A herbalist is someone who uses plants or herbal remedies in order to aid one's health and overall wellbeing. Whether it be a localised physical problem, or mind-related concerns, herbalists obtain knowledge of the natural world which can be used in order to bring about healing.

What is Herbalist?

Using formulations or mixtures of various botanicals such as leaves, flowers, roots or bark, herbalists work with nature's materials in order to find remedies which can help the body heal itself. Although herbalists are not all medical doctors, they may perform physical examinations to assist with diagnosis, such as taking blood pressure, listening to the chest, or checking the skin, tongue, mouth, eyes, hands, or nails. Herbalists will apply traditional practices and contemporary evidence-based research of plants, which supports the healthy function of the physical and subtle body.

History

Humans have always lived in tandem with the Earth, and used her materials in order to ensure a healthy life. Humankind has evolved purely due to the existence of plants, relying on plant material for food, clothing, shelter, and medicine. Evidence of the use of herbal medicine can be found all throughout archaeological history, and dates back as far as 60,000 years ago. Around 1500 BCE, the Ancient Egyptians wrote the 'Ebers Papyrus' which listed over 850 herbal medicines and their uses, referencing cumin, coriander, garlic, willow, frankincense, and aloe. Furthermore, Egyptian hieroglyphs also showed evidence of physicians treating constipation with senna pods, and digestive issues with caraway and peppermint. In the 'Charaka Samhita', one of the Indian Ayurvedic texts from 400 BCE, the scripture mentions over 300 herbs and their benefits; herbs which are still utilised in modern Ayurvedic practice to this day. 'Pen Ts’ao Ching' was compiled and published around 500 CE by Tao Hongjing , which is one of the foundational texts of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM). This texts speaks of 365 herbs such as astragalus, reishi, ginger, schisandra, and licorice, herbs which are all still used medicinally in the contemporary world. There is found evidence of ancient Celtics, or Druids, using nettles to stop bleeding, dandelion to treat fever, willow for rheumatism, and wild garlic for bladder stones. And the list goes on. Whilst not all remedies would be deemed as effective today, it is evident that the use of nature's properties have aided the survival and quality of human life. Now, with the synthesis of ancient wisdom and contemporary science, herbalists have the ability to find methods of healing which are kind to the world, and on the self, and can further connect you back to the Earth you exist upon and within.