THE HISTORY OF MEDICINE
Ethnobotanists believe that primitive people observed how animals used plants and then began to experiment with these same plants for food and medicine themselves. As we might imagine, some of these “experiments” went well and others not so well, and over the course of time humans began to accumulate knowledge about plants.
Some early cultures like ancient China and India also developed written languages, and they began documenting their uses of plants, accompanied by drawings of various plant parts (leaves, flowers, roots, etc.) In cultures without written languages, the uses of plants were taught and handed down by village elders and medicine men and women by oral tradition. In these ways, the ancestral knowledge of plants was preserved, expanded upon and passed on through the generations.
The World Health Organization (WHO) refers to the sum total of this accumulated knowledge as Traditional Medicine, which includes the use of traditional herbal medicines. Throughout the world, many people still rely on traditional medicines and many commercial medicinal products are plant based.
OUR VISION FOR HERBAL EDUCATION
At Traditional Medicinals Foundation, our vision with herbal education is to make this knowledge of plant medicine accessible. We believe the connection between humans and plants is vital and fundamental. It is what nourishes us as human beings and what defines us as an organization. We are eager to share it with you!
At Traditional Medicinals Foundation, we are excited to be partnering with an experienced team of herbal professionals to develop an education platform designed for consumers, retailers, health professionals and researchers. Check back soon for more information on our first courses!