How Herbalism Changed the Way I Care for Myself
How Herbalism Changed the Way I Care for Myself
Why nourishment, not perfection, made all the difference.
I didn’t come to herbalism because I needed another wellness routine. In fact, I had already moved away from the pressure to do it all perfectly. My self-care was already softer. It wasn’t about boxes to tick and instead was more about showing up for myself in a way that actually felt good.
But I was still struggling. Not in a rigid, performative way but in a very real, physical way. My body still often felt heavy and sluggish. I didn’t have a rhythm that worked for me, especially around food and nutrition. And I couldn’t seem to find the right tools to help my energy return without exhausting myself even more.
That’s when herbalism found me. And something clicked.
Not because it gave me a magic fix. But because it finally felt like support, not pressure. It invited me to nourish instead of strive. To slow down, listen, and trust that my body already knew what to do… it just needed the right building blocks.
Here’s how herbalism changed the way I care for myself—and how it helped me build a more grounded, nourishing relationship with my body.
Herbalism Helped Me Go Deeper
Before I started working with herbs, I’d already let go of the pressure to do everything “right.”
I wasn’t trying to chase the perfect wellness routine. I was done with the rigidity. What I wanted was support, real, sustainable nourishment that didn’t feel like a chore.
At the time, I was living in Brazil and finding it hard to consistently get a wide variety of vegetables and nutrients into my diet. I was also in the middle of a gut healing program, so I was thinking a lot about minerals and foundational health. That’s when I started learning that herbs, whole plants, could help me support my body in a deeper, more nourishing way.
And that’s what opened the door. Not some big crisis. Not some rigid reset. Just a gentle curiosity and a desire to give my body more of what it needed.
The Real Aha Moment: Whole Plants as Mineral Support
The shift started when I was in New Zealand, reading about herbs while continuing my gut-healing work. I’d been using mineral drops in my water to support my body while traveling, but they were always leaking or running out, and I didn’t love relying on something processed or premade.
That’s when I learned that nettle was incredibly mineral-rich. I got excited.
It wasn’t just that nettle could help. It was that I could make something myself. I could support my body with a real plant. Something I could touch, smell, steep, and sip. Something simple, accessible, and nourishing.
That’s what kick started my little herbal obsession. I started making infusions. I learned about oatstraw and tulsi, how they support the nervous system and energy levels. I let myself experiment. I turned into a little herbal guinea pig and started playing again—with my own wellness, my own nourishment, my own care.
What Changed: My Energy Came Back
The most noticeable difference? My energy.
Before working with herbs, I felt like I was constantly fighting to find the drive to do anything. My body felt sluggish. Most things required effort. I could rest, but I never quite felt restored.
Once I started drinking nourishing infusions consistently—especially my go-to mix of nettle, oatstraw, and tulsi—things shifted. Slowly, gently, but powerfully. It didn’t feel like caffeine or a jolt. It felt like my body coming back online.
It was like a fog started lifting.
I wasn’t just awake, I was present. I wanted to move, to create, to build things again. I didn’t have to force myself. The energy was there.
And it wasn’t just physical. It was emotional and mental, too. I felt more capable. More curious. More excited for life again.
I Didn’t “Fix” My Body, But I Started Trusting It
I’ve always wanted to feel good in my body. But there was a time when that desire came with pressure. I needed my body to perform. To have energy. To do better.
Now, thanks to herbalism and everything that came before it, I approach things differently.
I’m not trying to fix anything. I’m trying to listen and support.
I see my body as something to partner with, not something I need to control or force into functioning. I trust it so much more now. I trust that when I give it the right support, it knows how to take care of me.
Herbs didn’t make that trust appear out of nowhere, but they helped deepen it. They became a physical expression of that relationship. A way to say, “I’m here with you. I’ve got you.” Every time I steep an infusion or smell dried nettle leaves, it’s a reminder: I can take care of myself, gently and well.
Herbalism Reframed Self-Care for Me
I used to feel overwhelmed by how many things I was “supposed” to do just to take care of myself. Eat right. Sleep well. Move often. Reduce stress. Heal my gut. The list was long, and it felt like too much.
When I brought herbs into my life, that changed.
Suddenly, something as simple as a cup of tea could carry multiple layers of support. I could be sipping minerals, calming my nervous system, and taking a screen-free moment for myself—all at once.
It made self-care simpler, not more complicated.
It also helped me let go of the idea that self-care needs to be productive or optimized. Sometimes, nourishing yourself is just… sitting down, sipping something warm, and letting your body receive it.
No pressure. No checklist. Just care.
My Relationship with My Body Now
I used to feel like I had to manage my body. Now, it feels more like a friendship, a symbiotic relationship where we take care of each other.
I listen. I offer support. I trust that when I give my body what it needs, it will do what it’s designed to do.
And that’s huge. That shift, from pressure to partnership, has changed the entire way I move through the world. It’s softened me. Grounded me. And given me so much more peace.
My Go-To Herbs: Nettle, Oatstraw, and Tulsi
If I had to name the herbs that have made the biggest difference in my life, it’s these three.
Nettle for minerals, energy, and nourishment.
Oatstraw for gentle nervous system support and deep grounding.
Tulsi (Holy Basil) for clarity, uplift, and stress support.
I drink these together often as a long-steeped infusion, and it feels like the most complete form of care. It supports my body on multiple levels: energy, hormones, stress, digestion—all in one blend.
It’s not just the benefits either. The ritual matters.
I love the sensory part of it: scooping herbs into the jar, smelling the blend, pouring hot water over them, watching it steep overnight. It’s grounding. It’s cozy. It pulls me back into the present moment.
Herbalism as a Way of Coming Home to Yourself
When you slow down enough to make infusions, when you choose herbs that match your needs, when you sit and sip with presence, something shifts.
You start noticing.
You start listening.
You start reconnecting—with your body, with nature, and with yourself.
Herbalism taught me that healing doesn’t have to be extreme. You don’t have to do it all at once. You don’t have to get it perfect.
You just need to start supporting yourself in small, nourishing ways.
📖 Want help getting started? I talk more about choosing supportive herbs in [this post on nervous system healing].
📖 Or explore more cozy habits that support balance in [this gentle guide to slow living].
Gentle Tips If You’re New to Herbalism
If you’re just starting, here’s what I’d say:
✨ Start with nourishing herbs. Nettle, Oatstraw, Tulsi—these are gentle and supportive for almost everyone. They’re not about detoxing. They’re about replenishing.
✨ Skip the harsh stuff (for now). Strong detox herbs or hormone regulators like Chasteberry can be helpful—but they need care and context. Start with nourishment.
✨ Don’t expect big, dramatic shifts. Most support is subtle. Your body whispers. Learn to listen.
✨ Let it be a ritual, not a rule. If you wake up and don’t want your infusion, don’t drink it. Toss it. Try something else later. You’re allowed to change your mind.
✨ Use your senses. Smell the herbs. Touch them. Let your body guide you. Sometimes I choose my herbs just based on how they smell or feel that day.
✨ Trust your process. Everyone is different. What supports me might not support you—and that’s okay. Herbalism isn’t one-size-fits-all. It’s a relationship.
Final Thoughts: It’s Not About Doing Everything Right. It’s About Caring Well.
Herbalism didn’t turn me into a perfect version of myself. It didn’t “fix” me. But it did support me. It did nourish me. And it gave me a way to come back to myself, again and again.
It’s not just about the herbs. It’s about what they represent: care, attention, connection, presence.
And in a world that pushes us to constantly do more, that kind of slow, quiet support is radical.
So if you’re on this path—or curious about it—start there. With one cup of tea. One handful of herbs. One quiet moment of listening.
Because sometimes, the smallest rituals are the ones that change everything.
