What is Herbal Medicine?
Herbal medicine has been used to treat many physical and psychological conditions for thousands of years. However, our understanding of herbal medicine in Western society is very limited. We understand that the compounds in plants, fruits, and spices help the body combat disease as well as help the body maintain optimal functioning of the body’s systems, such as the digestive, immune, and nervous system. Garlic, for instance, is a well-known antibiotic that helps the body fight disease and lower blood pressure. Ginger keeps the nervous system strong and turmeric fights inflammation. St. John’s Wort is a well-known treatment for depression.
Overall, though, Westerners are far removed from understanding the deeper healing properties of plants. Indigenous cultures, and shamans in particular, have a very deep understanding of how plants heal humans. Shamanism is a spiritual practice for connecting with the spirit world. There is a thin veil between the world humans inhabit and the spirit world. Shamans connect with the Mother Earth and plant spirits, serving as a conduit for the plant spirits to heal the energetic structure of human beings. For a number of decades, Westerners have been making pilgrimages to the Amazon to reconnect with their spirits and heal from dis-ease, emotional concerns, and psychological issues.
Herbal medicine has been used to treat many physical and psychological conditions for thousands of years. However, our understanding of herbal medicine in Western society is very limited. We understand that the compounds in plants, fruits, and spices help the body combat disease as well as help the body maintain optimal functioning of the body’s systems, such as the digestive, immune, and nervous system. Garlic, for instance, is a well-known antibiotic that helps the body fight disease and lower blood pressure. Ginger keeps the nervous system strong and turmeric fights inflammation. St. John’s Wort is a well-known treatment for depression.
Overall, though, Westerners are far removed from understanding the deeper healing properties of plants. Indigenous cultures, and shamans in particular, have a very deep understanding of how plants heal humans. Shamanism is a spiritual practice for connecting with the spirit world. There is a thin veil between the world humans inhabit and the spirit world. Shamans connect with the Mother Earth and plant spirits, serving as a conduit for the plant spirits to heal the energetic structure of human beings. For a number of decades, Westerners have been making pilgrimages to the Amazon to reconnect with their spirits and heal from dis-ease, emotional concerns, and psychological issues.
