If you feel called to herbalism but don’t know where to begin… you are not alone.
For many people, stepping into the world of herbs can feel overwhelming. There are thousands of plants, countless preparations, and an endless stream of information. It can feel like learning an entirely new language, because in many ways, it is.
But herbalism doesn’t begin with memorization.
It begins with relationship.
In this guide, we’re returning to the foundations exploring how to start working with plants in a way that feels simple, embodied, and deeply meaningful.
Listen to the full podcast here: The Dancing Willow
Why So Many People Feel Called to Herbalism
People find herbalism through many different doorways.
- A love of nature
- A desire to care for themselves or their family
- Frustration with symptom-focused healthcare
- Curiosity about traditional healing practices
- A longing for deeper connection
But underneath all of these motivations is something even more fundamental:
We are seeking relationship.
Relationship with nature.
Relationship with our bodies.
Relationship with meaning, depth, and care.
Herbalism is not just about what plants do.
It’s about how we connect with them, and how they help us reconnect with ourselves.
Knowledge Is Not the Same as Wisdom
We live in a time when information is everywhere. You can look up the “benefits” of any herb in seconds.
But herbalism is not built on information alone.
Plants interact with our physiology. When we taste them, smell them, sit with them, and feel their effects in our bodies, something deeper happens. Experience becomes memory. Relationship becomes understanding.
That is wisdom. And wisdom cannot be downloaded, it must be lived.
Herbalism Is About Relationship, Not Just Remedies
At its core, herbalism is the practice of building meaningful relationships with plants. Not just learning what an herb is “good for”, taking supplements or chasing symptoms.
Herbalism is about forming connection, the same way you would with a friend. Best practices involve listening, observing, spending time together and learning through experience.
When we relate to plants this way, herbalism becomes something profoundly nourishing- emotionally, physically, and spiritually.
Two Ways of Looking at Herbal Healing
Many people first encounter herbalism through a Western framework:
Symptom → matching herb
This approach can be helpful and supportive, especially when relief is needed quickly.
But there is another perspective known as vitalist herbalism, which focuses on supporting the body’s natural intelligence and removing obstacles to healing rather than simply masking symptoms.
Instead of asking: “What herb stops this problem?”
Vitalist herbalism asks: “What is the body trying to do and how can we support it?”
Both approaches have value. Many herbalists work with both offering immediate support while also addressing deeper root causes.
How to Begin Your Herbalism Practice
If you’re new to herbalism, you don’t need to learn everything at once. In fact, depth is far more powerful than breadth.
Here is a simple and meaningful way to begin.
Step 1: Choose One Plant to Get to Know
Start with a trusted beginner herb book written by an experienced herbalist, these are some of our favorites for absolute beginners:
- Medicinal Herbs: A Beginner's Guide, Rosemary Gladstar
- Body into Balance, Maria Noel Groves
- The Herbal Medicine Maker’s Handbook, James Green
- Wild Remedies, Rosalee de la Floret & Emily Han
Notice which plants call your attention, trust that instinct, then choose just one plant to focus on.
Step 2: Spend Time With the Plant
This is where herbalism truly begins.
Prepare it as tea.
Smell it.
Taste it.
Sit quietly with it.
Notice how your body responds.
You might experience:
- Physical sensations (warmth vs coolness, calm vs alertness, physical shifts in your body)
- Emotional shifts
- Images or impressions
- Subtle energetic changes
- Flavor
Your experience matters, even if it differs from what books say.
Step 3: Enter a Receptive State
Connection requires presence.
This might look like:
- Meditation with the plant
- Drawing or journaling
- Drinking tea slowly and attentively
- Walking in nature
- Gentle movement or dance
There is no single right way, only openness and curiosity.
Step 4: Try an “Herb of the Month” Practice
One of the most powerful ways to learn herbalism is sustained relationship.
Choose one plant and work with it for several weeks or a full month:
- Drink it regularly
- Research it
- Journal your experiences
- Create art inspired by it
- Share what you learn with others
Over time, plants become chapters in your life each leaving a unique imprint.
Learn With Others: Plant Circles
Community deepens learning within herbalism.
Gather friends, share tea, sit with a plant together, and compare experiences. Sometimes people describe sensations or impressions that mirror the plant’s known actions, even without prior knowledge.
It’s a powerful reminder of how intuitive our connection to plants truly is.
A Gentle Reframe: You’re Already an Herbalist
Every culture, every lineage, every ancestor, at some point, relied on plants for care and healing.
Working with herbs is not a special skill reserved for a few people. It is a human birthright.
Herbalism can be as simple as:
- Drinking tea
- Growing a plant in your home
- Noticing the scent of flowers on a walk
- Pausing long enough to listen
You don’t need to master everything. You only need to begin.
Start Where You Are
If you’d like deeper guidance, classes, or herbal support, explore offerings from Dancing Willow Herbs and consider sharing your plant experiences with the community.
Your herbal journey is uniquely yours and it begins the moment you slow down and listen.
Links & Resources
For beginner herbalists, who want to dive deeper into energetics, the roots of vitalist herbalism, basic medicine making techniques and great herbs to start out with- take our Introduction to Herbalism class!
Introduction to Herbalism online class: https://dancingwillowherbs.com/collections/classes/products/introduction-to-herbalism-class-january-19th-in-person-virtual?variant=44172610371873