Getting Started with Plant Medicine

By Diana Krach

Woman sitting on picnic blanket eating with a plant person.

By Diana Krach

Plant medicine is the latest buzzword in wellness, but it’s more than a fad. Cannabis, kratom, coffee, kava, tea, and mushrooms — have been used medicinally for centuries. Despite the long history, many people opt for pharmaceuticals because the alternatives seem too daunting.

There are a lot of options flooding the alternative health market, so it can be overwhelming when beginning a plant medicine routine. Aside from the over-saturation of products, there is a ton of misinformation about natural or alternative wellness products, particularly when it comes to plant medicine.

But when the right plant compounds are paired together, they work together synergistically in the body. Put simply, once a fundamental understanding of complementary plant medicine happens, the body can achieve optimal health and wellness. It isn’t easy, and it takes some work, but the benefits will make it worthwhile.

Here are some helpful tips for beginning a plant medicine journey:

Start low and go slow

Even if you have a high tolerance for other types of medication, it is important to start with the lowest dose possible when it comes to plant medicine options. Each experience is unique, but starting with half of the recommended dose, when possible, is a good idea. If you don’t feel the effects after a reasonable amount of time, slowly build to a larger dose.

Microdosing is a great way to try plant alternatives because of the low risk involved. With a mindful approach and patience, the benefits and adverse effects become clear over time.

Understand cultivars and strains

There are different cultivars (strains) of kratom, cannabis, and hemp, and it’s important to understand how each one works. Using an uplifting or energizing cultivar of cannabis with a sedative strain of kratom could result in an unintended outcome, for example. To have a thorough understanding of each strain means understanding the compounds in each plant.

Furthermore, plants like cannabis are a complex mixture of terpenes (naturally occurring chemical compounds) and cannabinoids (compounds found in cannabis plants). The entourage effect is when terpenes and cannabinoids work together in synergistic ways to achieve the ultimate balance in your body. Outside elements like burning lavender incense or inhaling lemons can enhance the terpenes and make the entourage effect more accessible.

Be intentional about application methods

There are many applications of plant medicine: topical, transdermal, edible, sublingual, etc. Understanding why your body reacts to different applications matters just as much as the product, so do some research and reflection on past experiences to determine which is best. If you have really sensitive skin, for example, topical options may be something you approach with extra caution.

Additionally, it helps to think about bioavailability when choosing your consumption method. If you need quick relief, a sublingual or gummy edible might be a better choice over a pill, which could offer delayed release.

Keep a journal

The only way to ensure your journey doesn’t get too dicey is to keep a journal. Tracking each day will help you determine which medicines should be eliminated, and which ones should stay. Additionally, journaling will help you figure out the appropriate dosage and application methods.

Mood changes are normal during exploration, so it helps to see what plants are making you feel a certain way. Adjusting for sensitivity is a huge part of the process when creating your wellness plan, so it’s important to note your emotional state and physical status when journaling about new treatment options.

Anything from the weather to the time of day could impact your outcome, and you must note everything to curate the best routine. The benefit of journaling the experience is that you can revisit entries later in your journey to reflect on your progress and see the tangible results.

Before beginning any new wellness journey, it is important to check in with your doctor. Even if the practitioner does not recognize alternatives to pharmaceuticals as a valid treatment, make sure to disclose what you are using whatever you’re using. Having a record of that can prevent any adverse reactions in case of an emergent situation.

Check out the latest episode of Getting Personal with Plant Medicine, a partnership between Mitragaia and Your Highness Media.