WHAT IS HERBALISM
Intro To Herbalism
What is herbalism? Herbalism has been known as the earliest system of medicine practiced by mankind. It also is the foundation of a lot of modern medicines. Its ancient practices predates recorded and oral history. Not only has it been used to flavor meals, its medicinal and holistic uses help to bring one’s mental and physical health in balance again. Even the consumption of fruits and vegetables has been considered herbalism.
Herbalism is the study of plant energies, their flavors, their benefits and nutrition, and their uses in both holistic and medicinal care. It’s the understanding of the human body and how herbs can help heal ailments. It’s understanding how herbs can re-balance what our bodies are missing.
What Is An Herb
The common understanding of an herb is that it is an herbaceous plant that is primarily used for flavoring for culinary purposes, used medicinally, used to add scent to products (i.e. candles), and also used in cosmetics. Any plant that has a woody stem, bears seeds, flowers then dies out, is not considered an herb - technically.
But herbalism, as a practice, refers to the use of any plant or it’s parts for medicinal and holistic benefits. The elements of the plant that can be used include: seeds, roots, stems, barks, leaves, flowers, petals, pistil (center of flower), and heartwood (inner part of a tree trunk). In addition to common plants, herbalism also uses seaweed, lichen, moss, fungi, nectar, and resin. The art of herbalism is using the sum of each part of plants to create beneficial things for our bodies and homes. The life in an “herb” is the life that can heal and feed our bodies.
Who Is Considered An Herbalist
An herbalist is just anyone who dedicates time to understand and educate themselves on the workings of plants and their uses. An herbalist can be a professional with college education or someone who has learned through a homestead setting and through self-education from online courses and/or books. It’s those who have a passion and desire to understand how the properties of plants can have health benefits for a variety of diseases and conditions. It’s the understanding that connecting with our wild roots, what humans have lived off of for thousands of years, is better for us than most modern products on store shelves.
Whether you’re practicing for yourself and your family or if you desire connecting other people to natural plants and natural living through herbalism. Being an herbalist comes with wearing many hats. Your talents include, but are not limited to, the skillsets of healers, naturopaths, holistic doctors, scientists, herbal pharmacists, wild crafters, seed-savers, farmers, writers, and artists. Being an herbalist is most certainly an art-form in itself.
Training As An Herbalist
Like most practices, the best education is hands-on. Being able to grow and work with herbs personally is the best form of education you can experience. In addition, there are a variety of options herbalists gather their knowledge and expertise. Some take their school education seriously, and go to college and take courses designed on sciences and medicine that focus on herbal uses. Others take self-education seriously, and learn from their home gardens and taking the time to take online courses, in person courses, reading books, etc. to expand their knowledge.
Herbalism is rooted in our DNA from it being practiced for thousands of generations from our ancestors. There innumerable resources available to educate you on how herbs can be used medicinally, in culinary, holistically, etc. One does not require a formal college education to become an herbalist.
The Practice of Herbalism
Being an herbalist can be practice in a variety of ways. If you have substantially educated yourself on the benefits and risks of herbal use, you can have private practices that cater to clients or their pets. Some herbalists have taken formal positions working at apothecaries or even in holistic clinics. Others use their practice to travel around the world and use it for spreading the knowledge of herbal first aid and medicine.
Other herbalists, especially when starting off, keep their education for self-care purposes. They learn to understand the art of herbalism for themselves, their children, their family members, and their pets. The wonderful element of being a practicing herbalist is that you can use it to benefit others or benefit yourself. Regardless of the preferred practice methods, the knowledge and understanding of herbalism is incredibly important and should be passed on to future generations.
Types of Herbal Preparations
Preparing herbs for use comes in a variety of methods. Below are a few preparation styles most commonly used. We’ll break down these uses more in depth as you work your way through the course. Providing examples, recipes, etc. so you can begin your practice.
Infusions
An infusion is basically a long-brewed “tea” or a simmer pot. It’s the practice of steeping herbs in water, in a covered pot, for several minutes or hours. The steeping time varies from the herbs used. The purpose of steeping the herbs for such a long time is to pull the nutrients and medicinal qualities from the herb and into the water. Infusions make it easy to incorporate herbs into your daily life as a tonic.
Syrups
Syrups are great ways to make medicine from herbs, especially for young kids. You’ll want to add about herbs to water in a pot. After simmering for a couple of hours, you’ll want to pull it off the stove after the liquid has evaporated half way and you’re left with a thick consistency. Strain the herbs from the liquid and add honey to your liquid mix. You can then store your syrup in a bottle in the fridge.
Tinctures
A tincture is an alcohol extract of an herbs properties. It’s made by adding chopped dried herbs to a jar, adding alcohol (like vodka) until the herbs are fully covered, then sealing the jar tightly. You’ll want to dry store your mixture for 4 to 6 weeks, shaking it on a daily basis. You can then use the tincture after it has been strained. If you don’t like using alcohol, you can replace it with food-grade vegetable glycerin or vinegar.
Powders
To create a powder, you’ll want to use dried herbs. Add them to a grinder and blend until it’s completely a powder consistency. You can then add it to foods and liquids for oral consumption.
Oils
Herbal oils are created by adding dry herbs to a jar and adding an oil of your choice. It can be olive, vegetable, coconut, etc. You’ll want to ensure the herbs are fully submerged. Seal the jar tightly and keep in a warm place for 3 weeks. It will need daily shaking. Once ready for use, strain the oil.
Salves
To make a salve, you’ll want to use the oil you create from herbs and it to small jars or tins. You melt beeswax into your herbal oil mixture and let rest.
Poultices
A poultice is made by mixing a softened herb with water or oil, and adding some clay. You can soften the herb by simmer for about 15 minutes then removing the herb from the water then mashing the herbs. Add the herbs to a small amount of water or oil, add a little bit of clay to create a thick paste like consistency.
Steams
Steams are great for head or chest colds. They are a wonderful way to clear up upper respiratory ailments, like allergies. Simmer herbs in a pot of water on the stove, once heated, remove from the stove and place on the kitchen counter or in the sink. Cover your head with a towel and lean your head over the pot to breath the steam in. The head helps keep the steam around your face. Be sure not to get too close you get burned.
Bath Soak
Create a warm bath and add epsom or sea salt to the bath, then add a muslin bag full of herbs to the water. An herbal bath is great for relaxing sore muscles or calming your mind.
Flower Essences
Add flower petals into a bowl of pure spring water. Add leaves to your bowl and place your petals on top of the leaves in the water to help them float. Set in the sun for a few hours. Then, strain the petals out and put the petals into a jar. Add an equal part of Brandy or preferred alcohol preservative. This mixture can then be used to make liquid concoctions. Add this mixture to a bottle mixed 50/50 with spring water and alcohol.