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Evolutionary Herbalism: Science, Spirituality, and Medicine from the Heart of Nature
Introducing a groundbreaking, holistic approach to the practice and philosophy of herbal healing for the body, spirit, and soul.
The first-ever herbalism guide to integrate herbal, medical, and esoteric traditions from around the globe—including astrology, Ayurveda, and alchemy—into one cohesive model.
Sajah Popham presents an innovative approach to herbalism that considers the holistic relationship among plants, humans, and the underlying archetypal patterns in Nature. Organized in 5 parts, this work explores a unique integration of clinical herbalism, Ayurveda, medical astrology, spagyric alchemy, and medical and esoteric traditions from across the world into a truly holistic system of plant medicine.
A balance of the heart and the mind, and the science and spirit of people and plants, Evolutionary Herbalism provides a holistic context for how plants can be used for transformational levels of healing for the body, spirit, and soul. For both the student herbalist and experienced practitioner, Popham’s original perspectives guide readers to a more intimate, synergistic, and intuitive relationship with the plant kingdom, people, and Nature as a whole.
The first-ever herbalism guide to integrate herbal, medical, and esoteric traditions from around the globe—including astrology, Ayurveda, and alchemy—into one cohesive model.
Sajah Popham presents an innovative approach to herbalism that considers the holistic relationship among plants, humans, and the underlying archetypal patterns in Nature. Organized in 5 parts, this work explores a unique integration of clinical herbalism, Ayurveda, medical astrology, spagyric alchemy, and medical and esoteric traditions from across the world into a truly holistic system of plant medicine.
A balance of the heart and the mind, and the science and spirit of people and plants, Evolutionary Herbalism provides a holistic context for how plants can be used for transformational levels of healing for the body, spirit, and soul. For both the student herbalist and experienced practitioner, Popham’s original perspectives guide readers to a more intimate, synergistic, and intuitive relationship with the plant kingdom, people, and Nature as a whole.
544 pages, Paperback
First published April 30, 2019
286 people are currently reading
1046 people want to read
About the author
Sajah Popham
1 book46 followersSajah Popham believes in creating a paradigm of herbal medicine where the science and spirit of people and plants are integrated for a holistic model of plant medicine. He holds a degree in Herbal Sciences from Bastyr University and has studied herbal traditions across the world and with some of North America's top clinical practitioners. His focus is on finding the universal principles and practices across herbal traditions and using plants in a way that not only brings about physical healing and rejuvenation, but psychological and emotional health, and spiritual transformation.
His unique approach integrates not only clinical Western herbalism, Ayurveda and Chinese medicine, but also the practices of Medical Astrology, Spagyric Alchemy, and western esotericism. Sajah's approach unites these traditional models in a way that utilizes the whole plant (chemistry, energetics and spirit) to heal the whole person (body, spirit and soul) by getting to the root causes of disease.
Sajah lives in the Pacific Northwest forest with his wife Whitney. To learn more about his work, visit www.evolutionaryherbalism.com.
His unique approach integrates not only clinical Western herbalism, Ayurveda and Chinese medicine, but also the practices of Medical Astrology, Spagyric Alchemy, and western esotericism. Sajah's approach unites these traditional models in a way that utilizes the whole plant (chemistry, energetics and spirit) to heal the whole person (body, spirit and soul) by getting to the root causes of disease.
Sajah lives in the Pacific Northwest forest with his wife Whitney. To learn more about his work, visit www.evolutionaryherbalism.com.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 51 reviews
May 24, 2019
“Evolutionary Herbalism” is simple in truth, yet astoundingly universal in its application for healing oneself and the earth. It reveals an archetypal common ground between a dizzyingly broad spectrum of tools and modalities.
It points to a system of human and plant wisdom that can help lead us away from hit and miss models of "allopathic herbalism" toward a holistic way of understanding both ourselves and plants. This allows us to select herbs with absolute precision. Sajah Popham teaches us how to develop the eyes to perceive the “light of nature” and attain the experiential knowledge of how plants can calm overactive or strengthen deficient influences in people through their observable attributes. Plants selected to match the unique attributes of an individual can improve every aspect of that individual’s life.
Popham draws from alchemy, medical astrology, Ayurveda, Chinese medicine, aromatherapy, flower remedies, tissue states and more. Remarkable!
It points to a system of human and plant wisdom that can help lead us away from hit and miss models of "allopathic herbalism" toward a holistic way of understanding both ourselves and plants. This allows us to select herbs with absolute precision. Sajah Popham teaches us how to develop the eyes to perceive the “light of nature” and attain the experiential knowledge of how plants can calm overactive or strengthen deficient influences in people through their observable attributes. Plants selected to match the unique attributes of an individual can improve every aspect of that individual’s life.
Popham draws from alchemy, medical astrology, Ayurveda, Chinese medicine, aromatherapy, flower remedies, tissue states and more. Remarkable!
May 24, 2019
I own a lot of herbal books and Evolutionary Herbalism is unlike any other. This is a groundbreaking book which takes herbalism to new heights. This is herbalism practiced to heal the body, mind, and soul—not just to alleviate the symptom du jour—although it does that too. This book offers something for all levels of herbal practitioners—highly recommended.
July 11, 2019
This book is a true gem. There is nothing else like it. It was daunting at first BUT Sajah’s ways of teaching really resonated with me. I cannot say enough about how important this book is...
July 19, 2024
This book is tremendous. It has forever changed the way I view herbs and how I intend to use them. I will be referring to this wisdom for the rest of my life.
The only downside to this book was the tangent on tarot cards, the Qabalah, and western mysticism. I understood the why behind it all and how it applies to the author’s approach to herbalism, but I don’t believe it is necessary for successful herbalism protocols of healing. It is rather irritating how herbalism has to always be linked to mysticism. One does not have to be into the occult to understand or experience plants and their healing properties. Understanding the deeper emotional and spiritual sides of plant healing aren't confined to occult/mystic backgrounds. With that being said, Sajah still has timeless, universal values of healing to offer and teach us.
The only downside to this book was the tangent on tarot cards, the Qabalah, and western mysticism. I understood the why behind it all and how it applies to the author’s approach to herbalism, but I don’t believe it is necessary for successful herbalism protocols of healing. It is rather irritating how herbalism has to always be linked to mysticism. One does not have to be into the occult to understand or experience plants and their healing properties. Understanding the deeper emotional and spiritual sides of plant healing aren't confined to occult/mystic backgrounds. With that being said, Sajah still has timeless, universal values of healing to offer and teach us.
May 30, 2019
This book is a Bible. It's a great meditative read. I open mine up to any page and it speaks to me. The author obviously knows his stuff, but the book has been blessed by all the other experts, shamans, and gifted herbalists who guided him along his plant path. This book is very special to me and I feel very lucky to be able to understand these discoveries.
December 20, 2019
I believe this book will really prove itself to be "evolutionary" in its influence on herbal medicine. Popham weaves in so many different paths and ways of looking at herbs from a variety of traditions and clearly shows how they are connected into a universal medicine that actually begins in our individual hearts. While I found the information about how tarot works and how to make spagyric medicines confusing the information is there and I will likely come back to it as I progress on my own path. For right now I am drawn to simples and the herbal traditions of my foremothers who created medicines in the food they cooked while their lives were full of children and daily duties. But his information on how to match plants to people using different mediums was really mind blowing. And the section on how we need to heal ourselves first and how we will become the medicine the world needs was incredibly beautiful.
May 28, 2019
Highly recommend this book! Sajah pours his heart and soul into the details of the text and shares essential knowledge for herbalists. Recommended reading for anyone who has an interest in nature, health, ALchemy and worldwide herbal philosophies. Should be read by everbody else too in my opion, the world would be a much better place and the earth would be a healthier one!! TOP book on my herbal bookshelf <3
May 17, 2024
I’m right in the middle of this book, but I’m probably not going to finish it.
This book is good for one thing, and that is correspondences. Unfortunately, the book falls into the trap of compartmentalizing nature into alchemical, elemental, and planetary correspondences, without addressing the fact that these are projections. Blindly projecting these patterns on nature (as if that’s how it’s actually structured) misses the mark for me big time. It’s one thing to do this deliberately to heal a condition within one’s self or another, it’s another to do it blindly without realize you’re doing it. This sort of thing is dangerous because it’s the same insanity that created many of the disorders modern medicine strives to treat — the same sort of disorders this book strives to treat. It’s the same insanity that created modern medicine in the first place. What’s ironic to me is that the author is critical of modern medicine in favour of a system that works off “energetic architecture.” What he fails to realize is he’s just swapping one brand of insanity for another.
If you pay close attention, you’ll notice that there’s no lines, shapes, colours, textures, causes, effects, or elements anywhere in nature.
Healing might come in the form of allowing nature to return to this formless state, rather than projecting systems upon her. Or, at the very least, if we’re going to project a system onto her, we need to be aware we’re doing it, otherwise we risk treating disorder with disorder.
This book is good for one thing, and that is correspondences. Unfortunately, the book falls into the trap of compartmentalizing nature into alchemical, elemental, and planetary correspondences, without addressing the fact that these are projections. Blindly projecting these patterns on nature (as if that’s how it’s actually structured) misses the mark for me big time. It’s one thing to do this deliberately to heal a condition within one’s self or another, it’s another to do it blindly without realize you’re doing it. This sort of thing is dangerous because it’s the same insanity that created many of the disorders modern medicine strives to treat — the same sort of disorders this book strives to treat. It’s the same insanity that created modern medicine in the first place. What’s ironic to me is that the author is critical of modern medicine in favour of a system that works off “energetic architecture.” What he fails to realize is he’s just swapping one brand of insanity for another.
If you pay close attention, you’ll notice that there’s no lines, shapes, colours, textures, causes, effects, or elements anywhere in nature.
Healing might come in the form of allowing nature to return to this formless state, rather than projecting systems upon her. Or, at the very least, if we’re going to project a system onto her, we need to be aware we’re doing it, otherwise we risk treating disorder with disorder.
May 9, 2020
Well I have not read aka listened to the book yet because it is scheduled to release on 05/19/2020 but I am and have been enrolled in Sajah's Evolutionary Herbalism course for the last two months and I am amazed! Honestly as a nurse I cannot believe we are not using astrology in our everyday practices because it is the real medicine for the mind, body, and spirit! Taking his courses helped me identify significant events that contributed to my current medical issues. It is insane how accurate the planetary positions were to my diagnosis dates! It is the blueprint to your health and everyone should take advantage of this knowledge or just come see me when I am finished studying his practice. I would not have been able to crack the code on my current medical issues that were being neglected by traditional medical providers if I did not find his course. I will still listen to the book when it comes out because I know it will be amazing!
veryone knows what I have been going through legally with my previous employer
veryone knows what I have been going through legally with my previous employer
April 25, 2021
Unique and unusual.
I bought this book after watching Sajah's webinar about correlations between planets and herbs.
Remarkable, unique, coherently presented knowledge of herbal medicine. Sajah's approach is devoid of instrumental treatment of medicinal plants. Instead, the author pays attention to spirituality and developing a personal relationship with the world of plants and the Earth. Learning through own experience. I like various fields integrated with each other, such as astrology, Ayurveda, Alchemy, Chinese Medicine... Also important is clear language and the use of Latin plant names ( helping to identify plants easily - English is my second language ). Summarizing- Sajah has created a beautiful, individualized holistic healing system. I love it.
I bought this book after watching Sajah's webinar about correlations between planets and herbs.
Remarkable, unique, coherently presented knowledge of herbal medicine. Sajah's approach is devoid of instrumental treatment of medicinal plants. Instead, the author pays attention to spirituality and developing a personal relationship with the world of plants and the Earth. Learning through own experience. I like various fields integrated with each other, such as astrology, Ayurveda, Alchemy, Chinese Medicine... Also important is clear language and the use of Latin plant names ( helping to identify plants easily - English is my second language ). Summarizing- Sajah has created a beautiful, individualized holistic healing system. I love it.
October 21, 2020
I read this book in combination to listening to it on Audible. I can only say...wow! So much information but totally well organized and accessible. I am new to the planetary and alchemical world involving herbs but this book was easy to read and understand. Even if you are not interested in those aspects of herbalism this book is chalked full of so much great insight and information. A great read. Along with Sajah's monthly materia medica I feel like I am receiving so much useful herbal knowledge that it is the next best thing to attending a real in person herbal school. Thank you
May 6, 2020
Evolutionary Herbalism presents a model for working with plants that can be integrated into other systems and materia medicas. By presenting an archetypal framework with which you can describe any plant, the model frees readers from needing to memorize individual plant uses and instead develop their systemic understanding of herbal medicine.
June 24, 2020
I love this book so much and I am not an herbalist. I am only on Chapter 6 because there is so much rich content that I have to read it slowly. This book is for anyone who wants to discover more about nature, wellness or just the amazing wonder of life that is in us and all around us.
July 12, 2022
Go read Braiding Sweetgrass by Robin Wall Kimmerer or The Plant Hunter by Cassandra Leah Quave and skip this one. It’s so pretentious without the knowledge to back it. Just no. It’s more old philosophy than science and herbalism.
January 13, 2024
Too much going on I felt! Hard to keep everything together in my mind and not enough to acutally apply it, felt like it tried to reduce so many complex system into a similar frame work that in the end wasn't usable
March 31, 2020
What a bunch of crap!
September 25, 2021
Probably needed to start on this topic with a different book.
May 25, 2023
Bridging a multitude of modalities from botanic to esoteric. . A broad and fine distillation. Rather verbose. Prompts a correlation vs causation conversation. Short on references.
October 25, 2020
This book provides a unique perspective in relating numerous spiritual and traditional medicine practices to herbalism. One quote that sticks out is that "In herbalism you harvest plants but in Alchemy, you harvest planets." There was also a mention of using HeartMath techniques to connect with the spiritual essence of plants. Being a HeartMath coach, this really spoke to me and is something I've been doing intuitively for some time now. This booked also sparked interest in another that I just added to my list: The Secret Teachings of Plants: The Intelligence of the Heart in the Direct Perception of Nature
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August 20, 2021Sajah Popham has taught me so much and continues to do so. He makes everything understandable, it clicks in my brain when he says it.
Evolutionary Herbalism brings everything together. it all makes sense. As an herbalist I always felt like I was missing something and disconnected. I read, went to courses, but it all seemed so shallow actually. This book is like an Ah Ha moment . You will smile and say "Yes" it all completely makes sense now!". My foundation of knowledge has expanded and supports my way of interacting with my clients both personally and intellectually.
The video's that are included with this book are just one of the bonuses. Make sure you register and gain access to the additional and uncut version of Sajahs writings and videos. You will not be disappointed.
Evolutionary Herbalism brings everything together. it all makes sense. As an herbalist I always felt like I was missing something and disconnected. I read, went to courses, but it all seemed so shallow actually. This book is like an Ah Ha moment . You will smile and say "Yes" it all completely makes sense now!". My foundation of knowledge has expanded and supports my way of interacting with my clients both personally and intellectually.
The video's that are included with this book are just one of the bonuses. Make sure you register and gain access to the additional and uncut version of Sajahs writings and videos. You will not be disappointed.
May 8, 2021
A must have resource.
This book is so full of wonderful information and covers many parts of herbalism. Some, you probably didn’t think about, like myself. For example, the astrological influences, seasonal influences, the vitalist/medics perspective....I could go on and on.
This school (School of Evolutionary Herbalism) and book has literally changed how I view herbs, spirituality, astrology & connection.
They are truly amazing. I honestly can’t say enough good things about them. The book also comes with a free 5 week companion course! If you are interested in learning about herbalism and its many facets, then this is your book and school. Hands down one of the best books and schools.
This book is so full of wonderful information and covers many parts of herbalism. Some, you probably didn’t think about, like myself. For example, the astrological influences, seasonal influences, the vitalist/medics perspective....I could go on and on.
This school (School of Evolutionary Herbalism) and book has literally changed how I view herbs, spirituality, astrology & connection.
They are truly amazing. I honestly can’t say enough good things about them. The book also comes with a free 5 week companion course! If you are interested in learning about herbalism and its many facets, then this is your book and school. Hands down one of the best books and schools.
April 15, 2025
Popham has does an INSANE amount of work to bring all of this together. It boggles the mind how much he first had to explore, discover, learn, heal himself, trial and error, study other cultures, attune himself to plants, get a formal education and then practice herbal medicine all the while constantly improving himself and his practice mind, body and soul. It’s is a *remarkable* book.
That said- it’s way, way over my head. Many concepts were lost on me as I am not an herbalism practitioner. On the other hand, this prepared me for future explorations of herbalism in the most cohesive, holistic, and respectful way possible. I may never become an herbalist, in fact I most likely won’t, but this book also contains a framework for a holistic LIFE. I’m sending it to my best friend who I think will get a lot more out of it as she studied herbalism in earnest a few years ago.
That said- it’s way, way over my head. Many concepts were lost on me as I am not an herbalism practitioner. On the other hand, this prepared me for future explorations of herbalism in the most cohesive, holistic, and respectful way possible. I may never become an herbalist, in fact I most likely won’t, but this book also contains a framework for a holistic LIFE. I’m sending it to my best friend who I think will get a lot more out of it as she studied herbalism in earnest a few years ago.
June 25, 2022
An inspirational book and enthusiastic introduction to historical systems of herbal healing. But, more than this, it boldly and creatively endeavours to weave a developing narrative of herbal methodology and means to empower individuals who seek healing and to heal. Generously packed full of information and intriguing, intuitive connections between spiritual and philosophical systems sure to energise individuals in the development of their own plant journey, and, therefore, unique gift to the emerging synergy of reconnection and future regeneration.
September 18, 2025
Got half way through this book and decided against finishing it. Contained a wealth of knowledge and concepts that were woven together well, however it was too much to retain in one space. It also strayed into esoteric mysticism/alchemy which isn’t quite my thing. I did however learn a lot, and was able to identify interesting additional resources that I will investigate, one at a time. Author seemed a proselytizing in tone, too which at times felt alienating. Highlights were the reference sections and the diagrams, they were so detailed.
January 5, 2023
*For advanced practitioners*
This books was a deep dive into herbalism and its link to spirituality. As far as information goes, it’s five stars but the information is highly detailed and not for the novice or casual herbalist, thus the four star review. This book contains a huge amount of information and if you are interested in herbalism, spirituality, astrology, and/or tarot this book will provide you with a wealth of knowledge.
This books was a deep dive into herbalism and its link to spirituality. As far as information goes, it’s five stars but the information is highly detailed and not for the novice or casual herbalist, thus the four star review. This book contains a huge amount of information and if you are interested in herbalism, spirituality, astrology, and/or tarot this book will provide you with a wealth of knowledge.
April 13, 2023
Incredible book ~ An Herbal masterpiece! Sajah is an amazing teacher and author and I'm inspired by his teaching and believe in the Astro-Herbalism way of healing. I hope it will start to become the standard in health care ~ we are Nature and Nature is our healer. Once you read and understand the way Nature heals, you will also be inspired to see the Herbal path for your healing needs. I also highly recommend his School of Evolutionary Herbalism courses!
August 27, 2024
Sajah has put together a book that I align deeply with as an emerging herbalist on a practical and metaphysical level. Through this book you can see the deeply interconnected nature of humanity's relationships with healing and health through plants. I believe this book is great for anyone interested in the "whole plant" relationship and those who can sense the intuitive essence of the spirit of the plants we work with for ourselves or others.
February 6, 2026
I listened to this as an audiobook on a road trip and it was perfect! So reflective, so informative. Everyone who wants to be a doctor or teacher or work as a caretaker in any capacity should read this book! Honestly everyone in general… it’s one of those books that fundamentally changes your perspective after you’ve read it, and youll continue thinking about it and recommending it to others as well!
June 23, 2020
I absolutely love the wisdom and heart knowledge Sajah shares in Evolutionary Herbalism. He writes straight from the heart and is an ambassador for wholeness. An incredible contribution to this consciousness, I'm looking forward to continuing to learn from him through his courses and programs. Big love!
July 16, 2020
This book joins together the rabbit hole of Astrology with the jolly old world of herbs, so that I may with all my eyes enjoy seeing the herb world through the lens of astrology, which of course simply expands my capacity to perform astro philosophical soul survey across the spectrum of all life. Sajah's work is complete and succinct, I also got the talking book ^*^
Displaying 1 - 30 of 51 reviews