Herbalism as a Mosiac
why there is no one-size-fits-all herb
I originally planned for this article to be a deep dive into the lymphatic system—breaking down the body's detoxification processes and exploring herbal support. A lot was on the menu. But, as life would have it, my Master’s coursework decided to tap me on the shoulder (or, more accurately, slam me into a wall).
To be fair, the real culprit was my online classroom locking me out on my desktop, meaning I couldn’t even see my assignments until this morning. And guess what? Everything is due tomorrow—a practical lab, a draft of the results section for my thesis, and a proctored essay exam. Cool, cool, cool.
So, instead of giving you a half-baked article, I’m shifting gears. Let’s talk about something that doesn’t get discussed nearly enough in herbalism: the relationship we build with plants.
If you’ve ever asked an herbalist, “What herb is good for X?” and gotten the answer, “It depends…”—there’s a reason for that. Herbalism isn’t a plug-and-play system where you match a symptom to an herb like a prescription drug. It’s an ongoing conversation, a relationship.
I first came across this perspective through Katja at Commonwealth Herbs. Their Community Herbalist Course was actually the first one I ever purchased (though, full disclosure, I haven’t finished it… yet). It opened my eyes—and my heart—to just how different herbal medicine is from conventional medicine.
The One-Way Road vs. The Open Landscape
Conventional medicine is often structured like a one-way road: you have a condition, there’s a protocol for treating it, and the focus is usually on symptom management. It’s linear, direct, and efficient—but it doesn’t always address the deeper issue.
Herbalism, on the other hand, is more like an open landscape. There isn’t just one road to healing; there are multiple pathways, and the right one depends on you—your constitution, your lifestyle, the root cause of your imbalance. It’s about treating the bad seed before cutting down the rotten branches.
This is why herbal consultations aren’t quick five-minute exchanges. We don’t just match herbs to symptoms the way a medication is matched to a diagnosis. Instead, we step back and ask:
Why is this happening?
What’s underneath this imbalance?
What does this person actually need—not just symptomatically, but holistically?
Someone with insomnia might be struggling with high cortisol levels, while another person’s sleeplessness stems from liver stagnation, and yet another from nervous exhaustion. Three different root causes—three entirely different herbal approaches.
Herbalism is a Relationship, Not a Prescription
This is also why herbalism isn’t just about what a plant does, but about who the plant is—and how we interact with it.
Have you ever asked a plant for permission before working with it?
Pause for a second. How does that feel—to ask for consent from something we’ve been conditioned to see as a resource rather than a living, offering being?
That simple act of asking shifts something within you. It deepens your connection, expands your awareness, and—over time—you start to hear the plant in a way that’s not just intellectual but intuitive. You start to feel its energy, sense its wisdom.
Plants, in many ways, are mirrors. They reflect back to us parts of ourselves—sometimes the very parts we’ve been avoiding. The plants we feel most drawn to are often the ones that challenge us, heal us, or hold wisdom we need.
And that’s where things start to shift. Because when you approach herbalism from this perspective, the question isn’t just “What’s this herb good for?”—it’s “How do I build a relationship with this plant? What does it have to teach me? How does it work within the larger context of my body, my constitution, my needs?”
And this idea of relationship-building doesn’t just apply to how we connect with plants—it also applies to how we choose the right plant for the right person.
So… What’s the Best Herb for Sleep? Well… It Depends.
And this brings me to the other topic I want to discuss.
Why is it that when you ask an herbalist, “Hey Herbie, what plant is good for sleep?” they always just say, “Well, it depends.”
I get it—sometimes that response is frustrating. You’re tired. You just want something that works. But here’s why it’s not that simple.
A budding herbalist, eager to help, might jump in with a quick answer: “Use Valerian!”
And sure—Valerian might help. It stinks, but it works. But let’s dig a little deeper.
What if you can’t sleep because your mind starts racing like NASCAR the moment your head hits the pillow?
What if you can’t sleep because you never actually feel tired?
What if you fall asleep just fine but wake up in the middle of the night and can’t drift back off?
Would Valerian work for all of these? Maybe. But is there a better-suited plant for each situation? Absolutely.
This is what I want to stress to those aspiring to be herbalists: plants aren’t a one-size-fits-all, cookie-cutter prescription pill. And just to be clear—there’s absolutely nothing wrong with prescriptions. If you need them, take them! But herbalism offers something different:
Instead of a single road, we get a blank canvas—and an entire palette of paints to create a truly personalized, unique approach to healing.
Plants allow us to tailor a recommendation—not just based on symptoms, but on what the plant offers and what the person actually needs in that moment.
For example:
Can’t sleep because of a racing mind? I’d look to Passionflower or Lemon Balm—both excellent for calming mental overactivity.
Not actually feeling tired at bedtime? Valerian might be the move. Maybe even add in some Reishi to help regulate the nervous system.
Waking up in the middle of the night and struggling to fall back asleep? Chamomile, Milky Oats, or even Catnip could be the perfect partners.
Do you see what I’m getting at?
In conventional medicine, all three of these people would likely get the same sleep medication.
In herbalism, we recognize that each case is different.
The Beauty of Herbalism
Herbalism gives us something extraordinary—the ability to truly work with the plants and with the person.
It’s not about finding the “right” herb for a symptom. It’s about understanding the human, understanding the plant, and forming a partnership between the two.
That’s why you’ll always hear herbalists say, “It depends.” Not because we don’t have an answer—but because herbalism isn’t about quick fixes. It’s about curiosity, exploration, and the ever-evolving dialogue between plant and person.
Because healing isn’t a formula—it’s a relationship.
And that, my friends, is the beauty of this work.
Until next time, stay curious, stay wild, and keep learning. 🌿✨
Like, comment & restack if this article resonated with you!
I appreciate your flexibility, and I promise the deep dive into the lymphatic system and detoxification will be in your inbox on Tuesday—so stay tuned!
See you then
-Agy
I absolutely adore how you’ve worded this. It drives up the wall when someone just wants the quick answer or to “test” you.
I’d like to add it’s also important to know if someone is taking medication, as herbs can do interact with medications.
I personally like to start with diet, movement, and lifestyle before adding in herbs. Herbs are amazing but getting to the root often involves looking at over elements first for me.
Good luck on your coursework!
I love this piece, ands absolutely. For those that were only taught prescriptive western medicinal practices, this is a mindset shift! One that embraces the individual as a while instead of just an isolated symptom