For those who need to hear it, I do have an extensive background in the use of herbs as medicine as I have been using them as such for decades. I have taken and completed programs with two different schools and am even doing an online correspondence course. I completed an internship with a TCM clinic as well as an apprenticeship in Native American Herbal Tradition. And still, I know nothing. I am barely scratching the surface. There is more to learn in this field than one could learn in a lifetime. Having said that, I can honestly say, the best way to learn is to do. Although there is potential for misuse resulting in possibly damaging side effects and care should be taken when using herbs, the potential danger is not nearly as prevalent as pharmaceutical companies and others with specific agendas might have you believe. Nor are they as benign and safe as the people standing at the other end of the spectrum would say either. I can say that the harmful side effects of using many prescription drugs are far worse than side effects from herb use. I encourage research. At the end of the day, the main point is responsible use. To that end, please heed the following: DISCLAIMER None of the information contained within this site is meant to replace medical treatment. Only use herbs as medicine if you know what you are doing, not if you just THINK you know what you’re doing, if you’re wrong there can be negative side effects. Improper use of herbs, just as improper use of prescription drugs, can harm or kill. Remember, natural doesn't always mean safe. Cross reference at least three reliable sources of information before taking an herb. Be sure about dosage and longevity of treatment. Mostly.....be careful. Resources *Much of what is here will be from my own notes collected over decades of study from vast and varied sources. Other sources are: -The Master Book of Herbalism by Paul Beyerl -Common Herbs for Natural Health by Juliette de Bairacli Levy -Rodales Illustrated Encyclopedia of Herbs -Culpepers Complete Herbal and English Physician by Nicholas Culpeper -The Way of Herbs by Michael Tierra OF NOTE: I had a lot of teachers, including apprenticeship and observation of masters at their craft. In that way, I have been extraordinarily blessed. I feel I need to be clear that in no way do I disregard the great work people do in traditional western medicine. I have had health issues that I'm not sure I would have made it through without the help of doctors and nurses. I think of herbs as a way to maintain. A non-invasive way one can work with, not in opposition to, a traditional doctor. I would never advise anyone to NOT see a doctor if they feel they need one. Liniments are herbal extracts that are rubbed into the skin over areas of soreness caused by strained muscles and ligaments. They also help with inflammation and arthritis. Generally they will include some combination of herbs that stimulate to get the blood moving, antispasmodic herbs and aromatic herbs to penetrate into the muscles and increase circulation. One can make a liniment by placing 4oz of dried herbs or double that if they are bruised, fresh herbs. Add 1 pint of vinegar, alcohol or massage oil and allow to extract. Shake the bottle a few times a day for three days if you used powdered herbs and fifteen if you used herbs that were whole or cut. There are so many varieties of ways to make liniment it could fill volumes, the best way to make one that works best for you is experimentation.
It used to be the only kind of capsules one could get were gelatin, animal product. These days vegetarian capsules are available too. There are three main reasons to take herbs in capsule form cited in Way of Herbs by Michael Tierra, they are:
Sometimes really strong herbs cannot be taken internally, that is when a fomentation, or as it is more commonly called, a compress, can be used. To make one is simple, make a strong tea, dip an absorbent cloth in it and place it over the affected area as hot as you can tolerate. A flannel blanket can be put over that and even a hot water bottle. Using heat allows for these herbs to be absorbed by the body slowly and in smaller amounts. I remember making compresses using my daughters cloth diapers, they worked better than anything else I used. I also used her little flannel baby blankets when she was done with them. An electuary is used when you have to give herbs that don't taste very good to children. To make the herbs more palatable they are mixed with something sweet such as honey, syrup or even peanut butter, it's the "teaspoon of sugar" that helps the medicine go down. An electuary can be made pasty, it can be made into little bite sized goodies or it can be spreadable and put on toast or an apple or even just taken by the spoonful. One example in Michael Tierra's repertoire is enticing a child to take cayenne in a bit of peanut butter coated in honey. Of course, there are the more fancy varieties, like these chocolate mini cupcakes with nettle frosting...
To try "simples" is to just use one herb. I have done this when I want to pinpoint what a specific herb does so I can use it or not use it when I am making a formula. It's also a good way to deconstruct a complicated formula into something simpler or reverse engineer a mystery formula.
I have always done a simple using the herb in tincture form. As a tincture I can take it for a long enough time to feel and document its effects over a course of three weeks or so.
I don't need to go on and on about how to make tea, it's a pretty simple process. Here are a few points to make note of though, just as a reminder.
Mistletoe will grow and has been found on almost any deciduous tree preferring those with soft bark, most commonly, old apple trees. It is also found on Ash, Hawthorne and Lime to name a few. It is an evergreen parasitic plant and grows on the branches of its host forming pendent bushes 2 to 5 feet in diameter. It has a woody stem with small leaves growing in pairs and flowers that are usually found in threes and have both female and male parts. When storing mistletoe it is recommended to remove the berries and store them separately as they are far more toxic than the leaves. Mistletoe has been used in the treatment of high blood pressure and hardening of the arteries. It is said to calm the convulsions of epilepsy and other nervous disorders and to treat hemorrhage, severe headache and menstrual difficulties particularly excessive bleeding and painful cramps. It also improves circulation. The berries have been used externally to make a wash used in treating oily skin and acne. The berries aren’t recommended or internal use as they are highly toxic. Mistletoe is also being used in the treatment of cancer. Hawthorne, of the genus Crataegus Laevigata (also oxycantha or monogyna, depending upon which of the three most common species you're looking at) are all from the Rosaceae family. The genus name crataegus is derived from the Greek word kratos, which means strength, just as the wood of the Hawthorne is known for its strength. Greeks and Romans alike associated Hawthorne with hope and happiness. As such, it was widely used in floral arrangements for weddings; there again is that association with the heart. The Romans also believed that this plant kept evil spirits at bay and thus would use it in the babies cradle for protection. This also came from their association between this herb and the Goddess Cardea, strikingly similar to Cardio, she was the Goddess of marriage and childbirth. Cardea was mistress to Janus, the God with two faces, one always looking into both worlds and guarding doorways and portals, due to this association she was thought of as the hinge on the door of the year. On the other side of that coin, especially with the popularity of Christianity, love of this plant got twisted into an overwhelming sense of foreboding and a belief that if it was brought into a home someone in that home would die. Herbal Properties/Medicinal Below is a list of definitions. Often when we refer to medicinal uses of herbs properties are listed that might need definition, this list is meant to provide that. The following is a basic list and by no means exhaustive, there are many more properties that I may have left out for now. Questions? Ask in the comments. |
Hanna Maxwell
All knowledge starts with self knowledge. Archives
July 2021
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