Herbalism
Botanical healing practice
Herbalism is the practice of using plants for medicinal purposes—treating ailments with roots, leaves, flowers, and bark rather than synthetic pharmaceuticals.
The tradition predates modern medicine by millennia and persists today in folk remedies, alternative medicine, and the supplement industry.
An herbalist studies and applies these plant-based treatments: She consulted an herbalist about her insomnia.
Traditional Hindu healing practice
- folk medicineTraditional healing practices
- indigenous knowledgeLocally transmitted ancestral understanding
- naturopathyAlternative healing using nature
- shamanicOf spirit-world intermediaries
wise woman · ancestral · ethnobotany · wildcrafting · foraging · lineage · oral tradition · rootwork
Treatments that restore health
- tincturesMedicinal solutions in alcohol
- poulticesMedicated dressings for inflammation
- infusionsLiquids steeped with flavor
- apothecaryHistorical medicine preparer
healing · decoctions · salves · compresses · dosage · preparations · extracts · tonics
Gathering mature crops
- dryingMoisture removal process
- cultivationFostering growth through care
- wildcraftingGathering uncultivated natural materials
- foragingSeeking wild food sources
identification · storage · blending · formulation · maceration · distillation · growing · propagation
Soothing herbal infusion plant
- echinaceaImmune-support plant extract
- lavenderFragrant herb, pale violet
- valerianBotanical sleep aid
- ginsengPerennial with tonic root
elderflower · nettle · yarrow · calendula · comfrey · St. John's wort · milk thistle · peppermint
Ceremonial set of actions
- ceremonyFormal event marking occasions
- smudgingMaking blurry marks
- incenseAnger greatly, or aromatic resin
- offeringsThings presented or given
cleansing · blessing · sacred plants · energetics · intuition · connection · reverence · moon phases
Ayurveda
Traditional Hindu healing practice
- folk medicineTraditional healing practices
- indigenous knowledgeLocally transmitted ancestral understanding
- naturopathyAlternative healing using nature
shamanic · wise woman · ancestral · ethnobotany · wildcrafting · foraging · lineage · oral tradition · rootwork · bush medicine
remedies
Treatments that restore health
- tincturesMedicinal solutions in alcohol
- poulticesMedicated dressings for inflammation
- infusionsLiquids steeped with flavor
apothecary · healing · decoctions · salves · compresses · dosage · preparations · extracts · tonics · elixirs
harvesting
Gathering mature crops
- dryingMoisture removal process
- cultivationFostering growth through care
- wildcraftingGathering uncultivated natural materials
foraging · identification · storage · blending · formulation · maceration · distillation · growing · propagation · sustainable
chamomile
Soothing herbal infusion plant
ginseng · elderflower · nettle · yarrow · calendula · comfrey · St. John's wort · milk thistle · peppermint · feverfew
ritual
Ceremonial set of actions
- ceremonyFormal event marking occasions
- smudgingMaking blurry marks
- incenseAnger greatly, or aromatic resin
offerings · cleansing · blessing · sacred plants · energetics · intuition · connection · reverence · moon phases · intention
Herbalismbiomedicine
Biology applied to healing
evidence-based medicine · chemotherapy · surgery · radiation therapy · drug therapy
Herbalismevidence-based medicine
Clinical care guided by research
pharmacology · medical science · scientific method · laboratory research · biomedical research