Vitalism - the tradition that supports my practice

What is vitalism you ask? 

The Vitalist tradition in herbalism recognizes that we are a part of nature and nature is wise. It reconnects us back to the natural rhythms, supporting the body's self healing capacity. In the practice of herbalism, we seek to treat the whole person, not the disease. In doing so herbalists employ healing methods intended to increase vitality and support the natural forces within us to restore balance on all levels.

Many chronic conditions can be supported with changes in sleep, nutrition, movement, and when needed herbal supplementation. The great news is sleep and movement don't have to cost anything! 

Vitalist tradition dates back to Nature Cure - which became the foundation for Naturopathic Medicine in the United States. Nature Cure was organized through several practitioners in the 1900s in Europe. It is not as old as Ayurveda, the Indian and oldest organized tradition that understands human condition or Traditional Chinese Medicine(TCM) which is one of the most well known herbal traditions. My teacher Paul Bergner at the National Institute of Medical Herbalism has a direct lineage back to one of the Father Kneipp from the Nature Cure and I am excited to carry that tradition forward here in the West End. 

We (myself included!) don’t just want symptomatic relief, we want a deeper level of healing that gets to the root cause of our struggles.

So let's dig into a little history. You are the sum of all of your life's events and an accumulation of your life up to today. Not just what you ate or did last week, last year, but also the accumulation of your parents, your grandparents and beyond. 

And we have to dig into the history of our environment. 

The first light bulb was invented less than 150 years ago, TV Screen roughly 100 years ago with computer screens becoming common roughly 50 years ago and us carrying small computers in our pocket only since 2007 or later depending on when we opted in.  

Processed foods began to creep into our culture in the early to mid 1900’s and it wasn’t until after WWII that they became commonplace as a staple in the modern human’s diet. How does that compare to the rise of chronic conditions in the human condition? 

If you want to take this analysis back even further you have to investigate when Grains and Dairy were added to the human diet, and ultimately that is still a relatively short amount of time, 5000 years and 1200 years respectively in the timeline of human existence. 

In the west end, we do have a more movement based existence than a lot of the American world that sits at a computer desk for most of their day, but this is still an area of life that is still radically different than 50 or 100 years ago. 

Vitalism looks at the life force, one that might be diminished by many of the environmental factors above, and looks at ways to raise the vital force within. This is different from the western medical system that gives bandaids for symptoms and doesn’t address the root cause of what is wrong. If you use herbs to mask your symptoms, this is no different than allopathic western medicine. Vitalism asks you to embark on a healing journey vs reacting to symptoms.  

If you suppress symptoms, in vitalism it actually pushes the problem deeper into the body and it will continue to manifest in bigger conditions and diseases that ultimately hinder our ability to live fully. 

• First there is accumulation. 

• Then what is accumulated starts to spread in the body. 

• As the body’s response becomes more pronounced, this creates early symptoms. 

• These symptoms often accumulate or move into a specific organ or place in the body and begin to show themselves as what we know today as disease or dis-ease in the body. 

• Disease can progress from the acute phase to the chronic phase. 

Did you know that the CDC reports that over 60% of Americans have one chronic condition, around 40% report 2 chronic conditions and that roughly 12% report 5 or more chronic conditions? That's a lot for something that is known to be controlled through alternative and holistic medicine through diet and lifestyle. These chronic conditions are the expression of accumulated dis-ease in the body. But did you know that by changing your environment you can reverse many of these chronic conditions? 

If you want to heal the whole person it takes effort and change in multiple areas. 

Nutrition. it's not about taking foods away, it's about adding back vibrant, whole foods that provide our bodies with the vital energy and nutrients necessary for optimal functioning. In a world where industrial agriculture has led to nutrient-poor soils and processed foods dominate our diets, prioritizing nutrient-dense, whole foods becomes essential for fostering health and vitality. Can you try for 75 grams of protein, and 8  servings of vegetables and fruit a day as a starting point? 

Sleep. Sleep is a crucial mechanism for balancing the body's energy, healing, and mental clarity of our natural restorative process. The quality of sleep is influenced not only by behaviors but also by environmental factors, including light exposure, sound, and the overall state of our physical and emotional environments. We are told in a modern world, where time was invented during the 16th century(by the catholic church) to create more productive humans, that 7 hours is sufficient. Studies show that we need 8-9 hours to eliminate sleep debt and allow our bodies to regulate naturally. Can you try for 8 hours or more a night for 30 days and see what happens? 

Movement. We require movement. Not sitting at a desk only to come home and sit on the couch. Rather than focusing on rigorous exercise regimes, vitalism embraces the idea of embodying movement in daily life—be it through walking, stretching, or engaging in playful activities. This approach promotes circulation, enhances energy levels, and fosters a deeper connection with one’s body, reflecting the belief that movement is essential to maintaining overall health and vitality. Start with a ten min walk after each meal if movement has not been a part of your daily life in a meaningful way. 

Emotional health. Emotions play a critical role in our overall vitality and that processing feelings, fostering positive relationships, and seeking fulfillment are essential for emotional balance. Recognizing the interconnectedness of emotional health with physical health (nutrition, movement, sleep) gives us tools to support our anxiety, depression, and more. Not that the physical practices remove the work we have to do within our healing process, but that it allows us to come to the table at least with tools in the toolbox instead of at the end of our rope.  Try taking 3 full slow breaths the next time you feel triggered. Does it allow you more capacity to decide what to do next?

Hydrotherapy. Hydrotherapy was a core part of early vitalist practitioners (who later became naturopaths). Whether through baths, compresses, or cold plunges, hydrotherapy harnesses the therapeutic benefits of water to stimulate circulation, alleviate stress, and promote relaxation. Engaging with water in its various forms can restore balance, enhance vitality, and connect us to the rhythms of nature. Try taking a warm, not hot, bath with magnesium added to it before bed and notice how the relaxation of the muscles changes the way you sleep at night. 

Connection with nature. Connection with nature is fundamental, emphasizing the inherent link between humanity and the natural world. It includes exposure to natural light, fresh air, and the healing power of green spaces. This connection fosters a sense of belonging, reduces stress, and enhances mental clarity. Natural light also helps to regulate the sleep/wake cycles and so if you have trouble sleeping through the night this can be incredibly supporting. Try spending 10 in a day sitting in nature. And bonus points if you spend 10 minutes in the am light and 10 minutes during sunset light. 

Managing stress. Managing stress extends beyond simply addressing symptoms; it encompasses an understanding of the multifaceted nature of stress and its origins. Stress is recognized not only as the result of our activities and responsibilities but also as influenced by our environment. This includes the toxins we encounter in our air, water, and food, as well as the impacts of artificial light including screen time, especially within 2 hours before bed, and digital distractions. A vitalistic approach encourages individuals to create nurturing environments, practice mindfulness, engage in gentle nourishment strategies, and prioritize screen-free time to cultivate a more balanced and healthy existence.

Getting better is not a magic pill or potion, but the sum of small choices we make every day. We know we are getting better when the vital force begins to rise. As a measurement this includes motivation, creativity, excitement, hope, and a desire to engage in our life’s purpose. In the simplest terms it means we can function during the day without feeling overwhelmed or worn down. 

I often wonder, why are we so sick if we have every alternative medicine, herb and info at our disposal? The verdict is still out, but in my experience, I believe it is because we are overlooking the extraordinary power of choices we make everyday, the plants(both food & medicine) and people right around us in lieu of the comforts of modern technologies. We forgot how to nourish the land and let the land nourish us back. Just looking at all of the forgotten ways and forms in which food, sleep and herbal support can be used to support the body is a reminder of that. 

If you would like some support along the way, my books are officially open for telehealth to share the healing power of plants with the community as a vitalist herbal practitioner.