Planetary Sympathy and Astrotherapeutics
Most traditions of herbal medicine across the world use the fundamental principle of antipathetic medicine in their approach to therapeutics. But in the practice of alchemical medicine—based on Paracelsianism— and in astro-herbalism, another approach is commonly used: sympathetic medicine. In this episode, we’ll explore some of the principles of sympathetic medicine, how it differs from […]
Elecampane: The Deep Breather
Elecampane has become one of my personal favorite respiratory remedies over the years, not just for its medicinal benefits for many of the common respiratory woes people face today, but as a choice restorative agent. Whether you make it into a tincture or enjoy the syrup, Elecampane is a remedy every herbalist should know. In […]
5 Ways Vitalism Transformed My Life
Diving into the world of herbal medicine and the traditions that have carried it for a long time often introduces us to new concepts, principles, practices, and ways of seeing the world around us that aren’t often taught to us in our modern world. And sometimes there’s something there that changes your life forever. For […]
Herb-Drug Interactions: Fact Fiction or Somewhere Between
Have you ever felt anxious about giving herbs to someone who’s already taking medications? Many herbalists feel hesitant to help people taking prescribed drugs because of concerns about herb-drug interactions. But how much do we really need to worry about this? Herbs can impact how drugs are absorbed and metabolized, which can actually be helpful […]
Is All Herbal Research Trustworthy?
Is all herbal research trustworthy? If you’ve ever Googled an herb to learn more and saw lots of research papers about it, can you trust them? Herbal research is tricky since there are a lot of things that can go wrong and right with them that make the results tricky to decipher. Even though understanding […]
Medical Astrology’s Insights into Holistic Herbalism
The term “holistic” is buzzing in the holistic healthcare system today, but what does this word really mean? A holistic practitioner, according to the Evolutionary Herbalism model, is someone who unites the physical, energetic and spiritual properties of a plant with these aspects of a person to facilitate deep, transformational healing. Medical astrology is one […]
The Lightbringers: Herbs for Brightening Dark Winter Days
The winter solstice marks the shortest day of the year in the northern hemisphere. Once it passes, the days grow brighter and longer. However, the long winter nights can still weigh heavy on the hearts of many. By using herbs that uplift the heart and soothe the mind, you can diffuse a bit more sunshine […]
Working with the Whole Plant
As you begin your herbal exploration, you’ll notice that there are a lot of books out there that either talk about a plant’s spiritual or medicinal aspects–but rarely both. This separation of science and spirit mirrors the allopathic approach used in conventional medicine. The problem is that this separation doesn’t exist! The more I studied […]
Vitalism and Learning From Nature
Have you come across the idea of allopathic herbalism? This approach often highlights specific symptoms and conditions that certain herbs are “good for.” However, it has a limitation: it doesn’t address the root causes of diseases. To achieve profound healing, it’s crucial to go beyond simply matching herbs with symptoms. Embracing the traditional vitalist herbalism […]
