Native American Thompsonian Herbalism

Native American Thompsonian Herbalismpersonal experience. His mother had died and his
Everyone owes a great debt to those men andwife was nearly killed by the regular physicians
women who began natural healing. They did the(who became the Aellopaths of today).
original work in their own way of observation andThompson saved her using herbal medical
testing to locate those herbs they needed totechniques. From this experience he brought
save the lives of their tribal family. All naturaltogether the Native American and European
healers, even modern medicine, are standing onphilosophies and herbs to form Thompsonian
the shoulders of those courageous individuals, andHerbalism. Thompson became a very popular
untold thousands owe their lives to them.herbalist in the 1840's and it is estimated that a
The majority of people worldwide assume thatfull one fifth of the population of America used
America has no named herbal tradition, that theThompsonian Herbalism to treat their diseases. His
only major herbal traditions of the world aresuccess was so great that many doctors and
Chinese Herbalism, Ayurvedic Herbalism (fromherbalists began calling themselves Thompsonians.
India), and Homeopaths of Europe. Contrary toThese Thompsonian herbalists did not want to
that belief, here in America our herbal medicineassociate themselves with the "regular" physicians
tradition began with the Native American Healersof their time who used drastic, toxic, and
of the different tribes.sometimes deadly techniques, much like today's
These Native American healers held a distinctivemedical disaster.
respected leadership position within the tribalThompson believed what the father of medicine
society. They employed a combination of naturalbelieved, that disease was really simple and
herbal treatments and spiritual ceremonies thattheories made a needless mystery of medicine.
were supported by everyone in the tribe. TrueHe further believed that the mystery of medicine
natural healers today employ some of theseprevented ordinary people from taking
same pholosophical beliefs and techniques.responsibility for their own health. This confusion
When the European settlers came to these lands,exists today and separates people from truly
many herbalists, botanists, and healers came withcuring any disease. This is why modern medicine
them. Of these, a group called the Eclectichas outlawed the use of the word cure while
Physicians were the first to approach the Nativelooking for cures that they have never found and
Healers to learn their herbal philosophies and thenever will find.
plants they used. The best known of the Eclectic'sIn 1822, ten years into his successful practice
healers is the same man to coin the termThompson wrote a book titled "New Guide to
"Eclectic Physician." His name was ConstantineHealth; or Botanic Family Physician." Then
Samuel Rafinesque. To him, the term meant toThompson began selling patents from his system
use whatever worked to the benefit of theof healing so that any American family could, for
patient, or to bring them into alignment with$20, solve their own disease problems. These
nature. Being passionate about his craft, hepatent holders were able to turn to Thompson's
moved in with the Native Americans to observeherbal warehouse to purchase the formulas and,
their techniques and plants.with a copy of his book, apply the successful
The next step in this American herbal traditionherbal techniques. It was not long before this
came with the great healer Dr. Samuel Thompsonsystem began to be picked up in Europe where
(1769-1843). It was Thompson who acquired asome of it's original roots were located.
broad knowledge of herbs and healing through his