Herbal Intelligence

PREFACE
Radicle and Radical: My Path to Herbalism

INTRODUCTION
Embrace of the Green

PART ONE

Context

1 The Deep Roots of Modern Herbalism

2 Using Herbs in the Context of a Therapeutic System

3 Names and Numbers: Defining Herbalism

PART TWO

The Science

4 An Old Herbalist Looks at the New Science

5 The Ecological Theater and the Evolutionary Play

6 The Pharmacology of Herbal Synergy

PART THREE

A Path Forward

7 Herbalism Today

8 Reality Check

9 What Is a Simple Herbalist to Do?

CONCLUSION
Herbalism in the Anthropocene

Educational Resources

References

Index

About the Author

David Hoffmann, FNIMH, RH(AHG), has been a clinical medical herbalist since 1979. A fellow of Britain’s National Institute of Medical Herbalists, he is one of the founding members of the American Herbalists Guild and the author of many books, including Medical Herbalism, The Complete Illustrated Holistic Herbal, and The Herbal Handbook. He lives in California.

“Goes far beyond the science of herbalism by deeply connecting us to viriditas, the power of the green. A testament to grassroots herbalism that has always been and will always be, Herbal Intelligence places herbs at the forefront of coping with a precarious future. David’s gem of a book illuminates how the power of the green may help us not only survive but thrive.” Pam Montgomery, author of Plant Spirit Healing and Partner Earth

“Herbal Intelligence is a brilliant work with surprising insights. It provides deep historical context for people’s herbalism while challenging us to take personal responsibility. As we witness the collapse of various systems—ecosystems, societal structures, health care—it urges us to ‘build a resilient medicine chest.’ David has given us a practical guide on how local herbs, herbalism, and community herbalists can play a meaningful role in survival and resilience in these increasingly uncertain times.” J. A. Brinckmann, president of the board of trustees at the American Botanical Council and vice chair of the Botanical Dietary Supplements and Herbal Medicines Expert Committee at the United States Pharmacopoeia

“This book calls for a revolution, a green revolution. It delves into history, plant chemistry, synergy, new and old ideas, philosophy, ecology, and politics. It lays out the foundation for the use of herbs for personal, community, and global health, while breaking the links between the commodification and industrialization of plant medicine and our relationship with plants as our oldest allies in healing.” David Winston, RH(AHG), author of Adaptogens

“This book is on the cutting edge of herbalist knowledge. It explores the subject from its Paleolithic beginnings all the way to the research results of modern analytic science, while at the same time not forgetting holistic ecological aspects and the sacredness of life.” Wolf D. Storl, PhD, author of The Heart and Its Healing Plants and Witchcraft Medicine

“It’s a joy to be ensnared in David Hoffmann’s web. Want to reweave the healing cloak of the ancients? Read this book from one of the century’s brightest minds and greenest hearts. As a green witch, I’ve long admired his green man persona. As a trained scientist, I’ve long applauded his clear thinking and clear speech. Read any part of Herbal Intelligence, and you’ll applaud and admire him too.” Susun Weed, author of the Wise Woman Herbal series

“This book is infused with joy, reverence, and hope. Underpinning it all is our everlasting relationship with plants, grounded in simple daily rhythms of the herbal practice. If you haven’t explored herbalism, David tells why you need to and lays out a variety of entry paths: from the systems science that is helping us better understand the wild complexity of plant chemistry in medicine, to an ecologically grounded philosophy that suggests these plants can connect us to planetary intelligence in a meaningful way, to a basic tool kit of herbal remedies you can make and use yourself. David shows how herbal intelligence can help us today and serve as a life raft for the future.” Guido Masé, clinical herbalist, herbal educator, and author of The Wild Medicine Solution

“David Hoffmann has been present at every seminal juncture for herbalists, and with Herbal Intelligence, he once again delivers vital teachings with brilliance and bravery. From seeding true holism into our herbal work with his early books to delving deeper into the magnificence of science with Medical Herbalism, Hoffmann now guides our community and the world with grace, integrity, and uncanny tenderness through the storms and stunning possibilities of these challenging times.” Kat Maier, founder and director of Sacred Plant Traditions and author of Energetic Herbalism

“David Hoffmann has once again written a masterful tome for herbalists everywhere! This philosophical and practical look into botanical medicine spans its historical roots into the 21st century and beyond. From our human relationship with the planet and its medicine all the way to an herbal primer, this is yet another indispensable classic for every herbalist’s bookshelf.” Sam Coffman, RH, founder and director of the Herbal Medics Academy and author of Herbal Medic

“Hoffmann shows that the use of herbal remedies, which has taken place throughout history and everywhere on earth, is not only still fully valid but also the most beneficial way to cure illnesses.” Christopher Vasey, ND, author of The Naturopathic Way and The Acid-Alkaline Diet for Optimum Health

HEALTH/HERBALISM

“Goes far beyond the science of herbalism by deeply connecting us to viriditas, the power of the green. A testament to grassroots herbalism that has always been and will always be, Herbal Intelligence places herbs at the forefront of coping with a precarious future. David’s gem of a book illuminates how the power of the green may help us not only survive but thrive.”
–Pam Montgomery, author of Plant Spirit Healing and Partner Earth

“David has given us a practical guide on how local herbs, herbalism, and community herbalists can play a meaningful role in survival and resilience in these increasingly uncertain times.”
–J. A. Brinckmann, president of the board of trustees at the American Botanical Council

Providing a comprehensive guide to the dynamic new landscape of modern herbalism, renowned medical herbalist David Hoffmann explores how ancient healing modalities are once again becoming prominent.

Using the concept of viriditas—the understanding of nature as divinely intelligent—Hoffmann examines biodiversity and chemodiversity, elaborating on the ecological role of human-herb interactions and coevolutionary relationships between species. Presenting evidence of medicinal plant use by animals and early humans, he reviews herbalism from its ancient roots to the modern varieties in practice today, emphasizing how herbalism that developed outside of the dominant culture laid the foundations for the effective, simple techniques relevant for our modern world. He examines the radical and nonhierarchical roots of herbalism, considering the parallels between the field’s development and the growth of spiritual awakening and social radicalism.

Exploring herbalism through the modern scientific lens, Hoffmann reveals the exponential growth in recent research and peer-reviewed literature on phytotherapy and herbs. He describes the problems inherent in herbalism’s integration into the global marketplace, emphasizing that herbalism must stay rooted in the health of the people to avoid becoming commodified. He offers a range of herbal approaches to support personal and cultural resilience during the myriad crises humanity is facing. Ultimately, Hoffmann says, a vibrant culture of herbalism can have critical implications for the future, serving as a crucial force for health and resilience.

David Hoffmann, FNIMH, RH(AHG), has been a clinical medical herbalist since 1979. A fellow of Britain’s National Institute of Medical Herbalists, he is one of the founding members of the American Herbalists Guild and the author of many books, including Medical Herbalism, The Complete Illustrated Holistic Herbal, and The Herbal Handbook. He lives in California.