What is Vitalist Herbalism?

At its heart, vitalism is about living in accordance with nature.  At  its core, vitalism is a lens and paradigm you choose to see the world. This perspective is built on the belief that there is an intrinsic intelligence and interconnection  with  the natural world.

Vitalist is ultimately holistic herbalism. The root of the word “holistic” is “whole.” Thus to practice vitalist herbalism, to be truly holistic, it is essential to look at the whole person, and use the wholeness of the plant. Not to focus in isolation on the symptom and think of a plant only in terms of its chemicals.

Herbal traditions from around the world are rooted in the vitalist approach to healing. There is traditional Chinese medicine, Ayurveda, Greek medicine, homeopathy, physiomedicalism, and eclecticism.  

The wisdom inherent in the natural world offers insights into the workings of your body, mind, and overall well-being. Similarly,  it unveils  information to you about how plants function and heal.The wisdom inherent in the natural world offers insights into the workings of your body, mind, and overall well-being. This fundamental tenet enriches and deepens your understanding of how the body and medicinal plants work together in a symbiotic relationship. 

Key principles of vitalist herbalism

Holistic Approach: Vitalist herbalists consider the whole person – physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual aspects – when assessing health and creating herbal formulas.

Supporting Vitality: The goal is to support the body's innate ability to heal itself and maintain balance, rather than simply suppressing symptoms.

Individualized Care: Vitalist herbalists tailor their herbal recommendations to each individual's unique constitution, health history, and current state of imbalance/balance.

Using Whole Herbs: Vitalist herbalists  prefer using whole herbs rather than isolated constituents or standardized extracts, as they believe that the synergistic interactions within the whole plant offer more comprehensive healing effects.

Emphasis on Prevention: Vitalist herbalism places a strong emphasis on preventative care and lifestyle factors that support overall health and vitality.

Connection to Nature: Vitalist herbalists often emphasize the importance of connecting with nature and understanding the ecological context of herbal medicine.

Empowerment: Vitalist herbalists aim to empower individuals to take an active role in their own health and well-being by educating them about herbal remedies and self-care practices.

Vitalist herbalism seeks to promote wellness by supporting the body's innate ability to heal itself and by fostering a deeper connection with nature and one's own body.