The Spiritual Side of Herbalism: Stewards of the Sacred Knowledge
Herbalism has changed my life. What started as a study of botany and biochemistry quickly morphed into a spiritual experience. I first approached the study of plants with a very rigid and logical thought process. Memorizing the mechanisms of action, the therapeutic cascade, creating changes in our bodies. Measurable differences explained by chemical reactions. I found beauty in unraveling the complex fractions that occurred when these herbs were taken into the body.
From Theory to Practice
My journey began on paper, but herbalism requires action, and not just of the theoretical kind. I began brewing teas to connect on a different level with these plants. I found joy in shopping at my local apothecary, taking community classes about herbs. Slowly, a deeper connection was forged, one that was not entirely physical.
I began this journey while I was in college. All day, I studied chemistry, biology, physics, and I came home and studied plants. I uncovered much knowledge during these years, but the most profound thing was an appreciation of nature. In nature, I saw the things I studied come to life. Walking through the forest, naming the structures of moss while noticing the creak of trees as they drew water up from deeply planted roots.
Lessons from Nature: The Journey of Tuning In
The study of plants taught me patience. It taught me to slow down and notice, to not take for granted what is given by nature and how we must give in order to receive. I learned the gift of reciprocity by studying plants. Sometimes I wonder how our world would be if we were taught about plant medicine in school. How society would change if we were taught the magic of plants. The way they seem divinely tailored to our biochemistry.
Because one thing that happens when you start to study herbalism, you start to tune in. You tune into your body, noticing the sometimes subtle effects of plants. You tune into the unbalance felt when your body is in need. You tune into the world, to Nature. It's almost impossible not to! Once you see the effect plants can have on you, it's hard not to have respect for nature for creating such beautiful complexity.
The Gift of Animacy
The deeper you dive into this practice, the more like magic it seems. You start to notice not just the physical effect plants have, but also their energetic qualities. Each unique in their own right. It becomes undeniable that plants are very much alive and have spirit much like us. When this clicked for me, it made their gifts that much more divine. Herbalism teaches you the animacy of nature. Plants are not just things to be harvested but beings each with their place in the world.
When I started my practice I bought the herbs I worked with from vendors. But as I continued I sought a deeper connection that only comes through seeking these plants in their natural habitat. I feel like wild harvesting is a right of passage for Herbalists. We all at some point must learn from the growing plant and not just the harvested parts. You learn something deeper this way. At first, I felt hesitant harvesting them from the wild. Wasn't the act of taking their leaves or flowers an act of violence? How could I justify my use of them over their own life? As the scientist I am, I sought answers to these questions. It was challenging because I found conflicting evidence. Western science taught that harvesting depleted the population, but traditional knowledge taught otherwise.
The Principle of Reciprocity: The Key to Cultivating Connection
The Natives of North and South America taught the principle of reciprocity. When you took the gifts of the earth in the form of medicinal plants, you had to give back respect to them. The promise to ensure their survival. When you could, you spread their seeds as an act of respect for the gifts they gave, and to ensure that future generations get to receive these gifts as well. You never take more than half of what is growing and never harvest the first plant encountered.
When these rules are followed and the plants cared for, a connection to them is cultivated. Something beautiful happens. They stay a part of the ecosystem. This goes against some of what science claims but reinforces Native knowledge. The Natives teach that what is ignored will be lost. That by acknowledging, harvesting, and caring for these plants, we ensure their survival.
Science is an ever-changing field of information. Every year, new studies are conducted that support indigenous teachings. Studies that prove that in communities that harvest and care for certain plants and trees, these species thrive. In areas where cultivation has ceased, the population of these plants decline.
Our Role in the Ecosystem: Stewards of the Sacred Knowledge
It only makes sense. We are a facet of our ecosystems, no matter how removed we may make ourselves seem. Surrounding ourselves in technology, we forget our part to play. Our role is that of cultivating and shepherding the wild. Herbalism enables this connection and encourages it.
As we deepen our practice of herbalism, we are reminded of our interconnectedness with nature. Herbalism is not just about the physical benefits of plants but also about recognizing their spirit and role in the ecosystem. By embracing the principles of reciprocity and cultivating a respectful relationship with plants, we become stewards of the earth. This ancient practice teaches us to honor the gifts of nature and to give back in ways that ensure the survival of these precious resources.
As we move forward, let us carry the wisdom of herbalism with us. Let us teach others the magic of plants, share the knowledge we've gained, and inspire a greater appreciation for the natural world. By doing so, we create a harmonious relationship with nature that benefits both our well-being and the health of our planet.
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