Botanical Yamas + Niyamas

Botanical Wisdom Through the Lens of the Yamas and Niyamas

As a yoga teacher and herbalist, I often find myself drawing parallels between the wisdom of the plants and the ancient guidance of the yamas and niyamas. These ten ethical principles, rooted in Patanjali’s Yoga Sutras, offer more than personal discipline. They shape how we show up for ourselves, for each other, and for the earth that sustains us.

When we work with herbs, we are not only tending to our own wellness but also entering into a relationship with the living world. The plants teach us patience, reciprocity, and respect. The yamas and niyamas give language to these values and help us embody them.

Image from Be Here Now ~ Baba Ram Dass

The Yamas — How We Relate to the World

Ahimsa (Non-Harming)
In herbalism, ahimsa means harvesting in ways that protect the plant and the ecosystem. It is knowing that overharvesting a wild stand of plants, or using unsustainable farming methods, causes harm not only to the earth but to future generations. Choosing organic, regenerative, and local sources is an act of non-harming.

Satya (Truthfulness)
Satya asks us to be honest in our knowledge and our practice. It means not making inflated claims about what an herb can do, being transparent about where it was grown, and respecting the traditions that carried this knowledge forward. Truth in herbalism builds trust and integrity.

Asteya (Non-Stealing)
Asteya reminds us that plants are not ours to take without gratitude and care. This also means giving credit to the cultural and ancestral lineages that taught us these practices, and not taking what we have not earned, whether that is knowledge, seeds, or land.

Brahmacharya (Balance / Right Use of Energy)
In herbalism, this principle invites us to be mindful of how we use our energy and resources. We choose what to grow, make, and share with intention, avoiding wastefulness and excess. Working in balance allows us to sustain our efforts without burnout.

Aparigraha (Non-Grasping)
This is the art of taking only what we need. In plant work, it is resisting the urge to hoard more herbs than we can use or grow more than we can tend. Aparigraha keeps us in harmony with the natural cycles of give and take.

The Niyamas — How We Relate to Ourselves

Saucha (Purity)
Saucha can mean tending to a clean workspace when making herbal preparations, using pure water and fresh herbs, and keeping our bodies and minds clear. It is honoring the quality of what we create and consume.

Santosha (Contentment)
Santosha asks us to find joy and satisfaction in the plants and resources we already have, instead of always chasing the next rare ingredient. It is savoring a simple cup of nettle tea as much as an elaborate blend.

Tapas (Discipline)
In herbalism, tapas is the commitment to show up consistently. To tend the garden, learn the craft, and continue our studies even when it is challenging. Tapas is the steady heat that transforms intention into skill.

Svadhyaya (Self-Study)
Self-study in herbalism means reflecting on how we interact with the plants and noticing our own patterns, biases, and growth. It is understanding that the way we work with herbs mirrors the way we move through life.

Ishvarapranidhana (Surrender)
This is the reminder that, while we bring skill and care, the outcome is not fully in our control. We can plant seeds, tend soil, and craft remedies, but we must release the rest to the wisdom of the earth and the cycles of nature.

Living the Yamas and Niyamas in Herbalism

Approaching herbalism through the yamas and niyamas transforms it from a skill into a sacred relationship. It keeps us accountable to the earth and to ourselves. It reminds us that wellness is not just what we take from the plants, but how we care for the land that grows them.

When we root our plant work in these principles, herbalism becomes more than a wellness practice. It becomes a living expression of yoga, reciprocity, and respect for the earth.