Introduction to Herbal Medicine
Introduction to Herbal Medicine
Herbal medicine is considered to be the oldest system of medicine practiced by humanity. By following basic practices and the guidance of herbalists, anyone can embrace herbal medicine safely and effectively. Many of the herbs worked with are the most common plants right outside our doors – mint, lavender, sage elder, chamomile – which makes sense since humanity has been in relationships with these herbs for thousands of years. Common herbal remedies take form in teas, syrups, salves, oils, poultices and other simple forms. From preventative healthcare to treating common illnesses like cold and flu to far more specific and threatening illnesses, herbalism is here to serve humanity. Most herbalism is highly accessible and requires little to no tools than the items you’d find in a standard kitchen. Whether you’d like to make your own herbal remedies or source from other herbalists, the opportunities are endless.
- Herbalism Schools offering online and in-person classes: Florida School of Holistic Medicine, Chestnut School of Herbal Medicine, California School of Herbal Studies, People’s Medicine School and many more.
- Educational Resources: American Herbalists Guild and many more.
- Herbal Conferences: Florida Herbal Conference, Women’s Herbal Conference and many more.
- Sources of Herbs: Support local herbalists and source locally grown and foraged herbs whenever possible! Frontier Co-op and Mountain Rose Herbs are nationwide resources with high integrity.
- Ayurvedic herbal medicine: The Ayurvedic Institute
- For books: See Chestnut School of Herbal Medicine’s article: “Our Favorite Herbalism Books.”
I am deeply inspired by Amanda David, founder of People’s Medicine School, which puts a strong emphasis on decolonizing Western herbalism and liberation of BIPOC folk through herbal medicine. At the heart of her school – offered both online and in person – is the forming and fostering of deep relationships with nature, plants, self and community. Linda Black Elk is an herbalist and forager who can find medicine growing wherever there are plants. Her teachings show us just how accessible and exciting herbalism can be and she serves as a source of constant inspiration and motivation to many of us.
This article is an excerpt from Food Freedom: A Year of Growing and Foraging 100% of My Food. Food Freedom is an empowerment manual to break free from the destructive food system and live in closer harmony with Earth through growing food, foraging and embracing community.
We welcome you to order the paperback copy here or download the eBook here.
100% of profits, after book distribution, are donated to Gardens of Liberation, supporting Indigenous and Black-led food sovereignty initiatives.