Hello and welcome back to The Herb Doctor Podcast with Caitríona Hegarty and Dr. Dilis Clare.
In this episode, Caitríona and Dr. Clare explore the Doctrine of Signatures, a traditional way of understanding and remembering medicinal plants that has often been misunderstood or dismissed in modern discourse.
The conversation looks at how herbal medicine has been gradually sidelined, first made invisible, then labelled ineffective, dangerous, or purely placebo, despite the fact that many modern pharmaceuticals originate from plant sources. Dr. Clare explains how historical knowledge systems worked, why memory, observation, taste, aroma, and experience mattered, and how symbolic associations were often used as teaching tools rather than literal claims.
They also discuss skepticism, the difference between healthy curiosity and ideological dismissal, and why context, perspective, and history are essential when evaluating evidence. Through examples such as St John’s Wort and borage, the episode highlights how traditional observations can align with modern understanding without relying on belief or dogma.
This is a thoughtful, grounded discussion for anyone interested in medical history, herbal traditions, and collaborative approaches to care, not “either/or”, but broader thinking and better questions.
In this episode, we cover:
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What the Doctrine of Signatures actually is (and what it isn’t)
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How herbal medicine became invisible in mainstream systems
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Why “absence of evidence” is not the same as “evidence of absence”
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The role of memory, symbolism, and teaching in traditional medicine
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Placebo, perception, and why all medicine is influenced by context
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How historical patterns repeat when alternative systems gain visibility
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Why collaboration matters more than ideological debate
Important Note
This episode is shared for general educational and cultural interest only.
It is not medical advice, and nothing discussed is intended to diagnose, treat, or cure any condition. If symptoms are severe, persistent, or concerning, please consult a qualified healthcare professional.
Links
Buy Dr Clare’s book – Uprooted Medicine
https://joinedupmedicine.com
Dr Clare’s Apothecary
https://drclareapothecary.com
Dr Clare Clinic
https://drclare.ie