While reviewing the scientific literature on my thesis on the contribution of ethnobotanical knowledge & practice to public health, I come across a ton of ethnobotanical surveys, case studies and what-not that tend to skirt the issue and dance around this connection. The information I do find basically states:
- ethnobotanical knowledge/practice leads to greater self-care practices,
- children of mothers with active ethnobotanical practice are healthier,
- gardening improves fruit & vegetable consumption and social relationships,
- traditional medicine has some vague role, maybe, in health policy.
And other stuff like that. You get the point.
What’s uninspiring about this kind of reviewing is there’s no mention of aesthetic, grace or beauty in this practice. And I shouldn’t be surprised: if I wrote a peer-reviewed paper about the beauty and life-giving aesthetic of botanical practice it likely wouldn’t go very far. Trouble is, I think it’s an essential part of the conversation.
Because it’s not just the fact that I use local plants for food, medicine and other uses daily. It’s touching the dirt, digging roots, preparing and sipping beautiful garden tea blends, smelling the flowers, having my apothecary full of jars containing gorgeous, whole-leaf herbs. Microwaving a wack bag of herb tea is a completely different game. Authentic botanical practice is a lifestyle that honors the sanctity of life and the ecological patterns around us. It’s how we connect to the larger planetary system.
There's a difference.
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