Herbalism seems to be rooted in pagan practices and cultures. Can someone be a Christian herbalist or simply use herbal remedies without sinning?
I came home from the library with bundles of books on herbalism packed into my bag and slung over my very tired shoulder. The world of natural remedies was waiting for me and I was ready to dig in.
I cracked open the books and started reading, my eyes taking in all the information as quickly as possible. Then I came to a page that stopped me.
…Before harvesting, find the grandmother of the plant colony and ask her permission to harvest and maybe shake a rattle and then dance in the moonlight to show your gratitude… Wait, what?
I put the book away.
If you research herbal medicine for any length of time, you’ll likely come across ideas that clash with Christianity. Nature worship, witchcraft, occult practices, and more are sometimes so intertwined with herbalism and natural health that it’s difficult to distinguish where one ends and the other begins.
Many good, honest Christians are left wondering if Christianity and herbalism can really mix. Maybe this question has nagged you, too.
As a Christian herbalist, I’ve had to wrestle with this question myself. Let’s dig deep and see if herbalism is against the Bible.
Where Does Herbalism Come From?
If you’re just getting started with natural remedies as a Christian, you might wonder where herbalism comes from and if it’s okay for Christians to use.
God warns us in Jeremiah 10:2 to “Learn not the way of the heathen.”
Shaman, pagan, and other spiritual traditions have used herbs in one way or another, whether for healing ceremonies or religious purposes or both.
- Ancient India produced the Ayurvedic herbal tradition.
- Ancient China gave us Traditional Chinese Medicine.
- Indigenous people groups in Africa, North and South America, and Australia have their own unique healing traditions, too.
None of them are rooted in the Old or New Testaments.
Does this mean herbalism comes from heathen practices?
Herbalism and Religion Today
Even today, the vast majority of professional herbalists and herbal teachers are not professing Christians.
Their faiths, or lack thereof, might be range from more familiar religions like Islam, Hinduism, or Buddhism to lesser-known systems like
- Wicca
- Witchcraft
- Nature Worship
- Mindfulness
- Atheism
- Paganism
- Relativism
and anything or nothing in between.
Sometimes this slips through their practices or teachings lightly, like one page dedicated to a suggested harvest ritual in the otherwise valuable 200+ page book I mentioned above.
Other times it might be quite overt, like repeatedly singing “I’m the goddess” on stage at a well-known herbal conference.
Christian herbalists are a rarity.
Can Herbalism Be Redeemed?
If past pagan cultures used herbs for healing and ritual, and the herbalism of today is so steeped in anti-Christ teachings, is herbalism actually sinful?
Should Christians use herbal remedies?
The verdict on Christians using herbs hasn’t looked so good, but friend, here’s where the story gets sweet.
Yes, yes, and a million times yes! Christians can enthusiastically and unashamedly use herbs without fear of sinning.
God created these beautiful plants with tremendous capacities for restoring health, strength, and wellness. No doubt the earliest people, yes, even Adam, Eve, and all their descendants knew how to use these plants to benefit their bodies.
Perhaps God Himself gave Adam that knowledge and Adam passed it on.
However it may have happened, it is perfectly logical to assume the God who made these healing plants made sure His creation knew how to use them. These early people continued to pass down herbal knowledge, even as some fell into paganism and idolatry.
There is no sin in using God’s own creation to promote health and wellness.
Who Gets the Glory for Herbs?
No one gets the glory for herbalism but God Himself.
I love how my friend Jasmine from The Christian Herbal put it:
Herbalism is not rooted in paganism. Herbalism is perverted in paganism.
As a Christian herbalist, my faith is the foundation of my love for herbal medicine.
God blessed this planet with incredible plants that work in remarkable ways within the human body. He knew sin would cause sickness, and in His love, He provided helpful remedies even before the human race fell.
When I use an herb to help the body heal, God gets the glory. Not the plant, not Mother Earth, not a nature spirit.
These remedies work because God designed them to.
Not because a shaman told me they would.
God, in His goodness, gave us these plants. I, as a Christian herbalist, am incredibly thankful to have these botanicals at my service.
How Christians Can Use Herbs for God’s Glory
Scripture is clear: God calls Christians completely avoid witchcraft, idolatry, and spiritualism (Galatians 5:19-21).
And thankfully, you can do that and still confidently use herbal remedies. Just keep some things in mind.
- Follow your conscience as you choose herbal practices and give your fellow Christians that freedom, too. Some Christians can burn an herb for medicinal reasons with a pure conscience. Others might feel it’s too close to a spiritual practice and decide to avoid it. Both can be valid choices.
- Pray for guidance as you choose herbal teachers. Like choosing how you use herbs, choosing how, where, and from whom you learn isn’t a black and white issue. I choose to learn from believers and nonbelievers alike but avoid a few herbalists whose unbiblical practices and spirituality are a key feature of their teaching.
- Consider how your herbal practices might impact your Christian brothers and sisters, especially those who are young or weak in faith (Romans 14:19-21). For example, if you burn sage for medicinal reasons but know it might cause a brother or sister to doubt, then consider doing this practice privately.
- Use herbs with faith in the God Who created them (Romans 14:23). Pray for wisdom as you choose remedies, use them in Jesus’s name, and give God the glory when health and wellness are restored.
God is the ultimate healer, and He can heal in many ways. Herbs can be one avenue for that healing.
You don’t have to avoid herbal remedies because you’re a Christian.
But don’t worry. You don’t have to shake a rattle when you use them, either.
What have you experienced as a Christian who uses herbs or is interested in them?
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Thank you for this article! I love using herbs and oils, however I am uncomfortable in our towns apothecary because the names of everything have to do with “Buddhism,witchcraft, Reiki etc” I always feel in my heart that God have us these for a purpose but try to make sure I am making purchases without pagan names. Would love to have a Christian herbalist around me.
That would be uncomfortable, Merriah. I don’t think you’re sinning by purchasing herbal products there, but if your conscience is bothered by it there are some more neutral herbal products suppliers and manufacturers online. I also help clients online, so feel free to visit my Work With Me page if you need some extra guidance from a fellow believer. Wishing you the best in your natural health journey!
Hello,
It seems as though it’s only women interested in Herbalism! I am a man, a pastor and i am planning on in the future opening a shop to use as a ministry during the week with my family. I wanted to take some courses from the Herbal Academy but i noticed they teach about Ayurvedic and Chinese medicine. Did you learn about these two and if you did, were you instructed to practice them or was it just about learning them? I am ok with understanding world views of others but when a class tells me that i have to practice something that i don’t agree with, that’s where i draw the line.
thanks
Hi Isaac. I love that you’re a pastor and interested in herbs! I can’t personally speak for the way HANE approaches Ayurveda and Traditional Chinese Medicine because I haven’t taken their long courses, but I do have Christian friends who have and really love how the material has been presented.
Most herbalists will eventually gain some sort of understanding of TCM and Ayurveda, even if just a very rudimentary knowledge. But that doesn’t mean you have to practice herbalism according to their spiritual belief systems, like you said. I think most respectable schools realize that there are multiple ways to practice herbalism. If you reach out to HANE, I’m sure they can help you understand how they approach herbal systems that fall outside of Western herbalism.
And you bring up a very observant point on women in herbalism. There’s likely lots there that could be unpacked and discussed, but that’s too much for a blog comment. 😉
Wishing you well as you continue your herbal journey!
Can you write your prayers down and use herbs with them
Hi there! Can you share a bit more about what you mean?
Hi Kirsten,
Thankyou for your post! I have questioned this subject matter, and I am glad to have come accross a Christian Herbalist.
Your friend Jasmine is completely correct, in fact the Bible supports the use of plants/herbs for healing. I’ll just share some Bible verses below to help backup your points some more, that ‘herbalism ‘is given by God .
“Fruit trees of all kinds will grow on both banks of the river. Their leaves will not wither, nor will their fruit fail. Every month they will bear fruit, because the water from the sanctuary flows to them. Their fruit will serve for food and their leaves for healing.””
Ezekiel 47:12
“down the middle of the great street of the city. On each side of the river stood the tree of life, bearing twelve crops of fruit, yielding its fruit every month. And the leaves of the tree are for the healing of the nations.”
Revelation 22:2 NIV
Thankyou for sharing and I hope this will encourage you and others too, as it did me.
God bless,
Ruth
I appreciate your additions, Ruth. Thank you for sharing!
I’m so glad I stumbled upon your post. The last year and a half, our family has slowly been switching to all natural products and remedies. I am an RN and “weaning”off meds has been a slow process. I finally had enough when my husband was prescribed three different meds with horrible side effects for chronic pain he was suffering from. Thank God someone introduced him to CBD and it’s been life changing. Even though it’s controversial, we know in our hearts that we are not doing anything wrong. There is no mind alteration. Only relief from pain. We give God all the glory for that.
I’m glad you found this one, too, Diana. And I’m very glad to hear your husband has found relief from pain. I hope that cannabis research can move forward unhindered. The plant seems to hold a lot of promise, though it’s not well enough understood yet. Best wishes to you and your journey with natural remedies!
Well Kristen, I searched for Christian Herbalist for all the reasons listed above. I am excited to browse your site and learn what you have to offer.
I began intensive lay classes with a woman who is definitely not a christian and love learning about herbs and their healing and sustaining qualities. All the while mindful of Who created them. As I go to class I pray and am waiting for the moment the Holy Spirit provides when I can assert that I worship the Creator… not the creation and invite them to think of things differently. In the past when the teacher closed class with a “mindful meditation” I usually exit.
It is exciting to find a Sister in Christ who has been down this road AND who is providing a place for others who have the same beliefs.
Welcome, Jeanne! I’m glad you found me here. It sounds like you have a wonderful balance with learning about herbs where you can, and just tossing out what you know to be false. I wouldn’t be surprised if your quiet exit speaks volumes to those attending with you.
God impressed on me when I was in my early 20s, twice, that I was to take supplements. After the second time I began to take it seriously. What I did not know then, but God did, was that I would develop chronic pain and fatigue issues as well as a sensitivity to medications. It has been a continual challenge finding herbs which relate to current physical difficulties. For everything that God created “for the use of man” (Ps 104:14) there have been those who have idolized it. That does not make it evil; we just have to make sure we use it in a holy way and give God the glory.
Absolutely, Edith! I’m glad that God has led you to herbal medicine as you work with your health challenges.
💕This article brings to mind this quote!! All glory to God, whatever way He leads us to use, herb medicine, music, love…💕
6 There’s nothing like music. You know, God heals by music. Did you know that? Uh-huh. God heals by music.
7 God heals by love. See? God heals by medicine. God heals by prayer. God has many ways of healing. Depends on what type that you need.
8 Sometimes a little love, stretched out, will just cure an old sore, an old place that’s been a grudge or something. It’ll heal it right over, just a little love, a little care.
9 Sometime when you feel all down, and, as we call it, a street expression, down in the dumps, see, just put on one of those tapes, that music or a record, and go to playing it. The first thing you know, you’re patting your foot, or your hand, and it’s all over then. You’re right up and ready to go again.
63-0428 – Look
Rev. William Marrion Branham
I love that, Courtney!
Hi, thank you so much. Considering acupuncture treatment for blocked fallopian tubes, obviously TCM. Wonderful that you are a mother to 7 kids. Please keep me in your prayers.
I’ll pray for you right now, Lini. I don’t know very much about acupuncture but just have to wonder if it’s working on some level that Western medicine hasn’t discovered yet.
The way I see it, is , God created them; He already had a remedy prepared before the problem ever occurred. The devil just takes what God made for good, then perverts it. You did a great job on this post, Sis. Kristen!
Thank you, Cheye!
Thank you for this post, Kristen… In my case, because I would have NEVER considered anyone might think that herbalism and following the Lord Jesus might clash, and now I see that this is indeed the case, and why. For me it’s very simple, though—what did people in the Old and New Testaments use?
I wonder if any Christian medical students or doctors get asked the same question. After all, modern medicine is deeply rooted in a desperate materialism and open evolutionism, apart from being the stage of the filthiest and most criminal corporate greed and corruption humanity is dealing with today. Modern medicine is based on the most complete shunning of the faintest notion that we are body, soul, and spirit. So, in case of a headache, for instance, why would anyone think that popping a pill of man-made artificial synthetic stuff that most people don’t know how much harms the temple of the Holy Spirit* is any better than using His creation to gently support His creation back to recovery?
* Paracetamol is known to deplete glutathione, a powerful antioxidant that has protective effects on the nervous system, and has significant deleterious effects on the liver and the respiratory system. Please ask for references if you’re interested.
I’m not sure if people even think of herbalism and modern medicine in the same regards, unfortunately! And I’m completely with you on the issue of Paracetamol (known as acetaminophen here). I think in the coming years we’re going to all understand that this “safe” drug has some serious side effects.
I think it is very important, in Western societies (and some more than others), to reflect on how some cultures have distanced themselves so much from the way things have always been done (always as in always, not as in since the 1950s) and the way the Lord meant for things to be, that nowadays most people wouldn’t think twice before vaccinating or taking antibiotics or getting treated with chemotherapy, or let’s just say before eating a tin of GMO sweet corn, but then would stop and consider before having a cup of lemon balm to help them wind down. I can only imagine the reaction of Christians from indigenous cultures (or not necessarily, let’s just say people who haven’t lost this traditional art) when they learn all that is done in some oh-so-modern and progressive places!
Here’s another take on the issue, also quite valuable in my opinion: http://christianherbal.org/should-christians-use-herbs-part-1/
Very true! And yes, that’s a great article on the topic. I linked to another one from The Christian Herbal in this post, too. I appreciate all Jasmine is doing there to help reclaim herbs for God’s glory!
I love how you said, “Reclaim herbs for God’s glory!” Precisely. God said, “The whole earth is mine”, but it was perverted by idolaters in the process. I think the find line is crossed when unsuspecting believers are getting swooped in by these religions, because they have not been made aware of all these pitfalls. But it’s time we reclaimed the Kingdom of our Lord and and of His Christ.
Thank you, Irina! I’m glad this was an encouragement to you. I love seeing the growing movement of Christians who are redeeming herbalism.
And when the Sabbath was past Mary Magdalene and Mary the mother of James and Salome, had brought sweet spices that they might come and anoint him.
Myrrh and Aloes used to prepare Jesus’ body for burial.
Indeed! Many plants are mentioned through the Bible.
I’m so glad you wrote about this! I have been so interested in herbalism and everything I had looked at (especially Pinterest) had something to do with witchcraft or something of the sort. Totally ookmarking this post!
Also, I had gone into a holistic/health store and had that feeling that they probably didn’t have faith in Him. Would it still be okay to purchase from a place like that?
Hi Ashley. I’m happy you found this helpful! As far as where you buy your herbal products, that’s completely up to you and your conscience. I can’t see any sin in doing so, but if it bothers you, then there’s also nothing wrong with avoiding the place. If you prefer to only buy from a Christian company, you can look at Natural Hope Herbals. I’m not an affiliate or financially tied, but wanted to mention them as an option for you.
Great post Kristin. As a fellow Christian I totally agree with you. I think your list of things to keep in mind is very wise.
Thanks, Jennifer! I’m glad this resonated with you and we can work together to remove any ill-placed stigma from herbalism. We need more Christian herbalists in the field!
Praise be to God for the blessings of the vegetation because we find healing in it Amen.
Definitely! I’m always so thankful for the healing properties God put in plants.
Hi Kristen,
I stumbled across your site while looking for answers on this very topic. I was hoping what I believe (about healing plants and herbs and natural medicine(
)doesn’t conflict with my Christian faith.
I kept telling myself how can it be a bad thing when God put these plants here on earth for us. Even in biblical times they utilized oils and herbs were even prized gifts. Your article really helped me stop stressing over this inner battle. God bless!
Hi Jennifer! I’m so glad this was helpful. I’m right with you. God created these plants and they absolutely can be used for our benefit. I might argue they should be used that way, too! 🙂 Best wishes in your herbal journey.
Great response …. especially in regards to recognizing the potential stumbling block to baby Christians ! I am a firm believer in Christ and that God created the plants of this world for us because of his great love. There is a line to walk between living naturally and and turning even little plants into idols! But thank God we have a Lord that forgives, redeems and grants wisdom and knowledge to those who seek him. Bravo for sharing such insight!
Thank you, Jenna! So true… anything can become an idol, even natural remedies. But they can also be wonderful tools and blessings to our health!
Thanks for this article. I’m a very involved Christian and a Chaplain now. I have a highly sensitive child, and we are health conscious. I use homepathics and herbs a lot for my son, and family. I recently read that the creator of homeopathics was a Freemason and a Satanist. I’ve also read articles from other Christians that say it’s demons in a bottle. Then there are others that say we can break curses over things and bless it in the blood of Jesus.
I’d love to hear your feedback.
I love making homemade products with essential oils and natural ingredients, and I think herbs are amazing!
I haven’t looked into the background of Samuel Hahnemann to know his faith practices or lack thereof, but I’m personally not of the conviction that we always need to do that before deciding if a certain approach to health is suitable for Christians. I don’t know what the maker of my prenatal vitamin believes about the Bible, but I still take them because they have helped me. My questions on holistic health approaches usually center on two thoughts: Is it safe? Is it effective?
Homeopathy might offend some Christians because it’s theory is based in energy medicine or vitalism, where the energy frequencies of plants and minerals (and other natural materials at times, too) are believed to steer the body towards healing. This might be where the idea of “demons in a bottle” comes from. I think that’s a bit extreme.
I do prefer herbalism and aromatherapy to homeopathy based on my current understanding and experience of the latter, but I’m not opposed to using homeopathic arnica since it has more evidence backing its use. I wouldn’t say there’s any curse over homeopathy, regardless of what Hahnemann believed.
In many of these situations, we just need to pray for wisdom to know what might be a stumbling block for ourselves and others and to discern God’s will for our lives. I pray God gives you continued direction for your natural health journey!
It seems to me that the same truth can be applied here as to the issue of eating meats offered to idols which was an issue in the New Testament Church. ‘Eat what is set before you and ask no questions for conscience sake’
Thank you Kristen for your wise words, which are definitely God-centred. I’m currently doing a degree in herbal medicine and the new-age stuff comes up continually. Thanks be to God I am able to recognise when it does happen and am able to get away somehow to pray. Eucharistic adoration is my rock especially during such times. As a practising Catholic I will strive to incorporate it into my practice when I qualify, and there will not be any new-age rubbish in sight! Once again, thank you for your words, it’s encouraging and nice to know that I’m not the only one bringing God back into herbalism.
God bless you and your family always!
There is a growing number of us learning about and practicing herbalism in a Christ-honoring way. We might be a minority, but it’s encouraging to see the number grow! Enjoy the journey.
Kristen,
I’ve been following you on Twitter for a while and checking out your posts when I see them in my feed (my Twitter usage is sporadic, so I know I’ve missed a ton). But, I love reading your blog. It is nice to see a fellow sister in Christ (btw, I think our beliefs are very similar from what I can tell!) sharing her experiences with herbs, life, family, and her faith!
Thanks for being an inspiration!
Hi Cassie! I’m so glad that you’ve stopped by here to comment. 🙂 If you’d like, I have a couple of subscription options that can help you stay up to date. One sends just two emails a month, and one sends every post along with the newsletters. Some like getting every post, and some can’t keep up with that. 🙂 You can see them HERE. I hope you stop by again soon!
You know, I thought for sure I had subscribed a while ago. But I must have dreamed that I did. Or got to the subscription button and got distracted by something shiny. That’s probably what happened.
Thanks for directing me to the right place!
Thank you!!! I have always leaned toward natural remedies, believing they are a gift from God! However, because of all the negative associations, I have waited so long in really pursuing something I love to do. My own son likes to tease me that I’m turning into a witch (good heartedly) and I was second guessing myself. This article was timely.
I’m glad this was helpful, Morgan! It’s such a shame that herbalism is so firmly associated with witchcraft and other New Age types of beliefs. God gets the glory in our home for our herbal remedies!
I love this so much. I have actually been taking an herbalism class throughout the course of this last week and have been deeply bothered by the thought of “praying to the plants” and “thanking the universe”. My faith runs deep and has for many years, and I have felt extremely out of place in this class because of this. I’ve actually almost felt like I was sinning and like I needed to quit the class and ask Jesus’ forgiveness. I am glad to know that I’m not the only one feeling this way. I have such a strong desire to live naturally and without the chemicals that have grown so common in our lives these days and I am so happy to see that I CAN combine my Christianity with this natural herbalism. Thank you very much for spreading God’s word through this post and for putting me at ease with this new herbalism journey.
Hi Samantha! I’m so glad this was helpful to you. You definitely do not need to set faith in Jesus to the side to take on herbalism! I read about the incredible way our bodies were designed and how plants created by God can bless us and I can only see God’s goodness.
I do know other believers who have been put off by some schools’ emphasis on New Age spiritualism in their studies, so you aren’t alone there. One thing I really appreciate about the courses I’ve done with Vintage Remedies is that there is no conflict with my Christian faith. You can look into them if you’re interested in other courses later. 🙂
Glad to see that there are herbalists who are not pagan! Would love to see a list of herbal books that follow the same line if there are any. It use to be that Catholic monks cultivated medicinal gardens in the monasteries. They grew and used thier own medicine. I believe it was the Benedictine monks. St. Hildegard was the pioneer in Christian herbalism. Sadly most translations of her books from German have been misinterpreted and translated by pagan spiritualists.
The only one I really know of is Fritchey’s Practical Herbalism (affiliate link). My class materials from Vintage Remedies ((aff) are also Christian. I’d love to find some other solid resources, as well.
We studied Hildegard as a musician this past year in our homeschool. I was delighted to read about her being an herbalist, too!
Search for Shonda Parker. She is a mother of seven who practiced and taught herbal medicine and wrote some wonderful books on natural health, particularly empowering for women/mothers. And best of all she is solid theologically, giving God the glory and seeking His will, based on His word in all of life…A truly wise woman. Sadly, it seems (from what I can gather through internet searching), she has been left weakened by severe cancer and is no longer able to work. Would love to see her books republished with her latest wisdom. Her writing really helped guide my thinking about natural health from a Christian perspective.
Oh, good reminder, Susan! Thanks for sharing about Shonda.
Yes, Ceanne, Shonda Parker is another Christian herbalist with books in print, especially for women and children. You can find many of them here on Amazon. (my affiliate link)
I couldn’t have put it better Kristen! I am so thankful that God created plants for us to use.
My heart exactly on this matter! Well written!
Thanks, Jill! I’m glad you found this encouraging.
Well said, Sister!! These plants are a gift from a loving Father.
Thank you, Carol!
I agree, wholeheartedly, Kristen! God is so good to have given us such wonderful help thru the plants He planned to help these bodies He created and thouroughly knows!
Definitely! And as I study herbalism more, it becomes so clear that herbs have incredibly complex actions in the body that we don’t fully understand yet at all, but the Lord does. I just think it’s quite amazing. 🙂