Gut Health and Clinical Herbalism
When I was studying herbal medicine in university at Bastyr, my teachers taught me that in traditional western herbalism, the human organism is likened to a tree whose roots are the digestive system.
In this way, the health of the entire organism is utterly dependent on the health of the digestive apparatus- from the mouth all the way down to the colon. In our modern world of genetically modified, processed, artificial, pesticide ridden foods, along with the overuse of antibiotics, over the counter antacids and anti-inflammatories, as well as the serious impacts of food intolerances and allergies, that the state of human digestive health is to say the least, not so great.
Holistic Herbalism and the Adaptogen Myth
Whatโs the most common mistake most people make when they start using herbs? After years of teaching and traveling across the country, Iโve seen people over and over make the assumption that if theyโre using herbs, theyโre holistic. Itโs actually not true! Many herbalists and naturopaths actually practice what I like to call โgreen allopathyโ โ using herbs just as replacements for drugs. Instead of thinking of herbs in a โuse this for thatโ kind of mindset, I break down how to see herbs in a truly holistic way.