Secondly, to treat the cause, ‘tolle causum’, which includes the understanding that, whilst I can never know the causes of all things, that I will strive to understand and address the causes of suffering as I perceive them and that, even as I give medicines to relieve a person’s symptoms, that I will at the same time strive to educate myself and the people who come into my care as to what may be the underlying cause of their health problems so that they may become empowered to find the true cure for that which they have sought my help.
Thirdly, to work with the healing power of Nature, the ‘vis medicatrix naturae’, which includes the unconditional acceptance that it is the ineffable power of Nature that has the ability to heal sickness and cure disease and that my constant endeavour in my work is not to replace that, but rather to be a good agent for it by seeing and attempting to address where its influence is being hindered, and seeing and attempting to treat where its influence may be encouraged.
Fourthly, to know thyself, ‘nosce te ipsum’, including that I will continue to grow and nurture my ability to harness the power of the hundred and more healing herbs, and that I will strive to better feel and understand within myself, and that which lives around me, that vital life force, that healing, creative and extraordinary intelligence that permeates all that is.
SOUTHERN INSTITUTE OF MEDICAL HERBALISM
Christchurch, Aotearoa New Zealand
The Herbalist’s Oath
Graduation Ceremony
April 23 2021
Sarah Beresford Sadek