“It’s only safe to use one herb at a time.”
I don’t hear this one as much as the other myths I have already addressed, but it does come up every now and then. This one is also false. Now, some herbalists prefer to use single herbs (simples) in their wellness plans rather than formulas, but the concern here isn’t safety. What many of these herbalists claim is that it is difficult to ascertain which herbs are actually helping when you use a formula that contains more than one herb. While I understand and respect this approach, I feel that if the herbalist has a deep understanding of energetics, tissue states, and the way herbs work, it is not difficult to know which herbs to combine to get the best results.
In my mode of practice, I use multiple-herb formulas all the time because I love to take advantage of the synergistic outcome that is the result of a well-crafted formula. In my opinion, herbs are too multi-faceted and amazing to limit them to only simples in my practice. For instance, herbs have primary and secondary actions, organ or body system affinities, and degrees of action. Crafting herbal formulas allows me to bring out the most healing magic from the plants I use, and the results speak for themselves. Generally, if I am designing a formula for an acute issue to be taken short term, I will use a combination of 2-3 herbs. If the formula is intended to help with a chronic condition and be taken long term, I will use 3-6 herbs in the formula.
When building a formula, there are several herbal component categories I use to conceptualize how the formula is going to function.
These include:
- Key Herbs (usually 1 or 2 herbs) – These herbs provide the primary energetic action that drives the formula. They target the body part or system that I want to work with. They act like the Jarl or Boss of the formula, telling the other herbs in the formula what to do and where to do it.
- Secondary Herbs (usually 2-5 herbs) – These herbs support the action of the primary herb(s). They often have a similar energetic action or a supporting energetic action to the key herbs in the formula. Think of these herbs like the counselors to the Jarl or Boss.
- Balancing Herbs (usually 0-3 herbs) – These herbs tone down the more intense and/or undesirable aspects of the primary and secondary herbs in the formula. Often these herbs have opposite energetic action to the key and secondary herbs in the formula.
- Catalysts (usually 0-2 herbs) – These herbs are used in small amounts to increase the energetic action of the formula and enhance its overall effects.
Here is an example of a formula I designed to help a client with her sleeping issues:
Key Herbs:
- Passionflower (Passiflora incarnata) – A nerve sedative for overactive mind.
- Valerian (Valerian officinalis) – A strong nerve sedative to sedate nervous system.
- Motherwort (Leonurus cardiaca) – A nervine/relaxant to the cardiovascular system. Especially indicated for people who need some mothering and love in their life.
Supporting Herbs:
- Hawthorne Berry (Crataegus spp.) – A nervine tonic that is very protective of the heart. Helpful for people who feel betrayed, alienated, alone or without love in their life and think about it a lot.
Balancing Herbs:
- Licorice (Glycyrrhiza glabra) – This formula is quite drying, so I added licorice to moisten the formula energetically. It is also a calming nervine.
Catalyst Herbs:
- Lobelia (Lobelia inflata) – A very potent, low-dose botanical that helps us to open emotionally and vent pent up emotional energy in safe way.
So, as you can see, when one only uses simples in their practice, they miss out on a huge amount of healing potential. This isn’t to say it’s wrong to work with simples. Many herbalists use only simples in their practice and are their results are quite effective. But this really isn’t a question of safety – instead, it’s a question of herbalists’ preference and knowledge. Personally, the art and beauty of crafting herbal formulas – combined with the incredible results I’ve gotten for clients, friends, family, and myself from using herbal formulas – keep me coming back for more.
