Herbalism –A Holistic Approach
Most modern Western herbalists would say they practice holistically. We hear the term all the time but what does it really mean? First of all, holistic medicine recognizes that it takes more than a pill or cream to improve a person’s sense of wellness.
Traditional Medicine Models
Holistic approaches to wellness look at the entire person and sees physical health as only one aspect of what creates meaningful health. Traditional medicine models are similar in that they take the entire person and their experiences into consideration. They review a person’s mental, emotional, physical, social and spiritual state (which includes morality and ethics) in order to determine what the person needs to come back into balance. A main goal is to get a person to a point where they function productively in all of areas of life so they can reach their full potential.
Native American Medicine is a Prime Example
Native American traditional medicine uses what’s called a medicine wheel representing the four aspects of self and of the life cycle. Their definition of medicine encompasses so much more than what makes the body feel better. They believe medicine can include an idea that gives someone a new, more constructive and compassionate perspective on a problem. Medicine is anything that gives you courage, calms you or teaches you something you didn’t know before. Anything that feeds your mind, body and spirit to bring you back into balance is considered medicine.
How Herbalism Fits
Herbalism, as a form of holistic practice, attempts to empower the individual by treating them as an equal and fully participating partner in the work it takes to get results. A thorough intake (or evaluation) is done usually lasting an hour or more. Personal questions are asked about the person’s past; emotional state; body functions and their regularity; a detailed description of current illnesses and what they feel like; past or present traumatic events; diet; family and family medical history; sleeping patterns and their historical medical conditions.
Everything a person does or experiences contributes to or contaminates the whole. Therefore, separating a person’s illness from everything else disregards a crucial part of the puzzle to help a person regain and maintain wellness.
Click here to read the whole blog post over on HerbalNorth.ca…
Bev McLeish
Chartered Herbalist
Herbal North
