What is the Doctrine of Signatures?

The Doctrine of Signatures is used around the world in pre-modern cultures where thought-by-association is accepted as a valid means of obtaining knowledge.

The idea is that a plant looks like the disease, organ, or person it can heal.

For instance, Celandine (Chelidonium majus) has yellow/orange sap like bile. It was official in the U. S. Pharmacopeia until 1951 for “biliousness;” now they just remove the gallbladder.

Horsetail (Equisetum arvensis) looks and feels like course horse hair, so it is good for the hair. Actually, it is beneficial for nearly all connective tissue. It also grows on wet sands, so it is a remedy for the kidneys.

Thus, the shape, color, sensory impression, and habitat all can be used to determine the uses of a plant.

The putrid smell and bad taste of Figwort (Scrophularia spp.) indicate that it is a remedy for putrefaction. Since it has gland-like or hemorrhoids-like flowers, it is called Figwort and Pilewort and used as a lymphatic and hemorrhoid remedy.


Who is this for?

This is for all experience levels, beginner to advanced.

Do you love plants, herbalism, metaphor, and being in wonder and awe of this vast world? This is for you!

You will learn and experience...

  • What is the Doctrine of Signatures

  • How to identify a signature in a plant

  • How to use the language of intuition, metaphor, and archetype to access plant signatures

  • A whole new view of the plant world and the greater environment!

  • A greater connection with and intuition about the plants and their amazing healing potential!

Free Introductory Class with Matthew Wood and Leigh Arnoldy

Matt and Leigh help you dive into the fascinating topic and study of the Doctrine of Signatures in this Free Intro Class. Enroll for free to access this class and access the extra resource materials.


Enjoy on-going exploratory and interactive classes lead by Leigh!

Each month Leigh will guide us in discovering the signatures of a new herb; encouraging and helping students to see this amazing plant world through new eyes, or perhaps simply with a new perspective.

Matthew will chime in on occasion too!

These classes are part of the unique and central concept of the Matthew Wood Institute of Herbalism curriculum: Nature Wisdom.



Join Us!

Facebook Group 

MWIH Community

Leigh will be presenting the same content to each group. Experiences with each group will vary based on the participation. Join both groups to maximize on the insights and fun!


Summary Video - At the end of each month Leigh will present a summary of what the groups discovered along with her own studies and insights. The most recent video can be viewed for free here on the MWIH YouTube channel. Each month a new video will replace the previous one so be sure to subscribe to the channel to learn the latest!


Video Recording - A collection of all the DS video recordings is available to subscribers of The Library.  (All of the DS class offerings are free except access to the collection of summary recordings that come after the free intro.) THIS IS the page for the LIBRARY COLLECTION! 



What is the difference between the FREE and paid version in the Library? 

The only difference between the Free and Library version of the Doctrine of Signatures is that the Library offers the full collection or archive of class summaries. If you are diligent at following along in the free classes section you will have the same access to all the materials as one would in the Doctrine of Signatures Library Collection. Access the free monthly classes by clicking and enrolling in the Free Doctrine of Signatures Class. Classes are archived in the Library here once the next herb is presented for the new month.

Curriculum

  1. 1

    • Welcome Message

  2. 2

    • The Doctrine of Signatures Free Intro Class - Video

    • Doctrine of Signatures - Class 1 - Intro - Audio

    • The Doctrine of Signatures Free Intro Class - Webinar Chat Text and Transcript

    • Slide Show Images

    • Have questions? Want more? Get more of this FREE series here...
  3. 3

    • Introduction to the Doctrine of Signature by Matthew Wood

    • The Doctrine of Signatures by Matthew Wood

    • Intuitive Speech and Culture by Matthew Wood

    • The Four Elements by Matthew Wood

    • Complementary Resources List
  4. 4

    • Doctrine of Signatures Class 1: Burdock - Video

    • Doctrine of Signatures Class 1: Burdock - Audio
  5. 5

    • Doctrine of Signatures Class 2: Oak - Video

    • Doctrine of Signatures Class 2: Oak - Audio
  6. 6

    • The Doctrine of Signatures Class 3: Cedar - Video

    • The Doctrine of Signatures Class 3: Cedar - Audio
  7. 7

    • Doctrine of Signatures Class 4: White Pine - Video

    • Doctrine of Signatures Class 4: White Pine - Audio
  8. 8

    • Doctrine of Signatures Class 5: Vervain spp. - Video

    • Doctrine of Signatures Class 5: Vervain spp. - Audio
  9. 9

    • Doctrine of Signatures Class 6: Violet - Video

    • Doctrine of Signatures Class 6: Violet - Audio
  10. 10

    • Doctrine of Signatures Class 7: Pulsatilla - Video

    • Doctrine of Signatures Class 7: Pulsatilla - Audio
  11. 11

    • Doctrine of Signatures Class 8: Wild Geranium - Video

    • Doctrine of Signatures Class 8: Wild Geranium - Audio
  12. 12

    • Doctrine of Signatures Class 9: Creeping Charlie - Video

    • Doctrine of Signatures Class 9: Creeping Charlie - Audio
  13. 13

    • Doctrine of Signatures Class 10: Plantain - Video

    • Doctrine of Signatures Class 10: Plantain - Audio
  14. 14

    • Doctrine of Signatures Class 11: Motherwort - Video

    • Doctrine of Signatures Class 11: Motherwort - Audio
  15. 15

    • Doctrine of Signatures Class 12: Prickly Lettuce - Video

    • Doctrine of Signatures Class 12: Prickly Lettuce - Audio

 

Documents are not downloadable. Please note that Matthew often adds manuscripts of upcoming books and is allowing students early access to these works-in-progress; therefore, they are available as 'view-only' documents and are not downloadable.

The Library Bundle

Access to this class and many more.
(Full list can be found on The Library page.)

Start at any time! Complete the lessons at your own pace.

Certificates designed and signed by Matthew Wood are available for purchase to those who successfully complete all tests with a passing grade of 70% or better. More details regarding herbal course certificates are here.

Tests are multiple-choice, and multiple attempts are permitted.

For those of you seeking clinical hours, we have a list of all classes/courses with corresponding accreditation hours.



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Long Time Reader & Student of Matthew Wood

Dakota Collins

My age is 34 and I began reading M.W. at the age of 19. I must express, that as an initial reader back then, the MWIH new videos have been a joyous gift from...

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My age is 34 and I began reading M.W. at the age of 19. I must express, that as an initial reader back then, the MWIH new videos have been a joyous gift from him and his colleagues. Ultimately, to anyone interested: buy all his books and read those, as you shall learn so much more. I can not attest to school, as I am not enrolled; but I own and have studied nearly everyone of his books, and I must say that my own experience has shown to me that his testaments and scholarly citations have inspired me more than any other herbalist. To all herbalist: grow and wildcraft herbs locally for the emerging renaissance of American herbalism. The fate of this knowledge is in our hands.

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Amazing. You wrote the exact information and guideposts for me to follow on my Spirit quest. My whole life I've been mocked for how I lived in the world. Hea...

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Amazing. You wrote the exact information and guideposts for me to follow on my Spirit quest. My whole life I've been mocked for how I lived in the world. Head case after reading new age on the internet after avoiding. I have no religion. Just boons from guides gifted as I assisted with a pure heart in life and the world helps tell you your story as you meet other parts of yourself. Thank you!!!! Even the free course gave me incredible leads. Will get a membership soon.

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