Learn About Herbs

"Let food be thy medicine"
~ Hippocrates~

What are herbs?

Herbs are plants from Mother Earth, small and large. They are ancient wisdom for healing and nourishing the body, mind, and soul. They are one of the oldest healing modalities used for thousands if not millions of years. Herbs are deep medicine passed down from generation to generation.

How do herbs work?

Herbs work WITH the body not against the body. Herbs help the body move through the infection, open up the various channels of elimination to assist in detoxification, heal what is broken, and much much more. Our bodies are complex and beautiful, and herbs help our bodies thrive and restore their innate balance. When we have discomfort, pain and dysregulation physically or emotionally, herbs are our long lost friend to help us through. (There is a lot more science but I won’t go into that here. Here is a great book explaining the science behind many herbs Medical Herbalism: The Science and Practice of Herbal Medicine by David Hoffman) Each plant has specific properties that assist the body (ie) antimicrobial, immunomodulator, nervine, antispasmodic and many more. Along with those properties each plant has specific energetics (ie) hot, cold, moist and dry that when used properly restore balance.

How is herbal medicine different from conventional or allopathic medicine?

Herbal medicine is used to assist the body in healing and restore balance. Plants are used as preventative medicine and to heal acute and chronic conditions. Conventional (allopathic) medicine is great for emergency health problems and treating extreme symptoms. The advances in conventional medicine are remarkable and greatly appreciated. But where herbal medicine shines is in healing the body rather than suppressing symptoms.

Why choose herbs?

They are accessible to all. You can make herbal medicine right in your own kitchen for you and your family. Generally speaking they are among the safest medicines for adults and especially children.

Herbs are gentle, effective and natural.

"Feeling that we have choices in how we care for ourselves and our families, and that we ourselves can play a central role in treatment and preventative medicine, can help us build a positive attitude of empowerment.”

- Rosemary Gladstar