Comments on: The Eclectic Herbalists & The Hidden History of Herbalism in the US

By: Nicci

Nicci — Tue, 09 Dec 2025 19:26:46 +0000

Thank you for writing this article, Kami. I recently attended the International Herb Symposium, in Cincinnati ,hosted by United Plant Savers. The theme was about the Eclectics, and many attendants visited the Lloyd Library. My Mom’s grandfather had been a physician at the turn of the twentieth century. Mom had told me that he would gather herbs to make pills from them. So, I decided to look into this. He had graduated from Starling Medical College in Columbus, OH. It was an Eclectic school which has gone through many changes and changes of names to eventually morph into The Ohio State University’s School of Medicine. I was so delighted to find that my ancestor had been an Eclectic and an herbalist. Thank you Kami for all your helpful articles and classes from which I learn so much!

By: pat crocker

pat crocker — Tue, 26 Mar 2024 14:23:56 +0000

Thank you, Kami. It’s important to know our roots. I just finished reading The Frozen River by Ariel Lawhon. It’s a novel inspired by the life of Martha Ballard, an 18th century midwife living in Maine. Lawhon uses Ballard’s diary to tell a rich story of life and struggle in the late 1700s.

By: Janita

Janita — Mon, 25 Mar 2024 23:50:44 +0000

Thank you for bringing this rare information to light. I had never heard of this discipline before this article. Kudos to you!

By: Tracy

Tracy — Mon, 25 Mar 2024 09:37:09 +0000

Kami~
TY for ALL you do!
The history of True medicine is desperately needed!
When able to talk to those that have lived a very long time, they will confirm that herbs, essential oils, tinctures, were the norm.
Even in Bible days, herbs & oils were so common place & known for health!
I send your info to those searching for any wisdom on herbs & oils to you.
Please keep up informing, teaching & living by example on herbs & oils🌱🌿🪴🍇🌾🍎🥕🍉🍊🌻🌹🌺😊

By: Kami McBride

Kami McBride — Mon, 25 Mar 2024 05:23:06 +0000

In reply to Heather. We really do need to undestand the history that contributes to why we are in such a mess with our medical system.

By: Kami McBride

Kami McBride — Mon, 25 Mar 2024 05:22:06 +0000

In reply to Mistchick.

I talk about that more in depth in this post:
https://kamimcbride.com/the-flexner-report/

By: Mistchick

Mistchick — Mon, 25 Mar 2024 05:06:00 +0000

And, guess who was behind taking the Eclectics out? None other than J.D. Rockfeller. Surprise surprise…..

By: Heather

Heather — Mon, 25 Mar 2024 05:04:25 +0000

So good to have accurate knowledge of this. So empowering to know the true background and facts to confirm what you have believed to be true! Thanks, Kami.

By: Melinda Casanova-Torres

Melinda Casanova-Torres — Mon, 25 Mar 2024 03:33:28 +0000

Thank you, Kami, for this information. I am a root woman, descendent of Ethiopian, Caribbean and Spanish men and women who use roots for medicine to heal many ailments for many generations. But I do not have much experience with American herbs. This information is vital to our knowledge, and I am so grateful to you for sharing these links.

By: Craigy

Craigy — Mon, 25 Mar 2024 01:45:26 +0000

What an interesting and detailed post, thank you!

By: Tara Kamath

Tara Kamath — Mon, 25 Mar 2024 01:44:09 +0000

This is fascinating, Kami. I wasn't familiar with the "eclectics," or the term. Much new food for thought. Thank you!

By: Deborah Schaffner

Deborah Schaffner — Thu, 18 Jan 2024 18:58:22 +0000

I had not read much about the Eclectics, but have read some history about Naturopathic history which have a very similar history. It is so sad to loose so much! There is so much plant based health care has to offer that can change peoples lives. I would love to check some of the old book out and learn!