Two Approaches, One Goal: Holistic and Allopathic Herbalism Explained
- Mar 2
- 4 min read
Updated: Jun 16
Have joint pain? Take turmeric. Headache? Willow bark can help. Upset stomach? Fennel can calm it down. It’s easy to fall into the habit of using this herb for that problem but there’s so much more to herbalism than quick fixes. When we reduce herbs to simple symptom-matching, we overlook the deeper nuances of how they work, and often forget to address the root of the problem. Herbalism, at its core, is about understanding the balance and interconnectedness of our bodies and the natural world around us. Holistic herbalism goes beyond simply alleviating symptoms; it focuses on long-term health and true healing. By considering the whole person (body, mind, and spirit) herbal remedies offer a pathway to wellness that nurtures all aspects of our being and recognizes that we are all unique.
In this article you will learn:
What is Allopathic Herbalism?
Allopathic is defined as "the method of treating disease by the use of agents that produce effects different from those of the disease treated"⁽¹⁾. This system that we use today is usually referred to as Western medicine or conventional medicine.
So what is allopathic herbalism?
Allopathic herbalism follows the same approach as conventional medicine, it focuses on symptoms and matches herbs to them to provide relief ⁽²⁾. With extensive research, folk lore, and traditional uses backing many herbs, it’s easy to fall into this pattern.
Some examples include:
Insomnia ---> Valerian
Skin issues ---> Calendula
Menstrual pain ---> Cramp bark
While these herbs are wonderful for addressing these ailments, they don’t always work for every individual. And while this approach isn’t wrong, it can be limiting, as some herbs may not be suitable, applicable, or safe for everyone ⁽²⁾. Without considering both the herb’s nuances and the individual’s constitution, it’s possible to create imbalances that aggravate symptoms⁽²⁾. While allopathic herbalism focuses on quick symptom relief, holistic herbalism looks deeper and considers the whole person to create a more personalized and sustainable approach to healing.
What is Holistic Herbalism?
Holistic herbalism looks at the whole person, mind, body, spirit, diet and lifestyle ⁽²⁾. By working with the body's natural rhythms and defence system, herbal remedies are selected to best suit the individual to ensure that they come back into balance. For example, when addressing insomnia, we might consider valerian because it acts as an anti-anxiety agent, nervine, sedative, relaxant, and has warming qualities⁽³⁾. But what if the individual already runs warm? What if anxiety isn’t the issue, and they can relax just fine? The real question becomes: what is actually causing the insomnia? Is it overthinking or stress? Do they struggle to fall asleep, or is the issue waking up in the middle of the night? If they wake up at 2 a.m., could it be due to stagnated Liver Qi (according to Traditional Chinese Medicine) and need liver support? Could it be hormonal? There are many factors to consider, and a holistic approach takes all of these into account to find the most suitable herbal support.
Another great example is flower essences, which illustrate how different flowers can address the same issue in unique ways. Looking at the feeling of being overwhelmed, for example, there are five different flowers to choose from each addressing different aspects.
Cosmos offers support when you are overwhelmed by too many ideas that keep you unfocused⁽⁵⁾
Dill helps you feel grounded when you are overwhelmed due to excess environmental stimulation⁽⁵⁾
Elm for when personal or work obligations become too demanding or when you feel inadequate for completing the task at hand⁽⁵⁾
Indian pink restores your sense of calm when everything around you feels chaotic⁽⁵⁾
Rabbitbrush when too many details weigh you down, making it hard to cope⁽⁵⁾
Just like herbs, using elm on all of my clients who feel overwhelmed, may not work as some may not feel inadequate for their job. Instead some may feel like their environments are too over stimulating in which case dill would be the better choice.
Side by Side Comparison
Holistic Herbalism⁽²'⁶⁾ | Allopathic Herbalism⁽²'⁶⁾ |
When assessing herbs asks "What are the core properties and virtues of this herb?"; focuses on the plant's energetic makeup | When assessing herbs asks "What is this herb good for?"; uses a symptom matching approach |
Looks at the whole individual - mind, body, spirit, diet, lifestyle, and symptoms | Looks only at symptoms |
Formulations are complex and nuanced; considering energetics, symptoms, and the individuals consitution | Formulations are combined based on symptoms alone |
Symptoms are seen as messengers, indicating an underlying imbalance that needs to be addressed that the root; herbs are used to restore balance | Symptoms are seen as enemies that must be eradicated; herbs are used as tools to suppress symptoms. |
Utilizes herbs that support the body's natural intelligence to fight illness (i.e. supporting a fever to assist the body's defence mechanisms) | Utilizes herbs to suppress symptoms (i.e. lower a fever rather than working with the body's natural defences) |
Treats the individual based on their constitution (physical, emotional, and energetic makeup), resulting in a personalized approach | Treats people based solely on symptoms, following a one-size-fits-all approach to formulation |
Best for chronic, long-term conditions | Can be suitable for temporary, acute conditions |
Conclusion
Both allopathic and holisitic herbalism have a place in supporting health and well-being. Allopathic herbalism can be helpful for acute, temporary conditions, but often overlooks the deeper, more nuanced causes of imbalance. Holisitc herbalism, on the other hand, considers the whole individual, working with the body's natural rhythms and defence system, to restore balance. By embracing the complexities of herbalism, we can harness the full power of plant medicine in a way that truly supports our unique needs.
References:
1. Allopathy definition & meaning [Internet]. Dictionary.com; [cited 2025 Feb 28]. Available from: https://www.dictionary.com/browse/allopathy
2. Popham S. Vitalism and learning from nature [Internet]. The School of Evolutionary Herbalism [cited 2025 Mar 1]. Available from: https://www.evolutionaryherbalism.com/2023/09/13/vitalism-and-learning-from-nature/#:~:text=The%20allopathic%20herbalist%20seeks%20to,symptoms%20in%20the%20long%20run.
3. Valerian [Internet]. The Herbarium [cited 2025 Mar 1]. Available from: https://herbarium.theherbalacademy.com/monograph/valerian/
4. Traditional Chinese organ body clock [Internet]. Nirvana Acupunture and Integrated Medicine [cited 2025 Mar 1]. Available from: https://www.nirvananaturopathics.com/blog/traditional-chinese-organ-body-clock
5. FES Flower Essence Guide [Internet]. Flower Essence Society [cited 2025 Mar 1]. Available from: https://issuu.com/fesflowers/docs/flower_essence_guide-2019?fr=sOTQxMDQ0NzM4MjI
6. Nabholz B. Introduction to Western Herbalism . In: Allopathic Herbalism vs Holistic Herbalism: Moving Away from This Plant for This Problem. Cumberland, BC: Wild Rose College of Natural Medicine; 2022. p. 10–1.
