The history of western herbalism is a rich tapestry woven between different cultures, eco-systems, and lands. Emerging from Egypt, then Greece, and spreading west, the tradition that we now claim as western herbalism is a mix of ancient European medicine practiced in healing temples presided over by the Goddess Hygeia, the oral traditions of wise women of Europe that were at risk of being burned as witches, and root doctors men and women both, that survived and then settled in North America.
Come and take a journey through the rich tapestry of herbalism from the ancient lands of the Egyptians, the Gods and Goddesses that informed our languages such as Hygeia (where we get the word hygiene), the underground oral traditions of healing that survived the witch burnings, the Renaissance, Alchemy, and then the Popular Health Movement that brought a revitalization of natural health through the 1960s and 1970s.
This course dives into the concepts and theories that shape our practices of herbalism, such as the 4-Element theory that inspires the framework of how we match a person to a plant. The beauty of herbalism is that we look to nature to be our guide. Earth, air, fire, and water are the elements that run through the human body, the body of plants, and our earth. The language of the earth is universal, however, specific traditions such as Traditional Chinese Medicine and Ayurveda have formed their own lens through which they practice medicine.
By the end of this course, you will be able to:
- Feel well informed about the historical bodies of thought that have shaped the way herbal medicine is practiced
- Understand herbal energetics, using your own body instinct and senses as a tool for knowing herbs and the 4 elements as applied to the body
- Understand the various approaches to practicing energetic herbal medicine
- Feel comfortable exploring the sensory elements of plants (sight, smell, taste, temperature, affinity)
- Tap into your herbal intuition to foster a lifelong relationship with plants