Webinar: 12 Categories of Herbs

Introduction

• Presenter shares the importance of experiencing herbs
  • Tasting herbs provides a deeper understanding
• Initial confusion with herbal uses
  • Early exposure to herbal texts (e.g., Back to Eden)
• Learning herbal actions with Edward Milo Millet
  • Introduction to Samuel Thompson's tasting method

Herbal Energetics

• Understanding actions of herbs through phytochemicals
• Categories introduced by Ed: Bitters, Aromatics, Astringents, Demulcents
• Model of herbal energetics with nine terms
  • Three axes: Energy production, tissue density, and constriction/relaxation

Teaching Energetics

• The role of taste in understanding herb actions
• Importance of direct herb tasting and interaction

Categories of Herbs

Pungent Herbs

• Characteristics: Spicy, hot, sharp taste
  • Examples: Cayenne pepper, mustard, garlic
• Effects: Disperse stagnation, warming and drying, diaphoretic
• Best for colds and acute ailments
• Contraindications: Overuse depletes energy, not for already heated conditions

Aromatic Herbs

• Rich in essential oils
  • Examples: Peppermint, chamomile, rosemary
• Effects: Warming, drying, affects the nervous system
• Uses: Carminative, mild diaphoretic, mild antimicrobial

Bitters

• Characteristics: Bitter taste stimulates digestion
  • Examples: Alfalfa, artichoke, gentian
• Cooling, drying, detoxifying
• Contraindications: Not for thin, weak, dry individuals

Alkaloidal Bitters

• Contain alkaloids like nicotine, caffeine
  • Examples: Golden seal, lobelia, coffee
• Specific nervous and glandular effects

Fragrant Bitters

• Aromatic and bitter
  • Examples: Wormwood, black walnut
• Antiparasitic and digestive stimulant

Acrid Herbs

• Bitterish, acrid taste
  • Examples: Lobelia, kava
• Effects: Relax muscles, antispasmodic

Astringents

• Drying, puckering sensation
  • Examples: White oak bark, sage
• Effects: Tighten tissues, reduce bleeding

Sour Herbs

• Familiar sour taste (vinegar, lemon)
  • Examples: Berries, fruits
• Cooling, nourishing

Salty Herbs

• Grassy, green taste
  • Examples: Spinach, celery
• Nutrient-rich, balancing

Sweet Herbs

• Subtle sweet flavor
  • Examples: Licorice, ginseng
• Moistening, nourishing

Mucilaginous Herbs

• Slimy texture when moist
  • Examples: Slippery elm, aloe
• Moistening, cooling

Oily Herbs

• Oily taste or texture
  • Examples: Flax seeds, coconut
• Moistening, nourishing

Conclusion

• Acknowledgements to herbalists who influenced the presenter
• Invitation to further courses on herbalism
• Emphasis on the importance of experiential learning with herbs

Note: This webinar provided a broad look into the categorization of herbs based on their energetic properties and how they interact with the body. It emphasized the importance of understanding herbs beyond just their applications to diseases, focusing instead on the balance and energetics they bring to the body.