According to the World Health Organization (WHO), herbalism is the use of crude plant material such as leaves, flowers, fruit, seed, stems, wood, bark, roots, rhizomes or other plant parts, which may be entire, fragmented or powdered. The term herbalism refers to the long historical use of these medicines to support the healing function of the body. Because of the long tradition of using botanicals to promote health, the use of herbs is well established and widely acknowledged to be safe and effective.

Excerpted from her forthcoming book, The Geography of Health: Southern and Appalachian Folk Medicine.

“When the leaves start a falling, the snakes start a crawling.”
                                                                   Local saying

We parked the truck on top of Billy Ridge at the crack of dawn to go ginseng hunting (“senging”) down the mountainside. The early cool of the October air was crisp and clean as we zig-zagged our way down the mountain, cutting a path through the brush and along the ravines. Granddaddy Light carried a walking stick cut from a young sapling to help ease his old bones through the woods and to fend off any snakes. His hands shook with palsy and his steps were slow so we moved at a leisurely pace to accommodate his affliction. Daddy carried the seng hoe and a burlap sack. The seng hoe had a pick on one side and a hoe blade on the other and could be used to dig deep into the dirt to lift out a root.

Excerpted from her forthcoming book, The Geography of Health: Southern and Appalachian Folk Medicine.

Plants have always been my companions, both in the woods and the fields. For as long as I can remember, they have kept me company, shaded me from the hot sun and supported my health. As a child, passionflower (maypops) could keep me occupied for hours during cotton-picking time. If I got hungry I ate its fruit. I cut the vine to tie things with. I ate the leaves for stomach aches. I decorated my hair with the flowers. I did just about everything a child could do with a plant.

Herbal teas are one of our oldest forms of both beverages and medicines. Since the dawn of time, humans have been using herbal teas as food and medicine to help support body processes, enhance immunity and build good health. In addition, they support the healthy functioning of organ systems.

Are you one of the millions of Americans who currently take one or more dietary supplements and are also on prescription medication? In today’s world, the likelihood of taking both dietary supplements and drugs are quite high: studies show that about 50% of Americans use a complementary therapy like foods, herbs or vitamins and minerals. And that may underestimate the reality. Many folks are not very forthcoming about their supplement use when talking with healthcare providers. Consequently, the actual numbers of those who take both supplements and their prescription medications are still unknown.