Zeen Connect

Herbalism: what herbs can do and where the limit is

Herbalism, teas and tinctures: how herbal counseling works, which herbs are common in our country and why drug interactions are important. Find out more on.

Herbalism is probably the oldest form of health support that we know, and it still has a living tradition in Slovenia — many people have their grandmother's tea for sleeping or calendula ointment at home. It is this familiarity that gives rise to the misconception that herbs are automatically harmless because they are natural. In fact, plants are chemically active; that's why they work, and that's why they can interfere with the action of medicines. Herbalism is worthy of respect, not frivolity. Herbalism covers teas, tinctures, salves and advice on using plants. On Zeen Connect you can find herbalists, their education and way of working. Herbal consultation, tea blends, tinctures and salves. Workshops on plant identification and collection. You can compare contractors by education and field of work. How herbal counseling works. The meeting begins with a conversation about what brought you here, how you sleep and eat, how your digestion is, how much stress you have, and — most importantly — what medications and supplements you are taking. A good herbalist asks this question himself and asks it early. Based on the conversation, he puts together a proposal: usually a tea mixture, sometimes a tincture, syrup or ointment for external use. He should explain how to prepare the preparation, how much and how long to use it, and when to stop using it. In teas, the difference between steeping and steeping is important and worth understanding: the tender parts of the plant, such as flowers and leaves, are poured with hot water, while the harder parts, such as roots and bark, are boiled. The meeting lasts from 45 to 60 minutes, and is usually followed by a follow-up conversation in a few weeks, during which they assess whether it makes sense to continue. Herbs that are most commonly used here. Chamomile and lemon balm are among the most widely used for calming and mild digestion. Mint is used for bloating, linden and elder traditionally for colds, and thyme for coughs. Saint John's wort is well known here as a mood supporter, but it is also the best example of why caution is not superfluous: it is known to affect the metabolism of many drugs, including birth control pills, anticoagulants and some antidepressants, so do not combine it with drugs without consulting a doctor. Valerian is used to aid sleep, calendula in skin salves, yarrow and nettle as general supportive herbs. It is important to understand the level of evidence: there is decent research on some plants, but many are mainly based on traditional use. Both are legitimate, but they are not the same, and a serious herbalist knows the difference. Interactions and Caution. The most important message of this page is simple: tell your doctor and pharmacist what herbs you use, and tell your herbalist what medications you take. Plants can strengthen or weaken the action of drugs, sometimes significantly. Special caution applies to anticoagulants, heart medications, immunosuppressants, antidepressants and contraception. Do not use herbs without consulting during pregnancy and breastfeeding, with caution in small children and before planned surgery, when some plants affect blood clotting. If you have an allergy to plants from the marigold family, be careful with chamomile and calendula. Harvesting in the wild has its own risks — some edible plants have poisonous counterparts, so don't harvest without reliable identification. Herbal medicine is not a medical treatment, it does not make diagnoses and does not replace a doctor. How to choose a herbalist. Herbalism in Slovenia is not a uniformly regulated activity, so it is up to you to check. Ask where the contractor was educated and for how long; the range is large. The best indicator of seriousness is not the degree, but the question about the medicines — whoever does not ask you about them before recommending something to you, is not working safely. It is also a good sign if the herbalist tells you what he does not treat and refers you to a doctor in case of more serious symptoms. Be wary of those who promise cures, discourage prescribed therapy, or sell expensive long-term programs. Ask about the origin of the plants and the method of storage. If you are primarily interested in plant identification, natural herbalist workshops are often a better and cheaper first choice than individual counseling. On Zeen Connect, profiles show education, fields and location.

Informational content from the Zeen Connect editorial team; not a substitute for medical advice.

Last updated: 5 August 2026