Why Herbal Medicine?
The call for plant medicine is a symbol of humanity returning to its source – Adriana Ayales
Welcome to Earth Women’s first official writing. I am honoured you are here, and what a deeply rooted topic to begin with, one that has been calling to humanity for millennia, and to me since I was a child.
As a young child, I would gather saucepans and mixing spoons to relish in my outdoor kitchen, a gift from my grandma. Feet covered in mud, I explored every facet of her garden, searching for vibrant flowers, rich soils, and leaves with painted veins. After foraging, I would mix my treasures together, creating medicine of the earth. Looking back now, it makes sense that I’ve found my way to the path of natural medicine; something in me has been simmering since birth. A true path of reclamation and union with our earth. It is having deep care for the natural world around us and within us, and with nature comes life, and with life comes human experience.
Herbal medicine, also known as phytomedicine and herbalism, is the practice of using plants and plant extracts to support health, treat illness, and nourish overall well-being. It is the Earth’s gift to all ecosystems of life. It is as ancient as humanity itself, yet as relevant as ever in our modern world. Plants can be our allies in healing the body, mind, and spirit. Every culture, religion, and community has threads of herbal wisdom woven through its story.
Here in Aotearoa, our traditional medicine is Rongoā, a healing Māori practice passed down through iwi (tribes). Across the world, we see similar traditions: Traditional Chinese Medicine, European folk herbalism, South American plant ceremonies, and countless more. These threads weave through the global tapestry of humanity, sacred and whole. Over millennia, this wisdom has been carried forward through elders to the young, shared in story, ceremony, ritual, and experiential learning, all guided by a living relationship with the earth.
All plants carry unique chemistry, nutrition, and energetics. They are deeply coded with potent vibrations that can work on both the body systems and the spirit. Each plant holds specific healing properties that can support certain ailments or conditions.
However, not every plant is safe for consumption, and dosage is incredibly precise and important. When working with plant medicine, it is essential to be guided by a qualified Medical Herbalist who can safeguard your experience or help you learn from someone who holds deep knowledge of plant identification and rooted herbal wisdom. Herbal medicine can be prepared in many forms such as teas, tinctures, balms, poultices, syrups, powders and more.
Even common experiences like stress can be eased with herbal allies. Adaptogens such as red maca, a root vegetable grown in the Andes, can help us adapt to external stressors and restore balance. Herbs like Ashwagandha and Holy Basil have strong clinical evidence for reducing stress and building resilience to modern life. Hormonal balance can be supported by herbs such as Vitex and Rhodiola. For digestion, we might reach for Chamomile, Peppermint, or Ginger. Many of these can be grown in our gardens, alongside fibre-rich vegetables and seasonal fruits.
In today’s world, modern allopathic medicine shines through strongly, often based on analysing symptoms. Herbal medicine, on the other hand, focuses its attention on the root cause of a person’s ailment or imbalance, working to restore harmony through nutrition, lifestyle medicine, herbal remedies, and the unique structure and energetics of the individual. These systems of medicine need not oppose each other. Complementary healthcare allows us to draw from the ancient roots of herbal wisdom while also benefiting from the advancements of modern medicine. There is a place and a need for both. And yet, nature is always calling us home.
The power of growing our food and taking agency over our health has never been more important. Our modern systems often encourage dependence on supermarkets, pharmaceuticals, and conveniences that distance us from the land. To make matters more complex, the wisdom and traditions of herbal medicine are slowly being lost through the generations. Tapping into this art form is a way of connecting with our ancestors, our highest vitality, and a part of ourselves that instinctively understands the earth and her seasons.
Herbalism can root us in self-sufficiency and connection in a society built on reliance and disconnection. It is not about rejecting modern life, but about weaving in ancient medicine used for thousands of years and reconnecting with the source of life itself, our home: Earth. It is an act of self-responsibility and of shaping a world where our children, and our children’s children, can have land to play on, plants to identify, and homegrown food to eat.
This is how we heal, by journeying through the seasons of the land and the seasons of our hearts. If you feel called to explore herbal medicine, The Rising Woman might be a nurturing place to begin. This nourishing blend weaves together mineral-rich cacao; red maca for hormonal balance and vitality; brain and immune-supporting mushrooms such as lion’s mane and chaga; heart-opening rose; and warming Ceylon cinnamon to balance blood sugar.
Devoted to women’s natural rhythms, this blend works gently over time, helping you soften into yourself upon rising, ground your sacred energy, and support your healing.
Go well in love and health, Ila.