Matthew Wood Institute of Herbalism

The Doctrine of Signatures is used around the world in pre-modern cultures where thought-by-association is accepted as a valid means of obtaining knowledge.

The idea is that a plant looks like the disease, organ, or person it can heal.

For instance, Celandine (Chelidonium majus) has yellow/orange sap like bile. It was official in the U. S. Pharmacopeia until 1951 for “biliousness;” now they just remove the gallbladder.

Horsetail (Equisetum arvensis) looks and feels like course horse hair, so it is good for the hair. Actually, it is beneficial for nearly all connective tissue. It also grows on wet sands, so it is a remedy for the kidneys.

Thus, the shape, color, sensory impression, and habitat all can be used to determine the uses of a plant.

The putrid smell and bad taste of Figwort (Scrophularia spp.) indicate that it is a remedy for putrefaction. Since it has gland-like or hemorrhoids-like flowers, it is called Figwort and Pilewort and used as a lymphatic and hemorrhoid remedy.

Who is this for?

Do you love plants, herbalism, metaphor, and being in wonder and awe of this vast world? This is for you! This is for all experience levels, beginner to advanced.

Enjoy on-going exploratory and interactive classes. Each month Leigh will guide us in discovering the signatures of a new herb; encouraging and helping students to see this amazing plant world through new eyes, or perhaps simply with a new perspective. At the end of each month, Leigh will present a LIVE online summary of what the groups discovered along with her own studies and insights. Matthew will chime in on occasion too!

These classes are part of the unique and central concept of the Matthew Wood Institute of Herbalism curriculum: Nature Wisdom.