Curious About Herbalism? Here's How You Can Harness The Power Of Plants

Well-being isn't just about healthy eating or hitting the gym. It's about making choices that better our health in greater harmony with the planet. But over the last 200 years, we have become increasingly disconnected from nature.

"This has led to mistreatment of the planet along with physical, mental, and emotional challenges in humans," Taryn Forrelli, naturopathic doctor and chief science officer at Traditional Medicinals®, told mindbodygreen. But luckily, there is a shift happening: People are finally turning back to the ancient plant wisdom passed down from our ancestors.

According to Forrelli, ancient plant wisdom is a body of knowledge that includes "the ways of using plants medicinally as well as methods of identifying, sustainably wild-harvesting, and preparing them in ways that ensure their quality and optimize their benefits." 

The idea that food is medicine is nothing new. But "food" doesn't just refer to fruits and veggies. "Everything we put into our bodies is information for our cells, systems, and microbiome," Forrelli explained. "Exposure to a variety of phytonutrients—the bioactive compounds produced by plants—contributes to greater microbiome diversity, ultimately enhancing overall wellness, but most people's diets are severely lacking in diversity."

Not only does 50% of the world's daily caloric intake1 come from cereal grain consumption (i.e., rice, wheat, corn), but also the fruits and veggies available at the grocery store are not as phytonutrient-dense as the wild, edible plants our ancestors ate. "Consumption of medicinal plants, commonly referred to more simply as herbs, can help increase our exposure to a diverse range of plant chemistries, supporting our vitality, immune health, and resilience to stress," Forrelli noted. 

"Herbs like lemon balm, ashwagandha, and others can soothe the nervous system when used regularly as part of a self-care routine. Others can be used for more acute needs such as ginger or peppermint for supporting digestion or valerian and passionflower to encourage sleep, or senna in our Smooth Move® products (our No. 1 product to help you go No. 2)."*

In order to effectively harness the power of plants, quality is key. That's one way Traditional Medicinals stands out in the industry.

The brand seeks out high-quality certified organic plants (including organic, wild-collected plants) to ensure sustainable growing and sourcing practices that promote soil health, biodiversity, and protect the environment—excluding synthetic fertilizers, pesticides, and other pollutants. And while quality standards vary across herbs—whether it's high essential oil content, the right amount of bitterness, or a minimum level of an active compound—Traditional Medicinals meets them all. 

Implementing herbs into our daily routine is an amazing way to connect to the source—but it's a two-way street. That means taking care of Mother Earth just as she takes care of us.

We live in an age when it's more important than ever to seek out brands that rely on sustainable practices such as ethical wild harvesting, organic farming, and monitoring climate impact while reducing greenhouse gas emissions. "This conscientious approach reinforces a connection to the planet by promoting environmental stewardship and harmonious coexistence with nature," explained Forrelli.

If you're looking to dip your toes into the world of herbalism, Forrelli recommends checking out Traditional Medicinals' Plant Power Journal and Herb Library on their website. "These informational platforms provide a wealth of educational content, including articles, guides, tips on herbalism, and a glossary of top herbs used as plant medicine," she told us.

This serves as a great starting point, but Forrelli also suggests relying on the senses and tuning into how specific herbs make you feel when consuming them. "This helps build our intuitive knowledge of how different herbs impact our bodies."