Being a herbalist is not simply about collecting information and memorising lists of which herb to use for which problem. That may be a good starting point, but it often remains on the surface. When knowledge is based solely on memorisation, we can easily forget it, confuse things or apply it without a deeper understanding. Plants, however, are much more than information. They are living beings that teach us through connection, experience and observation.
There is a way of learning that goes much deeper. When you begin observing plants in nature, tasting them and getting to know them throughout the seasons, knowledge starts to take root in a different way. Not just in your mind, but in your body. In your senses. This is when a herbalist begins to work not simply from memorised lists, but from genuine understanding.
Taste as a Direct Connection to the Plant
Taste is one of the most immediate ways to experience the nature of an herb. When we taste a plant, we begin to discover its characteristic properties. Bitter flavours are traditionally associated with digestion and stimulation, astringent flavours create a tightening sensation, sweet flavours are associated with nourishment and softness, while aromatic and pungent flavours bring a sense of movement and warmth.
Over time, you begin to notice that taste is not simply pleasant or unpleasant. It carries information. As a herbalist develops this sensitivity, taste itself becomes a valuable clue to understanding the traditional properties of a plant.
Habitat as a Key to Understanding
Plants grow where they find the conditions that suit their nature. And these conditions can tell us a great deal about them.
For example, plants that thrive in exposed, windy places can evoke the qualities of air and movement. In traditional herbal thinking, these qualities are sometimes associated with movement within the body, including sensations such as bloating or stagnation. Summer savory is a lovely example, with its aromatic character traditionally associated with digestive comfort and a feeling of lightness.
Plants growing in rich, humus-filled soil often have access to abundant minerals and nutrients. Plants such as nettle and wild garlic, with their vigorous growth and vibrant green colour, remind us of nourishment, vitality and renewal.
Plants growing in intensely sunny, dry environments develop a different character. The sun shapes them, while their structure and natural compounds help them adapt to heat and limited moisture. Thyme is a wonderful example of an aromatic plant that thrives in these conditions and has a long tradition of use in herbal preparations.
When a herbalist begins observing a plant's natural habitat, another dimension of understanding opens up. The environment becomes part of the story of the plant.
Plant Colours and Their Connection to the Body
The colours of plants are not simply beautiful. In traditional herbal philosophies, they are sometimes associated with different areas and qualities of the human body. We can also explore these connections through the concept of energy centres known as chakras.
Yellow flowers, for example, are often associated with the abdominal area and the solar plexus. Plants such as dandelion, with their bright yellow flowers, invite us to explore these traditional connections with digestion and the body's internal processes.
White flowers can symbolise calmness and purification. Plants such as valerian, white bedstraw and marshmallow have different traditional uses, including relaxation and the care of mucous membranes. Their delicate appearance can inspire us to explore these gentler qualities.
Purple, on the other hand, is often associated with deeper processes and transformation. Plants such as milk thistle, with their striking purple flowers, have a long history of use in traditional herbal practices.
When you begin looking at plants through their colours, you start noticing connections you may never have seen before. It is almost as though nature speaks a language that you are slowly learning to understand.
The Shape of a Plant as a Signature of Its Nature
The shape of a plant can also offer fascinating clues for observation. One of the best-known examples is the walnut, whose kernel resembles the human brain. In traditional herbal philosophy, such similarities have long inspired associations between the appearance of plants and their possible uses.
We can observe similar patterns in medicinal herbs. Wild teasel, for example, collects rainwater in the cups formed by its leaves. This remarkable feature invites us to reflect on the plant's relationship with water and, in traditional herbal thinking, its symbolic connection with fluids and movement within the body.
Japanese knotweed is exceptionally resilient. It grows persistently and vigorously, sometimes almost uncontrollably. Its strength, determination and ability to thrive in challenging conditions are all part of its character. These qualities also make it a fascinating plant to explore from the perspective of traditional herbal philosophy.
When a herbalist observes the shape of a plant, patterns begin to emerge. Whether we understand them as symbolic associations or as starting points for further investigation, they encourage us to look more closely and ask deeper questions.
The Herbalist as Someone Who Sees the Connections
When you bring together taste, habitat, colour and shape, a more complete picture begins to emerge. Instead of looking at plants as separate pieces of information, a herbalist starts to understand them as a whole.
This kind of knowledge takes time. It does not develop overnight. But it grows deep roots and stays with you.
And the most beautiful part is that it never stops growing.
That is why I keep returning to nature.
Not because I am searching for answers.
But because I know they are already waiting for me there.
If this way of learning resonates with you, I invite you to join us at our herbal workshops and courses, where we explore these deeper connections through observation, direct experience and a genuine relationship with plants.