[Last modified: October, 21 2024 01:56 PM]
Studying Herbalism and medicinal plants may seem like a walk in the park – a fun study where nothing could go wrong. However, I have come to see this is far from the truth. Studies of plants both anthropologically and for other disciplines often have a history of extraction and exploitation. Historically researchers found plants that could be exploited for economic gain and provided this information to colonial powers. One of the most known cases is that of the rubber tree which was smuggled out of Brazil to be planted in British colonies resulting in loss of biodiversity, deforestation and displacement of indigenous communities.
This trend continues today, for example medicinal plants such as echinacea, witch hazel, ginseng and sage have become increasingly popular and globally in demand. Many individuals do not realize how this negatively effects many Indigenous Peoples in North America who have relied on these plants for generations and continue to do so as a part of their daily lives. Due to these plants being so popular, their land is destroyed as crops are being ripped out, all in order to fill the consumer demand for these plants – most of the time because they are globally ‘trending’.
This history has led to me being very reflexive in how I approach this topic and research. I hope to interview people who practice herbal medicine and have knowledge of medicinal plants, however I do not want to repeat history and make their knowledge available for exploitation. If necessary I will pseudonymize any plant names they feel uncomfortable sharing. I will also make the intention of my research proposal very clear – that it is not for starting a new ‘super food’ trend but is instead to understand how ancestral knowledge of medicinal plants is passed down and how it is transformed once it enters a urban environment such as London. I also hope to find a way to document this knowledge without endangering any life form.
I am also aware of my gender as a female, however I think in many circumstances this may work in my favor. A big theme which I hope to look at is women’s connection to herbal medicine and medicinal plants. Identifying as female I believe will help me enter some of these spaces easier.
In addition, since I am interviewing people in London, where I also live, it feels less like I am trying to extract information and instead add to a growing collective body of knowledge and learning.
I believe that my world views will also help me as I am very enthusiastic and respectful of herbal medicine. I think it would be very difficult if I had doubts about forms of medicine that didn’t align with western modern day medicine. I am also very open and curious about the spiritual aspect of medicinal plants. I also have a little knowledge of herbs and medicinal plants and if given the space and if I feel it respectful, I would love to share my knowledge which I hope will lead to a beautiful knowledge sharing space of excitement and curiosity.