Building a Relationship with a Single Herb

The Power of Simplicity

In a culture that often equates complexity with effectiveness, herbalism offers a refreshing counterpoint: sometimes, the most powerful medicine is the simplest. While well-crafted formulas absolutely have their place (and I really enjoy making them, hehe), there’s something uniquely potent about working with single-herb extracts—also known as simple tinctures. These allow us to strip away the noise, refine our approach, and most importantly, develop a deep, personal relationship with each plant.

Controlling the Variables

If you’ve ever had an unexpected reaction to an herbal formula—whether it was an allergy, sensitivity, or just not feeling quite right—you know how tricky it can be to pinpoint the cause. With a blend, there are sometimes too many moving parts, especially for Individuals with allergies or sensitivities. Was it the nettle? The chamomile? The licorice? When you take a single-herb extract, you’re controlling the variables. You know exactly what you’re working with, which makes it easier to track how your body responds. This can be a game-changer for some folks.

For those with allergies or sensitivities, this level of control is invaluable. Many pre-made formulas contain a long list of ingredients, any one of which could be a trigger. With simple tinctures, you can introduce herbs one at a time, ensuring that each one agrees with your system before layering them together. Instead of rolling the dice with a complex blend, you get a clear, direct connection with each plant.

A Deeper Connection: Learning the Language of Plants

Working with a single herb at a time isn’t just about avoiding unwanted reactions—it’s about building a relationship with the plant itself. Each herb has a unique personality, a distinct way it interacts with the body. But when herbs are taken in blends, those nuances can be blurred.

When you take a simple extract on its own, you get to experience the plant fully. You notice the subtle shifts in your body:

• Is it warming or cooling?
• Does it bring energy or calm?
• Do you feel it in your digestion, your nervous system, your circulation?
• How does it affect your mood, sleep, or focus?

This kind of direct experience is exactly how herbalists have worked with plants for centuries—by sitting with a plant, noticing its effects, and learning its language. It’s the difference between reading about someone and actually spending time with them. You don’t truly know an herb until you’ve spent time with it, on its own, without distractions.

Simple Extracts for Precision & Customization

Another beauty of working with single extracts is the level of precision they offer. Instead of taking a generic “stress relief” formula, you can tailor your approach:

• Do you need the grounding, adrenal support of ashwagandha?
• The nervous system nourishment of milky oats?
• The cooling relaxation of skullcap?
  

A formula might contain all three, but if one doesn’t sit well with you, it’s hard to know which. With single extracts, you can adjust your regimen in real time—adding, subtracting, or changing herbs as your needs shift. This allows for a much more intuitive, body-led approach rather than relying on one-size-fits-all blends.

And here’s the thing—simple tinctures don’t mean you can’t combine herbs. In fact, many herbalists prefer to mix simple extracts on an as-needed basis rather than relying on pre-made blends. This lets you create formulas that evolve with you, instead of being locked into a fixed combination that may not always be what your body needs. For more on custom formulas, check out this blog post.

The Art of Less

Herbalism isn’t about throwing the kitchen sink at a problem. It’s not about finding the most complicated formula or using the most ingredients—it’s about understanding the plants, understanding the body, and finding the right match. And sometimes, the best way to do that is to slow down, simplify, and let a single herb do its work. Especially if you are intuitively led to a specific herb.

When you build a relationship with one herb at a time, you start to see plants differently—not as quick-fix solutions, but as allies, teachers, and guides. You learn how they interact with your body, how they shift your energy, and how they support your deeper healing. And in that space of connection, true herbal wisdom unfolds.

Check out my offerings of single herb extracts here.