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Celebrating Black History Month: Honoring Black Healers and Herbalists
Shalom Family
This Black History Month, we’re taking time to celebrate the incredible contributions of Black herbalists, healers, and visionaries. These individuals not only transformed the way we think about health and healing but also laid the foundation for practices that continue to impact us today.
Their work reflects resilience, creativity, and a commitment to serving their communities.
Let’s dive into their powerful legacies.
George Washington Carver: The Master of Plants
George Washington Carver was an agricultural scientist whose work continues to inspire herbalists and farmers today. He understood the power of plants, not just as food, but as medicine.
Some of his greatest contributions include:
His remedies included:
Peanut oil for massages to ease pain.
Sweet potatoes for digestion and overall health.
Herbs to treat inflammation and skin conditions.
Sustainability: He promoted crop rotation to restore the soil and reduce farmers' dependence on synthetic fertilizers.
Healing Philosophy: He believed that nature was a direct channel from God, and the earth could heal those who listened to it. His approach to healing was holistic, addressing the mind, body, and spirit. (Source: Wikipedia)
Famous Quote:
“I love to think of nature as an unlimited broadcasting station, through which God speaks to us every hour, if we will only tune in.” (Sources: Wikipedia, Time Magazine)
Freedom House Ambulance Service: Black Paramedics
Who Changed Medicine
The Freedom House Ambulance Service in Pittsburgh, founded in the 1960s, is a prime example of Black innovation in healthcare. This group of Black men created the first paramedic program in the United States. Despite facing racism and systemic barriers, they paved the way for modern EMS.
They were trained in CPR, oxygen therapy, and advanced emergency care—revolutionizing ambulance services. Before Freedom House, ambulances were mainly transport vehicles with no trained medical staff.
Here’s how they changed the world:
Advanced Medical Care: They introduced advanced medical techniques like CPR and the use of oxygen in emergency medical services.
Community Service: These men came from a low-income community but used their skills to serve their neighbors, showing the power of community healing.
Legacy: Their groundbreaking work in emergency medical care laid the foundation for the modern EMS system. (Source: Welcome to Blackpast • )
The Black Panther Party: Health as a Revolutionary Act
The Black Panther Party didn’t just focus on political activism—they also worked to address health disparities in Black communities. Two of their most important programs were:
Free Breakfast for Children Program: Launched in 1969, this program fed over 20,000 children daily, ensuring they had the nutrition they needed to succeed in school.
People’s Free Medical Clinics: These clinics provided free healthcare services to underserved communities, including screenings for sickle cell anemia, a disease that predominantly affects Black Americans.
These programs were revolutionary because they treated health as a community responsibility. They didn’t wait for the government to act—they took matters into their own hands.
(Source: Heinz History Center)
Henrietta Lacks: The Immortal Healer
Henrietta Lacks’ cells, known as HeLa cells, became one of the most important tools in
medical science. Her story is one of both tragedy and triumph:
Unethical Treatment: Without her knowledge or consent, doctors took cells from
Henrietta Lacks in 1951.
These cells, now called HeLa cells, became the basis for countless medical breakthroughs.
Her cells were critical to medical advances, including:
Polio vaccine development.
Cancer research and treatment.
In-vitro fertilization (IVF) breakthroughs.
A Legacy of Healing: Henrietta’s cells continue to save lives today, and her legacy shows how even in difficult circumstances, Black women have shaped the course of history.
(Source: Smithsonian Magazine)
Harriet Tubman: The Underground Healer
Harriet Tubman is best known for leading enslaved people to freedom through the Underground Railroad, but she also played a vital role as a healer and herbalist:
Natural Remedies: Harriet used herbs like yarrow and mint to treat wounds and heal soldiers during the Civil War.
Nursing: Tubman worked as a nurse, tending to the sick and injured while also using her knowledge of plants to restore health.
Freedom and Healing: Her commitment to healing others went beyond physical health—it was tied to her mission to free people from oppression.
(Source: National Parks Service)
Continuing Their Legacy Today
At Yah’s Apothecary, we draw inspiration from the work of these amazing Black healers and activists. Just like these leaders, we believe that healing is a community effort,
and we are committed to carrying their legacy forward.
If you would like to learn how to become an herbalist too, we invite you to download our
Free eBook, expanding on some of the most critical aspects to understand as an herbalist.
Shalom!