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This is why it is so important when taking herbs to work with a qualified herbalist or natural health care professional who is knowledgeable about herbs. Herbs That Strengthen an Individual's Constitution and Vitality Before prescribing herbs, it is important to assess the patient's vital state and nerve power. This evaluation takes many things into consideration: • How is the patient's nervous system affected by stress? • Where are the weaknesses of the endocrine system—adrenal glands, thyroid, reproductive organs?

HOW TO USE HERBS After an herbalist or doctor determines which herbs are appropriate for a particular condition, the next steps are to determine: • Which form to use (fluid extract, decoction, infusion, extract, pills, etc.) • How to administer the herbs (by mouth, bath, inhalation, enema, transdermal) • The amounts to give, the frequency, and the time of day for doses to be given • How to combine the herbs into appropriate formulas Good overall health must be achieved before improvement can be expected.

Apply paste to a specific area, such as a boil, cover, and leave on for several minutes to several hours, as directed by the herbalist. Heat is sometimes applied over the plaster. Poultice. Mix chopped herb or powdered seeds with boiling water to make a pulp. Place the pulp in a piece of cloth and apply to the affected area while hot. Replace when cool. Tincture. An herbal extract made by steeping the herb for about six weeks in a mixture of water and alcohol. The strength should be listed, usually as a ratio (1:5). Table 4.

The Woman's Encyclopedia of Natural Healing Dr. Gary Null See book keywords and concepts

This helps to regulate blood sugar, and in many cases is enough to reduce or eliminate PMS symptoms. herbalist Letha Hadady recommends cool green foods such as salads and the avoidance of hot, spicy, and acidic foods as well as the elimination of coffee. Some people, however, need more help and can benefit from vitamin therapy, exercise, and a stress management program. NUTRITIONAL SUPPLEMENTS When symptoms are severe, diet alone may not be enough. These nutrients may prove useful: Vitamin B6 (pyridoxine). This has a number of helpful properties for alleviating PMS.

Herbal Medicine, Healing and Cancer: A Comprehensive Program for Prevention and Treatment Donald R. Yance, j r.,C.N., M.H., A.H.G., with Arlene Valentine See book keywords and concepts

Hoxsey (Trifolium) Formula (with a few changes and modifications) The Hoxsey Formula is a classic alterative compound best prepared by an herbalist that has been used for over one hundred years. Its primary action is to increase the body's ability to remove metabolic waste, which leads to overall enhancement in the assimilation of nutrients. In my own version of this formula, I have added celandine (Cheladonium) because of its anticancer and liver-protective effects. For more information about each herb, consult the Index to locate the herb's description in this chapter.

Heinerman's Encyclopedia of Healing Juices John Heinerman See book keywords and concepts

Take, for instance, an herbalist by the name of M'buki Henrique of Angola, who is what they call Aladuras in the Yoruba language or Igbeuku in the Bendel State area of Nigeria. He combines traditional herbalism with spiritual healing. He routinely goes out and collects different medicinal plants, berries, fruits, and roots growing near his private hospital. During his session with a patient, he will engage in praying after administering his vegetable or fruit remedy in order to induce a state of relaxation in the other person.

Herbs Against Cancer: History and Controversy Ralph W. Moss PhD See book keywords and concepts

After eight months he was finally compelled to return to England for economic reasons and resume his herbalist practice there. He arranged for publication of his results in the Picture Post of London (9/9/50). According to Morris, there were nine "positive indications of cure" (289). There was naturally a flood of publicity about the treatment, yet another in the long history of "cancer cures" in tabloid newspapers. The British Medical Journal, which had been condemning the Evans treatment since 1907, published another severely critical editorial.

Millspaugh, a famous American herbalist wrote, "From the careful observations of many pharmacographists and historians, there seems little doubt that the Grecian State potion...was principally, if not wholly, composed of the fresh juice of the leaves and green seeds of this plant" (277) But Plato never specified hemlock. A "pharmakon" is any strong drug, and not necessarily a poisonous one (hence our word "pharmacology"). Plato's description of Socrates' death is vivid. He suffered a slow paralysis that crept from his feet to his heart.

But the most important medieval herbalist to write about cancer was Saint Hildegard of Bingen (1098-1179), the so-called Sibyl of the Rhine. Hildegard was one of the most accomplished women of her day. She had mystical visions and, at the age of 43, reported these to her Archbishop. He appointed a committee of theologians to investigate. They declared these visions authentic and assigned a monk to help her record them. This became her work, Scivias, which is still in print and still fascinating to read. In 1147, Hildegard founded a convent and continued to put her visions onto parchment.

Hippocrates, Galen (whose book about cancer has come down to us), Dioscorides, the first Western herbalist, Pliny the Elder, etc. all wrote about this disease. We shall have reason to refer to many of them at various points in this text (325). During the Middle Ages, treatment consisted mainly of semi-magical practices. For example, because cancer means crab, crayfish were eaten and 78 the ashes of a crab were sprinkled on external tumors. However, as the economy revived, so too did the quality of medical care (mainly under the influence of Arabic and Jewish physicians).

In the late 19th and early 20th century, an herbalist named E.F.W. Powell used half an ounce each of red clover blossoms, yellow dock root, dandelion root, violet leaves, and mistletoe as a cancer treatment. He added to this one-quarter ounce of goldenseal root and licorice. These herbs were gently simmered in three pints of boiling water for 20 minutes, and then strained. Patients took a wine glassful every two hours. However this plant's introduction into modern cancer therapeutics was the work of a man who had no training in medicine.

Miracle Medicine Foods Rex Adams See book keywords and concepts

Finally—and this is a recipe not to be taken internally—garlic has been used in the form of foot and hand baths, for relief of high blood pressure, in this remedy for hypertension used by famed herbalist, Maurice Messegue? Garlic (one large crushed head) Single-seed hawthorn (blossom—one handful) Greater celandine (leaves, semi-fresh if possible—one handful) Common broom (flowers—one handful) Follow the basic instructions on page 30 of Chapter 2 for preparation of this foot and hand bath, and use as often as needed.

Sage tea has a sedative effect (a fourteenth-century writer claimed that it cured his palsy: "My hand is as steady as it was at fifteen") is antiseptic, and purifies the liver and kidneys, according to Father Kneipp, the famous European herbalist. Rose petals contain malic and tartaric acids, said to be of great value in dissolving out gallstones and gravel from the urinary organs. The dried petals and leaves are often used—with peppermint, lemon peel, and linden leaves—as a tea substitute. This is reportedly helpful also in cases of stomach upset. 'Health from Herbs, June 1953.

The great French herbalist, Maurice Messegue', in Of Men and Plants gives a remedy for allergies in which garlic is a prime ingredient: Garlic (one crushed head) Single seed hawthorn (blossom—one handful) Greater celandine (flowers and stems, if possible, semi-fresh—one handful) Couch-grass (roots—one handful) Common broom (flowers—one handful) Sage (leaves—one handful) Linden (blossom—one handful) This, he says, is to be used in foot- and hand-baths. (See instructions for basic preparations, page 30).' The story is told of a European houseworker, Klara Y.

A medical herbalist reported the case of an overweight woman who drank this herbal tea daily. The first month nothing happened, but in the fifth week she began to lose weight. In six months she lost a total of 32 pounds and has not put back an ounce.7 Apple cider vinegar contains powerful enzymes that help dissolve clumps of fat, and wash them right out of the system—so powerful, in fact, that meat soaked in apple cider vinegar is tenderized.

Herbal Medicine, Healing and Cancer: A Comprehensive Program for Prevention and Treatment Donald R. Yance, j r.,C.N., M.H., A.H.G., with Arlene Valentine See book keywords and concepts

Cleavers [Galium aparine) Cleavers is used as a diuretic for inflammatory states that are accompanied by renal burning and irritation. The herbalist John Scudder recommended that it be used for nodulated growths or deposits in skin or mucous membranes. Eli Jones used it for cancer of the tongue when there is a nodular feeling and the lump is tender to the touch. Codonopsis [Codonopsis pitosula) Codonopsis is referred to as "poor man's ginseng" in China. It is classified as a "sweet chi tonic" and used for disorders of the spleen and lungs.

Radical Healing: Integrating the World's Great Therapeutic Traditions to Create a New Transformative Medicine Rudolph M. Ballentine, M.D. See book keywords and concepts

By a well-known and respected contemporary herbalist, this is a compilation of information on American and European herbs from the perspective and in the terminology of the modern European herbal tradition. Healing Wise: The Wise Woman Herbal, Susun S. Weed, Ash Tree Publishing, Woodstock, N.Y., 1989. A powerful encouragement for a woman to reclaim her relationship to nature and plants, and a very folksy, hands-on treatment of seven herbs you can find around you and use. Creating Your Herbal Profile, Dorothy Hall, Keats Publishing, New Canaan, Conn., 1988.

The Top Ten Herbs to Cure Big Diseases Dr. Richard Schulze and Sam Biser See book keywords and concepts

Here is the reality, I've said this before and I'll say it again: All my life, as an herbalist, I wanted to create very detailed and intricate herbal formulas based on very bizarre, exotic and rare herbs from either the rain forest or the highest mountain top in Tibet. The reality is that I knew that I first had to get my patients on a good vegetarian food program, and also a good bowel cleansing. To my early great disappointment in the clinic, as I was ready to mix in the cauldron all my exotic herbs into this very detailed formula, my patients had the audacity to get well on me.

Finally, she ended up at an herbalist, one of Dr. Christopher's students. He prescribed her one of the Doc's formulae for pain, Wild Lettuce and Valerian root, a great formula. It was a miracle, her pain completely disappeared. Gone, but it eventually returned. Three years of blinding pain, ruining her life and driving her insane, she finally came to my clinic doorstep and told me that story. Within the first 2 minutes of her visit, I asked her one of my favorite questions; How often do you have a bowel movement? It turned out she only went once or twice a week.

Health in the 21st Century: Will Doctors Survive? Francisco, M.D. Contreras See book keywords and concepts

Chinese herbalist (Pen Tsao). It is a successful but maligned alternative cancer treatment. Researchers began studying the substance because the Hunza tribes in the Himalayas enjoy one of the lowest incidence of cancer in the world. Their main source of protein is apricot kernels, one of the best sources of Amygdalin. The Pueblo Indians of Taos, New Mexico, traditionally eat many foods rich in Amygdalin. Not coincidentally, cancer is rare among this population. Robert G.

Nature's Medicines : From Asthma to Weight Gain, from Colds to High Cholesterol -- The Most Powerful All-Natural Cures Gale Maleskey See book keywords and concepts

One eighteenth-century herbalist likened it to the urine of cats, so you can imagine that an herbal tea of valerian root is a less-than-exquisite sipping experience. Because of its strong smell, valerian is most commonly taken as pills or tincture. Nevertheless, "valerian is a wonderful herb for relaxing the body, both the mind and the muscles," says Jill Stansbury, N.D., assistant professor of botanical medicine and chair of the botanical medicine department at the National College of Naturopathic Medicine in Portland, Oregon.

If this elephant tale sounds fanciful, consider the legend of Li Ching Yun, a Chinese herbalist who supposedly lived to be 256 years old because he regularly consumed gotu kola. These stories clearly show one thing—people on the Indian subcontinent and in the surrounding region plainly believed that gotu kola promoted longevity and a healthier life. Clear Thinking Medicinal use of gotu kola comes from the Chinese and Indian (Ayurvedic) herbal traditions. The herb normalizes the nervous system, improving mental activity and well-being, says Priscilla Evans, N.D.

An Herb for the Head The modern view of this herb is fairly close to that of sixteenth-century herbalist John Gerard. In 1597, Gerard recommended this member of the chrysanthemum family to "them that are giddie in the head" and suggested placing a poultice of the leaves on an aching noggin. Ingesting rather than wearing the herb is the recommended course of treatment today, but it's clear that the early healers were on to something, says Steven Dentali, Ph.D.

All the herbs used by herbalist and Alchemist are grown organically and gathered responsibly, according to Beth Lambert, the company's chief executive officer, Once delivered to the facility, the herb is ground, measured, and placed in five-gallon glass jars with a solution of ethanol and distilled water. The solution, called a menstruum, extracts the healing chemical compounds from the plant material. Most plants soak in the menstruum for about two weeks. A technician then strains and presses out the plant material.

When you step inside the doors of herbalist and Alchemist, an herbal medicine manufacturer in Washington, Hew Jersey, the complexity of the operation is immediately apparent. In the factory, which employs 13 people, technicians make herbal tinctures in a processing room that's the picture of scrupulous hygiene. People wear gowns, goggles, hair and beard nets, and rubber gloves. Some have respirators.

A skilled herbalist can use herbs to treat hormone imbalances, stress, or allergies that cause a headache, not just provide anti-inflammatories that subdue the immediate pain. Yes, herbs can be used for particular problems, but they also provide nourishment for the whole body. "Herbs can help the body achieve a healthier condition so it can better protect and heal itself," says Jennifer Brett, N.D., a naturopathic doctor at the Wilton Naturopathic Center in Stratford, Connecticut. "It's really a nutritive or positive cure viewpoint.

Heinerman's Encyclopedia of Healing Juices John Heinerman See book keywords and concepts

In addition, his lady herbalist put him on tinctures of mistletoe, belladonna, and Crataegus (hawthorn). Within six months, David related, the judge's symptoms had just about all disappeared. He had more energy and vitality, was able to engage in some strenuous physical activity without pain, could breathe freely, and "felt like a new man again!" Encephalitis. This condition usually involves infection by herpes simplex virus, meningitis virus, or other viruses of like severity. Transmission can be through human or animal contact or a bite from a mosquito or tick carrying any of these viruses.

Radical Healing: Integrating the World's Great Therapeutic Traditions to Create a New Transformative Medicine Rudolph M. Ballentine, M.D. See book keywords and concepts

While the European herbalist may describe herbs in terms of more Western notions about physiology, his Chinese counterpart will instead mention remedies for "damp heat" or "to strengthen yin." The Ayurvedic physician uses another entirely different set of concepts. She will talk about emptying the "mucusy accumulations" related to kapha, or soothing the firelike pitta. Much of how the Native Americans prescribed their wealth of medicinals has been lost to us.

The Top Ten Herbs to Cure Big Diseases Dr. Richard Schulze and Sam Biser See book keywords and concepts

My goal was to help my patients heal themselves — not to become another bullshit herbalist. So the point I'm making here is if anybody is doubting the power of the food program and the bowel cleansing, wake up right now!! Because — I can tell you — ninety-percent of my patients across the board, regardless of what was wrong with them, healed themselves after thirty days on an intensive vegetarian food program and an intensive bowel cleansing. And I still haven't given you all the fundamentals. Step Three: Circulation, Movement and Hydrotherapy Can the blood get to the area that is sick?

Radical Healing: Integrating the World's Great Therapeutic Traditions to Create a New Transformative Medicine Rudolph M. Ballentine, M.D. See book keywords and concepts

Stephen Buhner is a contemporary herbalist who has immersed himself in Native American traditions. Taking a cue from his book, I've used usnea, a lichen that grows on trees throughout North America, to treat chronic bronchitis. It recalls for me the Doctrine of Signatures. If you picture a tree turned upside down, it resembles a lung, its leaves like alveoli where gases are exchanged, and its branches corresponding to bronchi. There, distributed along the surfaces of those branches in a way that would parallel the linings of the bronchial tubes, is the gray-green lichen usnea.

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