The deserts should never be reclaimed. They are the breathing spaces of the west and should be preserved forever - John Van Dyke, The Desert 1901
Another herbalist is talking about the importance of spring cleaning for your body. Great points about sugar intake, lymph and liver support, plus dealing with allergies. (In Good Stuff to Know)
Herbalist Marian Brown has a great idea to help "clean out the crud" and do a little spring cleaning of the body. She brings up several relevant points, such as:
Previously, winter storages of food would be dwindling this time of year and people would be taking advantage of fresh greens and spring plants. These would naturally begin cleansing our system from the “heavy” winter foods of stored meat and grains. Today, we don’t take advantage of seasonal changes. We rely on processed food, fast foods, and “junk” foods.
At the turn of the century, we consumed 5 pounds of sugar per person per year. Now we consume 150 pounds per person per year. Sugar is added to almost all our foods – yogurt, breads, etc. explains Vopni. It also suppresses the immune system. Our body uses the B vitamins to process sugar instead of producing much needed antibodies. After each time we consume sugar, our body is not working optimally for 5 hours. Honey will also suppress the immune system. Sugar substitutes, like aspartame, should also be avoided. Stevia, a naturally sweetener can be used.
Toxins will be in your lymph system and, unlike the heart that pumps the blood, the lymph system has no pump and required exercise to keep it moving. Without exercise, the toxins will just sit. Gentle exercise is what Vopni suggests. “Sweating is good. It is one way our body removes toxins,” said Vopni. A brisk walk that produces a gentle perspiration works well. In addition, a hot bath and peppermint tea, followed by bundling up in your favorite, cozy blanket can work wonders!
Liver support is key during the time of detoxification. Herbs to consider are dandelion root, milk thistle, and licorice root. Between 2 am and 4 am is a peak liver function time and taking liver herbs at bedtime can help support this functioning.
In addition to spring cleaning, this time of year is also the time for allergies. Allergies are a result of becoming overexposed to the allergen at a time when the immune system is undernourished and over-stressed Vopni explained. Herbs can be used to both relief discomfort and to build up the immune system for a long-term prevention.
Herbalist[s], like Vopni, work with the person to examine the “whole person.” There are many pieces to the puzzle and finding the root of the problem is key.
Posted by Evo Terra at 02:46 PM
Around 400 patients in Britain are to take part in a trial starting next month to investigate thalidomide as a treatment for small cell lung cancer, Cancer Research UK announced on Tuesday.Thalidomide is notorious for causing the birth of hundreds of babies with missing limbs in the 1960s after it was used to prevent morning sickness during pregnancy. However, the drug is now being explored as a treatment for other conditions.
It doesn't get any better. Read all about it on Reuters Health.
Plantain doesn't grow in these here parts without a lot of help. But Joan Perry writes a very good description of the various uses of this healing plant. (In Materia Medica)
Joan Perry of Oregon Meadow Herb Company in Hillsboro Oregon recently posted an article on Plantain (Plantago major, P. lanceolata). Plantain is a very common herb in most places (other than the dry desert southwest) and most recognizable as a laxative. If you've taken the dry-stuff in a glass of water or juice, that was psyllium, the seeds from a relative. The leaves are a common ingredient in many healing salves and ointments.
As most articles posted online, I've got the full text of the article in the extended view in the highly likely event that the Hillsboro Argus News takes the information off line.
Herbal remedies Plantain: A common, yet uncommon plant
01/23/03
By Joan Perry
For The Argus
Editor's note: Herbal remedies might not be for everyone. It's always advisable to consult your doctor first.
You know the one I'm talking about. That large, oval-leafed weed growing in your lawn that just lays there and hugs the ground.
Several long veins stretch from the stem to the tip of each leaf. You can walk on it, stomp on it or even run a lawn mower over it. Nothing seems to faze it (except maybe toxic chemicals and rabbits). But, if you knew what this herb, plantain, had to offer, you might want to show it some respect.
Plantain, Plantago major, is one of the most common wild plants in the world. It could be considered the rabbit of the plant world. One little seed drops from a hikers boot, and germinates by the side of the trail. The next thing you know, plantain plants are flopped around everywhere. Sure, they aren't as cute as bunnies in your lawn, but they make up for it in medicinal ways.
Over 200 species of plantain thrive throughout the world. The two most common in the United States are broad leaved plantain, Plantago major, and lance leaved plantain, Plantago lanceolata. Both perennial herbs have similar properties.
Rich in vitamin A and calcium, the tender young leaves make a healthy addition to salads. Make sure you use young leaves, as older ones become stringy and bitter. And of course, don't harvest plants that grow in lawns treated with chemicals.
Even the seeds of the long, leafless stalks are useful. Soak on to two teaspoons seeds in two cups of water. This drink has a laxative effect, much like the seeds of its relative, Plantago arenaria, commonly known as psyllium. You may recognize psyllium as a major ingredient in over the counter laxatives, such as Metamucil.
As beneficial as plantain is internally, it is most appreciated for its external medicinal applications for both people and pets.
Many natural herbal salves contain soothing plantain for good reason. It has astringent, antiseptic, anti-inflammatory, and wound healing properties. These attributes make it an effective balm for minor cuts, scrapes, rashes, blisters and burns. It is also beneficial in reducing swelling and relieving itching caused by bug bites and stings.
Another external method of using plantain is in tea form. A blend of one tablespoon each of plantain leaves, calendula flowers and grindelia leaves, with one quarter teaspoon goldenseal powder makes an external tea wash for hot spots (raw, itchy, painful sores) on dogs. Pour one pint boiling watr over one tablespoon of the tea blen, cover, and steep for 15 minutes. Chill in a spray bottle, and apply to inflammation.
Salves and teas are handy methods of administering plaintain, but they aren't imperative. Using freshly picked leaves is often all that is necessary. Bruise the leaves by mashing or chewing, and apply directly to the skin as a poultice. Wrap the poultice with a gauze bandage to keep it in place.
Fortunately, for many people, this wonderful natural remedy is as close as their own back yard.
Joan Perry owns Oregon meadow Herb Company, 238 SE Second Avenue, Hillsboro, OR 97123 503-693-3540 email: joanperry@oregonmeadowherbs.com
A new and very informative article on Asclepias tuberosa by The Humorous Herbalist (In Materia Medica)
Laurel Dewey, aka The Humorist Herbalist, has written another article, this time on Pleurisy root (Asclepias tuberosa). Asclepias is one of those herbs that is so good for one thing (in this case, pleurisy) it tends to have it's other healing attributes pushed aside or often ignored.
Since I can never rely on newspapers to keep online articles archived for any length of time, I've listed the full contents in the extended text. Hit "more" if the link above no longer has the story.
Article published January 24, 2003 on the Glenwood Springs Post Independent
Breathe easy with pleurisy root
By Laurel Dewey
When they named herbs long ago, they must have been worn out when they got to pleurisy root. Instead of giving it some off-the-wall name, someone said, “You know, the root works when you’ve got pleurisy. Let’s just call it pleurisy root and go to bed.”
And so the name stuck. North American Indians called this root one of the “Great White Father’s best gifts to the children of nature.” Up until the early 20th century, pleurisy root was listed in the United States Pharmacopoeia as an important lung aid.
Obviously, the herb pleurisy was used almost exclusively for the ailment called pleurisy. The ailment presents symptoms that could best be defined as serious respiratory distress. The thin membrane which lines the chest and covers the lungs becomes badly inflamed, causing very painful breathing. Deep breathing, coughing, sneezing and even movement can cause sharp pain in the chest and upper back.
Pleurisy can be caused by exposure to cold weather and is aggravated by cold, damp weather.
You might be saying, “I don’t have pleurisy” and you’re ready to turn the page. But wait! Do you ever suffer from bronchitis, asthma, pneumonia or the common cold and flu? Because if you do, pleurisy root could become your best plant pal.
The root promotes tremendous heat in the body, which helps raise the body temperature and encourage perspiration. At the same time, pleurisy root is charging through the body, opening up the lung capillaries and working to thin mucus and congestion, which makes it easier to expectorate. Because it increases circulation in the lungs, it quickly begins to ease chest tightness which, in turn, helps to reduce painful breathing.
Pleurisy root will promote healing of the respiratory system and expel trapped mucus and congestion. However, the herb alone will not do the job. Two other elements play a vital role in all respiratory ailments: diet and the bowel.
You can take pleurisy root for a respiratory infection, but if during that time you continue to eat dairy products, animal protein, fried foods, sugary sweets and soft drinks, you will not get well. You cannot expect to pull your body out of a serious respiratory illness — whether it is the flu or pneumonia — if you keep congesting it with mucus-forming, immune-suppressing foods and sweets.
As for the bowel, there is a direct connection between the lungs and the large intestine. When the lungs are affected by an illness, you can get relief by clearing the colon. I’ve seen this work countless times. Many of the old herbal medical texts recommend high enemas to relieve respiratory distress. Use a hot water enema, a coffee enema or, for added infection-fighting protection, a garlic water enema.
Once you are following the right diet and keeping your colon clean, drink pleurisy root tea to push the gunk out of your lungs. The dried pulverized root can be taken alone or mixed in a respiratory formula.
When used by itself, add three level teaspoons to 3 cups of cold water. Bring the water to a rolling boil, lower the heat and simmer for 15 minutes. Remove from the heat and let the tea stand for 10 more minutes, strain and drink four ounces every half hour. Consume the entire three cups during the day.
It is very important to keep your body warm, preferably under the bed covers since you will start sweating.
An excellent respiratory formula is made with one-half teaspoon EACH of pleurisy root, licorice root, mullein leaves and yarrow flowers. Place the pleurisy and licorice root in one pint of cold water and bring to a boil. Simmer for 15 minutes. Turn off the heat and add the mullein and yarrow. Cover and steep for 20 minutes, strain and drink four to six ounces every hour while staying warm.
There are cautions to pleurisy root. The herb can be a uterine stimulant, so pregnant women should not use it. Because it is considered a powerful respiratory herb, it is not recommended for children under the age of 12.
Do not use pleurisy root if your symptoms include cold skin and a weak pulse. The herb’s relaxing and perspiration-inducing qualities can aggravate those symptoms. Do not use the fresh root since it causes nausea and vomiting. Also, the dried and fresh leaves can cause the same problem.
Finally, use only the recommended dose of one level teaspoon of herb per eight ounces of water. Larger amounts can induce vomiting.
If you stick to the right recuperative program, you’ll be up and around when everyone else is still down for the count.
Join Laurel Dewey on Saturday, Jan. 25, for a special one-day workshop in Glenwood Springs titled, “The Power & Persuasive Pleasure of Herbal Aphrodisiacs.” Students will learn which plant remedies work to spice up your love life. In addition, participants will make sensuous herbal goodies for their loved ones. Make this Valentine’s Day one you will always remember. Class fee is $65 plus a $10 supply fee. Call 704-0209 for more information and to make reservations.
Laurel Dewey is extending the special offer on autographed copies of her book “The Humorous Herbalist.” Purchase two books for $10 each (that’s $5 off the regular price) and receive a third book FREE. Send $20 plus $3 postage and handling to The Humorous Herbalist, P.O. Box 1984, Glenwood Springs, CO 81601.
The information in this column is not meant to take the place of your physician, nor is it intended to treat, diagnose or prescribe. Pregnant or nursing women should consult their doctor before using herbal therapy.
Should I be concerned about my page rank for the following Google searches?
- #1 - "vital dynamics medicine big breast"
#4 - "fenugreek saw palmetto hair bald -folligro -paste"
#4 - "no internet access"
#5 - "bug ups"
#8 - "how to get rid of superstition"
I had my first chance to use Ephedra sinensisjust two days ago. For five days, I stubbornly treated a "cold" I was developing; but all to no avail. I was up to 12-15 cloves of raw garlic a day, drinking what seemed like gallons of Elderberry syrup and Larrea tea... but I wasn't getting better. Two ladies close to me, my wife and a fellow herbalist, suspected allergies from the start. I, however, staunchly defended my position, as I don't have allergies. Period.
Five days later, reeking of garlic and starting to like the flavor of Larrea again, I finally gave into what was so obvious to those around me: I didn't have a cold. Instead, my symptom profile pointed clearly to allergies. Plugged ears, post-nasal drip, constant sneezing, watery eyes... "Herbalist, heal thyself" rang muffled in my clogged ears. OK, OK. I get the picture. Now it's time to do something about it.
I'm not one to advocate symptom suppression. I'd rather get to the heart of the matter and do some real healing rather than just brush it all under the table temporarily. But after five days of living with a pressure cooker attached to my head and thousands of tiny and constantly moving feathers in my nostrils, I had had enough and just wanted relief! Besides, truly "fixing" the allergic condition (which I'm planning on doing) can take months. I needed an herbal answer to Claritin and I needed it now!
Enter Ephedra sinensis, that maligned Chinese botanical made infamous by the less-than scrupulous Metabolife corporation and a few others. Yes. I'm aware of the studies and the controversy surrounding the poor souls who suffered strokes, heart attacks, and other life threatening (and sometimes life ending) incidents all supposedly caused by this herb. The bottom line is that Ma Huang (Ephedra) is not an innocuous herb. It's very powerful medicine, and should be treated with all the respect deserved to a very powerful medicine. It possesses stimulant properties which can, if abused as a stimulant, do all the horrible and nasty things that any stimulant can do to the human body. Using a stimulant as an appetite suppressant is a poor regiment of weight management in my opinion. Perhaps there are cases where it is warranted, but not in general.
But I wasn't wanting to get high, I wanted to get better. (For those of you who know me personally: can you imagine me on stimulants? I'm a ball of spastic energy as it is!) Unfortunately, I don't keep Ma Huang in my apothecary, so I was stuck with the choice of placing an order with a supplier or heading to the local herb shop. I took the latter, and found Ma Huang's reputation preceding itself. No one had "just" Ma Huang. One store (who shall remain nameless to save them the embarrassment) even tried to convince me that Ephedra had been outlawed in the state of Arizona. Please.
Not having any luck locating the plant as a simple, I was left with the choice of a formulation. Trouble is, I prefer to do my own formulation, as most are made for "everyone", and I like to tailor-make mine for the person in question. However, this wasn't an option. Like I said, I was looking for fast acting relief. Browsing my selection in the store, I recalled a lecture I attended given by Danial Gagnon of Herbs, Etc. Sure enough, his company had a formulation called Decongestonic(tm) which listed Ephedra as the main ingredient. I also like the companion herbs of Mormon Tea (another species of Ephedra, a more mild decongestant without the stimulant issues), Mullein - Verbascum thapsus (good for clearing the lungs of mucous), Coltsfoot - Tussilago farfara (another good lung soother), Yerba Santa - Eriodictyon californica (clears mucous in the sinuses), Eyebright - Euphrasia officinalis (like the name implies, great for itchy eyes and other allergic reactions), and an herb I was unfamiliar with, Cubeb berry - Piper cubeb (good for bronchitis with thick mucous). Barring the last one (and it was pretty close,) everything in this bottle was exactly what I needed.
On Tuesday afternoon, I began dosing myself at about twice the amount listed on the bottle and at double the frequency. That's the beauty of most herbal remedies-- if you know what you're doing you can increase the dosage to effect a faster change in the body. Notice I said most herbal remedies. Don't try this on your own, and you probably shouldn't try it with an herb as powerful as Ma Huang, as I did. But hey, I'm the trained professional and was willing to take the risk, carefully monitoring myself for any of the classic side-effects of too much of a stimulant. Nope, didn't notice anything. Except I got better. Fast.
That night, I slept sound as usual for the first time in five days. The next day, I scaled the dosage back down to the maximum indicated on the bottle. I felt great all day and had another well rested night. Today, I'm about 85% symptom free, so I'll stay the course for another day.
This weekend, I start a six month treatment for allergies that concentrates on strengthening my immune system and detoxifying and nourishing the liver, as well as a systemic stabilization of mast cells. You know, for those allergies I don't have?
My friend and chemist Chris of 101-356 is making another batch of home made hooch. This time it's Raisinette™ II, and while it's not specifically of a medicinal nature, it does use herbs (raisins) and is additive free.
Fellow herbalist Sarah of Herbivorous points me to a wonderful site... as long as you're into the phytochemical constituents of phytoestrogens. Not your cup of tea? She's also raises some excellent points regarding the "war" on "drugs". Good to keep in mind the next time the topic comes up in conversation.
Kelly of Grow! is having some trouble doing just that with some succulents, and the Path to Freedom folks are treating some bunnies with the sniffles.
More later!
"Healing means getting over the pain, not marketing it."
-Caroline Myss
(Thanks to Nicole of Harmony Blue for the quote)
If you've been reading me for a while, you know I tend to get a little outspoken on poorly designed studies on botanical medicines. But a recent study being conducted by Stanford gets the Evo Terra seal of approval.
Volunteers are eating raw, natural garlic six times a week for six months. Wow! No, we're not talking some powdered up and encapsulated mass, nor a we talking about taking allicin as an isolate. Researchers are mashing up hundreds of pounds of raw garlic and spreading them on sandwiches! OK, so the whole double-blind thing is out the window...
Trouble is, the researchers are having trouble keeping participants for the full time:
Some volunteers will eat six different gourmet garlic sandwiches six days a week for six months. Some will be taking garlic herbal supplements. Some may find themselves sleeping on the sofa."We had one guy quit already because his wife was going to divorce him if he continued,'' said Christopher Gardner, a researcher at the Stanford Center for Research in Disease Prevention. The $1.5 million study is being funded by the National Institutes of Health.
Volunteers must be healthy adults, from ages 30 through 65, with moderately elevated cholesterol (LDL of 130-190).
Researchers can accommodate only 10 participants a month, which explains why it will take several years before any findings will be published, Gardner said.
They're looking for 185 more folks to study. Interested? Call (650) 725-5018.
A few weeks ago, I posted a rant about a University of Wisconsin. Today, I noticed that Sarah, another herbalist and fellow blogger, has a few more words about the study. She brings it home for me in this quote:If a company is totally focused on making quality herbal medicines, chances are, they'll be better than a company trying to do eight other disparate product lines concurrently. I would hesitate to buy a car from a company that started out making paper products.
She also posts some interesting information she found on the American Herbalist Guild website linking antibiotic use and hyperactivity in children. The good news is
Promising results were found following the treatment of 36 children with ADHD with ginkgo biloba and ginseng, with a 74% improvement in ADHD and hyperactive-impulse activity and a 44% improvement in social problems after one month of use.
CNN posted the top 20 areas health care should focus, as reported from the Institute of Medicine. Interestingly enough, each of these conditions or concerns is best treated with an integrated medical approach, rather than conventional drug therapy.
Joan Argus writes a very informative article on the healing properties of Slippery Elm (Ulmus fulva or Ulmas rubra). Some remedies are just so... simple!
Last Sunday, we went skiing at Snowbowl in Flagstaff. I was hoping to find some Usnea growing, and my luck paid out. Today, I started tincturing the small batch I collected. Should be ready in 14 days!
Among it's many healing properties, Usena is great for gram-positive bacterial infections, like strep. It combines will Echinacea to fight infection as well as boost immune system response.
Continuing on my theme of avoiding the politics of war and instead showing the politics of herbalism, I recently read an excellent article on the increased usage of herbs in occupied Palestine.
"Today herbs are sought not by the common folk (as was the case in the past) but by the highly educated, especially those who studied pharmacology. This comes against a backdrop of growing confidence in herbal remedies, which are free of the chemicals found in modern medicine. Difficult living conditions have had a negative impact on the popularity of herbs, particularly with the increase in the prices of some herbs as a result of the Israeli barricades and imposed closure."
(As reported in The Globe and Mail) - Scientists are confirming the existence of a "second brain" that resides in the gut. There has been speculation on the nature of the gut/brain connection for some time now. Botanical medicines such as Chamomile (Matricaria chamomilla) and Gentian (Gentiana lutea) have been known to calm the brain and the gut, and it looks like modern science is finally confirming what we've known for years. (Full story in Good Stuff to Know)
A few days ago, Vital Dynamics agreed to stop selling Isis, an "all natural herbal breast enhancement compound" after an FTC investigation determined the product didn't do what the advertisements were touting. Surprise, surprise, surprise...
While I'm not one to make generalizations, I have significant reservations about these mass-marketed products, offering to do everything from regrow hair, increase the size of various body parts, or really get you in the mood for love. I see this as a gross misrepresentation of the way herbs should be used, and a slight to my chosen profession that makes some people equate herbalists with the snake-oil salesmen of a hundred years ago.
So let's tear apart Isis and see what was in it and whether or not it should work. I wish I could include quantities of the various substances, but the words "proprietary blend" keep that information under lock and key. I'll show them in the order that they appear on the label, which may or may not be indicative of the various ratios:
Blessed Thistle (Cnicus benedictus) - Like many bitter tasting herbs, Cnicus is classified as a galactagogue, a substance that stimulates milk flow... when your breasts should be lactating.
Hops (Humulus lupus) - Does have some milk-stimulating properties.
Wild Yam (Dioscorea villosa) - Dioscorea is the raw materials used to make modern birth control pills. This plant has "hormone precursors" that are chemically similar to estrogen. It's a big leap to assume these precursors will be converted into human hormones without laboratory intervention.
Fenugreek (Trigonella foenumgraecum) - Also used to manufacture contraceptives, Trigonella contains "steroidal saponins" which can stimulate the production of breast tissue while stimulating milk flow. Historically, Fenugreek was used to cleanse the breast, chest and lungs.
Saw Palmetto (Serenoa repens) - Most familiar as an herb for enlarged prostate glands in men over 50, Serenoa encourages normal cell growth to this tissue. It's thought that both the prostrate and the female breast tissues have the same embryonic origin, so it's likely effects from this plant would have an affinity to both areas. But we're talking about normalizing cell growth, not stimulating it!
Chasteberry (Vitex agnus-castus) - Vitex balances the estrogen cycle quite well. It can, will, and has countered the effects of contraceptives and should not be taken unless you can't or want to get pregnant, or plan on using some form of male-selected contraceptive device. Will that hormone balance cause your breast size to increase? I suppose it's possible if your breasts are small due to a hormonal imbalance...
Fennel (Foeniculum vulgare) - I know Fennel as a carminitive (helps dispel gas), but it also has oestrogenic properties. Oestrogenic means "estrogen-mimicking", often in a bad way in the form of pollutants. In this case, it helps the body deal with excessive or insufficient amounts of estrogen to normalize their levels in the body.
Black Cohosh (Actaea racemosa) - Another phytoestrogen, Black Cohosh has a particular affinity to breast tissue and has been used in breast cancers and mastitis (painful inflammation of the breast). Again, it could conceivably stimulate cellular production if there were a hormone imbalance causing the tissue to atrophy.
Damiana (Turnera aphrodisiaca) - Boy, do I like Damiana! A tonic for both the male and female reproductive system, Damiana also increases ones sense of well being. Often used when you've "over done it" in the bedroom and need a boost.
Dong Quai (Angelica sinensis) - Dong Quai is the female herb in Traditional Chinese Medicine, regulating the menses and balancing out the estrogen levels. Also can calm and relax the whole body.
MSM (Methylsulfonylmethane) - Huh? That doesn't sound like an herb to me. A quick google search leads me to Quackwatch (no, I don't endorse this site). This stuff has some pretty wild claims. And no, it isn't an herb.
Wolfberry (Lycium chinensis) - Lycii berries taste great and have a long history of use in tonic combinations in Traditional Chinese Medicine.
Royal Jelly - Has been known to increase sex drive and vitality.
Skullcap (Scutillaria laterifolia) - A great herb to "mellow out" when over stressed. Can excessive stress lead to small breasts?
Pumpkin seed - Similar to Fennel.
While the herbs listed above might be beneficial to overall breast health, I would caution against using them in the hops of going from an A to a D. Good luck!
Father-blogger Dave Winer is looking for a new direction this new year:
It's time to set my life in a new direction. My health, quitting smoking, my father's illness, all have given me the chance to make a big change in lifestyle. Wish me luck!Best of luck to you, Dave. Can't wait to read about how things turn out!