Being an Herbalist
Filed Under Herbalist |
Well, it’s been a busy time here in central Texas, what with the beginning of the spring semester at Texas A&M University, where I teach chemistry to 525 students. This entry is about what it is to be an herbalist.
People come to the herbs from two directions: either they love plants/herbs/weeds and then learn how to use them to improve their health. Or, like myself, they were very sick and orthodox medicine disappointed them and they turned to herbs as a last resort, at which time they learned about the plants. If people are lucky, they learned the skills from an elder in their family or a community elder. I learned from a friend.
I am a community herbalist in a smallish, conservative Texas town. A few of us got together to form LinkToWellness.com if only for moral support. I love teaching at TAMU, but I also feel driven to help people and animals with their health with herbs.
There are all kinds of herbalists or herbologists: some take formal schooling, become naturopathic doctors (NDs), others apprentice with well-known herbalists around the country, others learn on their own. I do know that people are drawn to the modality that will work best for them: massage therapy, herbs, flower essences, aromatherapy, iridology, etc.
One place to learn about different schools and resources about herbs is through www.herbnet.com. It is a great resource. As for me, I learned from my friend, Carolyn, and took workshops when I could. I discovered that I can “know” what herbs people and their pets need just by talking to them. Other herbalists have this gift as well; I think that most people have this ability, they just don’t know about it or trust it.
I totally trust the herbs to keep me healthy. My husband lovingly thinks I’m a bit “out there,” but the philosophy works for me. We don’t have children, but I use herbs to keep my dogs, birds (two cockatiels), and even my fish (two silver dollars) healthy.
Wendy
