Introduction

There are many signs that reflect where you are on the continuum from disease to optimum health. Almost all diseases result from an imbalance in one or more of the key body processes or systems. On the other hand, if you’re firing at 100 per cent in all these processes, your body’s spontaneous healing system will also be firing at 100 per cent, and it’s very unlikely that you’ll get sick.

The holistic model used by the Family Herbalist and Green Healer views prevention as the vanguard of health and focuses on the body’s own capacity to heal and repair itself. The treatment modalities most valued in holistic natural healing are therefore those that can promote the “good”, assist the body in maintaining balance, and enhance its own healing mechanisms. 

The green healer is blessed with a well rounded and extensive apothecary (materia medica) consisting of five main modalities that extends way beyond the modern notion of organic drug therapy.

In this module, we will introduce you to the five main therapeutic modalities used by family herbalists in designing protocols to deal with diseases in a holistic natural way.

Don’t read too much in the order we present them in. Contrary to popular belief, in the hands of a skilled family herbalist, herbs will often be the last modality employed. And it will seldom if ever, be the only modality used.

In this module, we give you a brief introduction to each. In the Herbal Therapeutics courses, you’ll learn how to incorporate them into actionable therapeutic protocols.

Detoxification is as ancient as herbology itself and an important modality in a large number of treatment protocols.

Herbal Tonics to support the body systems and processes involved, and Herbal Remedies to provoke a natural healing response.

Healing Diets packed with high-vitality foods to boost the body’s healing response; and excludes foods, drinks and patterns of eating that hinders the body’s healing system or directly impacts it.

Exercise and physical activities designed to stimulate the circulatory and lymph systems and to generate vitality.

Mind/Spiritual activities that will alleviate stress and generate mental clarity and emotional balance.

Let’s get started…