What Herbalism Is And Why It Chose Me?

 I am so new to this. 

Wanting to know what herbalism is and why it chose me so that I can figure out where to go from here.

So herbalism and being a Wiccan kind of go hand in hand but even if you're not Wiccan or pagan or anything of the sorts it really goes hand in hand with the self sustainability of homesteading. So it was a calling that made me, well me. 

So what is herbalism? 

Herbalism is a way of life. It is being able to forage wild herbs and make your own medicine. To heal yourself from the inside out and help others heal themselves. 

What herbalism is not. 

Not a replacement for your health care practitioner. 

Sometimes you just really need to go see a doctor. Yes, nature can help with so many things and our bodies need that. But there are definitely times where seeking medical attention from a professional is best. 

What is herbalism and why did it choose me?

This is a loaded question. As a small child I was always drawn to nature. The dirt, the waterways, the trees and plants. Everything in nature has a purpose and we are no different. A plant knows it’s purpose. The dirt knows it’s purpose. Humans, we are a little more in depth. We have different purposes but to go on a simple level it is to take care of all of the other living organisms. We are their protectors and most of us have lost touch with the old ways. Most of us do more harm than good. Time to step back and really make a difference. 

So I say herbalism chose me as a small child. I tasted grass and plants and even dirt as a kid. I was curious. Modern life molded me into a different person as I grew and most of these memories I tucked away until a new experience opened my memory bank back up. Boy did the memories come flooding in. 

What herbalism is to me is a way to help others be more proactive in their life about taking care of their health. It gives me an opportunity to learn about plants and people on an intimate level and teach others that most of those weeds in their yards aren’t harmful. It is a source of income so that my husband doesn’t have to be the only one doing the back breaking work to keep food on our table. So he doesn't have to miss out on our kids growing up. It is a way to educate others. To teach others about this lifestyle. 

I do not know why herbalism chose me specifically.

I’d like to think that being that flower child growing up it was just deeply ingrained from my ancestors. I want to believe they are proud of me and are in me building my paths. Ultimately these are my choices but the spirits are guiding me in my decision making. I am at home. I am excited. 

It has been a couple months taking courses and I had only been herb making only via Pinterest recipes up until this point. No matter if I were to begin a type of schooling or not I’d be on my terms with exploring and learning through many sources, not just one. I love the fact that I’m taking a type of class to help guide me in the deeper understanding of how plants work in the body and not just specifically treating symptoms.It was 3 years ago when I made my first batch of Elderberry syrup, but really I was helping myself before that.  I first looked into herbs for healing when I had been told by 4 different doctors that I have unexplained infertility and I will never be able to have a child. Boy did I prove them wrong. I had 4 biological in 6 years. I was able to heal my body. Heal my infertility when I needed to.

This year I was able to shorten the cold phases with elderberries.  Was completely illness free for 2 years. Last year I didn’t make it. Combine being around sick people, not getting enough sleep and doing absolutely nothing for my own health including eating healing foods. I was sick for over a month. It was miserable. 

Could it be covid? Who knows? I stayed home. Not get tested and just took care of myself as best as I could. Being a mom of 5 under 8, it can get overwhelming when the housework gets behind and kids need me too. 

It’s a job that only a mother can do, sorry guys… man cold gets you out of so much that us mother’s would never get away with. 

I picked becoming a doula. I picked learning about babies and birth. I picked birthing at different hospitals and adopting and then birthing at home. Maybe not in that order. But herbalism truly picked me before I even knew what it was. I made my own salve out of my own beehive wax, plantain from my yard and some virgin cold pressed coconut oil. My husband got to test it out this year. Because well… we have bees. He pisses the bees off and they say hey in not the nicest of ways. His experience with the salve was 

“It was literally the only way I wouldn’t dig craters in my arms from itching” 

I first used it as an oil infused with just the plantain. 

Being a mom I have hemorrhoids at times. I soak a cotton ball in the oil and stick it between my cheeks and wear a panty liner at bedtime. Sleep with it like that or at least until my first potty break in the middle of the night because who am I kidding, I never sleep through the night anymore, not even when my kids do and the irritation and swelling is gone by morning. My mother in law used it to help heal the skin from her spider bite. She is a diabetic and being on medications for the infection worked to prevent the bite from worsening but her diabetes slows her healing process so the salve is a way to assist the skin in doing what it should. Her bite itched for a while and then she started using it and no longer scratches it preventing it from healing. 

I use it on my kids when they have bee stings , diaper rashes, ant bites, or mosquito bites. 

Then my mimosa concoction. It’s a tincture. Mimosa blooms are soaked in alcohol. My husband and I take it daily for clean energy. Not even half a teaspoon as soon as you wake. It isn’t an extreme jolt of energy so you don’t get jittery and you don’t have a drop at the end of the day. You just actually want to get up and do things. In turn you sleep better and more sound at night. It helps your mood. I have always had an issue with being able to control my outburst when things overwhelm me and this stuff. Most amazing thing ever, I swear. I didn’t think it worked for me at first until I missed a day and I could instantly tell I was unable to calm myself and think before I reacted. It wasn’t a good day. Taking herbs like medications isn’t a one size fits all either. I have extreme highs and lows and I feel that me getting outdoors doing things is the best help for me. Mimosa certainly helps.

I had gotten “educational” tidbits from the internet without the need for school. I had even helped my family so far with minor things. I am already learning what is safe and unsafe and if I feel unsure about a plant I will not advise it or tincture it. So it’s a stepping stone into my new world. 

Thank you for checking out what herbalism is and why it chose me.

Please comment below what herbalism has done for you or what you’d like to know more about.