User:The Home Herbalist

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According to the Oxford dictionary, a herbalist is one sklled in herbs or a dealer in herbs, however, in our present time the word herbalist most commonly describes someone who is a qualified practitioner of herbal medicine. An example of this is the terms medical herbalist, professional herbalist, and master herbalist. In more recent times the term, home herbalist, has been used to describe someone who is not qualified to practice as a professionbal herbalist but has the skills to practice herbalism in the home.

Years ago it was common practice for the housewife to treat her family for common ailments using remedies she made from herbs such as tinctures, ointments, salves, poultices, and so on. She was taught the skills of home herbalism by her mother who was taught by her mother and for those who weren't fortunate enough to be taught those skills there was always the village wise woman to call on.

Today there are many practising professional herbalists that are available to provide professional treatment for those seeking alternative medicine. While these professionals are becoming more popular the resurgence of home herbalism is also becoming popular because many common ailments can be treated in the home without the need of professional advice. It is necessary, however, that the home herbalist has a good knowledge of the medicinal herbs she is using and it is always best to be cautious and seek professional advice whenever there is any doubt as to the conditon being treated and/or the herb being used.

There is no such word as herbalism, according to English dictionaries, yet it is a word commonly used to describe what a herbalist does such as the study of herbs and their medicinal uses as well as growing, harvesting, collecting, making herbal medicines and remedies, selling, and dispensing herbs, especially those that have medicinal properties.

Home herbalism is considered a craft and the resurgence of the practice today means it will probably become just as important and necessary as it was in our great grandmothers' day.

--The Home Herbalist 06:04, 9 May 2007 (UTC)