What Is Herbal Medicine?
Do you use Herbal Medicine or plants in your daily life?
Probably!
The practice of Herbal Medicine, also known as phytotherapy, explores the therapeutic and medicinal uses of plants, plant extracts and medicinal mushrooms to maintain and restore health.
Herbal Medicine comes from a long lineage of tradition from various cultures across the globe. According to the World Health Organization (WHO) it is estimated that 80% of the worlds population uses some from of herbal medicine currently.
Plants are a part of all of our daily lives weather we are aware of it or not (think cooking, spices, flower bouquets, various supplements!) As an herbalist I focus primarily on Western and European plants— specifically ones local to my bioregion in the Pacific North West.
Through the study of the traditional uses of plants, alongside current research to explore their constituents and mechanisms of action, the support of herbal medicine is broad and constantly evolving. Plants are COMPLEX- but can be approachable and used simply to provide benefits. Often herbs are administered in various applications such as tea, tincture (often alcohol or glycerin based liquid extraction), capsules, or even in their whole or spice form used in food.
Herbal medicine isn’t limiting and can often be used on its own or in conjunction with allopathic (conventional) medicine and various other healthcare modalities. Seeing health through various lenses provides a broader scope and support for people who feel lost in regards to health.
Herbal medicine can support the following:
✺Digestive Issues (IBS, SIBO, GERD, Ulcers, Indigestion, bloating)
✺Hormonal Health (PMS, PMDD, cysts, irregular cycles, fertility, endometriosis, PCOS)
✺Nervous System (stress, sleep, fatigue, mood, mental health, energy)
✺Immune Health (acute colds, allergies, hypersensitivities)
✺Pain Management
✺Skin and Dermatological Health
✺Sport Performance/ Recovery
and more!
Humans have coevolved with plants over millions of years. We have used and honoured them for the immense benefits, beauty and support they provide us. The practice of using plants therapeutically as medicine can benefit everyone no matter where they are in life- the opportunities are truly endless.
-Ness xx