The Doctrine of Signatures

The Doctrine of Signatures is a theory and some would even say, it’s the foundation of Herbalism.  It draws from the experience of different ancient traditions that describe how to naturally and intuitively interpret all the unique bits of information a plant displays, which in my opinion is part of a deeper and broader framework for healing the mind, body and spirit. 

The Doctrine of Signatures theory has probably existed for as long as people have looked at plants. The Greek physician, Dioscorides, who practiced and wrote about medicine in ancient Rome, was one of the first to describe a signature in the year 65.  He wrote, “The Herb Scorpius resembles the tail of the Scorpion and is good against his biting.”  The Swiss physician and alchemist Paracelsus (1493–1541) advocated for the notion, writing that “Nature marks each growth … according to its curative benefit.” And the term, doctrine of signatures comes from Jakob Böhme’s 1621 book, The Signature of All Things.   Plant signatures were being interpreted in other places as well. They are a basis of traditional Chinese medicine, dating back millennia, and there is even documentation found about the theory in a variety of Native American tribes, in traditional communities in Israel, and elsewhere. It is noted that, even as the doctrine of signatures gained popularity as a Christian concept in medieval Europe, herbalists and healers were among those persecuted for witchcraft, and their evidence-based knowledge of plants was forced to go underground.

Let’s talk about some examples of signatures such as, Horsetail- which contains large amounts of silica, that is beneficial to the hair, as well as the skin, nails, and bones.

Fun fact: Horsetail is also known as scouring rush, as people used to bind its branches together and use them as a scouring pad to wash dishes. 

All these clues are embodied by the doctrine of signatures, the concept that a plant resembles the condition or part of the body that it can heal. Some signatures are reflected in the common names of some plants whose shapes and colors reminded herbalists of the parts of the body that needed healing, for example:  Eyebright: used for eye infections, Liverwort: used to treat the liver. Kidney Beans: used to support kidney function. 

Signatures are also developed with sound. Here’s a great example-Black cohosh and wild indigo contain seeds found in the seedpods that have the signature sound of a rattlesnake. History tells us that Native Americans used Black cohosh and wild indigo for snakebite remedies.

Color- such as herbs with a dark red color are associated with building the blood, and white flowers from let’s say, comfrey, help heal broken bones.

Scent- The scent from aromatic volatile oils in plants such as lavender are said to have a calming effect, while the scent of eucalyptus opens up the lungs.

The location of the plant tells us a lot about the plant itself- take for example, nettle grows well in wet areas, and as such nourishes our blood and urinary tract which tells about the area it grows and thrives in.

Texture: A wonderful example and ally to many herbalists is mullein.  Mullein leaves are soft and fuzzy, resembling the ciliated tissue of the respiratory system (Maurer, 2013)

Then we also have the shape.  Walnuts and almonds are said to support brain health is an example.    

As for me and my studies of herbalism, it is important, and imperative for me to use the array of tools I have at my disposal when working with herbs, for me and my family.

With that said, an important warning follows- Before attempting to consume any plant internally, it is important that one is absolutely sure of the properties and contraindications (or a condition that makes a particular treatment or procedure inadvisable – such as the fact that rosemary or Ginseng may be safe for one person, but can be harmful for someone with high blood pressure). One should do their research on herbs they work with and only under the direct supervision of ones trusted physician.

While we explore the theory of the Doctrine of Signatures we may find how it can be a powerful tool in deepening our sense of intuition, connection, and understanding of nature. Or, maybe when expressing gratitude for our meals, we spend a little more time observing the vegetables on the table. Perhaps they have more qualities than meet the eye?!  It’s fun to explore!

**Disclaimer This blog is meant for entertainment purposes only. Many of the herbs with reputed therapeutic value as promoted along with the doctrine of signatures have not been scientifically proven to have any medicinal benefits.   And many of the herbs mentioned can be harmful to one’s health. Always consult your doctor before consuming any herbs.