Matching an herb to an ailment? Here's a better way to go.

Just a comment about using a certain herb for a certain ailment. I know that's how 90% of people using herbs look at it: that you match an herb to an ailment. So if that's right, how come when one person takes an herb for a certain problem its fixes it? Then another person decides, hey, that worked for them, I have the same ailment, I'll take that herb. For them, it doesn't work. So now the person either decides that herbs don't work, or that herb herbs doesn't work.

What is missing here is the 3rd element in herbalism, which is the main focus of my herbal course. You have to take into account a person's energetics or constitution.

Lets say a person takes Cottonwood tincture & it relieves their aches & pains. Cottonwood is suited to those who have tense muscles & nerves, dry crackly joints, and who are 'cold' constitutionally. So for those people it will help relieve their pain.

For people who are overheated & have a lot of moisture in their bodies, it is not the herb of choice.

The other aspect I address in my herb course is the ROOT CAUSE. In the above example of pain again. Its fine to take an herb to relieve your pain. But WHY do you have pain in the first place? Is it acidity in the body from poor food choices? If so, taking an herb to relieve the pain is only addressing the symptoms, you need to address the root cause & look at your nutrition.

So, when choosing herbs, (and our food) we need to look at more than just matching an herb & ailment. When you find the right herb, you often just need to use a couple drops of the tincture (so your tinctures last waaaay longer than if you are taking a dropperful several times a day). And when you address the underlying cause such as nutrition you are going to have long last results.