i don't understand

[dreamseeds]

I cannot beleive how much this has come by me this past year. And when my heart gets heavy with it, I have to say something.

I am very concerned about what is happening in the herbal world with some that have mentored us through books, classes, etc.

So many herbalist want regulation and I don't understand why the love of plants has become lost in the fame?
It just seems to me that most of us sought out plants because it was true and wonderful and not so sterile and cold like the medical world.
I am not knocking medicine, just saying.

Why would anyone want to make herbalism the same cold and regulated system?

So many times this year, I would talk to people that went to a conference only for info to go over their heads, or to be treated like a low level person by others because they did not have a name others recognized.
what is interesting, is that one of these people who came back from a conference just shattered, is one of the busiest herbalists in her city.

I hate to be so negative.

So we do not all agree on everything in our work, nor are we all called to the same purpose or passion, but it felt at one time like there was a community amongst herbalists.

I am so sad when I hear reports of things that are shifting in a huge way amongst our love of herbalism.

And I am quite concerned about regulation. The community helpers will be lost to the bigger system of things.

Would we even be allowed to make our own plant medicine without worrying about consequences?

I ran into an herbalist this week that wants regulation so she can justify her education.

Maybe I am too sensitive, but it hurts in a way I cannot describe.
_________________
~Kristena~
http://www.dreamseedsorganics.com
Dreamseeds Organics Blog

[Ygraine]

You raise many important questions, Kristena. I don't think there are any easy answers. I know that I am torn in many different directions on this issue and things are different here in the UK from the US.

I can only answer for myself. I am self taught and I don't do formal consultations and I don't charge, although if people want to give donations, that's fine. If people want formal consultations, I will refer them to a list of qualified herbalists and usually I will recommend someone I know if there are herbalists in that area I have talked to.

Someone was asking on the Herb Society forum recently about setting up as a community herbalist and charging for advice. What it came down to really was the insurance factor. If they did not train and qualify as an approved herbalist, it might well be difficult for them to obtain adequate insurance. No-one wants people to be "fleeced" or harmed by someone who knows little, understands less and charges a lot of money to people who can't afford it and the "medicines" given can be either snake oil or dangerous.

Punters/patients, too, can be wary of talking to someone who doesn't charge or have a reputation or may want a herb for a symptom rather than talking about changes to lifestyle and nutritian. I've had two experiences which may illustrate this point. One was a guy who rang to enquire about healing. He had lost the hearing in one ear and wanted me to guarentee that healing from me would definitely bring his hearing back. I said I couldn't give any guarentee because it was against my code of practice, so he refused to see me and said he would go to a healer who charged around £80 a session who would guarentee to make a difference to his hearing.

At the end of a busy workshop last weekend, in the mayhem of everyone leaving a guy asked me what herbs he should take for the psoriosis on his legs. I said he must look at his diet, his stress levels and maybe think about clover. He smiled wryly as if the two former issues were outside of his control. That wasn't a consultation, but it was a feeler. I know I need to do more research on psoriosis because I'm being exposed to more cases. Maybe if I understand it more, I can make more helpful suggestions to people so they can help themselves. I can't do it for them, I want them to do it for themselves when they are ready to do so.

The more regulation there is, in some ways it does remove the herbal knowledge from the people, but I don't think the people will actually let that happen. There is far more interest in herbs now than there was 20 years ago and just as many people are looking for ways to grow their own foods, they are also considering growing their own medicine. The medical profession are desperate for ways to remove the worried well from their practices to try and reduce the costs to the overall budget. Public health departments are also looking to improve the health of the most deprived communities and they know that it will be done through nutritian and exercise and lifestyle rather than pills.

There are so many pros and cons and I have rambled. So, apologies if I have made no sense whatsoever:)
_________________
Tales of a Kitchen Herbwife http://kitchenherbwife.blogspot.com/

[Henriette]

Try LARGE doses of vitamin D for psoriasis.

And one or the other salve, with liver herbs, for preference.
_________________
http://www.henriettesherbal.com - Henriette, herbalist, Helsinki

[dreamseeds]

The whole thing about herbalist causing harm has been a huge discussion.

Yet again, how many doctors did not cure something, but did the best they could. I know of plenty of people that go to several doctors with some crazy things and cannot get help.

So my argument, is that we are still dealing with people that aren't walking perfection, but doing the best they can in both systems.

I guess the thing that makes me most sad, is that many who did learn herbalism themselves by reading, some by schooling, want it regulated, as if their foundations have been totally forgotten.

Do we change out attitude, once we know so much? Is this what happens?

These are my musings out loud-not directed at anyone-I often do this when my emotions are shaking a bit.

If this regulation happens, which I am pretty sure some US politicians do support, then people like us here, as well as many others, are squashed by laws. We will either be forced to get degrees, or work underground.

I am all for degrees and all if a person chooses that, but not everyone who is gifted or drawn to learn or practice herbs, can go to school for degrees due to finances, family, etc...

And often it is these difficult situations, that even catches peoples attention about herbs.

Henriette, do they have regulation where you live and how does that work for or against you?
Obviously you still do your work, but is there caution or things you have to be careful of (if it is regulated there)
_________________
~Kristena~
http://www.dreamseedsorganics.com
Dreamseeds Organics Blog

[dreamseeds]

Ygraine, is it regulated where you are? I just rememebered you are in England.

I dont know much about there, except it seems like there are some stricter rules there.
_________________
~Kristena~
http://www.dreamseedsorganics.com
Dreamseeds Organics Blog

[shamana flora]

If it goes that way, I'm going underground. I die before I gave up plant medicine, and I'd do it for free rather than not.... I dont know that much about the issue, but that it will affect weather or not I can sell my plant medicines, among other things, but I'll serve the plants as long as I am alive, giving it away, teaching, or what have you.
I'm sorry about your friend. Important to remember that people are people and organizations are still orgs, and there is always '[politics" in such groups. I dont know anyway around it. I dont know why people I work with( in alternative healing settings) still respect a naturopath who knows next to nothing about the herbs (in a really deep way) and takes her family to a naturopath and won't ask for my help in any shape or form, just for the damn paper? the one says they are legal? As if my lifetime of learning doesn't hold a candle to a four year degree from an ND school....when i can tell her the same thing ( but i can't order a vit d test...i guess that must be a disqualifier -Snigger).
foolishness i tell you!

HUGS!
_________________
Medicine woman in the heart of the Sonoran Desert

Blue Turtle Botanicals
http://www.blueturtlebotanicals.com
http://desertmedicinewoman.blogspot.com/

[Bear_Medicine]

I'm with Darcey here.... and even if they (the powers that be, as it were) offered to grandfather in practicing herbalists with "adequate" training to certification, I'd turn them down flat. It's the same reason I'm not a member of the American Herbalist's Guild (though I appreciate the sentiments of said organization), it's the principle of staying grass roots and accessible. No letters after my name, thank you very much.

I understand the concern for quality control and to keep people from being harmed, I really do... and yet, if we standardize herbal education we eliminate a great many important and very knowledgeable traditional healers from a variety of backgrounds. I mean, do you really think they would have certified Tommie Bass, or an old New Mexico curandero or Apache healing woman? Hell no, certification means systematized information and protocol. Do your intakes, consultations, files, medicine making and everything else just the way you're told or be blacklisted. Ask your local grassroots midwife how much she likes this system...

I think it comes down to personal responsibility, and the fact that the civilized world doesn't have much. Let's just ask the government to think for us in yet another way (yeah, I'm a little anti-authoritarian, I don't believe in gun control either). And some people feel like they're better practitioners for the fact that they've been approved and validated by an outside entity. Personally, I think the community the herbalist serves should be the ones who decide whether or not the skills of the healer are good and desirable. And we don't need any certification for that.

I like what is said in the essay "This Is Anarcho-Herbalism" by Laurel Luddite (to be found on Michael Moore's site, the whole thing is worth reading):

[jim mcdonald]

what they said.
_________________
jim mcdonald
~herbalist~
www.herbcraft.org

[Angieg]

maybe I am just in the mood to bitch and rant, but can I just add that certification would mean a universal test. Who picks the 'right' way to practice herbalism and what should go into that test to get licensed?
I am also a LMT, when I was licensed I also had to take a national test - I am also dyslexic so I get nervous being put on the spot with these things (you never know if my brain will decide to flip the multiple choice computer questions around)
So it was the first snow storm of the year and I had to drive all the way from the mountain to portland (an hour away in snow) because under no circumstances could you miss this test or reschedule or you would not be licensed (this was after working hands on in clinic with 100's of people, but everything rode on this test) it is BS!
Everyone that took it said WTF was that??? Since it was national, some of the things were not what we covered at my East West school...
I know massage is not the same as herbal medicine, but I imagine the process would be similar.

Anyway, it is also about money - and not everyone can afford the education (I am still paying for mine and will be for quite some time) And they expect you to take continuing ed for tons more money every year- hey I love taking classes but for 300 a pop? I actually had to put my license on hold so I can save up enough to pay for that continuing ed since I have taken so much time off from massage to stay at home with the kids.

So what about us creative types that practice herbs our own way? Or those that are more hands on herbalists rather than being good at memorizing facts to take a test? Too bad, you would be forced to learn the herbal style they choose, and pass that test to get your certification.

So ya, what everyone else said too
_________________
Angie Goodloe LMT, Herbalist
http://herbalistpath.blogspot.com/

[dreamseeds]

Well if you feel something rumbling...even exploding, it is not yellowstone, just me.

Goodness, after reading Rosalee's informative blog post on the regulations I have been at unease about the whole issue of regu-freakin-lation.
I want to write about it on my blog and most likely will, but I want to do it without sounding to freaky or angry.

Seriously, between reading that this week, and some other persecution locally of just we are allowed to do and not do, has caused me to be so super aware and sensitive.

(By the way, anything I say, Rosalee, has nothing to do with you-the article was great and so are you)

At this point, things have gone forward for regulation apparantly and unless this can go back and be undone, well...we are stuck with it for now I guess.

What probably upsets me the most is the hand that some of our mentors probably had in the change.

http://littlebirdherbs.com/churpblog/?p=17

And I knew this was going to happen, because it seemed that as herbalists climbed the health ladder, wrote more books, and specialized, that the roots from where they came from would long be forgotten. IT was becoming super apparant. I termed it ego herbalism because things evolved from the humble simple earth loving herbalist to something way far away from this.

Those, like our herbal grandmother, Rosemary Gladstar, brought this back to us...to the people... so that we all could have access to plant help.

Who thinks the government is going to save us from anything? Have the govt save us from herbs, now?
If an herbalist is crappy, she/he will not have business, just like a doctor, massage therapist, or beautician for crying out loud.

At this moment, I sit in my apt awaiting an inspection today, apparantly they want to be sure I am not breaking any laws in here. Thanks to my herb friend Dragon Lady who does not want to see my work cease, she has me covered under her umbrella of a certified kitchen in town.
But, in June, will that end? For both of us? For all of us?

A part of me thinks we are all smart enough that we will make our way.
But will we need to behave like drug dealers...always on the low down, hoping someone does not tell.

And there is no way in hell the pharma companies are going to care about places like where I live to obtain the plants that nature grows here.
i live in the land of osha, lomatium and many other at risk or to watch plants. I send love to the earth whenever I am out, and I am having such a hard time realizing that the powers that be are allowing bigger companies to come harvest without care, while those of us that truly love and protect the land like a mother bear, are forced out.
And that some of our herbal pioneers supported that?

Forgive me for being so emotional right now-I can be a sensitive soul. But at this moment, through tears, I feel like I failed somewhere. I dont understand laws well and how to be a good activist, and my lack of involvement in this matter I greatly regret.
To myself and to you all. Not that I would have made a difference, just that I did not fight for our rights in this area.
And that I recently bought a book from an author that wanted herbs to be claimed as medicine instead of the dietary supplement it is (or was in the FDA's regulations)
I feel like tearing up that damn book.
_________________
~Kristena~
http://www.dreamseedsorganics.com
Dreamseeds Organics Blog

[jim mcdonald]

It's that damned duke of allopathy...
_________________
jim mcdonald
~herbalist~
www.herbcraft.org

[mint]

Kiva,

Thanks for posting that section from "This Is Anarcho-Herbalism" by Laurel Luddite. Amazing words!
_________________
Jacqueline Ryan
http://greenfeatherherbs.blogspot.com/

[dreamseeds]

means I need to fly a little lower under the radar, then so be it.

Grass roots do often grow under (the) ground, you know.

I like this SO MUCH, Kiva.

And Angie, you are going a great work. I love reading your stuff and seeing all that you are doing. It is awesome!
_________________
~Kristena~
http://www.dreamseedsorganics.com
Dreamseeds Organics Blog

[Fairybekk]

I agree with you Kiva, about the government taking more and more responsibility for us. It's frustrating because the more responsibility they take off our hands, the less people want, and the more we will be faced with people who want to see qualifications, and then want to be fixed with a simple pill.

I have a close friend who teaches yoga out in Palm Springs-- she teaches her students to listen to their own bodies, and to be their own teacher and the people who want to have their hands held leave, and those who like it stay, and over the years her classes have grown and grown and she's spreading her own message in the way she can. One of her students became a pilates teacher 8 years ago, and is spreading the same kind of thing-- she has an army of her students who all listen to their bodies and are, quite frankly, a danger to the institution of teachers who want to insert themselves permanently into peoples' lives without creating any kind of autonomy, but more than that, they're now a danger to society and the govt because they know how to think for themselves. It's wonderfully refreshing to go to either of these classrooms and see what goes on there.

Which brings me to this point:
The world is already yang enough. But people are desperate for some yin in their lives. People don't know HOW to go inside themselves and listen, but once they have a taste of it, for the most part, they don't want to go back. For those of us who feel strongly about practicing in a grass-roots way, we can do what we can while not rising to meet 'them' head-on. I always found it amusing that die-hard feminists (though I appreciate their hard work) fight in such a masculine way, because there is another way. Like a river flowing around the rocks instead of trying to plough through them.

There will always be people who try to squish the wild side of things.

But weeds always grow back.

[jim mcdonald]