About Us

Energetic Herbals is the name of a South African company that manufactures and sells herbal medicines to health practitioners, health shops and members of the public. At present the herbs are sold mainly in capsule and tincture format, prepared from fresh, or carefully dried and milled herbs.

The business took birth in 1988 when Pieter Van Der Westhuyzen began his intensive study of Iridology, Naturopathy, Herbalism and Energetic Medicine. Six years later he left his post as a lecturer in Food Technology and Physics, at Natal Institute of Technology (Durban) and started what was to become a successful practice as a natural health practitioner.

In the course of this alternative health practice, Pieter required natural medicines that would bring effective relief from the various disorders presented by his clients - hence the creation of this range of 55 inspired and effective herbal remedies. The efficacy of these blends has been constantly monitored and adjusted over the past 22 years, to optimize results.

Pieter now lives with his partner Susan, in the beautiful, mountainous and peaceful village of McGregor, in the Western Cape, South Africa, where they run this unique herbal company, together with a harmonious team of others. When they’re not picking herbs, or supervising the manufacture and distribution of their range, they’re busy raising and home-schooling their four children in a human-friendly environment.

There are several reasons why this range is special. Firstly, and perhaps most importantly, it is vital that a herbal formula should ensure the correct digestion, absorption and distribution of its active ingredients throughout the body! These special assistant herbs are known as “Conductors”. Energetic Herbals makes good use of them.

Secondly, in formulating remedies Pieter has followed the principles of Energetic Herbalism – one example of which is Chinese Herbalism.This philosophy of healing matches the energies and actions of specific herbs, to the energies presented by the person's symptoms, against his / her constitutional background. For example, a “warm and moist” disease is treated with “cold and dry” herbs - and so on. Applying these principles must affect not only the choice of main herbs, but also the herbal Conductors used, which are different for each formula and are selected according to their energetic “alignment” with the remedy. Consider, must the remedy act at the surface, or deeper within? Should it have a rising or descending influence? On which organs must it act? Need it be calming or invigorating? Must it warm or cool the body, or just a part thereof? Should it dry or moisten?

Thirdly, throughout this range of remedies the active ingredients, or “Main Herbs”, are based on what actually works and not on the currently fashionable herbs. We make use of herbs that are unsurpassed in their respective domains of action, such as Masterwort, Golden Seal and Small Flowered Willow Herb, along with Traditional African Herbs such as Sutherlandia, Leonotis, Pentzia and Sceletium, to name a few.

There’s a fourth reason that makes this range special. This may be stated: “Even the "little things" add up.” For example the herb Liquorice root depletes potassium reserves in the body... so when its used in a Energetic Herbals formula it is compensated for by the use of potassium-rich Dandelion leaf. Likewise, St John's Wort is used together with Spirulina, to compensate for the depletion of water-soluble vitamin A (carotenoids) by the former. This type of attention to detail is seen throughout our range.