MariposaBotanicals

Reposting because it’s so true.

{{ Herbs are NOT the cure! }}

The paradigm that we have set up for health and healing is somewhat flawed.

In our industrialised approach to health, fuelled by a capitalist culture that does not allow space for slow-healing - we expect our herbs to work the same way as pharmaceuticals.

But here is the secret to herbal medicine: It requires your participation.

Now, let’s be clear. This is DEFINITELY not a New-Age ‘you are the medicine’ rant. To place the onus on the individual is not appropriate in every case.

We do however, need to begin to tell a different story. Because the dominant narrative is that the herb is THE CURE. This is an unfortunate side effect of the commercialisation and modernisation of herbal and naturopathic medicine. As it strays from its roots, the art that is herbal medicine has been silently co-opted by the values of mainstream medicine.

This is dangerous because herbal medicine risks becoming a form of ‘green allopathy’ - simply substituting plants for pharmaceuticals, yet operating by the same principles.

Withania alone will not cure your adrenal fatigue. It can support you whilst you re-assess your relationship to success, self-worth and stillness.

Nor will Garlic cure your chronic candida, unless you ALSO look at your relationship to sugar, and figure out another way to supplement ‘sweetness’ in your life.

This is the magic of the plant path. By asking us to meet them half-way, herbs are teaching us how to resource ourselves. The best kind of teacher is one that teaches you how not to need them anymore.

This paradigm is Medicine with a capital ‘M’, because we transform in the process.

The next time you think your herbs are "not working", perhaps ask whether you are relating to them in a way that you are expecting them to do ALL the heavy lifting.

The last thing any of us want to do is change. Yet this is exactly what the plants ask us to do, if we use them correctly - as allies, rather than as proxies for pharmaceuticals.

For this is what true health is – change. A willingness to shed your old skin, so that the new can emerge.

❤️🌿