The Spiritual Side of Herbalism (Whether You Expect It or Not)

Herbalism Beyond the Science: How Observation, Tradition, and Spirituality Shape Our Practice

Tradition and intuition are woven into the fabric of herbalism. In most herbal courses and apprenticeships, students spend a good amount of time simply connecting — with the land, the plants, the cycles of nature. For some, that first introduction to this practice can feel… awkward. It did for me.

The first time I was assigned a sit-spot, I just sat there, looking around, wondering what everyone else was doing. A sit-spot is a meditative practice, similar to a plant-sit. You choose one spot — somewhere you can return to often — and observe. What’s shifting? What are the birds saying? Are there new plants sprouting? Animal tracks? Changes in the wind? How does the land feel today? And how do you feel sitting with it?

I’m a science girl, right? I love research. I love facts. So being told to sit in one spot and… talk to the land? Yeah, I wasn’t convinced. That first time? A total wash. But I kept coming back, determined to “do it right.” And one day, I think I finally did —because the pines and evergreens had a lot to say. And what they said moved me to tears.

So how do I, someone who thrives on evidence-based research, explain this? Well, I don’t have to. (Though someone once told me I was talking to tree demons—that was a trip.) Because the truth is, this side of herbalism isn’t something that needs to be explained. It’s something you feel. The spirituality of herbalism is a deeply personal gnosis — one you can only understand by experiencing it yourself.

While not everyone approaches herbalism through a spiritual lens, there’s something to be said for the way it deepens our connection to plants. You don’t have to believe that herbs have spirits or consciousness to appreciate how tradition, intuition, and experience have shaped herbal medicine. Because like it or not, our ancestors didn’t have PubMed or clinical trials. Their understanding of plants came from deep observation, intuition, and — let’s be honest — a fair amount of questionable trial and error. But you get my point.

I started off writing this piece to encourage the idea that you can be a purely science-based herbalist and completely write off the spiritual side of things — and that would be perfectly fine. But as I sit here, really thinking about it… it’s not that simple.

Would I Be Here Without It?

Would I be where I am in my herbalism journey had I not sat with the plants? No.

Would I be where I am in my herbalism journey if I didn’t watch how the birds housed themselves in a rose bush, protected by her thorns? No.

Would I be where I am in my herbalism journey if I hadn’t gently sat my butt down next to the most beautiful Ginseng plant, and whispered to her that her berries were the brightest red I’d ever seen? NO.

Modern-day science and clinical studies have allowed medical herbalism to flourish. A good portion of these studies confirm what tradition has always told us when it comes to plant medicine.

And as someone who is immersed in academia and the science of it all, I’m here to tell you — the spiritual aspect of herbalism is a necessity.

But What If You’re Not an Animist?

At its core, animism is the belief that everything — plants, rivers, stones, animals — has a spirit or consciousness. It’s one of the oldest ways humans have related to the world. Some herbalists fully embrace this; they talk to plants, leave offerings, and see their practice as a spiritual relationship with nature.

But what if that’s not you?

Here’s the thing: You don’t have to be an animist to recognize that herbalism has a spiritual side. Even if you approach it from a purely scientific perspective, you’ll start to notice something — patterns, relationships, an undeniable connection between plants and people. The more time you spend with herbs, the more you’ll feel something, even if you don’t have a name for it.

Me, sitting with the plants, drawing the plants.

The Doctrine of Signatures: A Pattern in Nature?

One of the most fascinating (and sometimes controversial) concepts in herbalism is the Doctrine of Signatures — a theory that suggests a plant’s appearance gives clues about its medicinal use. This idea was popularized in the Renaissance by Paracelsus, a physician and alchemist, though it has roots in much older traditions.

The idea is simple: a plant’s color, shape, or texture might hint at what it’s good for. Coincidence? A clever mnemonic? Or is nature leaving us signs? I’ve gone back and forth on this one myself.

Some examples:

• Lungwort (Pulmonaria) – Its spotted leaves resemble lung tissue, and traditionally, it was used to support respiratory health.

• Walnut (Juglans regia) – Crack open a walnut, and you’ll find a brain-like structure. Turns out, walnuts are rich in omega-3s, which support cognitive function.

• Eyebright (Euphrasia) – With its tiny, eye-like flowers, this plant has been used in folk medicine for eye health for centuries.

I encourage you to pay attention to patterns like these. Whether you see it as an old way of categorizing plants or a deeper mystery of the natural world, it’s an interesting lens to explore herbalism through.

Small Steps to Cultivating Connection

If you’re curious but hesitant, you don’t have to start by whispering to trees. Instead, try:

• Observation. Pick a plant (even a common one like dandelion or mint) and spend time just watching it — how it grows, how it responds to the weather, what insects visit it.

• Sensory Connection. When you make a cup of tea, take a moment to really smell, taste, and experience the herb. How does it make you feel?

• Gratitude. Before using an herb, simply acknowledge where it came from — whether that’s a garden, a forest, or a store shelf.

These small steps don’t require belief in spirits or plant consciousness, but they do encourage a deeper awareness of the natural world — one that herbalism has always been rooted in.

Because whether we like it or not, the spiritual side of herbalism has always been there. And sometimes, if you sit still long enough, you’ll feel it too.

Photo by Omkar Jadhav on Unsplash

If you made it this far — thank you for reading. I hope this piece gave you something to think about, whether you fully embrace the spiritual side of herbalism or you’re just beginning to notice the subtle ways plants connect with us.

If you enjoyed it, I’d love to hear from you — what was the first time you had a spiritual or deeply personal experience with a plant? Drop a comment below, share this with a friend, or give it a like. Your support helps this space grow, and I’m grateful to have you here. 🌿✨

With love,

Agy