary changes or nutritional supplements. Most herbal remedies are prescribed as a tincture, and you may be prescribed some herbal tea, ointment, or tablets.
After the initial consultation, three or four short visits are usually necessary to assess your progress. These are then followed by check-ups every three to six months. Because herbal medicines work in a subtle and gentle way, they can take longer to work than pharmaceutical drugs, but their effects are longer lasting with no negative side effects, and they heal on a much deeper level.
Can I Use Herbs Without Seeing A Herbalist?
Of course! Think of it this way – using common herbs and natural remedies in your day-to-day life like rosemary, turmeric, ginger, holy basil, lavender, chamomile, coriander, peppermint, parsley, and chili powder can be compared to taking a multivitamin. However, taking herbal combinations for specific conditions like ashwagandha for stress, echinacea to boost immunity, or curcumin for inflammation can be compared to chatting to a pharmacist to get an over-the-counter medication for a short-term issue you’re experiencing. You would seek the help of a professional herbalist in place of a traditional doctor when you have a serious condition or chronic illness that you need help with. Professional herbalists are medically and clinically trained to offer holistic healthcare solutions.
That said, checking in with a herbalist or healthcare practitioner when you start taking a new herbal supplement is never a bad idea. It is always better to be safe, especially when taking other conventional medication that could interact with the new herbal remedy. However, feel free to cook with as many different fresh herbs and spices as your heart desires – they are delicious and oh-so-good-for-you!
In Summary
Herbalists play a vital role in maintaining and restoring good health. In some areas of the world, herbalists are the primary healthcare practitioners. In other places, they work alongside conventional medical practitioners. For the most part, herbs are more gentle on the body than conventional drugs and have fewer side effects. They are a great way for someone to feel empowered to take control of their own healing – the natural way!