The Intimate Herbal

1. Herbalism: An Embodied Practice for Holistic Wellness

Herbalism is the art, science, and embodied practice of medicinal plant-based healing.

Herbalism defined. It's more than just using plants; it's an art, a science, and a deeply personal practice. It involves understanding how herbs can support and enhance health, manage symptoms, and sometimes even reverse disease. Herbalists become experts in plant-based alchemy, matching plants with people on physiological, psychoemotional, and energetic levels.

Proactive approach. Herbalism empowers individuals to take charge of their health and well-being. Growing a garden, foraging for wild edibles, or sourcing high-quality herbs are all ways to engage with this practice. It's about filling your kitchen and pantry with potent remedies inspired by the seasons.

Integrative medicine. Herbalism complements conventional medicine, with increasing numbers of doctors training in herb-drug interactions. Community herbalists play a vital role by planting healing gardens, crafting remedies, and providing consultations, fostering a connection between people, plants, and places.

2. Beyond Herbs: Integrated Strategies for Sexual Health

Integrated herbalism includes restorative practices like nature connection, sexological bodywork, and microdosing and drop-dosing.

Holistic approach. Herbs are most effective when combined with other rituals and tools. Integrated herbalism includes practices like nature connection, sexological bodywork, and microdosing, enhancing the potency and benefits of herbs. Sometimes, what people need isn't herbs, but time off, connection with friends, or a walk in nature.

Everything is medicine. Herbs are medicine, but so is nature, water, air, community, love, time, and sex. Learning, art, rest, travel, kissing, crying, and long walks all have therapeutic potential. It's about recognizing the medicine that surrounds us always.

Trauma-informed care. Unprocessed trauma from rape, miscarriage, or rejection based on sexual orientation won't be healed by herbs alone. It's crucial to address the root causes of health issues, which may be metabolic, systemic, or environmental, and to remember that pleasure leads the way.

3. Sustainability and Ethical Herbalism

When using herbs to heal, we must view them as allies and companions rather than as our saviors.

Respect for the earth. The sustainability of herbs is a critical concern. Many species are driven to extinction due to overharvesting and habitat loss. It's essential to view herbs as allies and companions, not as saviors.

Connecting with nature. Growing or foraging herbs yourself is a great way to build a stronger relationship with plants. Foraging should be done respectfully and mindfully, with a low footprint. Nature time itself is medicine, reducing stress and promoting well-being.

Ecocentric values. At the root of unsustainable herbalism is an attitude of entitlement. Deep ecology and ecopsychology promote a nature-centered system of values, recognizing the inherent worth of all living beings. Ecosexuality encourages us to view the earth as a lover, inviting us to connect sensually with the natural world.

4. The Intimate Herbal Pharmacy: A Kitchen-Based Approach

Home-based herbalism fills the kitchen and pantry with potent herbal remedies inspired by the seasons.

DIY remedies. Making herbal preparations at home is easy and rewarding. It allows you to tap into the therapeutic powers of herbs and create remedies tailored to your needs. Medicine-making is a lost art, but it offers unparalleled remedy quality, freshness, and potency.

Essential components. Building your herbal pharmacy involves selecting ingredients and extraction methods that suit you. It includes whole dried herbs, herb powders, solvents like alcohol, glycerin, and honey, and oils like olive oil and cacao butter. Essential equipment includes standard kitchen tools.

Types of remedies. The intimate herbal pharmacy includes infusions, decoctions, powders, syrups, herbal wines, baths, oils, salves, liquid extracts, and herbal chocolates. It's about finding inspiration and guidance on how to make these preparations and store them properly.

5. Understanding Sexual and Reproductive Anatomy and Physiology

Sexual and reproductive health is our birthright.

Reclaiming knowledge. Sexual and reproductive health is a birthright, but it's something we must actively protect and reclaim. This involves body literacy and a basic understanding of sexual and reproductive anatomy, physiology, and hormones.

Inclusive language. While gendered language is common in this field, it's important to be inclusive and recognize that anatomy and physiology don't define gender. Health practitioners should strive to serve transgender, genderqueer, and gender-nonbinary clients with sensitivity and respect.

Holistic perspective. Vaginas and penises aren't the only sexual organs; orgasm happens in the brain. All human bodies produce the same steroidal hormones, but in differing quantities. A truly holistic approach targets underlying dysregulation stemming from personal, interpersonal, systemic, and environmental factors.

6. Herbal Allies for Common Intimate Health Conditions

When used preventively, herbs protect and guard against the development of illness or imbalances.

Wide range of conditions. From breast health to erectile dysfunction, herbs can help with a variety of intimate health conditions. These conditions range from short-term and acute to long-term and chronic, and herbs can provide support and relief.

Herbal protocols. Clear guidelines for herbal protocols are essential, including dosage, applications, modes of action, and delivery. These protocols should be tailored to the individual and their specific needs.

Holistic approach. Whether it's breast cysts, breast cancer, or sore nipples, herbs can be used to support health and healing. They can also be used in conjunction with conventional treatments to manage symptoms and improve quality of life.

7. Full-Spectrum Aphrodisiacs: More Than Just Libido Boosters

The herbs in the intimate herbal pharmacy are full-spectrum aphrodisiacs.

Beyond classic aphrodisiacs. Full-spectrum aphrodisiacs include nervine herbs, adaptogen herbs, tonic herbs, nutritive herbs, and hormonal herbs. These herbs benefit the nervous system, hormonal system, and psychoemotional health.

Nervine herbs. These herbs affect the central nervous system, with types including nervine tonics, nervine relaxants, and nervine stimulants. Nervine tonics strengthen and nourish the nervous system, while nervine relaxants help release tension. Nervine stimulants enliven the sympathetic nervous system.

Adaptogen herbs. Adaptogens support homeostasis, normalize body functions, and heighten resistance to stress. They regulate cortisol production, strengthen body systems, and enhance cellular energy transfer. Calming adaptogens include ashwagandha and reishi, while stimulating adaptogens include eleuthero and maca.

8. The Art of Herbal Extractions: Solvents and Ratios

The art of herbal extraction and delivery rests on a few techniques and tools and includes a choice of solvent, extraction process, formula, and intake.

Solvent selection. The solvent, or menstruum, is the substance in which the plant will be extracted and preserved. Common solvents include water, alcohol, oil, honey, and vinegar. The choice depends on the plant, the part used, the bioactive compounds, and the intended use.

Extraction process. Extraction is often done via hot or cold infusion or maceration, taking anywhere from hours to a month. The extraction itself is mostly hands-off once the tools and material have been combined.

Formulas and intake. After extraction, the herbal formula comes into play, along with the final product and its desired intake. This involves deciding whether to turn the decoction into a syrup, the oil into a salve, or blend single tinctures into a custom formula.

9. Troubleshooting Herbal Remedies: Why They Might Not Work

When herbs and herbal protocols fail to deliver the hoped-for results, sometimes it’s not because there’s something wrong with the herb, with the formula, or with the way a person follows the protocol.

Herb quality. The herbs used may be old, expired, or of low quality. The wrong herb part may have been used, or the herb may have been harvested at the wrong time. It's crucial to buy herbs from reputable sources and keep track of expiration dates.

Formula quality. The wrong preparation method may have been used, or the extraction time may have been too short. Herbs with opposing actions may have been used in the same formula. It's important to know your herbs well and formulate with care.

Individual reasons. The person taking the herb may not be taking the right dosage or may be taking the remedies inconsistently. They may not be changing their diet or lifestyle, or they may not actually want to get better. It's essential to address individual needs and preferences.

10. The Importance of Community Education and Body Literacy

Community education and body literacy play an important role in sexual and reproductive health.

Empowering individuals. Experiences of fertility, sex, and cycles can transform lives. Community education and body literacy empower individuals to claim their pleasure and power in their sexual bodies and help others do the same.

Inclusive education. Becoming educated on sexual and reproductive health includes exploring topics like contraception, anatomy, womb care, hormonal health, STIs, sexuality, communication, consent, and full-spectrum prenatal care. Community educators share their passion and knowledge through various media.

Countering lack of education. Organizers and educators who offer guidance in a trauma-informed, resilience-based, nonjudgmental, inclusive, supportive, and empathetic way help counter the lack of sex education and conversation around sexual wellness. Opportunities for learning and engaging with kindred others are part of reclaiming sexual and reproductive health.

Last updated: February 18, 2025