Everyone has a father, and to many Western herbalists, Samuel Thomson is known as the father of herbology. His gift was a deep understanding of nature and Indian folk medicine.
Thomson, born in the 1700s in New Hampshire, was instrumental in leading the public (at least two million followers have been accounted for) in the successful home use of herbal remedies. However, as no good deed goes unpunished, this had its consequences from physicians of the day. Those physicians who were using mercury, arsenic, and other known deadly poisons in their practice—and who were sometimes bleeding people to death—accused Thomson of poisoning people with herbs, many of which are still used safely today. Thomson served at least one jail sentence during his lifetime of helping others.
Thomson believed in nature and people’s capacity to take responsibility for their own health. He had faith that people were intelligent enough to judge for themselves whether a remedy was helpful or hurtful to them—and the people (at least back then) agreed. Thomson cured many with his herbal remedies and was in such demand for his cures that he obtained a permit for his herbal formulas and methods and sold family rights to millions to teach them to use herbs correctly. Thomson’s influence is the basis of much of today’s Western use of herbology.
Another well-known herbalist who was certainly influenced by Thomsonian methods is Dr. John Raymond Christopher (1909–1983). As a baby, John Raymond Christopher had his work cut out for him. He was born with advanced rheumatoid arthritis and walked with a cane and was often confined to a wheelchair. He became interested in natural healing while witnessing his mother’s sufferings with dropsy and diabetes. He once told his mother that he would find a way to heal people without the use of surgery.
With his life filled with unfortunate accidents and ailments, Christopher had plenty of opportunity to experiment with natural herbs and remedies. His faith in the power of herbs was certainly strengthened when he used only natural methods to cure himself of cancer. After years of study obtaining a Master Herbalist designation, naturopathic doctor degree, and an herbal pharmacist degree, he founded the School of Natural Healing in 1953.
This school is currently directed by his son, David Christopher, and is responsible for making Master Herbalists out of thousands of motivated pupils. Dr. Christopher’s herbal formulas are sold by at least five of the largest herb manufactures in the United States, and his life still serves as an inspiration to many.
Thomson, born in the 1700s in New Hampshire, was instrumental in leading the public (at least two million followers have been accounted for) in the successful home use of herbal remedies. However, as no good deed goes unpunished, this had its consequences from physicians of the day. Those physicians who were using mercury, arsenic, and other known deadly poisons in their practice—and who were sometimes bleeding people to death—accused Thomson of poisoning people with herbs, many of which are still used safely today. Thomson served at least one jail sentence during his lifetime of helping others.
Thomson believed in nature and people’s capacity to take responsibility for their own health. He had faith that people were intelligent enough to judge for themselves whether a remedy was helpful or hurtful to them—and the people (at least back then) agreed. Thomson cured many with his herbal remedies and was in such demand for his cures that he obtained a permit for his herbal formulas and methods and sold family rights to millions to teach them to use herbs correctly. Thomson’s influence is the basis of much of today’s Western use of herbology.
Another well-known herbalist who was certainly influenced by Thomsonian methods is Dr. John Raymond Christopher (1909–1983). As a baby, John Raymond Christopher had his work cut out for him. He was born with advanced rheumatoid arthritis and walked with a cane and was often confined to a wheelchair. He became interested in natural healing while witnessing his mother’s sufferings with dropsy and diabetes. He once told his mother that he would find a way to heal people without the use of surgery.
With his life filled with unfortunate accidents and ailments, Christopher had plenty of opportunity to experiment with natural herbs and remedies. His faith in the power of herbs was certainly strengthened when he used only natural methods to cure himself of cancer. After years of study obtaining a Master Herbalist designation, naturopathic doctor degree, and an herbal pharmacist degree, he founded the School of Natural Healing in 1953.
This school is currently directed by his son, David Christopher, and is responsible for making Master Herbalists out of thousands of motivated pupils. Dr. Christopher’s herbal formulas are sold by at least five of the largest herb manufactures in the United States, and his life still serves as an inspiration to many.
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