The Colonial Roots of Western Herbal Medicine in Australia

20 minutes  

An underlying assumption of many herbalists is that their practice is an expression of their connection to their land, to country. This is a challenge for Western (European) herbalists in Australia as Australia’s unique flora, and indigenous understanding of its healing potential, has not been incorporated into their materia medica. Rather these herbalists rely almost exclusively on imported species, the materia medica that is common to their colleagues in North America and the UK. It is a colonial heritage, dating from the arrival of the First Fleet in 1788.

How did this come about, and what are the challenges and ethical issues it presents for the herbal community in Australia?