Allow me to introduce myself ...

Hi! I’m Ginny and welcome to the Erb Blurb. I have so much that I can’t wait to share, and I am honoured that you are here with me, reading along. I started Erb Apothecary as a way to express a passion for natural medicine and I’m pumped to see how it blossoms. I am enrolled in the Herbal Medicine program with Wild Rose College tapping into a long-forgotten love of chemistry, nature, and helping people.

I could (and probably will) nanner on for days about the program and what I’m learning, but I thought I would kick things off with some level setting: my philosophy on plant versus traditional medicine. I know how polarizing this can be, and I wanted us to get off on the right foot. In short: I think both are needed, welcomed, and complimentary.

Ok. Go on.

I think of plant medicine the same way I do an acupuncturist, or a nutritionist: another member on your personal Board of Directors, helping you feel your best. Do I think you still need an MD for a broken bone? Heck to the yes. Do I think penicillin is needed for extreme infection? Don’t even be silly. Yes! But do I also think that someone under stress or suffering from hormonal imbalance could benefit from extremely effective herbal treatments? Absolutely. Do I have a cure for cancer? My god, I wish I did. But I do know of several case studies where herbal treatments help support someone who is undergoing extreme cancer treatments. (Hi, Cannabis.)

Let me take you up for a 10,000-foot view on the subject. First off, there are thousands of species of plants, some that have been around for centuries upon centuries. And MANY have been used medicinally for even longer. In fact, archeologists and anthropologist have never found a society, no matter how ancient or seemingly primitive, that did not use plants in healing ways.

We tend to think of things done in a medical Centre as scientific, whereas something done with herbs as magic. But the methodology is actually very similar. Many herbs used in healing have been shown to have active pharmaceutical actions with biochemical rationale. Let’s use bearberry leaves as an example. This plant contains a chemical called arbutin. When taken internally, arbutin will undergo hydrolysis and change to hydroquinone betaglycoside and act as local antibiotic with anti-inflammatory properties. Interesting when you consider a mild headache and aren’t sure your liver needs any more Advil at the moment.

My point here isn’t to take you through Plant Chemistry 101. It’s to help eradicate miss conceived notions that degrade plant medicine to “witchcraft” (as if witchcraft were bad or something) or “an unproven science.”

So buckle the fuck up and let’s broaden our awareness, shall we?!

Buckled. So, what does Erb do?

Our goal is to get to the root cause of your health symptoms and help you feel your best. Outside of that, we’re here to open your eyes to a world of incredible magic and reclaim an herbalist’s seat at the proverbial table.

Much to share. Much to discuss. Much to explore. Together.

Until next time, you’re all amazing and I love you and please eat your vegetables.

GB