A Medical Astrologer’s Guide to Understanding Herbs

Astroherbalism

As both a budding medical astrologer and naturopath, I’ve learnt that nature speaks to us through a sophisticated language that connects herbs to the celestial bodies. This was very well known to the traditional and ancient physicians that come before us.

Keys to Plant-Planetary Understanding

By considering each of these key points, one can learn to undestand what planetary eneries the plant embodies.

Habitat & Ecosystem

The environment where a plant thrives tells us about its healing nature. Consider Calendula- a plant that grows well in a sunny position and tolerates reasonable heat. Could this be a plant/herb of the Sun? Like the radiant Sun, Calendula strengthens and uplifts both heart and spirit, its golden flowers carrying the power to expel what doesn’t serve us. When the fresh juice is applied to aching bodies, it brings the Sun’s soothing warmth, while the flowers added to broths and warm drinks comfort the heart and protect our vital essence. Just as the Sun dispels darkness and strengthens life itself, Calendula works to expel harmful influences and fortify our whole being, making it a true solar medicine that strengthens circulation, cleanses the system, and illuminates our inner vitality.

Morphology & Physical Signs

Nature communicates through form, not words. The golden radiance of calendula mirrors solar energy, while thorny plants often channel Mars’ protective qualities. Purple flowers often relate to the crown chakra-nervous system. Shape, color, texture, and growth patterns all reveal a plant’s planetary associations.

Taste as Teacher

When we taste an herb, we receive direct communication from the plant world. Each flavor profile – bitter, pungent, sweet, astringent – connects to specific planetary energies and healing properties. For instance, Kava has a mild sweet taste, but is numbing to the tongue. This alludes to how Kava can numb the senses in general – perhaps placing it under the rulership of the Moon, which has an affinity for nervines and sedatives.

Medicinal Actions

This is what you are taught in mainstream education about what a herb does to the body, it’s “actions”. How a plant affects our physiology relates to planetary rulerships. This goes deeper than basic pharmacology. For example, a herb that has a diuretic action may belong to Venus (as Venus is the planet of Libra which rules the kidneys).

Bodily Affinities

Some plants demonstrate special relationships with certain organs and systems. Understanding which planets have affinities for certain body parts helps us match herbs to planetary rulers with greater precision. For example, a herb with an affinity for the liver is likely to be Jupiterian.

Energetic Nature

Is an herb warming or cooling? Drying or moistening? These basic energetics connect directly to planetary qualities, helping us understand both their immediate effects and deeper healing potential. If the herb is cooling and drying, perhaps it is of the nature of Saturn (who is cool and dry).

Psychospiritual Impact

Plants don’t just heal the body – they affect consciousness. Some open the heart (Venus), others provide courage (Mars), while others enhance wisdom (Jupiter).

Beyond Basic Herbalism

By understanding the cosmic nature of plants, we can:

When we understand these patterns, we don’t need to constantly reference books for herbal correspondences. The plants themselves teach us their nature through this living language. It definitely takes a while to get the hang of it- I am still learninig this myself! But it provides a deeper understanding of the language of plants that seems to be overlooked or missed if your herbal medicine education did not come from grandmas garden.

Want to learn more about how medical astrology can transform your understanding of your health? My name is Ash and I am a naturopath based in Kalamunda, Perth Hills, Western Australia. Perhaps you would be interested in a medical astrology birth chart reading. Click here to book!


References:
Nicholas Culpeper
Joseph Blagrave
Sajah Popham
Michael Thomsen