Herbal Traditions and Vibrant Health

In the Wise Herbal Traditions where I have immersed much of my energy over the past 17 years, has led me home to my roots. As a child I remember walking in the woods of my summer home in Jasper, Alberta where the flora and the fauna are lush and plentiful. I would spend hours exploring the forest floor until i was covered in everything earthy.

So, it was with no surprise when I transitioned from Interior design to health at the age of 40, and began studying Holistic Healthcare where I rediscovered my love for native plants and Herbalism. After a yearlong intensive with Peter Laker, a British trained herbalist, and a diploma in Traditional Chinese Medicine, I studied with local herbalists and Susun Weed, an American pioneer of herbalism who became the voice of Wise Herbal Traditions and the people’s medicine in the 70’s. 

 The Wise Traditions of healing dates back to the paleolithic era, and later to the Benedictine monks and the women of the village who tended beautiful herbal gardens, from the 11th century onward. Rosemary, thyme, myrtle,-medicinal plants were grown to make beverages, foods and medicines.

It was not until the 19th century that herbs were collected and studied in the labs for drug production that led to the beginning of the Second Tradition, that of the Heroic Tradition. The third tradition emerged as a natural consequence of the evidence based science, the Scientific tradition which is most commonly accepted today. 

Susun Weed shared while in talking circle one evening, that she has had three great ideas to contribute to the ongoing fostering and education of the Wise Herbal Traditions.

The first is to drink nourishing herbal infusions (brimming with minerals) on a daily basis to sustain good health and longevity. The second is that of the teaching of The Three Traditions, which helps us to understand the origins of herbal medicine and how the origins of Traditional Wise Herbal Medicine is the people’s medicine.

The Seven Rivers of Healing is the third idea and is meant as a guide  during times of crisis-when your deepest values have become distorted or unclear due to chaos and or illness. The seven rivers of healing are for those who are courageous, willing and ready to take full responsibility for your health, to learn the language of the Wise Herbal Traditions for healing on all levels of your mind, body and being. The Wise  Herbal Traditions fosters sustainable, resilient and vibrant health! Book an appointment with Dharani today to find out how.