herbal energetics: the secret to powerful natural medicine
Contrary to popular belief, Herbalism is more than just knowing which herbs do what. So much more.
Of course Herbalism is knowing which plants can soothe a sore throat or calm an upset stomach, which herbs respond better to glycerin or alcohol solutions, and how to properly infuse the correct oil. But there is something at its core that you don’t hear much about, and that the concept of herbal energetics, a system of understanding plants and the human body as the dynamic forces of energy that they, and we, are.
Rooted (haha) in traditional systems like Ayurveda, Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), and Western herbalism, herbal energetics allows an Herbalist to tailor their remedies to an individual’s unique needs, depending heavily on their symptoms and natural manner of existing.
Are they sweaty by nature? Do they have dry skin? How red is their tongue? Do they have a lot of fluid buildup, or struggle with drainage? These are all vital questions that play important roles within the framework of energetics.
In this blog post, we’ll explore the foundational principles of herbal energetics, breaking down the six core energetics (heating, cooling, moistening, drying, tensing, and laxing) and how they can guide your approach to holistic healing.
This is by NO means an exhaustive informative, and I highly encourage you to educate yourself further on this if you have questions or plan to practice herbalism yourself. I have recommended three books to help with this – one of which I have a review on.
- The first is Herbal Energetics by Kat Maier. This book breaks it alllll down, and is a fantastic introduction to energetics. Something you can go back and reread over and over. I recommend it for most people.
- The second is The Modern Herbal Dispensary by Thomas Easley and Steven Horne. This is one of my favorite herbalism books, and provides the energetic properties of the herbs contained within its pages. If you want to begin practicing energetics in your day to day, this is a good place to start, so you can reference which herbs do what while you’re concocting your bubbling brews.
- Finally, The Energetics of Western Herbs Vols. 1, 4th Edition by Peter Holmes. I almost didn’t add this one, since it doesn’t really have a place amongst beginner libraries or those who don’t plan on venturing very far into energetics. However, I am not a gatekeeper, and this book is a fantastic compendium of 220 herbal remedies for more advanced or clinical herbalists.
the basics of herbal energetics
The lens of herbal energetics views both the human body and herbs as having specific qualities that directly influence health and treatment. By identifying imbalances in the body (e.g., too much heat, dryness, or tension), herbalists select plants with complementary energetics to restore that balance. That is why, for example, using a moistening herb on someone who suffers from too much moisture or is presenting with an illness that has to do with moisture, is not going to be nearly as effective at treating that ailment as a drying herb would be, even if their medicinal benefits are similar.
Think of it as the body’s internal weather: Are you feeling too hot, like a blazing summer day? Too cold, like a deep winter chill? Too dry, like a desert, or too damp, like a rainy swamp?
Each of these conditions has a corresponding remedy in the plant world, and illness presents the same way.
One more example here, one I heard when I was learning energetics: Someone has high blood pressure. If that is caused by dampness, retaining too much water that is causing a pressure increase, then a drying or a diuretic herb is going to be best. If tension, anxiety, or high stress are the culprits, a relaxing herb will go much further for them.
the six core energetics
1. Heating Herbs
Heating herbs stimulate circulation, boost metabolism, and increase energy. They’re ideal for conditions associated with cold, sluggishness, or stagnation, like poor digestion, fatigue, or chills. Some herbs that fall along these lines are Ginger, Cayenne, or Cinnamon.
2. Cooling Herbs
Cooling herbs reduce inflammation, calm heat in the body, and soothe irritation. These are perfect for hot conditions like fevers, rashes, or excess energy. Some excellent cooling herbs you could probably guess are Peppermint, Hibiscus, and Cucumber.
3. Moistening Herbs
Moistening herbs hydrate tissues, soothe dryness, and restore lubrication to the body. They’re especially helpful for dry skin, dry mucous membranes, or internal dryness. Marshmallow Root is my preferred option, but Slippery Elm and Licorice Root are just as good.
4. Drying Herbs
Drying herbs reduce excess moisture or dampness, which can manifest as mucus, swelling, or a feeling of heaviness. They are often astringent in nature, so they dry it right on up. The most widely known astringent is likely Yarrow, with Sage and Rosemary close behind.
5. Tensing Herbs (Astringents)
Tensing herbs tone tissues, reduce laxity, and strengthen weak areas. They’re particularly effective for loose stools, bleeding, or excessive sweating. There is crossover for herbs as well, as this would be a good place to point out. For example, Yarrow, from the above example, is also a powerful astringent, making it excellent for blood stoppage. Other examples are Green Tea, Cranberry, or Blackberry Leaf. That’s why grandma drinks cranberry juice.
6. Laxing Herbs (Relaxants)
Laxing herbs relax tension in tissues or muscles, calming the nervous system or relieving physical tightness. They’re ideal for stress, cramps, or insomnia. Chamomile is a potent laxing herb, so is Valerian and Lemon Balm. Stick those three in a tea and you’ll sleep for 10 hours straight.
how to use herbal energetics in practice
- Identify the Imbalance: Assess you or your patient/friend/mom’s current state. Is it hot, or cold? Dry or damp? Tense or lax? Reflect on the physical and emotional symptoms, drawing lines between which energetics they are expressing.
- Choose Complementary Herbs: Select herbs with the opposite energetics to balance your body, because that is what herbalism is all about: balance. For example, if you feel overheated, reach for cooling herbs like peppermint or hibiscus. Keep in mind other symptoms when doing this as well.
- Experiment and Observe: Herbal energetics, unfortunately, isn’t a one-size-fits-all system. Everyone’s body reacts differently, so start small, observe, and adjust as needed. Herbalism is NOT going to be a pharmaceutically fast fix – in Eastern Medicine, our Western drugs are often considered fast and effective for dangerous disease, but damaging to the body.
- Combine Energetics: Sometimes, a blend of energetics is needed. For example, a hot, dry condition might benefit from cooling and moistening herbs. Experiment in small amounts, safely, and ensure allergies aren’t present.
why herbal energetics matters
Herbal energetics allows us to move beyond treating symptoms and guesswork, and toward addressing the root causes of imbalance. Herbalism is not a band aid solution like ibuprofen or Tylenol, and if you treat it as such, you will be disappointed. It takes a shift of thinking, a new frame of mind. Look past what you see, and start paying attention to how you feel in combination.
By understanding the body’s unique energetics and matching them with the appropriate herbs, we cultivate a deeper relationship with ourselves and the plant world, too! Holistic approached tend to do that. For me, I know it makes me feel empowered: I am the steward of my health, the self-possessed woman, deeply attuned to nature, working alongside it and my own body, instead of against it. You likely use energetics without realizing it – cool water on a hot summer day, drinking honey and tea for a sore throat.
Are you ready to explore herbal energetics in your life? Start by observing yourself. Start with education. Start with a book.
