A Herbalist's Take On Peptides

If you've spent any time on social media or in the health space of late, you would have no doubt heard the hype around peptides as a solution for weight loss, muscle gain, anti-aging, hormone balance — the growing list of very seductive claims continues. So alluring is the circulating information, I'm sure most of us have had the thought "hmm, should I be taking those?"

But what exactly are these miracle cure-alls? Put simply, peptides are essentially tiny protein fragments made from a chain of amino acids. They carry messages between cells, trigger reactions, and regulate almost every process in our body.

You're probably familiar with some peptides already without realising it. Insulin, which regulates your blood sugar, is a peptide. So is oxytocin — the "love hormone" your body releases during moments of deep connection and bonding. Even collagen, responsible for plump skin and healthy joints, is made of peptide chains. Our bodies naturally produce them to function, which is of course supported when we receive the right nourishment for the body to convert. As goes the story with most pharmaceuticals, scientists have discovered how to create them in a lab and sell them to you as something you need.

The biggest name right now is GLP-1, the peptide behind drugs like Ozempic and Wegovy. Your gut produces GLP-1 naturally every time you eat, to signal fullness and regulate blood sugar. The synthetic version simply amplifies that signal — which is why people taking it feel less hungry and lose weight. Ozempic and Wegovy together generated $26 billion in revenue in 2024, making them among the most profitable drugs in history. Then there are "research peptides" like BPC-157, which biohackers and athletes are injecting for injury recovery and inflammation, and collagen and copper peptides flooding beauty shelves for skin and hair.

While all of this information seems wonderful and advanced, and represents great leaps for modern medicine, I think it's really important to discuss — why do we need them in the first place?

Herbalism teaches that the body is always moving towards a state of homeostasis. Thriving health is our most natural state. Issues only arise when there are blockages — whether they be emotional or physical (it's always both). If we look at it as frequency (which everything is), these blockages are simply denser energetic states, which the innate quality of life (Qi) is continually trying to move through, to clear and ultimately harmonise, so we may once again experience our most divine, vibrant self.

Now, if that is one of the human body's most innate functions and divine vitality is our inherently natural state, it begs the question: what are the blockages and dense energies impeding us from experiencing that reality? And importantly — what discomfort are we avoiding sitting with by reaching for peptides to solve the problem, rather than addressing the root cause of our afflictions?

Bandaid solutions and quick fixes are the trademark of our current collective consciousness. We are all guilty of reaching for things out of convenience sometimes, myself included. But surely if we are to draw a line — if there were anything worth doing the real work for — it would be our own health and vitality. Of course, I know it's not that easy. From my own personal experience, I know well that that work is the hardest we'll ever have to do. Hence why we choose the bandaid, and with all our fast-acting 'modern medicine', we have the luxury of avoiding it entirely. Or do we?

Homeopathy teaches that dis-ease or disharmony typically begins as an emotional state that then manifests in the physical body. This disharmony will either work its way out of the body (from deeper cellular conditions to more superficial conditions) if given the environment to heal, or the disharmony will work its way deeper into the body (from superficial to deeper cellular) if the body's attempt to heal is suppressed. Which is to say, there is no avoidance when it comes to our health. Whether it's the body, soul, karmic pattern, or cosmos — the score is being kept.

Despite the tone of these thoughts thus far, I am actually not against peptides. As with all things in life, I believe there is a time and a place, and I have no doubt they can be extremely supportive when used correctly and in a holistic way.

Though, by "holistic way", what I really mean is — are we being radically honest with ourselves? Are we searching for relief from a space of lack, insecurity, or anything other than wholeness? Are we sitting with the discomfort of our emotions, allowing ourselves the softness to rest, holding our inner child until they feel safe, and processing the trauma that led us to believe we are unworthy of love unless we are lean, toned, and forever youthful? Or could our obsession with the physical dimension be the very thing blocking us from the radiance we so desire?

When it comes to health and longevity, the age-old principle remains true. Fresh air, clean water, nutrient-dense food, loving connection, awareness of your own divinity, acknowledgement of the divinity in all beings, joy and gratitude — these are the everlasting pillars. When these are lacking — which indeed they are for a majority of humanity — illness, dis-ease and deficiency are given the space to creep in.

I also acknowledge it must be said that many of the above pillars seem unfortunately out of our control, with most of our food, water and air polluted with toxins and devoid of essential nutrients. It makes sense that we're reaching out for a boost. But again — root cause, bandaid. When humanity is truly empowered and living from a space of wholeness, we of course realise that these pillars are very much within our capacity to influence.

This very realisation is what eventually led me to plant medicine. Herbalism has never been about bandaid solutions. Herbalism is energetic work — uncovering the deeper layers of self and the subtle energies of nature to shine light into our shadows. Plants work on the emotional and spiritual layers of the body as much as they do the physical  (if not more.)

Hibiscus might be hydrating and packed with vitamin C, but on an energetic level it encourages creativity, sensuality, expression and joy by clearing blockages and harmonising the sacral chakra. Turmeric is amazing for inflammation and digestion, but on an energetic level it empowers self-confidence and personal authority by clearing and harmonising the solar plexus. You see what I'm getting at?

All dis-ease and deficiency begins on an energetic level before it is expressed at the physical level. If your treatment does not address the energetic, it is not holistic and will likely not yield lasting transformation.

Unadulterated plants have been and always will be our second greatest tool for true health, vitality and longevity — offering the physical nourishment for your body to convert into the essential nutrients we need to thrive, along with the emotional support to release old patterns and clear blockages at the energetic level. Why is this so important, you ask? Because the number one greatest tool for true health, vitality and longevity is the most empowered and whole version of you.