Primal Herbalism and Ancestral Memories

Max Drake MNIMH

Ancestral health research Evolutionary Discordance Theorytheoretical basis in population studies &nutritional biochemistryphenomenologicaln=1

Herb Walks

Diversity of Urban Flora in BristolCumberland Basin

Castle ParkDocks areaClifton Downs LockleazeSnuff MillsNorthern SlopesDundry SlopesRiver side

Ground Ivy(Glechoma hederacea)

Member of the mint familyApril - June• Mild expectorant• Anti-catarrhal• Astringent

– Sinusitis– Tinnitus– Bronchitis– Chronic bronchial catarrh

Tea or tincture

Ancestral Memory

Phenomenology of herb walk:• Inviting closer scrutiny of

individual plants - small details• Awareness of diversity• Creating a map• Group experience – peripheral

vision • Importance of narrative• “Feels like coming home”

Evolutionary Environment of Adaptation

Paleolithic era• Immense amount of time • Relatively recent appearance of art and cultureThe Upper Paleolithic environment• Archaeological evidence• Chauvet caves

Upper Paleolithic Environment

• Wide diversity of flora and fauna• Large brains, capacity for language fully developed• Natural history domain – use of narrative for learning• Phenomenology of perception relating to plants

Pre History of the Mind

Evolution of consciousness• Cognitive fluidity (Mithen)• Drawing on the work of Cosmides and Tooby• The mind as a Swiss Army Knife• Four domains of intuitive knowledge• overwhelming evidence that suggests that by the age of two

or three, children seem to be using specialized, content-rich modules.

Four Domains

• Technical intelligence– Eg. Stone tools

• Social intelligence– Larger brains = larger groups

• Natural history intelligence– For acquisition of food, avoiding predators

• Linguistic ability– Chomsky

Cognitive Fluidity

Three phases of development1. The mind is dominated by general intelligence.2. Domain-specific modules supplement general

intelligence, each working independently and in isolation.

3. Domain-specific modules are working together with a seamless flow of information across domains.

Cathedral Metaphor• Generalised intelligence• Cognitive fluidity of chapels• Koestler: “the sudden interlocking

of two previously unrelated skills or matrices of thought” account for human creativity.

• Transformation of conceptual spaces

Phenomenology of Plant Perception

• The visual field• Attribution of Intention• Pre-agricultural equanimity• Embedded knowledge• Taste: – acquired liking and wanting – Innate preferences

• n=1

Evolution of Taste• Gustatory sense is important in the regulation of food

intake• Common sense suggests that sweet is beneficial and bitter

is harmful for health. Starts with babies at breast• Bitter taste receptors: evolution of these vital for survival as

they enable us to avoid ingesting toxic substances. Examples: strychnine, cyanide

• Differences in gene encoding for bitter taste receptors between humans and our closest relatives

• Mechanism of taste perception at a cellular level for bitter, sweet and umami tastes differ from salt and sour taste reception, suggesting a different evolutionary path.

Alliesthesia

• the dependence of the perception of pleasure or disgust perceived when consuming a stimulus on the “milieu intérieur” of the organism.

• Ground Ivy, Boneset, Hemp Agrimony, Valerian

• A brilliantly adaptive part of the equation of what makes a flavour appealing

Sophistication of differential tastes

• Thyme and chicken• Mint and Lamb• Turmeric and Black Pepper• Beef and Mustard /Horseradish

Primal Herbalism

• Health of HG Societies• Approximation of Paleolithic diet• Exercise & Rest patterns • Non hierarchical groups• Using herbs as an adjunct to diet, exercise,

stress reduction• N=1 : the evidence base is in your mouth

More Info

• seriouslystoneage.com– Courses on evolutionary health– Experimental research groups

• urbanfringe.org– Herb walks, herb specific courses

• primalherbalist.com– forthcoming blog