Every person is more than simply the sum of their parts. We are complex beings, requiring not only physical health but also spiritual, emotional, psychological, nutritional and on and on. To only focus on one aspect is to forget the human experience–to forget the humanity.

Holism in every sense focuses on the entire person–entirely. Not only is it necessary to exercise regularly and eat a healthy diet, it is also important to maintain balanced relationships, to have an appropriate level of emotional attachment and reaction, to understand one’s own beliefs and perhaps have a connection to something besides oneself. All of these things integrate to assist in the process of being healthy and maintaining well being–perhaps once again finding equilibrium if we have lost it.

Integrative herbalism includes all of the aforementioned qualities as well as many more. Herbalism is generally described as either “Western,” or “Eastern,” or perhaps “Indigenous.” Integrating the many modalities allows one herb to have multiple dimensions to work with. One important component in understanding an herb would be the chemical constituents and another would be the energetic/vitalistic properties: both are equally as important and are  integral actions/qualities of the herb necessary to assist the body.

Herbalism is also very nutritive in nature and includes a focus on the vitamins and minerals available in each herb. Food is one of the first lines of defense for a person and herbs are simply an extension.

Rather than dissecting the human body and attempting to go against our natural, physiological response, herbs work symbiotically in a synergistic manner with the biological processes. Human beings and animals have been utilizing herbs since the beginning of their co-existence: it just makes sense to continue with that knowledge.

Integrative, simply put, is not exclusive but rather, inclusive. It is not an attempt at turning one’s back on allopathic medicine altogether; there is a reason people live as long as they do in the West. The most important component of integrative healing is the empowerment one receives in the knowledge that the body can heal itself, and natural methods can assist this. It is also empowering to know and understand that there are many choices and approaches to well-being and that remedies such as antibiotics do not have to be the first line of defense: but they certainly can be if one so chooses.

Any information contained in this website is not intended as medical advice nor to diagnose and/or treat any illness.  If you have any concerns about this information, please contact your provider and/or certified Herbalist!

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