My Discovery of Herbalism
I was a teenager, I’m guessing about 17 when I visited my first herb garden. Although I can’t remember where it was exactly, I know it was in North Carolina. It was summer and everything was blooming. I remember walking along the gravel paths and marveling at all the beauty surrounding me. My favorite part wasn’t how pretty the flowers and plants were; but knowing everything in that garden could be used for medicine and wellness. I made a promise to myself that day. I promised that someday I would an herbalist, that I would grow herbs and make medicine. I remember thinking it would be something I would do as a mother and a grandmother. I knew it was something that would take me years to master.
I went on to college and lost my interest in herbs. In fact I lost my interest in a lot of the things I loved. This was because of trauma I suffered and the beginning of a battle with depression. I almost dropped out of college and fought really hard to finish, and finish strong! In my senior year my parents gave me a dog. A yellow lab puppy named Scarlett. She was my guardian angel and helped me to begin to recover. After school I moved home for about a year and this was when I began to get my interest in herbs back. It was during this time that I planted my first herb garden. It was a major fail! I planted everything in the wrong spot of the yard, way too much shade and it all died. I tried a new spot, again too much shade, and again same result.
Herbalism
Over the years I have taken courses, read books, and practiced in my kitchen. I’ve created herbal medicines for my children, my husband, and my dog. I’ve made beauty products for myself. I’ve grown herbs in containers and now I’m growing them in a beautiful raised garden bed. I’ve harvested my own herbs and I’ve used dried herbs from shops. I have so much left to learn, I’m really just getting started.
Why I Love Herbalism
I love herbalism because it calms my soul. Over the years of battling depression I now know that I have a spiritual connection with my herbs. I believe in the power of plant medicine. I believe that God has given us everything we need in his creation. I know that herbal plants vibrate with energy, they blossom with healing, and they are given to us by our Creator. Beyond my spiritual reasons for loving them there are some practical and scientifically backed reasons for loving herbs.
Herbs improve quality of life. Just take look at the supplement aisle in your neighborhood drug store. You will see hundreds of different herbal supplements to improve quality of life. Another reason I love herbs is the time I get to spend outdoors with my plants. Being outdoors with my plants reduces stress and improves my mood. I also love reading about herbal medicine and its historic uses. It is absolutely fascinating to read about the history of herbalism and the ways people used herbs for thousands of years. I particularly love to read about Medieval European Monks and their practice of herbalism. Medieval Monasteries were centers of herbalism and healing across Europe.
I hope that by sharing my journey with herbalism with you I inspire you to grow some herbs, check out a book on herbalism, or buy a diffuser and some essential oils. I hope that you too experience the beauty of God’s herbal plants, their special energy, and their specific reason for being created. These plants are a gift to us from God, they are here to improve our lives and well-being. I hope you take advantage of their special gifts!
