The Plant Path: Herbalism, Medical Astrology & Spagyric Alchemy

Have you ever wondered how science views medical astrology or whether it has been proven "true?" Should we consider astrology a valid tool for understanding health, or is it just pseudoscience?
 
Astrological medicine is a central part of our approach to herbal medicine here at The School of Evolutionary Herbalism, so it's a topic we discuss regularly. Today, we're breaking down medical astrology's relationship to scientific and pragmatic truth and proof, and what really matters.
 
Here's what you'll find in this episode:
The goal of the tools we use—what matters most?

What is scientific proof?

Can astrology be proven scientifically, and does it matter?

Comparing scientific and pragmatic proof and truth

The role of medical astrology in practice

What's truly important for serving our clients well—addressing skepticism

 
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CONNECT WITH SAJAH AND WHITNEY
————————————
To get free in depth mini-courses and videos, visit our blog at: 
http://www.evolutionaryherbalism.com
 
Get daily inspiration and plant wisdom on our Facebook and Instagram channels:
http://www.facebook.com/EvolutionaryHerbalism
https://www.instagram.com/evolutionary_herbalism/
 
Be sure to subscribe to our YouTube Channel:
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCyP63opAmcpIAQg1M9ShNSQ
 
Get a free 5-week course when you buy a copy of the book, Evolutionary Herbalism:
https://www.evolutionaryherbalism.com/evolutionary-herbalism-book/
 
————————————
ABOUT THE PLANT PATH
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The Plant Path is a window into the world of herbal medicine. With perspectives gleaned from traditional Western herbalism, Ayurveda, Chinese Medicine, Alchemy, Medical Astrology, and traditional cultures from around the world, The Plant Path provides unique insights, skills and strategies for the practice of true holistic herbalism. From clinical to spiritual perspectives, we don't just focus on what herbs are "good for," but rather who they are as intelligent beings, and how we can work with them to heal us physically and consciously evolve.
 
————————————
ABOUT SAJAH
————————————
Sajah Popham is the author of Evolutionary Herbalism and the founder of the School of Evolutionary Herbalism, where he trains herbalists in a holistic system of plant medicine that encompasses clinical Western herbalism, medical astrology, Ayurveda, and spagyric alchemy.
His mission is to develop a comprehensive approach that balances the science and spirituality of plant medicine, focusing on using plants to heal and rejuvenate the body, clarify the mind, open the heart, and support the development of the soul. This is only achieved through understanding and working with the chemical, energetic, and spiritual properties of the plants. His teachings embody a heartfelt respect, honor and reverence for the vast intelligence of plants in a way that empowers us to look deeper into the nature of our medicines and ourselves.
He lives on a homestead in the foothills of Mt. Baker Washington with his wife Whitney where he teaches, consults clients, and prepares spagyric herbal medicines. 
 
————————————
WANT TO FEATURE US ON YOUR PODCAST?
————————————
If you'd like to interview Sajah or Whitney to be on your podcast, click here to fill out an interview request form.

Building a trustworthy herbal library is essential for serious herbal study, yet many modern herb books lack clinical depth or are even AI-generated. In this post, you'll learn how to discern high-quality materia medica and explore five of the most reliable, clinically useful references — from historical Eclectic texts to modern, pattern-based systems that continue to inform real-world herbal practice.
In this episode, you'll learn:
Why a strong herbal library is critical for safe, effective clinical practice

How to spot low-quality or unreliable herb books

What defines a clinically useful materia medica

Why developing your own monographs matters

The strengths and limitations of historical Eclectic texts

How modern herbal materia medicas integrate energetics, tissue states, and patterns

How herbal medicine authors organize and apply knowledge

Why cross-referencing systems improve clinical decision-making

Which herbal materia medicas are best for formulation, pattern recognition, and wildcrafting

 
————————————
CONNECT WITH SAJAH AND WHITNEY
————————————
To get free in depth mini-courses and videos, visit our blog at: 
http://www.evolutionaryherbalism.com
 
Get daily inspiration and plant wisdom on our Facebook and Instagram channels:
http://www.facebook.com/EvolutionaryHerbalism
https://www.instagram.com/evolutionary_herbalism/
 
Be sure to subscribe to our YouTube Channel:
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCyP63opAmcpIAQg1M9ShNSQ
 
Get a free 5-week course when you buy a copy of the book, Evolutionary Herbalism:
https://www.evolutionaryherbalism.com/evolutionary-herbalism-book/
 
Shop our herbal products: 
https://naturasophiaspagyrics.com/
 
————————————
ABOUT THE PLANT PATH
————————————
The Plant Path is a window into the world of herbal medicine. With perspectives gleaned from traditional Western herbalism, Ayurveda, Chinese Medicine, Alchemy, Medical Astrology, and traditional cultures from around the world, The Plant Path provides unique insights, skills and strategies for the practice of true holistic herbalism. From clinical to spiritual perspectives, we don't just focus on what herbs are "good for," but rather who they are as intelligent beings, and how we can work with them to heal us physically and consciously evolve.
 
————————————
ABOUT SAJAH
————————————
Sajah Popham is the author of Evolutionary Herbalism and the founder of the School of Evolutionary Herbalism, where he trains herbalists in a holistic system of plant medicine that encompasses clinical Western herbalism, medical astrology, Ayurveda, and spagyric alchemy.
His mission is to develop a comprehensive approach that balances the science and spirituality of plant medicine, focusing on using plants to heal and rejuvenate the body, clarify the mind, open the heart, and support the development of the soul. This is only achieved through understanding and working with the chemical, energetic, and spiritual properties of the plants. His teachings embody a heartfelt respect, honor and reverence for the vast intelligence of plants in a way that empowers us to look deeper into the nature of our medicines and ourselves.
He lives on a homestead in the foothills of Mt. Baker Washington with his wife Whitney where he teaches, consults clients, and prepares spagyric herbal medicines. 
 
————————————
WANT TO FEATURE US ON YOUR PODCAST?
————————————
If you'd like to interview Sajah or Whitney to be on your podcast, click here to fill out an interview request form.

Most herbalists begin with books, teachers, and tradition, but genuine clinical mastery comes from organizing what you know into something you can actually use.
In this episode, we will look at why the clinical herbal monograph is the most powerful tool for studying medicinal plants and how to build one that supports real-world practice rather than just theory.
 
Here's what you'll learn:
What defines a clinical herbal monograph

The essential elements every useful monograph should include

How to think in terms of patterns, rather than "good for" lists

Which information is helpful — and what only creates clutter

Why writing your own monographs helps you to learn herbs deeply

————————————
CONNECT WITH SAJAH AND WHITNEY
————————————
To get free in depth mini-courses and videos, visit our blog at: 
http://www.evolutionaryherbalism.com
 
Get daily inspiration and plant wisdom on our Facebook and Instagram channels:
http://www.facebook.com/EvolutionaryHerbalism
https://www.instagram.com/evolutionary_herbalism/
 
Be sure to subscribe to our YouTube Channel:
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCyP63opAmcpIAQg1M9ShNSQ
 
Get a free 5-week course when you buy a copy of the book, Evolutionary Herbalism:
https://www.evolutionaryherbalism.com/evolutionary-herbalism-book/
 
Shop our herbal products: 
https://naturasophiaspagyrics.com/
 
————————————
ABOUT THE PLANT PATH
————————————
The Plant Path is a window into the world of herbal medicine. With perspectives gleaned from traditional Western herbalism, Ayurveda, Chinese Medicine, Alchemy, Medical Astrology, and traditional cultures from around the world, The Plant Path provides unique insights, skills and strategies for the practice of true holistic herbalism. From clinical to spiritual perspectives, we don't just focus on what herbs are "good for," but rather who they are as intelligent beings, and how we can work with them to heal us physically and consciously evolve.
 
————————————
ABOUT SAJAH
————————————
Sajah Popham is the author of Evolutionary Herbalism and the founder of the School of Evolutionary Herbalism, where he trains herbalists in a holistic system of plant medicine that encompasses clinical Western herbalism, medical astrology, Ayurveda, and spagyric alchemy.
His mission is to develop a comprehensive approach that balances the science and spirituality of plant medicine, focusing on using plants to heal and rejuvenate the body, clarify the mind, open the heart, and support the development of the soul. This is only achieved through understanding and working with the chemical, energetic, and spiritual properties of the plants. His teachings embody a heartfelt respect, honor and reverence for the vast intelligence of plants in a way that empowers us to look deeper into the nature of our medicines and ourselves.
He lives on a homestead in the foothills of Mt. Baker Washington with his wife Whitney where he teaches, consults clients, and prepares spagyric herbal medicines. 
 
————————————
WANT TO FEATURE US ON YOUR PODCAST?
————————————
If you'd like to interview Sajah or Whitney to be on your podcast, click here to fill out an interview request form.

When we talk about "anti" herbs — antibacterial, antiviral, antimicrobial — it's easy to imagine plants acting like tiny soldiers fighting pathogens. But in this post, we're exploring a classic herbal triplet from the British Herbal Pharmacopeia that reveals something more profound: that herbs rarely just "kill the bug." Instead, they strengthen, mobilize, and clear heat and infection.
Here's what you'll learn in this episode:
Why this classic antiseptic triplet is traditionally indicated for infections

How Garlic, Wild Indigo, and Echinacea each act on the blood, lymph, mucosa, and immune system

The difference between killing pathogens vs. supporting host resistance

Specific situations where this trio has historically been used — and important cautions

Key dosing considerations (especially with low-dose herbs like Wild Indigo)

Practical ideas for combining and tempering these herbs

 
————————————
CONNECT WITH SAJAH AND WHITNEY
————————————
To get free in depth mini-courses and videos, visit our blog at: 
http://www.evolutionaryherbalism.com
 
Get daily inspiration and plant wisdom on our Facebook and Instagram channels:
http://www.facebook.com/EvolutionaryHerbalism
https://www.instagram.com/evolutionary_herbalism/
 
Be sure to subscribe to our YouTube Channel:
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCyP63opAmcpIAQg1M9ShNSQ
 
Get a free 5-week course when you buy a copy of the book, Evolutionary Herbalism:
https://www.evolutionaryherbalism.com/evolutionary-herbalism-book/
 
Shop our herbal products: 
https://naturasophiaspagyrics.com/
 
————————————
ABOUT THE PLANT PATH
————————————
The Plant Path is a window into the world of herbal medicine. With perspectives gleaned from traditional Western herbalism, Ayurveda, Chinese Medicine, Alchemy, Medical Astrology, and traditional cultures from around the world, The Plant Path provides unique insights, skills and strategies for the practice of true holistic herbalism. From clinical to spiritual perspectives, we don't just focus on what herbs are "good for," but rather who they are as intelligent beings, and how we can work with them to heal us physically and consciously evolve.
 
————————————
ABOUT SAJAH
————————————
Sajah Popham is the author of Evolutionary Herbalism and the founder of the School of Evolutionary Herbalism, where he trains herbalists in a holistic system of plant medicine that encompasses clinical Western herbalism, medical astrology, Ayurveda, and spagyric alchemy.
His mission is to develop a comprehensive approach that balances the science and spirituality of plant medicine, focusing on using plants to heal and rejuvenate the body, clarify the mind, open the heart, and support the development of the soul. This is only achieved through understanding and working with the chemical, energetic, and spiritual properties of the plants. His teachings embody a heartfelt respect, honor and reverence for the vast intelligence of plants in a way that empowers us to look deeper into the nature of our medicines and ourselves.
He lives on a homestead in the foothills of Mt. Baker Washington with his wife Whitney where he teaches, consults clients, and prepares spagyric herbal medicines. 
 
————————————
WANT TO FEATURE US ON YOUR PODCAST?
————————————
If you'd like to interview Sajah or Whitney to be on your podcast, click here to fill out an interview request form.

Look at just about any materia medica, and you will see the word "anti" in front of many an herbal action. These are subtypes of the antimicrobial action, such as antibacterial, antifungal, antiseptic, antiviral, antiparasitic, antiamoebic, and antimalarial. 
 
When you see these words, it is easy to assume that the herbs they describe are like natural pharmaceuticals designed to "kill" pathogens. However, that framework can mislead you and sometimes lead to poor clinical choices. 
 
In this article, we'll rethink the entire premise of "anti-herbs" and explore how they really work.
Here's what you'll learn:
Why the "anti-" framework (antiviral, antibacterial, antifungal, etc.) can create an allopathic mindset about herbs

That many herbs work by increasing host resistance rather than killing microbes directly

Why the "antiviral" label is often misleading — and why there's no such thing as a true broad-spectrum antiviral

What scientific Petri dish studies actually tell us (and where the big leaps in logic happen)

How the "herbal antibiotic" idea falls short — and whether herbs can disrupt gut flora or drive resistance

Why organ affinity and tissue energetics matter more than chasing the pathogen

Common pitfalls caused by over-focusing on "killing" instead of restoring balance

An introduction to my top 10 broad-spectrum "anti" herbs

 
Join the FREE Herbal Monograph Map workshop series:
https://www.evolutionaryherbalism.com/the-herbal-monograph-map/?utm_medium=social&utm_source=instagram.com&utm_campaign=mmm+optin
————————————
CONNECT WITH SAJAH AND WHITNEY
————————————
To get free in depth mini-courses and videos, visit our blog at: 
http://www.evolutionaryherbalism.com
 
Get daily inspiration and plant wisdom on our Facebook and Instagram channels:
http://www.facebook.com/EvolutionaryHerbalism
https://www.instagram.com/evolutionary_herbalism/
 
Be sure to subscribe to our YouTube Channel:
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCyP63opAmcpIAQg1M9ShNSQ
 
Get a free 5-week course when you buy a copy of the book, Evolutionary Herbalism:
https://www.evolutionaryherbalism.com/evolutionary-herbalism-book/
 
Shop our herbal products: 
https://naturasophiaspagyrics.com/
 
————————————
ABOUT THE PLANT PATH
————————————
The Plant Path is a window into the world of herbal medicine. With perspectives gleaned from traditional Western herbalism, Ayurveda, Chinese Medicine, Alchemy, Medical Astrology, and traditional cultures from around the world, The Plant Path provides unique insights, skills and strategies for the practice of true holistic herbalism. From clinical to spiritual perspectives, we don't just focus on what herbs are "good for," but rather who they are as intelligent beings, and how we can work with them to heal us physically and consciously evolve.
 
————————————
ABOUT SAJAH
————————————
Sajah Popham is the author of Evolutionary Herbalism and the founder of the School of Evolutionary Herbalism, where he trains herbalists in a holistic system of plant medicine that encompasses clinical Western herbalism, medical astrology, Ayurveda, and spagyric alchemy.
His mission is to develop a comprehensive approach that balances the science and spirituality of plant medicine, focusing on using plants to heal and rejuvenate the body, clarify the mind, open the heart, and support the development of the soul. This is only achieved through understanding and working with the chemical, energetic, and spiritual properties of the plants. His teachings embody a heartfelt respect, honor and reverence for the vast intelligence of plants in a way that empowers us to look deeper into the nature of our medicines and ourselves.
He lives on a homestead in the foothills of Mt. Baker Washington with his wife Whitney where he teaches, consults clients, and prepares spagyric herbal medicines. 
 
————————————
WANT TO FEATURE US ON YOUR PODCAST?
————————————
If you'd like to interview Sajah or Whitney to be on your podcast, click here to fill out an interview request form.