Developing Your Herbal Intuition

Herbal medicine is becoming increasingly popular, and many people are increasingly turning to herbalism as a healthcare supplement, or even a substitute to conventional pharmaceutical medicine. Plants, flowers, and herbs all have unique energetic qualities that make them suitable for various purposes. They are alive and respond to their environment and how they are treated in the same way humans do.

When we think of herbs, we tend to narrowly categorize them according to the medical conditions they can be used for, or what aspect of our health and wellness they can improve. However, like people, herbs are much more complex and multi-faceted, and have many uses and applications, alone or in combination with other herbs.

To obtain the most benefit from any herb, we need to take the time and have patience to truly get to know the herb. When you meet someone for the first time at a social event, would you diminish the other person’s true worth by instantly deciding they have only one useful trait or redeeming quality, and leave it at that? Taking the time to get acquainted with a particular herb is much like getting to know someone in an intimate friendship.

Selecting herbs to work with or draw upon for healing is a highly intuitive process. The appearance, aroma, taste, texture, and energy vibration of the ideal herb for a specific purpose must speak to us mind, body, and soul. They convey a distinct energy signature and frequency of healing that the intuitively aware user will innately know is best to use at that time.

How did the first ancient healers learn of the medicinal benefits of foxglove? Unlikely that it was discovered randomly, through accident or trial and error. It seems reasonable to assume that ancient medicine men or women were somehow able to communicate with the plants or in some other intuitive way read what they might offer us humans ~ Hal Zina Bennett

A fun way to experiment with this is when you go grocery shopping. Next time you’re in the fresh produce section of your local store, pay attention to which items draw your attention most. Fruits and vegetables come from same the earth that our bodies are strongly connected to. The ones we resonate with most at a given time, may be telling us what we need most for our health and well-being.

If the color of a certain veggie stands out, or the smell of a specific fruit overwhelms your senses, you may want to investigate further. For example, if you suddenly feel drawn to parsley, but you do not normally buy it, then pay attention. Parsley is commonly used as a garnish, and even a breath freshener, but it also has many medicinal and magical properties that people often do not know about.

Parsley reduces gastrointestinal bloating, promotes digestion, and has antibacterial properties. It also supports glandular health and the immune system, reduces inflammation, and has anti-aging qualities. It can also be used as an aid in the treatment of urinary tract infection.

Parsley contains vitamin K, which plays a vital role in our blood and bone health. It is also rich in vitamin C and other antioxidants, which help reduce the risk of serious health conditions like diabetes, heart disease, stroke, and cancer. Parsley also contains vitamin A to protect the surface of the eye, as well as two antioxidants that help to prevent age-related macular degeneration.

Our light body or auric energy field recognizes herbs that resonate with the needs of our physical body that will help restore balance to the system. When we begin listening to our body and become acquainted with the innate wisdom of the plant kingdom, we gain access to a magnificent natural resource for health and well-being.

Aside from a healthy lifestyle and daily spiritual practice, the herbs can help us to become more intuitive. They are each produced by a unique alchemy of the five elements: Air, Water, Fire, Earth, and Spirit , and carry within them the creative life force of the Universe.

Out of 40,000+ herbs used worldwide, perhaps only 50 to 60 of them are tonic superherbs. These superherbs should be taken for long periods, because, like all tonics, they are more like food and they build health treasures within and nourish our ‘stress defense shield.’ ~ David Wolfe

A great way to develop your herbal intuition is to intuitively choose one herb to study for a period of one month. Learn as much about the herb from reliable books and reputable online sources. Some good resources include:

• The American Botanical Council’s Clinical Guide to Herbs
• Plant Magic by Christine Buckley
• Intuitive Herbalism by Nathaniel Hughes & Fiona Owen
• The Herbal Apothecary by JJ Pursell
• A Handbook of Native American Herbs by Alma R Hutchens
• Native American Herbalism For Families by Kit Nick Herb
• Alchemy of Herbs by Rosalee de la Forêt

Experiment with your chosen herb in all its possible forms: fresh, dried, chopped, powdered, brewed, infused. Consume it in appropriate forms, such as capsules, pills, powders, tinctures, or as a tea. Apply it to your skin as a gel, lotion, or cream, or infuse it in your bath water.

However, be sure to thoroughly research each herb’s safety guidelines for both internal and external use, and ensure that you are very well-informed regarding the correct dosage, potential side-effects and even possible toxicity if used incorrectly. It is also recommended to consult an integrative healthcare professional for recommendations on how to best use the herb. Always consult your registered healthcare first, before trying any new herbal formulas.

Additionally, find ways to incorporate your chosen herb in your daily spiritual practice for that month. For example, pray or meditate while holding the herb in your hands; or burn it as an incense; or diffuse it as an essential oil in your sacred space.

You may be surprised that the herb you choose to work with has healing benefits that coincide with exactly what you are needing at that time. Getting to know the herbs is a long but rewarding process.