Your Holistic Herbalist

Herbalism, also know as plant medicine or botanical medicine, refers to the use of plants and plant materials to make medicines. This can include using different parts of plants and in varying ways, such as using the root or flowers in decoctions or tinctures. It’s one of the oldest known forms of medicine, showing up in our oldest records. It's still used widely today, with around 60% of the world’s population still using herbal medicines as their primary healthcare.

Records of herbal medicines go back to clay tablets found in ancient Mesopotamia, some 3000 years ago. Herbalism was never ‘invented’ as such, with medicinal herbs likely being around for longer than humans have existed.

Herbal medicines differ from drugs in many ways. For a start, many drugs are created by isolating compounds found in nature. This is because they have been identified as the ‘active’ constituent and therefore everything else is discarded. This analogous to saying an F1 car is the race winner, so we may as well get rid of the entire garage. The isolated ingredients in drugs are often chemically synthesized in a laboratory, raising questions about their similarity to their naturally-occurring counterparts. We’re no strangers to ‘whole foods’, but how familiar are we with the concept of ‘whole medicines’? Isolated compounds simply don’t exist in nature, with the benefits of herbal medicines coming from a variety of synergic elements. Herbal medicines have been used for thousands of years and knowledge on their safety and usage has been passed down through hundreds of generations. Modern drugs, however, have most often been around for fewer than 100 years. Proponents of modern drugs claim they undergo rigorous clinical trials to determine safety an efficacy. Unfortunately, these ‘rigorous trials’ are being conducted by some of the most fraudulent and outright criminal organisations in human history.

I know herbalists who say there is a herb for every human condition, and it’s hard to disagree with them. After all, we’ve existed alongside plants for hundreds of thousands of years, so it makes sense to me that we’d have grown extremely well connected to them. Even the ‘toxic’ plants, such as Deadly Nightshade and Poison Hemlock, have traditionally been used as herbal medicines. Almost every plant has a medicinal element to it and it’s often said that the cure for cancer could be yet found in a plant growing in the Amazon rainforest.

Yes you can. It's never been easier to conduct online consultations and it allows me to treat people all over the world. By working with a herbalist online, you can receive expert advice and support without needing to travel. The process is largely similar online as it would be in-person, and the treatment just as effective!

While herbal medicines have been used for over 3000 years to treat all manner of illness and conditions, it’s risky to state that a particular herb can treat or cure a particular medical condition. This is due to major pharmaceutical companies having great influence in government policies on medicines. At the very least, we can still usually refer to their traditional usage.

A herbalist is a medical student of the natural world, one who uses plant medicines to support individual’s health and wellbeing. They rely on a combination of traditionally acquired knowledge and modern scientific discoveries to create natural treatments and healing plans. This involves meeting with clients to assess their health history, diet, lifestyle, and current concerns or health objectives. This involves gaining a deep understanding of the individual’s personal health situation, allowing for tailored suggestions and the creation of suitable herbal remedies.

Herbs can be incredibly effective, but their effectiveness depends on various factors. As a doctor wouldn’t prescribe antibiotics for a broken nose, the correct herb is required for the specific condition being treated. Furthermore, the part of the herb and the method in which it’s prepared will also influence the outcome, not to mention the most important part – the individual being treated. Herbs are at their most effective when they’re being used to treat a person, as opposed to treating a condition. This distinction may seem trivial, but the implications are far-reaching. When we simply treat a disease, we fail to appreciate how we are all highly unique individuals. Our bodies and minds (and some would say even our spirits), are unique to us and, as such, we require an individualised approach.

The reason for this has less to do with healthcare and all to do with money. Hospitals and doctors are individuals and businesses wholly owned by the pharmaceutical industry. They are paid to use certain drugs and are taught over many years that drugs are far superior to natural remedies. Doctors simply aren’t educated or trained on the use of natural medicines. Their entire herbal medicine education consists of how herbs can negatively interact with drugs. The pharmaceutical industry heavily influences government policies around medicine, resulting in tight controls over what can be claimed regarding herbal treatments. A key part of this involves the requirement to tell people to see their doctor in the first instance and take their advice on treatment. As you can probably surmise, this results in people receiving poorly informed, negative information about natural remedies, through the authoritative mouth of a medical professional. In general, doctors treat diseases, not people. This means they often operate on a level of ‘this drug is good for this condition’, which many herbalists also do with plant medicines. This falsely assumes we’re all the same and will react the same to a given drug or herb. It is very telling that medication-related issues are one of the leading causes of death in the United States. Pharmaceutical drugs are always claimed to be safe and effective, yet they’re one of the most likely things to end your life.

I offer my services as a herbalist both online and locally. I use Zoom, Teams, Google Meet, and occasionally even Facebook to meet with clients - it's fine to use whatever you're comfortable with. The ability to conduct consultations online has opened the world to many for herbal and holistic treatments.