Western herbalism: What drives individuals within Rhode Island to study this ancient healing modality?
Abstract
As Mary Blue (2015) shares, traditional knowledge regarding herbalism has been forgotten and appropriated through years of imperialization. To continue spreading awareness of this healing modality to communities who need it, it is important to first understand the “why” that motivates already-existing students. This “why” may be a desire to fill the gaps in literature pertaining to the history and development of Western herbalism, or perhaps the “why” is a desire to have a deeper understanding of the role herbs play in the prevention and treatment of disease. Understanding the motivations of herbal practitioners and learners may help inform awareness content to further spread this healing modality.
Research Question: How can I effectively identify what drives people to study Western herbalism?