Herbs have long been celebrated and for good reason. Humans have been using herbs and various medicinal plants for thousands of years. In fact, a deep knowledge of herbs is reflected in nearly every culture on the planet. Even as far back as the Sumerians and Egyptians, and later the Greeks and Romans, herbs were an important part of society. Not only were they used in culinary applications, but they were relied upon as curative medicine.

Most of us are familiar with herbs like basil, oregano, thyme, and sage. Yet, these herbs are just the veritable tip of the iceberg. The botanical world offers a wide and far-reaching range of herbal wonders. Today we’ll explore what the study of herbology has to offer.

What is Herbology

To put it simply, herbology is plant-based medicine. A more in-depth definition of herbology would state that it is the study and use of plants for their numerous medicinal properties and applications. Herbalists use fresh plants, tinctures, extracts, concentrated oils, infusions, or other means of capturing the essence of naturally occurring organisms to treat illness. These include herbs, spices, vegetables, berries, roots, fungi, and various other botanical sources.

Point of emphasis: an herb is ANY plant with leaves and a non-woody stem, that dies to the root each year, and is thus distinguishable from trees and shrubs.

Some people think of herbology as a folk medicine. In many ways this is true. Herbs have long been used among the common folk due to their prolific availability and effectiveness.

The botanical world is full of powerful nature-made compounds that can be used to treat illness and improve health. Herbology is basically the use of naturally derived plant chemicals to treat a variety of ailments.

These natural compounds, however, cannot be patented for profit because they are naturally occurring and belong to all of humanity. They were not created by men. As a result, pharmaceutical companies have to develop artificial and man-made compounds to mimic the real ones in nature.Not for the sake of the people, but other reasons all together. Many of us in Babylon today are more familiar with synthetic chemicals than we are with natural ones.

Fortunately, this is slowly changing as more and more people are choosing what is natural. As people opt for natural remedies, holistic and herbal medicine will make a comeback.

Traditional Origins of Herbology

The eastern medical tradition often focuses on the use of herbs, tends to be non-invasive, and believes the chemistry and natural processes of the body are able to heal the sick. Both the Chinese and the people of India are known for their herbal prowess and mastery. Below we’ll learn about these two traditions, as well as other important traditions, and how they have impacted modern-day herbology.

Ayurveda

Derived from Sanskrit, the word Ayurveda means “knowledge of life.” Ayurveda, or the traditional medicine of India, relies heavily upon the prevention of disease by leading a balanced lifestyle. This system of medicine holistically looks at diet, activity level, psychological health, and relies heavily upon the administering of natural herbs.

Traditional Chinese Medicine

Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) is ancient and traces its origins to the ‘Pen Ts’ao Ching’, organized by emperor Chi’en Nung. This foundational work is a compendium of knowledge. It includes descriptive entries about the benefits of various animals, fruits, vegetables, herbs, woods, and minerals.

The European Herbal Tradition

During the great age of herbalism, ‘Banckes’s Herbal’ was first produced in 1525, and later the ‘Grete Herball’ in 1526. Both were published in London, England. Nearly a century later, an Englishman named Nicholas Culpeper published a comprehensive work on herbalism called ‘The Complete Herbal.’ Such works made the knowledge of herbalism available to the western world.

The Americas

Native Americans were huge contributors to herbal knowledge, especially in the Americas where new plant species were just being discovered by the rest of the world. American pioneers, especially women, used herbs to provide medicine for their families.

Black and indigenous persons have also heavily contributed to the science of herbology. Harriet Tubman, a distinguished black herbalist, used her vast knowledge to aid slaves on the Underground Railroad. Herbalism provided a way for these oppressed people to gain access to medicine. George Washington Carver was a black agricultural scientist and was a pioneer in crop rotation, fostering soil health, and utilizing herbal knowledge.

How Herbs Can Be Used Today

Herbs can be used culinarily or medicinally in a variety of ways.

Essential Oils

Essential oils (EOs) are a great way to get the full power of herbs and use them medicinally. An EO is a very concentrated botanical extraction. Using a type of distillation, the very essence and healing power of the plant is harvested.

The end result is a shelf-stable oil extract. It can often take large amounts of a plant to gain just a small amount of EO.

EOs are so potent and powerful, they usually need to be diluted in a carrier oil.

Essential Oils can be used topically, diffused aromatically into the air, and in some cases can be taken orally.

EOs are so potent, they are potentially dangerous if not properly used. Always thoroughly research an EO before use and consult with an EO expert before preparing home medicine.

Additionally, it’s always a good idea to test an area on your skin before applying diluted EOs over a large area of your skin. Never apply or ingest essential oils in their NEAT (undiluted) form. Lastly, keep essential oils out of reach from children and pets.

The best essential oil brands on the market are Young Living and Doterra. Many experts would agree that Young Living provides a superior product. This is because they only use organic farming methods, and their oils are food-grade pure.

Raw, Dried, or Cooked

Whether harvesting herbs directly from the garden or from the wild, some benefit us nutritionally while others benefit us medicinally.

In the kitchen, herbs can be added to stews, brewed in teas, dried, and sprinkled on food, or they can be eaten fresh in salads or on sandwiches.

Herbs can also be fermented or infused into other foods with vinegar, salt brine, alcohol, food-grade oil, honey, or maple syrup.

Tinctures and Infusions

Herbs can be administered via powder in capsules, brewed as therapeutic tea, added topically via cosmetic creams, added to bath water, infused in various liquids, or even prepared in soap. Herbal infusions usually utilize alcohol, oil, or honey to make medicinal tinctures and extracts.

A good example of this is an herbal infusion of garlic in honey. A cup of fresh garlic cloves can be placed into a large jar of honey. The jar should be stored in a cool and dark place. As the garlic ferments and the honey is broken down, it makes a delightful cough syrup and immune-boosting remedy that will last for years.

Another example is Mullein ear oil. A blend of herbs and garlic are infused in olive oil to create a tincture. This tincture is excellent for curing stubborn ear infections that even antibiotics can’t seem to cure.

Where Can Herbs Be Found?

Herbs are found and grown in their own native environments. Many though can be transplanted into your backyard or kitchen window garden. Other still can be responsibly wild harvested from local forests and natural habitats.

You can certainly grow a fair share of these, depending on your location.

Here is a guide to 5 Herbs you can grow in Your garden today!

You can often find culinary herbs at your local garden supply store, while rarer and harder-to-find medicinal herbs may have to be purchased online.

There are a variety of specialty growers all over the internet. You can shop fresh bulk herbs with suppliers like Mountain Rose Herbs or buy plants with growers like The Growers Exchange.

Conclusion

Nature is full of wonder and offers us innumerable tonics, cures, and healing botanical blends. The more you use herbs, the more you will come to realize just how powerful and potent they are for maintaining health and curing what ails you.

Be sure to check out some of my other articles where I go into depth about some of the most potent and beneficial herbs available.

Tell us your experiences with using herbs. How have you benefited from them, and do you have any recipes you’d like to share?

Happy Homesteading!