8 Essential Core Concepts for Budding Herbalists!

After studying herbalism for over 25 years, and practicing professionally for 18 of them, there are some core ideas I would like to share for other budding herbalists. These are not in any particular order of importance but all worth contemplating as you proceed in your own study and practice of herbalism. We are never done learning, but thus far I have had many great teachers and mentors in my life ranging from a Natural Pharmacist, to Indigenous Healers, TCM Doctors, Eclectic Herbalists, Bush Herbalists, Wise Grandma's, and so on. I mainly want to focus in on some diverse but core practical concepts that I want to make sure stand out on this path and practice of healing known as herbalism. I plan on adding to this series / blog topic over time, and I plan to write them in digestible pieces that can be contemplated and integrated easily. So please work to integrate these to the degree that they feel true and helpful to you and your path of learning. 1. Nature is the Healer: Sometimes people / clients will say "you healed me" but herbalists are not the healers - the plants, fungi and intelligence of nature are the true healer. For those of us who are of a more spiritual nature we would include the awareness that a higher power / guides are of primary importance. We as herbalists play a crucial role as ambassadors to the natural world of healing plants and medicines. We are also committed to making sure that we have a selection of effective and familiar herbs / medicines on hand in times of need. Therefor our goal is to know where to harvest / or source our core medicine allies and try our best to keep them on hand. 2. Repetition is the mother of skill! Our learning is never done and our goal, as it should be with all who practice medicine of any kind, is to do our due diligence of research and responsibly and safely use the right medicines for the right situations. This also requires that we constantly study, review, and memorize the uses of our key plant allies and any safety issues regarding their use. 3. Assessment language: We as Herbalists are not advised to use the words "treat" or "diagnose." Instead we use the words "assess" and "consult" or "advise." 4. Whole-hearted Intent: There is a quantum aspect to healing. Matter and mind and intertwined, and there is truly power in our intent, visions, expectations, and beliefs. So one thing we can do as healers to add to the power of the medicine / healing process is to set clear intentions, and embrace practices that help focus our (and our clients)) sincere intention and vision for healing. This may involve visualization, or prayer, reviewing research, or simply being clear and whole hearted in our faith and intent regardless of the situation. Healing is the result of many things and this includes our wisdom, right vision, and compassion. This is relevant to the topic of healing and virtually all other areas of our lives. 5. On the topic of dosage: Remember that what makes something a medicine or a poison is often the result of the dosage. Even drinking too much water or ingesting something as basic and important as salt can be damaging in excess. It's better to start with less and increase to higher dosages if needed over time. Not all people or situations require the same intensity of dosage of medicine. Some people are very sensitive types, and smaller in stature, and some people are the opposite. There are herbalists who prefer to use more homeopathic dosages like 1 - 3 drops of a tincture, instead of 60 - 80 drops as commonly seen prescribed on some tincture bottles. Determining the right dosage requires that you know the power and personality of the plant as well as what dosage it is traditionally and commonly advised to be used at. It is a process of intuition and intellect. For example Goldenseal is used at a much lower dose than Motherwort. This is why we do the good work, spend the time to study our core medicine allies in greater detail, and ensure we know how to use the medicines safely and effectively. 6 . Vital Force ~ There is more than chemistry at play here: As Herbalists we understand that natural medicines can be viewed as working because of their chemistry - but that this is only one way in which to relate to them. They can be classified energetically as cooling or heating , moistening or drying, but they are also carrying what natural healers often call Elan Vita l or Vital Force . Vital force is not physical, rather an energy that underlies all of nature and creation. This is similar to the meaning of the term kundalini and many others from various cultures around the world. The herbal healing path, and others, can be seen as a way to stimulate and / or increase ones intake of vital energy and this can support both healing and awakening to higher levels of awareness or evolution. The Vital Force, according Hahnemann, the founder of homeopathy, is an energy that enables all living things to self-heal, maintain equilibrium or homeostasis, and preserve life by adapting to environmental changes 7. Caring for our Allies ~ Our relationship with the natural world should be symbiotic. As the old saying goes " ask not what your country can do for you but what you can do for your country " However in our case, let's remember to ask not only what the Plant Queedom can do for us ~ but what we can do to support the plants and fantastic fungi around us also! This might mean making offerings, cultivating plants, not over harvesting in one area, composting, or avoiding the use of endangered plants whenever possible. This is a path of relationship, and that means that we are not simply exploiting nature's gifts and blessings for human needs, but we are sincerely interested in the well being of the greater biosphere and it's many other living inhabitants also. Remember that plants are not "things" they are miracles of nature that are living, breathing, procreating and experiencing! Plants have a kind of soul not unlike humans and they are happy to help us when related to respectfully and with care. 8. Healer Heal Thyself ~ Last but not least on this list is considered to be a bit of gem of ancient wisdom.... healer heal thyself. We may wish to heal others, and see less suffering in the world, but we must first take care of, love, and value ourselves. Similar to the comparison of being on a crashing airplane, we must put on our own masks first! If we do not take are of ourselves then we will not last long taking care of others. There are deeper layers to this topic that we can explore later on, but let's just be clear that the more we care for ourselves the better shape we are in to assist others and live our fullest lives. This will also guard us from being what is sometimes called a "runaway healer" referring to a person who hyper-focuses on fixing and caring for others at their own expense. This is often done to avoid facing one's own healing, and respecting one's own worth, need for love, genuine attention, rest, and nurturing care. That's all for now friends, I hope you found that helpful, and please stay tuned for more to come on this topic at a later date. Chad Cornell I.M.H.