| The focus here is on presenting some general | | | | plants and their physical attributes and properties |
| information about natural health and healing, nutrition, | | | | utilized for healing, foods, flavorings, scents, dyes, and |
| and holistic health alternatives through herbs, roots, and | | | | more with foundations, major influences, and modalities |
| plants. Today, many people around the world are | | | | in and from African, Native American, Chinese, |
| seeking natural health alternatives derived from fresh | | | | Ayurvedic, South and Central American, Western, |
| organic herbs, fruits, vegetables, roots, beans, sprouts, | | | | Native Eskimo, and European cultures and spiritualism. |
| grains, and nutritional supplements in order to promote | | | | Note that modern pharmacology derives many of |
| natural healing, prevent illness, solve everyday health | | | | today's medicines from plants. |
| problems, and make healthier nutritional and dietary | | | | - Herbologist: Herbologists research and study the |
| food choices. Herbal healing and remedies, via the | | | | particular effects of plants, shrubs, herbs, roots, etc. on |
| medicinal properties of certain plants, have been | | | | the human, and in some cases animal, body. This |
| around since the dawn of time with contributions from | | | | includes the study of the sections of plants that are |
| ancient India (Ayurvedic), China (TCM), Native | | | | used, methods of gathering plants, methods and |
| American Indians, Greece, Egypt and Africa (Yorubic | | | | techniques of extraction and preparation of plants, |
| Medicine, i.e., Orisha-based herbal medicine), | | | | shrubs, roots, and herbs. |
| Meso-American Indians, Japanese Herbal Medicine | | | | Some Common Resins & Incense |
| (Kanpo), and Rome as examples. | | | | - Frankincense - Frankincense is sometimes known by |
| In addition, the essential oils and carrier oils of herbs are | | | | its older name olibanum; it hails from the Boswellia |
| used in aromatherapy for their therapeutic, synergistic | | | | sacra plant found in Somalia. It's one of the most |
| properties and characteristics. Herbs are used in the | | | | commonly used resins as an incense and it is burned |
| practice of Naturopathic, Homeopathic, and | | | | for purification, spirituality, and is often associated with |
| Complementary and Alternative Medicine for | | | | the Sun, its energies, and Solar Magick. |
| non-invasive natural healing treatments, cures, and | | | | - Myrrh - Myrrh comes from the Commiphora myrrh |
| remedies. Herbs have metaphysical correspondences, | | | | tree in Africa. Myrrh is frequently blended with |
| associations, and properties along with their many uses | | | | frankincense due to both having similar properties, |
| and benefits in religious and spiritual paths throughout | | | | especially their aroma; in addition, it is used for its |
| history. The United States Pharmacopeia (USP) is a | | | | healing and attraction properties. |
| very informative resource for anyone who is | | | | - Copal - Copal is most often burned for purification |
| interested in learning about the benefits, quality and | | | | including spiritual cleansing and the cleansing of physical |
| safety standards of herbs, herbal and dietary | | | | items and objects. Copal comes from various species |
| supplements, and botanicals. | | | | of the Bursera tree found in Mexico and South |
| Below are some definitions worth considering: | | | | America. |
| - Herbalism: Herbalism is the holistic practice of utilizing | | | | - Dragon's Blood - Dragon's Blood can be burned for |
| plants, herbs, roots, and shrubs for healing with | | | | love, strength, and courage. Needless to say, it does |
| reference to their medicinal properties in a synergistic | | | | not come from dragons but from the Dracaena draco |
| manner (i.e., preparations) for maintaining health and to | | | | tree. Dragon's Blood can be used to add potency to |
| prevent, alleviate, and/or cure disease in relationship | | | | spellwork or ritual practices. |
| with the mind, body, and spirit. | | | | In a future article, herbology and botany and their |
| - Herbology: Herbology, akin to Botany, is the study of | | | | relationship to herbalism will be elaborated upon. |