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What is bioregional herbalism?

Bioregional herbalism is a way of practicing that prioritizes nurturing a relationship of reciprocity with the land & medicine around us. It is the oldest way of practicing herbalism as people would sustainably gather plant medicine growing abundantly around them and naturally take care of the land in exchange. It was a symbiotic relationship. They knew that by giving back to the land and taking care of her, the medicine it offered was even more potent and sacred.

The bioregional herbalist will prioritize using herbs that are abundant, wildcrafted and grown locally over ones coming from overseas. In our modern days, we have access to herbs from all around the world which is wonderful but also raises the questions of ethics & sustainability. As the demand for herbs and interest in herbalism grows, so does the strain on the plant population.

When we prioritize nurturing our connection to the land and carefully evaluate how much it can give, the bond between plants & the people is more intimate which naturally makes it more sustainable. Bioregional herbalism is a way of reconnecting with our roots and the relationship our ancestors had with the land & its medicine.

What is a medical herbalist?

A medical herbalist, also called a clinical herbalist, is someone who practices Western Herbal Medicine (Phytotherapy) & has been trained clinically with over 500 hours of clinical hours working with patients. Medical herbalism combines herbal medicine’s traditional knowledge with scientific-based knowledge.

As part of our training, we study Western Science in depth in order to better understand the more science and research-based side of herbalism & the human body. We spend over 800 hours studying Biochemistry, Phytochemistry, Pharmacology, Anatomy & Physiology, Pathophysiology and Western diagnosis.

We complement the scientific studies with traditional knowledge of herbal medicine by studying over 200 different herbs & how they interact with our body. We get to know them intimately by studying their traditional use, their constituents, their medicinal actions & use, their therapeutic dosage and their energetics.

As medical herbalists, our approach is holistic as we believe everything is interconnected & that we can only treat our patients in their wholeness. When working with patients, we assess their medical history, family history, underlying conditions, onset of symptoms, emotional state, body constitution & energetics.

We make sure to consider every element before choosing which herbs would be best suited to help support their health.

What is herbal medicine?

Herbal medicine is far from being a new modality. It is the oldest form of medicine known to humankind. Working alongside herbs to enhance our health is a dynamic process involving traditional knowledge, science, connection, & willingness to see what cannot be seen by the naked eye.

Plant medicine already plays an important role in our modern health system, as over 40% of prescribed drugs in North America are derived from plants. The difference with herbal medicine is that we use the whole herb instead of isolating specific compounds. Whole herbs contain constituents & phytochemicals which interact in synergism with our system, helping our body become more resilient.

Not only do herbs help prevent disease & alleviate symptoms, they also strengthen the overall vitality of our body. They work with our different organ systems and work alongside our body’s natural mechanisms to enhance & nourish its functions.

Nowadays, the practice of herbal medicine is considered a complementary and alternative modality, but we have simply forgotten that herbalism is the mother of medicine.