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One of the questions that herbalist and Supernatural founder Rachel Robinette gets all the time is, “Where do I start with herbalism?” If you're interested in the therapeutic and medicinal uses of plants, this episode of Plant Based is a great place to start. As any good herbalist will tell you, a cup of tea or a tincture won't solve everything. Herbalism is a comprehensive, holistic practice that is not about treating symptoms, but about treating the whole person and the root causes of symptoms.
“Using nature as a therapy for life is not new; it is global and historic,” says Robinette. “We have evolved with plants forever. There are 30,000 medicinal plants that we know of today around the world. [and] We discover approximately 2,000+ plant species each year. These are plants that can be used for food, medicine, or both. ” Yes, there are many categories of plants.
Here, Robinette shares five plants that she considers to be the most common and most useful. You can read the version of “Cliff's Notes” below, but be sure to press play on the video for more details.
1. Adaptogens
“I've produced a number of plant-based episodes about adaptogens, so I highly recommend checking these out for more information on this category of herbs,” says Robinette. She explains that adaptogens can help you recover from stress in a gentler, more effective way, making you more resilient to stress over time.
Examples: Ashwagandha, Rhodiola, Reishi
2. Astringent
Essentially, astringents are toning plants, the most well-known of which is probably witch hazel. “These are things that are used as topical or internal treatments for the digestive system,” Robinette says. Astringents also help strengthen the skin barrier and protect moisture balance.
Examples: witch hazel, rose petals, green tea.
3. Aromatic
Robinette explains that these plants are incredibly beneficial for a variety of reasons. “[Aromatics] “It's a plant that's useful in so many ways, so it's a great plant to have in a beginner's medicine cabinet or first tea collection,” she says. Think improved digestion, energy levels, relief from cramps and discomfort, muscle relaxation, and more.
Examples: mint, lavender, holy basil
4. Bitters
“I love this category. I believe very strongly in this category and I truly believe this category has a great future,” Robinette says. She explains that the most common use for bitters is before meals to aid digestion. Bitter foods help digest and absorb nutrients more effectively.
Examples: arugula, orange peel, gentian
5.Nerves
“Nervine is also a favorite of mine,” Robinette says. “These are herbs that love our nervous system. And these are plants that tend to work faster than adaptogens.”
This is one of the main reasons Robinette likes tension. She explains that while adaptogens are great foundation builders, they need to be used over a long period of time. If you need immediate support, your nerves will kick in. “The great thing about nerves is that some of them are plants you use during the day, others you use at night for sleep, or for deep relaxation if you're feeling really anxious and need to calm down. So there are a lot of different plants,” explains Robinette.
Examples: lavender, lemon balm, California poppy
Herbology essentials for beginners
“Remember to start by knowing the cause of your symptoms. If you don't have symptoms, focus and explore herbs in that category,” says Robinette. As with anything, she strongly recommends starting slowly, consulting your health care professional if you're on any medications, and of course stopping if you notice any side effects.
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