Indigenous Herbalism

Indigenous herbal medicine among native populations around the world also dates back thousands of years. Herbal remedies from rainforest dwellers have been a part of life, culture, healing, and ceremony since pre-historic times.

As long as there have been witch doctors and shamans there has been herbal healing.
Western herbalism was once part of this tradition, but then the druids and healers/witches of Europe were hunted down and the old ways went into hiding.

When herbalism reemerged in Europe it was along with the Enlightenment and the rise of science. In the east however, herbal traditions remained unbroken for over 5,000 years.
Indigenous herbal healing has an especially strong focus on plant spirits.

Plant spirits guide healers, teach them, and support them in their work. Most rainforest and other earth-based cultures are anthropomorphic; believing all of Nature is alive. The spirits of Nature and especially those of plants, still infuse the work of today's shamanic healers.