Herbalism, to me, is NOT what mass marketing has lead most people to believe. Modern media and marketing has framed Herbalism and herbal remedies as nature’s version of pharmaceutical drugs. Don’t feel well? Got the sniffles? Take a prescription or take a supplement…right? Don’t tell me you haven’t been inundated by countless memes, graphics, and b.s. ai generated content touting this herb or that as some miracle fix for (insert some medical diagnosis here)! We’ve ALL seen them; heard them; and read them. It is EXHAUSTING!
What is herbalism, to me?
It is life.
I should elaborate. The technical definition of Herbalism, according to Merriam-Webster, is the art or practice of using herbs and herbal preparations to maintain health and to prevent, alleviate, or cure disease. I will refine that definition to say herbalism is the art AND practice of using herbs and herbal preparations to maintain health and wellbeing by feeding the organism plant based compounds necessary to achieve balance (i.e. homeostasis). After all, using the words treat, cure, prescribe, diagnose, and so forth gives the illusion I’m “practicing medicine, ” which i most definitely do NOT!
To me, maintaining that balance is life. Without homeostasis we’d be goners. It is when homeostasis is absent over a longer term that disease rears it’s ugly head. Acute medical conditions are where modern medicine shines. It has saved countless lives. Advances in biological sciences have progressed humanity light-years ahead. However, in our striving forward, we sometimes forget the value of the tools from our past. To me, it is all valuable and all has a place.
Herbalism is life…it is MY LIFE and I want to share it with you.