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Introduction to the Doctrine of SignaturesMatthew Wood MS (Herbal Medicine)The most ancient

methods for learning about the properties of medicinal plants are (1) watching animals, (2) dream,
which be a form of communication with the forces of Nature, the diseases themselves, or helpful spirits
or ancestors, and (3) the doctrine of signatures. The latter is based on the appearance of the plant and
its resemblance to an organ, disease, or “energy pattern” of some kind. The “signature” is a shape, color,
marking, or environmental habitat distinctive to the plant which shows forth some property. For
example, Celandine (Chelidonium) has yellow sap and is used for the yellow bile as a gallbladder or liver
remedy, Horsetail (Equisetum)grows in wet sands along rivers, a signature for the kidneys, and Lungwort
(Pulmonaria) looks like someone spit all over the leaf—so it is an expectorant. Some signatures are
cartoon-like while others are fairly sensible. For example, Agrimony (Agrimonia) looks all tensed-up and
is Dr. Bach’s flower essence for tension. It is also physical tension—passing a gallstone or kidney stone.
Gravel Root (Eupatorium purpureum) grows at the edge of the water and the land, so it is a remedy for
the kidneys, which balance water and solid. Paracelsus (1493-1542), one of the greatest advocates of
Nature Wisdom, explains,The soul does not perceive the external or internal physical construction of
herbs and roots, but it intuitively perceives their powers and virtues, and recognizes at once their
signatum. This signatum (or signature) is a certain vital organic activity, giving to each natural object (in
contradistinction to artificially made objects) a certain similarity with a certain condition produced by
disease, and through which health may be restored in specific diseases in the diseased part. This
signatum is often expressed even in the exterior form of things, and by observing the form we may learn
something in regard to their interior qualities, even without using our interior sight. We see that the
internal character of a man is often expressed in his exterior appearance, even in the manner of his
walking and in the sound of his voice. Likewise the hidden character of things is to a certain extent
expressed in their outward forms. As long as man remained in a natural state, he recognized the
signature of things and knew their true character; but the more he diverged from the path of Nature,
and the more his mind became captivated by illusive external appearances, the more this power became
lost(Hartmann, 1985, 51). Doctrine of SignaturesMatthewWoodInstituteofHerbalism.comPage of 12

These ideas reflect a greater philosophy which holds that Nature is alive and intelligent. This was called
the “Wisdom of Nature” or Natura Sophia tradition in the Renaissance, although it is known also in
nearly all cultures in the world as part of an animist (Nature is alive) reference system. One belief was
that Adam and Eve, in their innocence, in the garden of Eden, knew the essences of the plants, because
Adam was able to give them their true names, showing that he understood their internal nature. George
Fox (1648), one of the founders of Quakerism had a vision,Now was I come up in spirit through the
flaming sword into the paradise of God. All things were new, and all the creation gave another smell
unto me than before, beyond what words can utter. I knew nothing but pureness, and innocency, and
righteousness, being renewed up into the image of God by Christ Jesus, so that I say I was come up to
the state of Adam which he was in before he fell. The creation was opened to me, and it was showed me
how all things had their names given them according to their nature and virtue. And I was at a stand in
my mind whether I should practice physic for the good of mankind, seeing the nature and virtues of the
creatures were so opened to me.For Nicholas Culpeper (1622-54), the founder of English-language
herbalism, these principles were the most important elements of medicine.The admirable Harmony of
the Creation is herein seen. . . Hereby thou maist know what infinite Knowledg Adam had in his
Innocencie, that by looking upon a Creature, he was able to give it a name according to his Nature,
and by knowing that, thou maist know how great thy fall was, and be humbled for it even in this
respect, because hereby thou are so ignorant. . . Here is the right way for thee to begin the
study of Physick if thou art minded to begin at the right end, for here thou hast the Reason of
the whol Art. The doctrine of signatures is applied by the “law of similars” or “like treats like,” while the
temperatures and humidities of the herbs (hot, cold, damp, dry) are usually applied by contrary (“hot to
cold”). These two principles are not in conflict, since they both reflect the essence of the plant. Modern
science opposes and laughs at the doctrine of signatures, but it does not attempt to see the whole,
which includes the shape or the reason for the color of an herb, and therefore it cannot imagine that
these have significance. Indeed, this is an intuitive art which works on the level of the soul and spirit,
unified with the body. Doctrine of SignaturesMatthewWoodInstituteofHerbalism.comPage of 22