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.

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.

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


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!

It's FREE! Anyone can join in the discussion on the Doctrine of Signatures Facebook Group or MWIH Community. This is the main form of interaction BEFORE the live class. The live class is available on-demand for 1 week.

Subscription Option: With the subscription, you get access to all previous classes. If you are subscribed to the Library,  you have access to all previous classes and upcoming DOS classes. The subscription option is for people who wish to join outside of the Library subscription. 


Want Access to All Previous Classes?

Curriculum

    1. Welcome Message

    1. The Doctrine of Signatures Free Intro Class - Video

    2. Doctrine of Signatures - Class 1 - Intro - Audio

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

    4. Slide Show Images

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

    1. Introduction to the Doctrine of Signature by Matthew Wood

    2. Complementary Resources List

    3. The Four Elements by Matthew Wood

About this course

  • Free
  • 9 lessons
  • 2.5 hours of video content

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.

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.




5 star rating

Free Doctrine of Signatures

MaryBeth Eannarino

Very expansive and enlightening

Very expansive and enlightening

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5 star rating

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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5 star rating

Gary George

Gary George

This class has very solid information taught by Leigh Arnoldy. I am learning to see plants and Nature in ways I hadn't erieved at all. PlusI get great ins...

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This class has very solid information taught by Leigh Arnoldy. I am learning to see plants and Nature in ways I hadn't erieved at all. PlusI get great insights from each class, as other students share their own perception and ways of seeing plants and Nature. Thank you Leigh for teaching this course!

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5 star rating

Lead here on spiritual quest

Mango Moon

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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4 star rating

It is a very interesting Topic

David Suárez

Very inspiring and a good tool you opened a special section on the Ring of knowledge for this topic. My impression by the video chat, is that it may looks a ...

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Very inspiring and a good tool you opened a special section on the Ring of knowledge for this topic. My impression by the video chat, is that it may looks a bit improvised as non fallowing a table of content such as _ Exaple (Leaves signatures, shapes, textures... stalk shape...., flowers..) And THAK you for the free content

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5 star rating

Free Doctrine of Signatures

Carla Fuentes

I love listening and learning all herbal information. Every time I learn something new and unique that Matthew and his guest have to offer. love it!

I love listening and learning all herbal information. Every time I learn something new and unique that Matthew and his guest have to offer. love it!

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5 star rating

Deep and interesting!

Mindy Dunn

Wow! The paper on the language variations changed and shifted my worldview. Wasn't sure what to expect from a free class but between the language variations ...

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Wow! The paper on the language variations changed and shifted my worldview. Wasn't sure what to expect from a free class but between the language variations and the Doctrine of Signatures it stretched my brain. About to sign up for the basic classes and go from there. I was a little unsure about the courses and what to expect but after going through the free class I am hooked! Thank you!

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5 star rating

Appropiate!

Juan Téllez

Pretty much complete, thx a lot for this!!!

Pretty much complete, thx a lot for this!!!

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5 star rating

Great introduction

Rhondda Wilson

I really got a lot out of this course. I especially liked the discourse on language. That was completely new for me.

I really got a lot out of this course. I especially liked the discourse on language. That was completely new for me.

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5 star rating

Doctrine of Signatures Intro. w Matt was deep thought p...

Ma Ri

Thuja/ Cedar , Leigh Arnoldy Comment: The presentation with Leigh was superbly done and exceptionally well presented with a great deal of authenticity displ...

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Thuja/ Cedar , Leigh Arnoldy Comment: The presentation with Leigh was superbly done and exceptionally well presented with a great deal of authenticity displayed. The graphics and listings of Observations potential and Confirmation was very well organized for clear thought and visual memory. This presentation was a joy to watch and presented in such a way as to encourage creative problem solving . You are not only helping build back community better you are a blessing to many helping others reframe mental perception during this critical time .TY👏🏼

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5 star rating

Gratitude!

Jesse Komaromi

Very grateful for this information course. Thank you for sharing these messages with the world 💚

Very grateful for this information course. Thank you for sharing these messages with the world 💚

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5 star rating

perfect

Jackie Clancy

excellent

excellent

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