Chinese Plant Medicine as a Path to Cultivation

Chinese medicine evolved from shamanic roots that eventually was organized into a systematized approach of healing by mystics and clinicians.

Endemic in its early formative development was the keen observation of how nature can be explored in relations to the terrain, plant patterns, and the impact of atmospheric forces (including those that are catastrophic) on plants.

Of equal importance was the role of humanity on nature, which ranged from wildcrafting, farming and gardening (domestication), deforestation, and migration. With some of these interactions, the emergence of invasive, pioneers (new), and solitary plants appeared — some of which developed symbiotic relationships with other local plants while others were negatively affected.

Through the understanding of certain plants from a Chinese herbal perspective, the clinician can gain insights on how to use herbs and construct formulary in a nature-oriented manner. In doing so, these revelations can also serve as a path of cultivation to become more attuned with our natural habitat.