Herbs and Weeds #2

Künzle was influenced by his father who had a fascination with plants, but he had been first exposed to the medicinal properties of herbs during his high school years by a professor who was a Catholic priest. Catholics, particularly orders that were devoted to worldly deeds like the Jesuits, had pushed forward the development of universities, libraries, hospitals, and the study of medicine. A significant part of the Western world's repository of medical information was to be found in Catholic institutions. During the 19th century, herbs were already being given a secondary place in medicine, though modern drugs as we known them were not yet firmly established. For example, Rudolf Buchheim (1820-1879) at Leipzig, Germany, produced the German language text Elements of Materia Medica and Therapeutics, eliminating many of the previously used herbs, and reporting on several drugs, including inorganic salts, gaseous anesthetics, and a few isolated chemicals. Aspirin, which was to become the most widely used drug (after alcohol), first appeared more than 20 years after Buchheim's death, in 1899.

Soon after Künzle's early introduction to herbs, he attended the University of Lowen where he studied theology and philosophy, and entered the seminary at St. Gall, Switzerland. He was ordained a priest in 1881. He served the church at numerous locations in Switzerland during the following years. His learning of herbs took place in the context of Catholic theology and in a setting where natural health care was separated from modern medicine.

Künzle pursued herbalism as a practical matter in response to his experience of being a spiritual advisor to parents who were dying and about to leave behind young children. Utilizing the knowledge of herbs he had attained earlier, and studying further through books, and by thoughtful examination of his own experiences, he would sometimes restore the health of his wards by administering or recommending teas, herbal baths, and other preparations. This somewhat limited activity (because of the remote area where he lived) soon led to a reputation for a healing ability (a charism, as described in Catholic terminology; a special gift, a talent, conferred by the Holy Spirit), and people began seeking him out for assistance from an ever expanding region, as word of mouth passed on praise of him as the "Father Herbalist." Eventually, his work as herbalist took over his daily life and he devoted himself almost solely to this task, though never leaving behind his devotion to the Catholic faith.

http://www.itmonline.org/kunzle/index.htm