Nurture Yourself and Your Family Through Herbalism and Aromatherapy
In the not-so-distant past, having an herbalist in every family was commonplace. Yet, over time, a shift occurred, propagating the belief that ordinary individuals were incapable of self-care while gradually diminishing herbalism into obscurity. This shift, potentially perpetuated by greed and corruption brewing in the burgeoning medical and pharmaceutical industry, sought to undermine the accessibility of herbalism and marginalize its practitioners.
Reflection
But let us pause for a moment and reflect: does this belief truly sound correct? Daily, we make decisions that shape our well-being and that of our loved ones, demonstrating a remarkable ability to care for ourselves. From the foods we choose to nourish our bodies to the activities we engage in for physical wellness, we demonstrate a remarkable ability to care for ourselves. In moments of doubt or uncertainty, it is important to remember the profound depth of knowledge and intuition that resides within us.
Reclaim Authority
It is time to reclaim our authority over our bodies and health decisions. While healthcare providers play a pivotal role, they should not be the sole gatekeepers of our well-being. Our bodies are temples of God, and we should actively engage in practices aligning with our beliefs.
1 Corinthians 6:19-20 Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your bodies. |
Genesis 1:26-31 Then God said, “Let us make man in our image, after our likeness. And let them have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the heavens and over the livestock and over all the earth and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth.” So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them. And God blessed them. And God said to them, “Be fruitful and multiply and fill the earth and subdue it, and have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the heavens and over every living thing that moves on the earth.” And God said, “Behold, I have given you every plant yielding seed that is on the face of all the earth, and every tree with seed in its fruit. You shall have them for food. And to every beast of the earth and to every bird of the heavens and to everything that creeps on the earth, everything that has the breath of life, I have given every green plant for food.” And it was so. And God saw everything that he had made, and behold, it was very good. And there was evening and there was morning, the sixth day. |
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Through herbalism and aromatherapy, we can access the healing properties of the very plants that we are stewarding; resources graciously entrusted to us. These practices are not exclusive to experts, but rather are remedies of the people, by the people, for the people. These practices are available to all of us and empower each of us to reclaim authority over our health by tapping into the abundant resources the good Lord provides. Each plant has a unique array of therapeutic benefits, from soothing lavender to invigorating peppermint. As stewards of our well-being, as well as stewards of the world, we honor the Lord.
Modern Medicine
While I am a huge advocate for natural remedies, it is essential to clarify that I am not negating the value or use of modern medicine. Modern medicine undoubtedly has its place and can be incredibly beneficial when used appropriately. Healthcare providers bear an important responsibility in prescribing medications judiciously, ensuring that prescriptions are employed at the right time, for an appropriate duration, and in the correct way. I am placing the proper prescribing responsibilities on the providers, including both prescribers and pharmacists. I expect that all healthcare providers prioritize the well-being of each and every patient above all else. This means prescribing medications only when necessary and making efforts to explore non-drug interventions whenever possible. Unfortunately, in today's healthcare landscape, there is an epidemic of overprescribing and a concerning reluctance to de-prescribe medications even when they may no longer be needed.
The unfortunate result of modern medicine's overreach, is the erosion of our confidence in our own ability to care for ourselves and our families, and thus relinquish our authority over our bodies to a system driven more by profit than genuine care. We should reject the notion that we are incapable of understanding and addressing our own health needs and not place blind faith in pharmaceutical solutions. Instead, let us reclaim self-care through accessible natural holistic means of herbalism and aromatherapy. Through educating ourselves, we are empowered to make informed choices that prioritize our well-being and that of our loved ones.
De-Prescribing
Now here is where I tread lightly. I am a huge advocate for de-prescribing, but this in no way at all means that I want anyone to simply quit their prescription medications cold turkey. No! If you are interested in reducing your pill burden, please work with your prescriber, pharmacist, and preferably an herbalist/aromatherapist to find the safest path to do so. De-prescribing can be a quick and easy process, but unfortunately, more often than not, removing medications can be a slow and cumbersome process.
Power Through Education
I understand that this change can be daunting, as most of us start at ground zero with the dream of being fully knowledgeable by the end of the week. You absolutely can learn herbalism and/or aromatherapy, not by the end of the week, but you will find that by learning and practicing what you have learned, you will grow in your knowledge and abilities. I am here to help you. One step at a time, one day at a time, one plant at a time: you've got this!
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