"Herbalism is based on relationship - relationship between plant and human, plant and planet, human and planet. Using herbs in the healing process means taking part in an ecological cycle.  This offers us the opportunity consciously to be present in the living, vital world of which we are part; to invite wholeness and our world into our lives through awareness of the remedies being used.... -Wendell Berry

Herbalism is one of the oldest known healing methods belonging to the human species. Cultures throughout history have all used plant based medicine to remedy the wounds and diseases of their people. The plants were accessible to everyone regardless of class or social status. They have never, until recently, been regulated by an outside authority or, for that matter, outlawed. There were, however, some specific plants that were seen as very powerful and worthy of great respect, caution and reverance. These were usually plants used only by the shaman or high medicine person, not a decision driven by profits and greed, but out of a deep connection and understanding of the energy patterns of nature and their effects.

The uses of most common plants were known even by young children who quite able to treat their own bug bites, cuts and scratches. It was well known by every head of household what plants to use to treat fever, colds, rashes and all minor illnesses. Major or life threatening wounds or sickness were usually delgated to the village healer who was versed on the more intricate and complicated applications of herbs and other forms of primal healing. These practitioners were available to everyone and were mutually supported by the community, relying on their village to provide them with resources such as food, clothing and firewood. They were also directly accountable for every action and decision they made when treating members of the tribe of village. This translucency eliminated the need for any outside laws, rules or regulations. Everybody knew them and they knew everybody, many times seeing an individual from birth through childhood into adulthood and sometimes through to death.  This was a self sustaining system operating withing the structure of healthy human culture that held the capacity to see the unique gifts of each of its people and was flexible enough to allow these gifts to be expressed and valued. When illness occured it was seen in the context of the whole individual in relation to the whole tribe and not as a one isolated malfunctioning part.

Unfortunately, much of our traditional healing wisdom was lost due to a variety of reasons including the uprising of patriarchy and its masculine worldview and cosmology that subjugates earth based holistic healing methods. Cultural emphasis turned towards direct action, accomplishment and victory as healing methods turned towards heroic use of strong and toxic herbs, surgery and other drastic measures. The Roman Empire choose Christianity as its religion and forcefully imposed these beliefs and practices throughout the empire. Herbalism was somehow associated with witchcraft and evil becoming outlawed and forbidden by the threat of death by burning. The inquisition saw to the death of perhaps millions of people whose wisdom was forever lost, as much of it was unwritten and only passed from teacher to student. Later in history, Charles Darwin and his predeccesors, reduced all life to mechanistic attributes that either made one fit or unfit for competitive survival in a cold and indifferent universe. There is, however, still hope...

The last several decades have seen the beautiful and amazing resurgence of a multitude of ancient and traditional healing modalities including herbalism. The first seeds were planted  during the cultural revolution of the sixties and herbalism resurfaced through the research and teachings of many wise women and men such as Rosemary Gladstar, Susun Weed and Michael Moore. I began studying herbalism in the early 1990's when it was still relatively unheard of, especially in my small community.  Since then, there has been a mass renaissance of alternative healing practices all over the globe. Herbal remedies that at one time could only be accessed by growing or gathering them yourself, are now widely available in every chain supermarket or pharmacy just about anywhere and everywhere. Combine this with the widespread dissatisfaction with modern medicine and pharmaceuticals, and everyone wants a piece of the pie including big pharma and business.

This has led us to some big problems. There have recently been many regulations enacted to regulate, control and standardize herbal medicines making it very difficult for small herbal companies and practitioners to continue to provide their preparations to their communities. Large industry has begun to mass produce herbal supplements and, of course, they have the resources to obtain and implement necessary equipment and policies that are in adherence with the new regulations. Europe has just passed new laws making all herbal supplements illegal until they are thoroughly tested and approved; a process that take about 3 years per plant.  The use of bioregional plant based medicine is rapidly leaving the hands of the people and, this basic human right is being horded and controlled by governmental agencies. Our capacity to self direct and choose our practitioners and healing method is currently under threat of extinction once again and it is of utmost importance that we become aware of the precariousness of our times.

Modern medicine has been, itself, revolutionary and has the capacity to alleviate much human suffering with it's miraculous methods of diagnosis, surgery and medicines. It has also been a double-edge sword as it is profit driven making it not just of relative accessibility and quality, but also used exclusively for all ailments when other modalities may be more appropriate. Herbal healing can be used preventatively and is very successful at treating minor acute illnesses that would otherwise send us to the doctor's office or emergency room. Many of us can learn enough backyard plants to offer to ourselves and our families and can consult with a local herbalist for more chronic or serious concerns. Please, help to keep this ancient tradition in the hands of the people by learning your local plants and their uses and sharing knowledge with your friends and neighbors. And last, but not least, support your local herbalist! :)

Below are few resources:

National Health Freedom Coalition
http://www.nationalhealthfreedom.org/coalitionHhomepage.html

The Northeast Herbal Association
http://www.northeastherbal.org/

Northeast Organic Farmers Association
http://www.nofa.org/index.php

United Plant Savers
http://www.unitedplantsavers.org/