Herbal Medicine's topics - tribe.net

freeze dried stinging nettles for allergy amelioration

2010-01-05T21:33:20Z

someone asked about a good herbal approach to seasonal allergies. I'm not prone to pollen problems, but I have a child who is, and many friends who've had to deal with it. the most reliable remedy I've found in encapsulated freeze dried stinging nettle - Oregon's Wild Harvest and Eclectic Institute both make quality products. it has to be freeze-dried from the fresh plant - air-dried nettles (brewed into tea, for example) or cooked are a good tonic food, but they don't have the same dramatic effect on allergy-blocked noses and sinuses. it's a very low toxicity plant despite the sting from handling them fresh, and I've been really amazed by how quickly two capsules of freeze-dried nettles work on children and adults. for some people, vitamin C also works as an antihistamine.

I gave some freeze dried nettle powder to a friend who was having an atopic allergy reaction to some plant she'd gone to put in the compost - she had visible hives and was wheezing a bot - and I was concerned enough to ask her of she wanted to go to the local ER. she took a quarter teaspoon of freeze dried nettle powder in a glass of water and the hives and breathing problems resolves within minutes.

I'm not so sure about recommending black or green tea for incipient asthma, since the caffeine and theophylline content can vary dramatically from one type of tea to another. I do now some adults with chronic asthma or reactive airway syndrome who use coffee or tea to help keep their bronchioles open.

there's a really good book called Breathe Free - Botanical and Nutritional Remedies for Your Respiratory System, by Amodea Morningstar and Daniel Gagnon, that has many herbal recommendations for allergies, asthma, earaches, pleurisy, COPD, and all kinds of breathing conditions.

posted in Herbal Medicine - 3 replies

Some advice please???

2010-01-05T05:35:01Z

So here is some background information:

About 6-7 mos ago I received some good news ... I found out I was in remission from cancer (blood/bone). My body has been adjusting and I think in general is still quite a bit off (I blended conventional and natural remedies). Right now I find myself in a place were I am trying to re-adjust. I have put on too much weight, my liver function is not nearly as strong (small wonder with all the crap I was taking) and I am left feeling confused and trying to regroup and find my way to a new direction (emotional state). Is there anything anyone might be able to recommend for me to research/take. Currently I take flaxseed oil, gotu kola, fo-ti and I recently added psyllium ...

Thanks in advance for any insights or advice ...

posted in Herbal Medicine - 1 reply

Stevia in Coke: coming soon

2010-01-05T04:19:40Z

http://blogs.wsj.com/health/2008/12/18/coke-and-pepsi-stoked-for-stevia-after-fda-green-light/

Drink up. The FDA just gave the nod to a natural, zero-calorie sweetener for soft drinks that’s derived from an herb called stevia.

Soft drink companies are stoked for stevia. As the editor of Beverage Digest recently told the Chicago Tribune, a diet sweetener that’s not artificial and tastes great is a “holy grail” for beverage companies.

posted in Herbal Medicine - 14 replies

Kombucha Toughie

2010-01-04T20:56:36Z

Ok Herbies, I've got a weird sitimiation on my hands here. Started drinking GT's store bought Kombucha. Love it, love the energy that come with it. Not lovin the heart palps though. My finger tips go slightly numb within about 2-5 minutes after drinking then for the rest of the day I'll have heart palps infrequently. There nonetheless. There's an obvious solution ~ Dr, it hurts when I do this, Dr says "Well don't do that then." But I'd like to know what your theories are on why this is happening?

K

posted in Herbal Medicine - 6 replies

Vit C Overdose?

2009-12-28T10:55:52Z

Is it possible to OD on this Vitamin? As I understand it, C is water soluble and doesn't build in the body. My Nurse Practitioner says otherwise. She says it can build up in the body and actually cause the same effects as if too little C were ingested. Scurvy. However she could not answer clearly whether or not C was Water or Fat Soluble and what tissues the C builds up in. Just that it can build up.

Anyone have any info on this as C is my saving grace when I'm really sick, I don't take it normally, but take it in quite high amounts when I have a cold and it usually seems to help me cut the cold in half.

posted in Herbal Medicine - 14 replies

Devil's Club

2009-12-16T20:37:05Z

I got to know Devils Club a little better today and was curious if anyone has had any expereince with this magical plant. I did harvest a bit of the stem and root. The inside of the stem tastes delcious and really helps me focus in this interesting way. Gives a little pep. I was having trouble finding out which part of the plant to tincture, so if you have any expereince with this, please let me know!

posted in Herbal Medicine - 3 replies

Herbal and Dietary Help for urinary tract infections

2009-12-15T22:19:11Z

I posted this on a Lyme Disease forum when someone was talking about a urinary tract infection that was resistant to her Lyme antibiotics. People with Lyme sometimes get extremely nasty bladder infections and interstitial cystitis. In normal people who aren't otherwise sick or immune-compromised, this stuff is relatively easy to deal with. I realized that I have a lot of unusual experience with food-based 'tonics' for UTI prevention because of how I was treated for UTI's as a child. If you're prone to them, you may consider adding some basic foods to the diet to help strengthen your kidneys and urinary tract.

Some of these suggestions, like cranberry juice, marshmallow, and uva ursi, are for immediate relief (in my experience, usually something like a day of heavy cranberry use helps the pain, but most of my UTI's haven't been very bad compared to what people with IC experience).

Some of the other suggestions, like adding celery, corn, and parsley (and more water!) to the diet, are more of a long-term 'tonic' to add in order to prevent future infections and to help your urinary system fight the infections better. If you're prone to them, you probably want to add these dietary changes as well as fighting infections when they're active:
:
Best short-term remedy: drink cranberry juice or take cranberry pills from the health food store (try to get juice that isn't overly sweetened). It'll upset your stomach if you have a lot of it, but you're probably not far from a bathroom anyway. Cranberry and blueberry juice keeps some of the UTI bacteria from sticking to the walls of the bladder and urinary tract. you should be able to find cranberry pills in even a local drug store or a WalMart, I think - this remedy is quite proven and mainstream, so there are products available that aren't a juice. Please drink extra water if just taking the cranberry pills- the remedy depends on 'flushing' your system, even if it hurts to pee. Regular cranberry 'juice' from the supermarket works too, it's just very sugary.

Also very, very good: an herb called uva ursi really helps in some cases. It might take a few days to help. You basically make a tea of the leaves. there might be a tincture or pill form in the health food stores. it's very common. I only use this in active attacks of UTI's, not every day. It's related to cranberries and blueberries, the leaves look similar to blueberry leaves. It contains antimicrobial agents that are excreted in the urinary tract and are very effective in 'normal' people's cases of UTI. It works better if you also add a mild herbal diuretic such as dandelion tea or corn silk. Drink lots of water with it.

Marshmallow root: is a demulcent that's useful for reducing both urinary and digestive tract inflammation (so if all the other stuff you're doing is causing stomach upset, this might be a good thing to add). I think this is quite safe long-term.

Nettle tea: this is a very useful, low-side-effects herb that is helpful for many conditions and as a source of minerals. It won't help UTI's by itself, but it can help restore mineral balance if you're drinking a lot of water and flushing your body while trying to deal with a UTI, and has a lot of other useful benefits. I think it's one of the herbs Buhner recommends for dealing with kidney stones, too (which is a very different issue than UTI). You can drink nettle tea daily- it's very good with peppermint as a tea, and lots of people swear by it as a good way to deal with poor nutrition. Nutritionally it's basically like eating lots of spinach.

Dandelion leaf tea: this is a diuretic that also happens to contain lots of potassium, which is usually lost when you're taking a pharmaceutical diuretic. It's AWESOME for helping deal with UTI issues. It won't help all on it's own, but as part of an antimicrobial/diuretic/extra water regimen such as cranberry/uva ursi dandelion combo. It's basically a food (you can find commercially cultivated leaves in supermarkets, or pick them yourself if you live rurally and don't use herbicides on your lawn, or buy it dried as a tea from herbal suppliers or at the health food store.

drink LOTS of water. When you're actively suffering from a UTI, drink way, way more than you think you should. I drink water till I nearly have diarrhea when I'm dealing with a UTI- drinking large amounts of water will help flush the bacteria out of the system faster even if it's very unpleasant to deal with this. Get a good book or something and spend the day in the bathroom, you're probably needing to do so due to the frequent urination issue. I've talked to lots of people with UTI's who seem resistant to the idea of drinking extra water because it's so painful to urinate, which is why I stress this issue here. Unfortunately, you really need to flush the urinary tract when you're actively infected so there's no way around drinking and peeing. Really.

eat lots of yogurt, or take probiotics.

There are also several common foods that are very helpful for the urinary tract and kidneys, and help prevent the UTI and similar conditions and help soothe the symptoms while you're actively suffering. One is an "herb" called corn silk- it's literally the threads that you pull off a corn cob when you're husking the cob- and one old remedy is to make a tea with these. you can literally get them off of corn on the cob from the grocery store (I dry them and later can use them as a tea). Right now when I'm writing this, it's not the right season for fresh corn, but you can get corn silk from herbal suppliers (also available as a liquid tincture in a bottle). It's great. It acts as an anti-inflammatory to the kidneys and urinary tract. My grandmother used to make us save the silks when we cooked corn in the summer.

Stephen Buhner, the author of the herbal book called Healing Lyme, addresses the issue of UTI's in another book (a book about men's health, actually, even though men don't get UTI's as often as women, they still have kidney issues and the treatment is similar). He suggests using celery juice (and celery seed, the very common spice), and corn 'juice' (run some frozen or fresh corn through a juicer or a blender, basically) eaten daily, as a urinary and kidney tonic. I think we all know that corn kernels don't digest well and sometimes just pass through you, so you probably want to do the blender or juicer method rather than just eating corn as is.

avoid coffee while dealing with a UTI!!!!!!!!!!!!!

short term, acute care for serious conditions (with precautions!): juniper berry tea or tincture. I haven't done this myself (although juniper tea is great for lung conditions when you have the flu, and I've used it plenty for that). Buhner suggests taking this short-term if you have a truly stubborn condition. He also said that it is NOT good if you have serious kidney disease. I'm not sure where Lyme patients with mystery IC type conditions fall in all of this. He says to watch the dosage, don't overdo it.

here's his suggestion for juniper use for acute UTI's, from the Vital Man book: 10-20 drops of tincture up to 3 times a day for up to 7 days
OR
swallow the berries whole: 1-3 berries per day for up to 7 days
OR
a tea made from powdered berries- 1 teaspoon of powdered berries in a cup of water, 1-3 times a day, up to 7 days

I had serious UTI's and kidney problems when I was an infant in Russia where healthcare was fairly poor at the time, and one of our child-safe herbal remedies for this involved parsley and parsnips (I think parsnips are a parsley root or a relative of parsley). Many herbalists in the US recommend parsley in various forms too- you can't overdose on it. You might want to try eating it regularly as tabouli (search for a recipe) or juice it, or put it in a blender with some other juices and drink it as part of a juice or smoothie. Parsnips can be made into a 'mashed potatoes' sort of soup or side dish. Do that regularly for long-term urinary tract support.

non-herbal: there's an over-the-counter pain reliever at the drug store, while you're waiting for slower remedies to work. It's going to stain your urine red, so be careful with these if you have blood in the urine or anything like that. I think there are other side effects possible, so make sure your doctor knows you're taking it if you're dealing with serious or recurring UTI issues.

If you need to order herbs and can't get them locally, one supplier that is very good is http://www.mountainroseherbs.com/

Some suggestions for 'tonic' (long-term) use:

try to work some of this stuff into your diet. Nettle tea is a great base for soups if you aren't used to drinking herbal tonics daily. Fresh nettles when available are also a good spring 'greens' to use in spinach recipes or other greens recipes. The water from boiling them is eggy tasting and great when added to soups. Dandelion leaves, like nettle, are a vegetable and very good for you because of the high mineral content. You can also add dandelion tea to soups.

Parsley, celery, corn: if you own a juicer and make carrot juice, these are good additions to it. Otherwise, I discovered that 'smoothies' made with vegetable juices like these, along with some fruits thrown in, can be really good. I usually make a banana or frozen mango or frozen berry smoothie and add a little bit of the desired vegetable. It's still sweet like a fruit smoothie but makes the other stuff more interesting.

Puree'd soups like cream of mushroom or cream of potato soup are a great place to hide your parsley/parsnip and celery.

posted in Herbal Medicine - 7 replies

Morning Sickness

2009-12-07T17:57:41Z

found this page which lists some natural remedies to Morning Sickness and other Nausea's

http://www.moondragon.org/obgyn/pregnancy/mornsickhomeopathic.html

posted in Herbal Medicine - 1 reply

NUT FOR FAT PEOPLE

2009-11-29T09:01:45Z

I WISH YOU COULD HELP ME TO FIND ABOUT A SPECIE OF NUT...THIS NUT TASTES BITTER AND IT HELP TO LOOSE WEIGHT NATURALLY...A FRIEND BROUGH ME A FEW OF THEM FROM MEXICO... SOMEONE TOLD ME THAT THEY COULD COME FROM BRAZIL...MY MOTHER IS USING THEM TO LOOSE WEIGHT... AND IT REAL WORKS...COULD SOMEONE GIVE ME MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THIS SPECIE OF NUT..WHERE CAN I PURCHASE THEM IN THE USA ?...

posted in Herbal Medicine - 3 replies

Identifying Wild Herbs?!

2009-11-29T00:54:03Z

Hey guys, I was hoping that you could aid me in IDing several herbs that I have been photographic this past Summer growing along the back roads, as well as throughout my own town within west-central, Iowa. I have up-loaded these photos onto my Flickr account:

* I know this is a species of MILKWEED; I'm just trying to find out which specific species: http://www.flickr.com/photos/macmorrighan/3798174531/

* Set amid wild lavender bergamot [Monarda fistulos (good for thsoe suffering from Meniere's Disease!)] and Queen Anne's Lace (wild carrot), I always thought this yellow plant looked like a vers. of Echinacea: http://www.flickr.com/photos/macmorrighan/3798150355/

* A common plant I see growing all over the place, and it seems to prefer shady-type areas, or at least partial sun, from what I recall: http://www.flickr.com/photos/macmorrighan/4141175933/

* An interesting thin and tall plant that bursts with a pole of violet blossoms: http://www.flickr.com/photos/macmorrighan/4141200691/

* An interesting yellow-blossomed plant: http://www.flickr.com/photos/macmorrighan/4141957828/

* I believe that the next few plants were all various types of thistle plants, because they were all small, with very small flowering tops, and pointy-thistly leaves at the bottom:
--- http://www.flickr.com/photos/macmorrighan/4141932718/
--- http://www.flickr.com/photos/macmorrighan/4141932244/

* A grouping of sunny-yellow flowers, almost sunflower-like: http://www.flickr.com/photos/macmorrighan/4141957716/
--- http://www.flickr.com/photos/macmorrighan/4141887818/ (Perhaps a close-up of another identical plant from a different location?)

* A very strangle pink plant just coming into flower late in August:
--- CLOSE-UP: http://www.flickr.com/photos/macmorrighan/4141957416/
--- DISTANCE: http://www.flickr.com/photos/macmorrighan/4141200393/

* Numerous similar (PERHAPS even identical) yellow plants with clustered flowers in almost lilac-like sprigs (these seem to be groweing all over the alley-ways and backroads of town, which is why I definitely want to identify them!). This wouldn't be GOLDENROD, would it?!:
--- No. 1: http://www.flickr.com/photos/macmorrighan/4141176811/
--- No. 2: http://www.flickr.com/photos/macmorrighan/4141176693/
--- No. 3: http://www.flickr.com/photos/macmorrighan/4141176525/ (Lots of bugs pollinating this plant!)
--- No. 4: http://www.flickr.com/photos/macmorrighan/4141933104/ (A great close-up of the tiny blossoms!)
--- No. 5: http://www.flickr.com/photos/macmorrighan/4141933178/ (Some noticeable leaves in this pic.)
--- No. 6: http://www.flickr.com/photos/macmorrighan/4141175509/

* A very strange red plant that seems to somewhat recall the previous herb: http://www.flickr.com/photos/macmorrighan/4141176601/

* An interesting chamomile-like plant that grows a few feet tall: http://www.flickr.com/photos/macmorrighan/4141176455/

* An interesting pink plant sitting among some WILD ECHINACEA; it almost looks like a feral plant that was once domesticated:
--- http://www.flickr.com/photos/macmorrighan/4141933356/
--- http://www.flickr.com/photos/macmorrighan/4141933426/

* This isn't SJW, is it?! It's a tiny, yellow-blossomed plant...but I'd be surprised to find SJW growing in town!:
--- http://www.flickr.com/photos/macmorrighan/4141932930/ (A close-up of a few blossoms)
--- http://www.flickr.com/photos/macmorrighan/4141176041/ (A distance-shot of the whole plant)

* I've been fascinated by this plant since I was a child, but never knew what it was called:
--- http://www.flickr.com/photos/macmorrighan/4141175593/
--- http://www.flickr.com/photos/macmorrighan/4141175663/ (A fuzzy close-up of the blossoms)

* Two interesting plants that both may be think, somewhat, of CREEPING CHARLIE (aka. GROUND IVY)...perhaps it's the leaves and the flowers that bring CC to mind:
--- Plant No. 1: http://www.flickr.com/photos/macmorrighan/4141932300/
--- Plant No. 2: http://www.flickr.com/photos/macmorrighan/4141175215/

* A lovely magenta-colored plants, probably from the asteria(sp?) family:
--- http://www.flickr.com/photos/macmorrighan/4141887812/ (A close-up of the flowers)
--- http://www.flickr.com/photos/macmorrighan/4141887806/ (the whole plant...it's quite tall; nearly the height of a stop-sign!)

* A fascinating lavender-colored plant: http://www.flickr.com/photos/macmorrighan/4141887828/

Ultimately, I want to be able to identify these herbs, to see if they have any medicinal virtues in order to harvest them for remedies, next year when I see them (I still remember where I saw them, after all!).

posted in Herbal Medicine - 2 replies

Hot flashes and the change of season

2009-11-11T17:13:53Z

Earlier this year I experienced spells of my-face-is-going-to-explode hot flashes. Found a good herbal remedy called FlashEase, which tamed them.

Now that the time has changed and the daylight hours are shorter, I've noticed I'm having hot flashes again. I'm still taking the FlashEase, and the hot flashes are milder than I experienced earlier in the year.

I started wondering if the shorter daylight hours have something to do with their return. Has anyone experienced anything like this?

Wondering if adding a little Vitamin D would help.

Any ideas?

WW

posted in Herbal Medicine - 2 replies

High Blood Pressure

2009-11-09T22:25:55Z

I am doing some research on high blood pressure and wanted to see if anyone had any expereince with healing it naturally. I have so far discovered hawthorne berry to help open the capliaries, and garlic to support heart health. Also diet and lifestyle changes are a must.

posted in Herbal Medicine - 1 reply

Yeast Infection-Garlic

2009-11-08T03:53:53Z

i have systemic yeast infections. i have a bad one right now. i chopped up some garlic and placed it inside with some yogurt. now i am reading that it is bad to chop it, and that i should put a whole clove in cloth with a string-etc.
my question is will the chopped garlic harm me? will it eventually fall out or should i get it out now?

posted in Herbal Medicine - 41 replies

Hepatitis C

2009-11-05T03:53:26Z

Hiya Folks, i had someone write me to inquire about hepatitis c, and what nutritional and herbal measure can be taken to ease the symptoms, and work with the hep in the liver. If any of you have some experience with this, please do share with us. I will come back at the end of the evening and add my 2 cents, but i wanted to see what our tribe of experienced persons has to say... :)

Thank you, Flint.

posted in Herbal Medicine - 16 replies

Bee Propolis

2009-10-24T18:28:06Z

I got some yesterday, and am surprised by it's consistency. It's sticky like pine tar, and smells a little unpleasant, not quite 'nasty'.
Who's familiar with it? Does this sound normal, and what do you use it for - or what have you ever used it for successfully? I did some research, but nothing compares to 1st person advice and experimentation.
Thanks for input!

posted in Herbal Medicine - 12 replies

Fall Harvests

2009-10-23T17:44:52Z

What are you all harvesting this time of year?

I harvested some oregon grape root, burdock, elderberry and lemon verbena. I am going to harvest some hawthorne berries tomorow. The burdock I think was the hardest, as I could only get the first few inches of the root. Hopefully it will work good as medicine, it doesn't look like what you get in the store. Now that it has rained here in Oregon, I am going to try to get the rest of it out. Maybe try to dig up some marshmallow as well.

posted in Herbal Medicine - 5 replies

Dried Berry Jams?

2009-10-23T03:44:04Z

Hey guys, I was wondering if anyone, here, has any experience making jams with dried berries (eg. hawthorne berries or elderberries, which are hard to find fresh and growing in the wild in my area of the country). This is why I purchase berries such as these from a reputable herbal-dealer, such as Mountain Rose Herb, Frontier Herb (located in Iowa, my home state), or Monterey Bay Spice Co., etc. Hawthorne is very nourishing for the heart (one of the best heart-healers known in western medicine!); and elderberries are a powerful anti-viral herb amazingly useful against the flu in particular! So, I was wondering if I could turn dried elderberries or hawthorne berries--or even juniper berries!--into a jam? And, how might I successfully accomplish that, especially so it's not all hard and crunchy (I don't need another broken tooth this lifetime! The sole time that happened was traumatic enough!)? It's another way to more directly incorporate these potent phyto-chemicals into one's diet, especially during the Winter.

posted in Herbal Medicine - 1 reply

really bad ear infection!!!

2009-10-22T17:35:04Z

it started with a fever, swollen tonsils and sinus pain (lots of snot) after a day of that i woke up to extreme pain in both ears... now it has progressed into just an ear ache but its leaking some kind of clear yellow-ish fluid that sometime is thicker and more orange-ish or green-ish... wtf? can any one help? it still hurts really bad

posted in Herbal Medicine - 7 replies

licorice root

2009-10-19T00:26:15Z

I am learning about all the benefits of this root and just how powerful it truly is. An immune system booster for sure. Although be sure to take potassium while using this supplement.

posted in Herbal Medicine - 5 replies

frequent nose bleeds

2009-10-16T18:38:02Z

anyone know what I can do for these?? Been having at least 1 a day for past 10 days,...ruled out hypertension, sinus infection...never happened to me before...

posted in Herbal Medicine - 7 replies

red root and detoxification pathways (ie cytochrome p450 etc)

2009-10-15T19:30:40Z

I was just doing some research on red root, and I'm not coming up with much on how it's metabolized and what it does to liver detoxification pathways like cytochrome p450 (which is of interest to me in looking up 'drug interactions' and learning how it affects dosage of drugs and other herbs). It seems that since it affects the liver, there must be some material on that 'out there'. I'm not reading any journal databases, just did an internet sear5ch, but i'm surprised at how little there is on this important herb.
Anyone know?

posted in Herbal Medicine - 2 replies

herbal events and links via Twitter- "onlineherbalist"

2009-10-12T18:02:55Z

I follow someone on Twitter who set up an account just for links to events, articles, websites, and other cool stuff related to herbalism. I've learned a lot from some of their postings. Occasionally I'll direct her attention to Tribe threads and she'll twitter about them, also.

http://twitter.com/onlineherbalist

posted in Herbal Medicine - 3 replies

Castor oil soap?

2009-10-05T04:48:52Z

is there any soapmaker here, that has experimented with castor oil in soap making? i would like to figure out a simple recipe for myself to use, making soap of 100% castor oil. Any suggestions?

posted in Herbal Medicine - 5 replies

Postponing moon times

2009-10-01T04:48:28Z

Does anyone know how to postpone moon times with out the use of birth control. Any herbs? Thanks

posted in Herbal Medicine - 4 replies

The original "Root" Beer

2009-09-27T21:41:19Z

So I bought this liquor and was curious over it being USDA certified organic. I did some research and wow this is now my favorite kinda drunk...the sustainable kind * grin*

http://vimeo.com/4532325

posted in Herbal Medicine - 6 replies

A White Mojito Mocktail!

2009-09-25T15:37:36Z

Hey guys, I was scouring YouTube today, in search of some interesting recipes when I found one for a White Mojito invented in France (apparently). What a great way for me to use this Summer's violet syrup that I've made! However, there's likely a whole range of syrups that you could buy which would be far stronger than a single-strength violet syrup made by making an infusion with 1 Cup of packed violet flowers steeped for 48 hours in boiling water and strained:

WHITE MOJITO

* 1/2 oz. sureau syrup [Elderflower Cordial]
* 1/2 oz. violet syrup
* 1/2 oz. lemon juice
* 1 1/2 oz. soda water
* Fresh white rose petals [ultimately about 7-10 petals, including a few for garnish; ensure that they are pesticide free!]
* 2 Table. white crystal sugar [presumably they mean simple white granulated sugar]

Combine the rose petals (reserving a few to garnish), sugar, and lemon juice into a highball glass glass. Then, with a mojito muddler muddle the rose petals in the bottom of the glass (bruising helps to release their essential oils). Add the syrups, and stir. Now add some crushed ice (to fill about 3/4 the glass) and some soda water; stir. Add remaining petals for garnish. Serve.

What a great drink to serve for Handfasting receptions!

posted in Herbal Medicine - 1 reply

constipation

2009-09-17T19:12:19Z

I have a recurring problem of having incomplete bowel movements for maybe a few days, then it's normal for a few days, then back to abnormal... I've tried enzymes, senna tea, prune juice, and nothing seems to work. Also, any dietary changes I've done really seem to have no effect, so I don't know how much major dietary suggestions would do... Just now it was about a whole week with incomplete bm's, so I went the extreme route and used an enema, and nothing happened within immediate use, which I know is wrong. The next morning I had a somewhat more normal bm, but the fact that the enema didn't work immediately is wrong, right? It said on the box that if the product doesn't do what it's supposed to that I should go to a doctor, cuz it could indicate a more serious condition.
Should I go to a doctor? Or just lay off any digestive aids for a while? I know all the facts about avoiding consistent use of laxatives, so maybe I should just see if my body fixes itself? Regardless, what are the causes for this recurring problem?
Thanks for your help.

posted in Herbal Medicine - 1 reply

Awesome new blog

2009-09-16T23:28:34Z

Come check out this new blog, posts from women with all sorts of different herbal backgrounds from Western Washington.
http://medicinewomen.wordpress.com/

posted in Herbal Medicine - 1 reply

Counter before they taint the batch!

2009-09-15T02:21:40Z

http://www.livescience.com/health/090910-flu-remedy.html

Seems mother nature has a few tricks up her sleeve. Right after I read this I bought a few bottles for myself and friends.

posted in Herbal Medicine - 1 reply

A Question About Herbal Vinegars

2009-09-14T21:42:44Z

Hey guys, I just saw this lovely cideo on YouTube all about making Herbal Vinegars/ Yellow Dock Vinegar in particular:

* http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fB5mFuRjkEY

However, it raised a number of questions I thought I would raise here. Now, I e-mailed the folks at HerbMentor.Com, but...they seem to view Herbalism as a money-making venture and generally don't seem to want to answer questions unless by literal subscribers 9as in money is required) on their website's Forum:

* Why would I not want to use white distilled vinegar when making an herbal vinegar? That's the only kind I'm really familiar with; I use it as a hair rinse every month or so (yes, guys should always use a hair-rinse, too! *G*), or as an ingredient in a homemade salad dressing when emulsified with an oil. Would there be a reaction with the vinegar and a metal lid?
* Why, when making an herbal vinegar, should one use only a plastic lid instead of a metal lid, such as those that come with standard canning-type jars that are so readily available?

And, perhaps more importantly:

* Would a simple vinegar infusion be able to extract the minerals from a root? I was always under the impression (and i can't remember WHERE I read this) that vegetational minerals are so much like "rocks" that to extract them really requires a decoction process in boiling water. Was I mistaken? if a decoction is not necessary, than how is a vinegar (or even an alcohol, like vodka) able to fully extract the nutrients and minerals contained within roots?

posted in Herbal Medicine - 4 replies

Making Homemade Shaving Cream?

2009-09-14T18:26:03Z

Hey guys, I was wondering if anyone has ever found a book discussing how commercial-like shaving creams can be easily made at home? I'm talking about the sort that you can squirt out of a bottle like a gel and lathers up very slightly. You see, I'd like to make both my brother and my dad some homemade lavender shaving cream: my brother's birthday and father's day both occur in June. I figured it would be a great gift for them both. hell, I can't imagine any man (regardless of which direction he "swings") who wouldn't get even mildly aroused by the beautiful scent of lavender--it's like a really awesome cologne to me (somewhat like "Eternity"). 'Course, I prefer Provencal lavender, myself. This is another reason why, to me, I associate lavender with love spells of a more intimate nature. :o) Ah...l'amour!

Take care,
Wade

posted in Herbal Medicine - 4 replies

Herbal YouTube Channels...

2009-09-11T06:02:39Z

Hey guys, just thought I'd recommend some herbalism-related YouTube channels to y'all! Maybe, when my Garden is bigger, I'll finally add some of my own vids:

* www.youtube.com/user/HerbMentor
* www.youtube.com/user/HerbTV
* www.youtube.com/user/LearningHerbs
* www.youtube.com/user/kldhf524

Ah...next year I totally need to grow me some motherwort to support good heart health, as well as experiment with various scented geraniums (I hear the "oak" geranium smells like incense!), and some hollyhocks (an old fashioned-looking flower, I know; but I appreciate that, and they have the same uses as Marsh Mallow. And, I definitely want to try my hand at lavender, again. Ya' know, something struck me this month: Because Iowa has a really short growing season, and very harsh and COLD winters, I'm surprised that no one has (to *my* knowledge) written a book specifically about gardening in Iowa...especially if you want to grow flowers and herbs that are hardy in far more southern climate zones. Which species, then 9and precautions) would be best? How do you get them to survive and protect the perennials? For example, I've always wanted to grow honeysuckle for wine, jelly, lotions, and oils, etc. but it's hardy only up to Zone 7 which is in the deep south! Generally, it's been my experience that when folks write books or articles about gardening in the Midwest, Iowa usually seems somewhat far from their mind. In fact, it seems like such works tend to concentrate on states like Kansas or Colorado as being the definition of "Midwestern".

posted in Herbal Medicine - 1 reply

Found a great menopause remedy

2009-09-04T20:14:03Z

I was getting hot flashes that made me feel like my face was going to explode. They kept me awake all night, sweated a lot,. Couldn't remember things. And when I wasn't sweating, I felt like I was drying up...the usual menopause stuff.

I had tried taking 250mg black cohosh capsules, tried dong quai, tried licorice root, Nothing seemed to work.

Found FlashEase by Nature's Sunshine at a local health food store. The tablets are a timed release combination of black cohosh and dong quai. The dosage is fairly low...80 mg of cohosh extract. (Don't have the bottle with me, so not sure how much dong quai is in it.) The directions say to start out with 1/2 tablet and work up to a full tablet in the morning and at bedtime. So far, the 1/2 tablet in the morning is all I need.

The hot flashes went away after 2 days and haven't been back. I feel a lot better. Sleeping well. Memory seems to be working again...no more "teflon brain" that won't hold a thought longer than 30 seconds.

Locally, they cost about $23 for 60 tablets, but since I'm only using half a tablet once a day it's pretty cost effective.

Good stuff!

WW

posted in Herbal Medicine - 21 replies

Anybody have any knowledge of MACA

2009-08-21T02:30:47Z

I bought a bottle of this the other day at whole foods. I might add it was pretty dam pricey
Just wondering if there was anything on anyone radarabout this. It's subposed to be a root veggie that has energy boosting properties. (which I need very badly). But I don't want to take something that's not gonna do anything.
Thanks,
Maybird
"Fake until you make it"

posted in Herbal Medicine - 9 replies

Infant Inner Ear Infection

2009-08-20T01:16:52Z

My 4 month old, breast fed daughter somehow has an inner ear infection. She was congested the first couple months of life but not anymore. She will not swallow the anti biotics and I honestly am not too keen on giving them to her. She's been pulling on the ear for a couple weeks and goes through bouts of pain w it but not constant.

Doc said it wasn't a terrible infection but that if it was going to go away it would have done so in the first day or two of onset. I realized this morning that laying down and nursing at night without burping may be a culprit so I'm going to stop that & c if this clears up. Doc says nothing applied externally will clear up an inner ear infection since the fluid is behind the ear drum, trapped. Thoughts? Agree/Disagree?

Anything I can do to help her heal w/out the pink cure all? Anything I can eat and nurse to her which can help her? Any idea helps me to get my head around this. Thanks!

posted in Herbal Medicine - 10 replies

bee propolis

2009-08-19T06:05:02Z

does bee propolis have cooling properties?....why allergic reactions?

posted in Herbal Medicine - 0 replies

external yeast infection

2009-08-19T02:30:11Z

I got a lot of info from a recent thread on here that talked a lot about a systemic yeast infection, but what I've been (apparently) having is an external one... I was diagnosed with that by the doc, and she gave me Clotrimazole to apply topically for one week. However, it didn't go away. I was told to stop using that cream, since you're not supposed to use it for longer than a week... tried bathing in apple cider vinegar, using yogurt, didn't work. Then an acupuncurist gave me some Chinese herbs to take internally, as well as some differnet ones to bath in as a sit bath. I couldn't tell you which herbs they were; they were specially formulated for me... anyway, those did work, but now as soon as I've gone off of them I'm starting to show symptoms again.
Does anyone think this could be something other than a yeast infection, even though the doc didn't see anything when she tested me? What can you do for chronic infections like this?
Thanks.

posted in Herbal Medicine - 5 replies

about jasmine flowers

2009-08-18T20:07:32Z

JASMINE FLOWERS : can I brew a tea?...uses?...second side effects..?..

posted in Herbal Medicine - 2 replies

tape worms

2009-08-13T06:14:25Z

our cats where just treated for tape worm an am looking for a herbal cleanse to get rid of the worms if they where passed on to us

posted in Herbal Medicine - 25 replies

"Playing God in The Greenhouse" :()

2009-08-13T05:02:15Z

So i liked this idea - what kind of things do we all grow? In the name of medicine, what plant/s have you went to a particular effort to cultivate - both in an artificial enviroment - or with special care outside. And, of course, what does your garden grow?

i have a small love garden this year, (meaning, i had to move this summer, so this is just a small garden with what i could scamble at the last minute, or bring in a pot.) i love my fo-ti vines (polygonum multiflorum). They are both beautiful, but both the vine and root are used for medicine. The thing i have been trying to pamper along, is my tibetian immortality vine - Jiao gu lian - gynostemma. Its easy but fragile.
Put in a small quick crop (90 day) of ceremonial tobacco from the pueblo areas (hopi). (nicotiana rustica). My cactus does very good in summers, and i keep it going in the winter by parking them on a heating mat. This summer will be the first harvest of 6 year old mandrake root. And a bit of elk clover to inspire me, some valerian to delight, and datura to dance too. :)

posted in Herbal Medicine - 0 replies

The power of tumeric

2009-08-13T04:37:48Z

I really liked this article and recipe

http://arunshanbhag.com/2009/06/05/turmeric-milk/

posted in Herbal Medicine - 28 replies

~Lifeflower~STROKE TREATMENT~a holy grail plant

2009-08-11T16:17:33Z

herb called 'LifeFlower' herbal-powers.com/lifeflower.htmlPLEASE SHARE MEDICAL INFO LIKE THIS - ONE NEVER KNOWS WHEN SOMEONE MIGHT NEED IT! Its not just good for STROKE TREATMENT, but other things! "As a medicine hunter, I seek natural, plant-based remedies of high value to health. My work generally takes me to faraway locales where, thanks in great measure to the generous sharing of time and knowledge by the local experts, I am able to gain an in depth understanding of various traditional medicines. In the spring of 2003, I went to China with Joy Pan from Long Star to research a plant extract called Erigeron Breviscapini known by the popular name LifeFlower. Joy shared some traditional and folk information on the plant explaining that its extract is highly beneficial to the cardiovascular system and it helps stroke patients to recover function in cases of stroke related paralysis. Because this plant comes from Yunnan, the most southwestern province of China, a great deal of the science on LifeFlower is in Chinese and has not yet been translated. Nonetheless, Joy shared with me a toxicity report, a mouse memory study, a human memory study, several study abstracts and the results of an 18,000 patient research project conducted in twenty-one Chinese hospitals which showed that LifeFlower helps to restore muscular control and overall function in a high percentage of stroke patients. Though the information I garnered was by no means comprehensive, it suggested that LifeFlower could be one of those few Holy Grail plants, a true life-saving remedy of potential value to the millions of people who suffer strokes each year. (an estimated half million in the US alone). A plant demonstrating significant benefits against this massive killer would truly be a miracle medicine. Sometime during the 1960's word was spreading throughout China about a plant being used by the traditional Maio people to treat rheumatoid arthritis. That plant turned out to be Erigeron Breviscapus. Subsequent pharmacological investigation of this plant confirmed its uses for cerebrovascular health. In fact, an old traditional medicinal text entitled "Dian Nong Ben Cao" published in the Han language listed the use of Erigeron Breviscapus for treatment of stroke victims. That claim turned out to be exactly correct. On July 4th, 2002, the US Patent Office granted a patent to Farlong International in California for Breviscapinum and its extraction. According to experts involved with the plant, it is specifically the phytochemical Breviscapinum that aids cerebrovascular health. * * * In the text of the patent I found the following: "...Breviscapinum ... increases blood flow for significantly decreasing cerebrovascular resistance, raises permiability of blood brain barrier, increases nutritional blood flow of myocardium; raises immune function of body macrophage cell and counteraction against blood and oxygen depletion induced by hypophyseal pituitrin and thrombocyte agglutination induced by adenosine diphespate inhibiting internal thrombosis and promoting activity of cellulose dissolution; increases peripheral and coronary blood flow, effective for sequelas induced by cerebrovascular accident; palsy, coronary heart disease and angina pectoris." * * * If the information in the patent checked out well, then Erigeron Breviscapus, or LifeFlower, was in fact a very special plant medicine deserving of much greater recognition and use. I spoke with Joy and she arranged a trip to Yunnan for me to see the LifeFlower situation for myself. LifeFlower itself is a small perennial plant with oval leaves about six inches in diameter that lies close to the ground and has slender stalks with purple flowers. The plant grows wild in various regions of Yunnan but is actually quite sparse so overpicking would certainly endanger it. For this reason, LifeFlower is cultivated in several places throughout the region. After visiting several areas where the plant is cultivated, we moved on to the city of Gejiu located several hours south of Kunming, the provincial capitol of Yunnan. In Gejiu, we visited a manufacturing facility where LifeFlower is transformed from a plant to an injectable form designed to save lives. ===>>>>>>> ****LifeFlower ampules are used in hospitals throughout the country to treat stroke patients. ***<<<===== One acre of LifeFlower yields 150 kilograms of the dried plant and it takes 100 kilograms of the dried plant to produce one kilogram of the final extract. LifeFlower plants are started from seed and take one year to mature. At this point the plants are harvested, dried and cleaned. Next, the plant goes through a patented extraction process which yields Brevicapinum, the agent believed to be the source of its protective and healing capabilities. LifeFlower is also available in 20 milligram tablets and is usually prescribed in a recommended dosage of six tablets daily. NOTE: The injection form is used in acute cases but the tablets have also been found to be highly beneficial to the brain. " READ MORE: herbal-powers.com/lifeflower.html

posted in Herbal Medicine - 10 replies

US to outlaw All Organic & Natural farming!

2009-08-07T23:10:47Z

H.R. 2749 = Totalitarian Food Control & Food Police:
www.govtrack.us/congress/bill.xpd

During the 2nd vote in two days, the House rules were suspended on 7/30/09 & this bill passed the House. I haven't found the Senate version yet, nor when the Senate will vote on this. The Senate met today.

This extremely nefarious bill will outlaw all natural & organic farming practices, including backyard gardens, unless the farmer can pay $100,000 - $500,000/day in civil penalties &/or spend 10-yrs in prison. It allows the gov't to control all farming operations, including confiscating farmer's land, mandating what crops farmers can plant, what seeds they use, what pesticides they must spray, what livestock is fed, injected with, how they're cared for/maintained, along with high fees to license & track individual livestock animals. All this will be enforced under the martial law enacted by this bill, under what I'm terming the "Food Police".

This will homogenize our food supply, leaving us only with GMOs, processed food, & toxic chemicals - junk food with no real nutritional value. They've also been treating meat (really old meat) with Carbon Monoxide to maintain the pink color we associate with "freshness".

Unders similar bills being pushed through Congress, our rights to all natural & herbal remedies, natural healing modalities, etc. are being stripped, as well, in a takeover of the natural health industry by the major pharmaceutical companies. Look up CODEX Almentarius, for more info. They're eliminating all means of enhancing our immune systems naturally in preparation for the WHO takeover of the world, under their own created "pandemics". Vaccines for H1N1 have been ordered in all 194 WHO signatory countries (including the US) & Baxter is set to deliver billions of vaccines next month (September).

Please help me get the word out & if you know anyone in high places with ties to the natural health industries, let them know. I wonder if Whole Foods is aware of this?

posted in Herbal Medicine - 2 replies

Who luvs Cliff BArs??

2009-08-05T05:28:37Z

I do and if you do too then you will luv this recipe for how to make them yourself.

http://enlightenedcooking.blogspot.com/2008/06/homemade-cliff-bars-no-bake.html

I was thinking about replacing the syrup part of the recipe with agave nectar for those of us who are diabetic. Worth a try.

These would make a great meal replacement if there is a lack of meat in your diet, there also portable and do not require baking.

posted in Herbal Medicine - 13 replies

skin care and oils for lotion

2009-08-03T03:05:31Z

Hello. I'd like to keep best care for my skin (tends to be dry) as I age and have stress. I exercise regularly, water and eat well, but I'd like to give it extra boosts TOPICALLY.

for instance - i've heard of using oils in place of lotions, know of which ones are good? i don't want to be dependant on lotions to maintain skin moisture either

also - circulation help topically, and free radical damage, pores..

anything topical and food/plant based really - open book. Please advise!

thanks,
Lynn

posted in Herbal Medicine - 22 replies

Drunk off Chamomile? Or stoned? How do I describe this?

2009-08-01T08:41:14Z

So last night I made a pot of chamomile and lavender tea. I drank the whole pot and meditated a bit. I got deeper into my meditation than normal and my head felt a bit swimmy like it does if I have had a little wine. Has anyone else ever experienced this before?? It was really amazing, but then I woke up at 3:00 in the morning with a headache after having a continuous nightmare all night long!! I don't remember the dream anymore, but I remember when I woke up thinking "Ok. What is the lesson from this nightmare?" And the lesson was to not take anyone for granted. I guess it was so bad I only wanted to remember the lesson.

Any experiences with this?

posted in Herbal Medicine - 2 replies

Caution with herbs that boost your immune system

2009-07-29T02:04:08Z

As I get older, I've noticed my body reacting strangely to herbs and supplements that boost the immune system...particulary echinacea.

Over last winter, here were a bunch of sick people around me at work, coughing and hacking and sneezing I took a lot of echinacea, and also tried something called Immune Fizz, to keep from catching their colds. It worked, but I noticed something disturbing.

I was having a rheumatoid reaction to the supplements. My hands were very stiff, and my knuckles were slightly swollen. I couldn't close my hands all the way. It affected my knees and ankles...very arthritic and stiff. I also noticed a difference in my hearing in my good ear. Once I stopped taking the supplements, the aching stopped, my joints went back to normal, and my hearing in my good ear cleared up.

I think my body's reaction this past winter may have solved a mystery. A few years ago I lost the hearing in my right ear. There was a fire at my house, and I got sick within the week with a nasty sinus/bronchial infection from inhaling all the soot and stuff while cleaning it up. I was taking a lot of echineacea. About 3 weeks later, while still taking the echinacea, I lost the hearing in my right ear. Tests and MRI's showed nothing. They chalked it up to a virus hitting the auditory nerve.

At the time, I had read about people going deaf when the body's immune system attacked the body. It didn't occur to me at the time that the echinaea may have been causing that same reaction in my body. I had the same joint aches then as I had last winter, but at the time chalked them up to the physical work I was doing. It wasn't until my hearing started to get fuzzy this past winter that I put 2 and 2 together.

I've been very careful with immune system boosters since last winter. I've only take them as a last resort, and stop them at the first sign of pain in my joints...which is usually after one or two capsules. I think my body's immune system works well enough on its own. The supplements seem to kick it into overdrive, which hurts my body, rather than helps it.

Just something to consider.

WW

posted in Herbal Medicine - 8 replies

New healthcare bill

2009-07-27T00:10:49Z

It is imperative that we bone up on all things herbal . If and when this bill passes we will be the only answer for many of the elderly and those with long term illness regardless of age .

posted in Herbal Medicine - 1 reply

Breastmilk

2009-07-22T16:33:35Z

I woke up last night at about 3:30am with my right eye swollen nearly shut and weeping terribly. Yes.. I had Conjunctivitis (sp?) I was so bummed because there was lots for me to do today that I would no longer be able to do, not to mention I was pretty darn uncomfortable. My eye just felt three times the size, there was a TON of fluid build up underneath the eye and I could begin to feel my left eye starting to swell as well. . . Then I came here, and again.. I LOVE this Tribe. I searched what I could do and happened upon a post about Pink Eye that had information about Breastmilk being really really helpful. I thought this might have been a joke at first until many others chimed in with the same information.

It just so happens I'm breastfeeding. So naturally... I'm thinking, 'What the hell, right?! There's worse things I could put in my eye, this is worth a try." At which point I pump, grab a couple of steril essential oil disposable pipettes and wash my eye with breast milk. I woke up this morning looking about 4 times better then last night. So I washed again w/ what I pumped and refrigerated last night, about 2 hours later.. even better. I'm amazed! Truly amazed! And so so happy I found this info.

So I'm wondering, what else can I use breastmilk for should I find myself or children needing to go to the doctor? There's probably more remedies that it's used for. Ear infections perhaps? Cuts? Wounds? Breastmilk seems vulnerary as well as antibiotic. Please share more!!!

Katrina

posted in Herbal Medicine - 15 replies

Thai herbal compress

2009-07-22T13:37:48Z

does any one have a recipie for a Thai massage compress?

T

posted in Herbal Medicine - 0 replies

soaking grains?

2009-07-04T06:09:23Z

I've just stumbled across a lot of data about soaking grains for several hours before cooking with them. I've always soaked beans, but have never done anything with my grains. I eat a lot of millet, brown rice and quinoa.

!!!!!

Is this a new thing, or have I just been totally ignorant? Do you soak your grains? Do you think it is imortant?

THANKS

posted in Herbal Medicine - 9 replies

WHAT??

2009-07-03T12:57:59Z

Has happened to this Tribe? When I first came here, a few years ago there were SO SO many people sharing ideas, thoughts & modalities. So much knowledge and depth. I come here now and see a sad drop in how many people post back to topics, some of our brightest people seem to have disappeared or gone radio silent and the offering of thoughts and opinions is down, dare I say about 70% from just 18 months ago.

What has happened? Where are all of the wonderful thinkers and lifers?

I miss you

K

posted in Herbal Medicine - 16 replies

Russian article on herbalism and folk remedies and my folk tradition experiences

2009-06-27T03:58:54Z

http://www.times.spb.ru/index.php?action_id=2&story_id=29326

note: "coal" is actually regular old activated charcoal, "mumiyo" is probably shatavari (I think that's what that's called? it's an adaptogen used in some Asian herbalism), the mustard remedy is the same as mustard plasters in other herbal traditions.

I grew up with all that stuff they're talking about, and more- one of the things they don't mention in the article is that herbalism survived because people really didn't have good pharmaceutical healthcare widely available for several decades after it was widespread in the West. There are also interesting cultural differences between Americans and Russians that probably contributed to modern attitudes- and it gives us a glimpse of how "a different world is possible" when it comes to blending pharma and herbal approaches to medicine in a culture.

The Soviet history about attitudes towards herbalism would be an interesting one for someone to research (as is the history of how herbal medicine was nearly eradicated among most economic classes in the US). There are several interesting issues I'm aware of from talking to family members or reading about the American histories of pharmaceutical and herbal medicine:

-no AMA type politics lke happened to the US herbal doctors in the early 20th century (see what Michael Moore and others wrote about the history of the Eclectics, MD's who practiced herbalism and were victims of a witch hunt by another branch of physicians at the start of the AMA)

-poorly available pharmaceutical solutions to health care. There were plenty of hospitals and doctors, but the equipment that they had was truly atrocious for most of the Soviet history. A lot of drugs were unavailable- things like painkilllers and virtually everything else was in short supply at one point or another due to the terrible economy.

-doctors tended to be women. This meant two things- they were poorly paid, and they sometimes had less "attitude" than American doctors, because they were poorly paid and not viewed with the same prestige as American doctors. They may have been less invested in getting rid of patient self-treatment than American doctors seem to be.

I'm not saying that they were more compassionate than male doctors or US doctors, but because of the lack of prestige, there was less of the weird ego games that get in the way of some American pharma doctors' doing of their jobs. This is probably balanced out by the fact that a lot of people were really mean during the soviet era, and power games of all sorts got played in the course of commerce, business, mediicne, etc- people in the West can't begin to imagine how nasty some Russians became under communism due to the Soviets attempt at destroying traditional culture and behavior. Think China during the Cultural Revolution and you get some idea of the Russian version. Anyway, I suspect that some of the bad attitude that American doctors sometimes have towards patients taking their health into their own hands, is related to ego due to the prestigiousness of the profession, and related to the horrible history that the AMA had with trying to eradicate all competition from other modalities such as chiropractic, homeopathy, midwifery, and herbal traditions.

-I think that Slavic cultures are much more recently agrarian than some Western European ones, and more so than 20th century Americans. We have a hell of a lot more superstitions around the agrarian calendar, etc, people in the 80's and 90's were more likely to grow gardens than in the US, and the Orthodox church didn't make a concerted effort to wipe out old pagan ways the way the Catholics did a few centuries ago, so I think traditions that tie people to the land were stronger in the 20th century and today than they are in 20th century America and even parts of Western Europe. It seems to me that herbalism is just more widespread there because it's just part of the many agrarian traditions we practiced in modern times. For instance my mother, who's a total city person who doesn't pay any attention to health issues, was able to rattle off a bunch of traditional herbal lore when I showed her the section on Russian herbalism in one of Susun Weed's books, and she was able to tell me a bunch of additional things the plants in the book were used for, some of them using folk sayings and rhymes.

-there was a period under Stalin when the government attempted to destroy traditional folk culture because of it's link to traditional farming (whcih they were trying to change with enforced collectivization) and a lot of other issues. I think- I might be wrong- that they outlawed herbalism for a while at least as a practice by doctors. I could be wrong abput this. It would have been in the 30s.

I was told there was an official reversal of this policy once things got bad enough with pharma supplies. (a similar reversal happened when they started to allow shamanic rituals sometime during the 40's , after conducting a huge campaign against practitioners and jailing or killing a lot of elders who practiced these religions in their non-Slavic, primarily Siberian cultures. There's a very similar analogy in the US policy towards Native Americans at various times. Anyway, at some point there was a political need for more support for difficult Soviet policies, and the government actually began to allow rituals again in some areas and thawed it's attitudes towards other religious practice, including Christianity in Christian areas.

I was told that when the Soviet Union was courting China politically, they allowed Chinese herbalists to come to the Soviet cities and set up practice- which was great for the Soviets, considering their medical system was a shambles. So when my brother was a kid in the late 60's and had asthma, the family got an expatriate Chinese herbalist to treat him (pretty much succesfully- she pretty much got rid of his asthma completely).

I recall other kids getting 'cupping' treatments for colds or flu (I think that's what it was for- we didn't do it in my family), which is related to the mustard plaster remedy that the article above describes, at least in terms of the rationale I heard for it. I'm curious how much that particular practice- cupping- had to do with Russian traditions versus was imported from China. I don't recall that anyone talked about acupuncture points, or that acupuncture was at all mentioned by my family.

This is curious to me because I think the opposite may have happend in the US when Traditional Chinese Medicine came here- I've been told (by Bay Area herbalist Adam Sellers, I think) that when Traditional Chinese Medicine came to the US, and went through a fight for legitimacy and licensing, one of the things that was downplayed was the herbalism aspect, since the medical boards, AMA, and other influential parties in American medicine were deeply biased against herbalism (there's a long political history behind this, at least in the case of the AMA). I can see how the opposite would have been true in the Soviet Union- they'd been doing herbal research in the 50's and 60's when these Chinese practitioners were coming over, and I can see how they'd have adopted just that aspect of TCM rather than the more unfamiliar acupuncture. Virtually every family in Russia and related cultures probably practiced herbalism at that point, although I think that at one point prior to the political flirting with Communist China, the official Soviet party line was actually biased against herbalism (I was told that the coming of the Chinese doctors was a reversal of political policy)- part of Stalin's attempt to eradicate folk 'superstitions' for various political reasons. Like many things in Soviet history, expediency forced a change- poor pharmaceutical availability, eroding political support during hard times, meant that they thawed some hard-line attitudes towards practices that were previously on the blacklist.

Thoughts, anyone?

posted in Herbal Medicine - 0 replies

Yeast infection in Men?

2009-06-22T23:28:04Z

I have a co worker tha is suffering from a yeast infection, he has recently taken a lot of antibiotics after dental work, so I assume this contributed to the yeast development.
Any suggestions in treating this problem?
I have suggested unsweetened cranberry juice and active culture yougurt .
Please advise~ Thankyou~JaneFoxglove

posted in Herbal Medicine - 6 replies

Virulent Bacteria "C-Diff"

2009-06-22T16:03:58Z

So because anything odd likes to magnetize itself to me, naturally one of the happiest moments in my life MUST quickly be followed by contracting some crazy bacteria called C-Diff. I had my daughter, Avalia, 3 weeks ago to the day and picked this bacteria up in the hospital while having her.

I already have Ulcerative Colitis so this has just wreaked havoc on my system. The docs put me on Vancocin, generic for Vancomyicin. It's an extremely powerful antibiotic that I'm not sure is actually helping me.

I don't wonder if I had an overpopulation of C Diff years ago which caused my Colitis to begin with?? No one in my family has tummy issues so it's peculiar that I've come down with this.

If the antibiotics don't work, I've heard of using Apple Pectin, Charcoal and Probiotics to bind the Toxin 'B' and carry it out of my system while repopulating the good bacteria. Any info about ACV and this bacteria? Lemons? What would you suggest?

posted in Herbal Medicine - 33 replies

Springs beautiful blooms = Allergy time

2009-06-11T05:44:01Z

Any suggestions for inflamed lungs from allergies that don't include some sort of stimulant. My S.O. is really suffering. More from the lack of oxygen because of the inflamed lungs than the itchy sneezy , reaction. The draw back is he is extremely stimulant sensitive. Has anyone heard of some thing that will calm inflammation and increases oxygen flow that doesn't have some sort of stimulant in it? Even half a can of soda consumed in the late morning will keep him up all night. So I am hesitant to use anything that contains caffeine Ma Huang (sp) , ginseng etc.

posted in Herbal Medicine - 4 replies

Cold vs Hot

2009-06-05T08:14:52Z

I'm drinking red raspberry leaf tea to aid fertility and the info that I have says to do a hot water infusion. But being that it's summer and drinking hot water is the last thing I want to do what I have been doing is making a teabag in the morning and popping it in my water bottle and refilling and sipping all day. So, what I'm asking is am I doing myself any good, or am I wasting my time. Am I getting the nutrients that I need in the cold water? Also, does boiling kill the nutrients like I've read in Yerba Mate?

posted in Herbal Medicine - 3 replies

Curious about hops

2009-06-04T17:48:44Z

So one night awhile back I was watching that wonderful show on Spike known as Manswers (I was bored-LOL) and they had a woman on there who had been competing in beer drinking contests. She said she had increased her breast size at least a cup doing so. Manswers purported that it was the hops in the beer. According to the show, hops contain a phytoestrogen which increases tissue growth. Anybody have any info on that? Apparently, you'd have to drink about 15 beers a day to get the effect. Is it possible that hops extract would do the trick, or do you think that putting on weight from drinking all that beer is responsible for increased fat in the breasts? I'm just curious. If hops would help, I'd buy a bottle today. ; )

posted in Herbal Medicine - 8 replies

weird question

2009-05-19T16:36:25Z

this may sound like a dumb question, but is there a natural way to sterilize yourself if u don want kids instead of going under the knife? i'm looking for somethin that's permanent so i won't get preggo. condoms and the pill arent always 100%!

posted in Herbal Medicine - 14 replies

It's time to meet the new Drug Czar at Time 4 Hemp!

2009-05-17T00:41:53Z

Time 4 Hemp wants to take time to introduce you to Gil Kerlikowske (head of the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy) and jam out to lots of fantastic music along the way and it's free to download at http://www.Time4Hemp.com

News items in this segment feature (in order of appearance):

Bruce Mirken (fromthe Marijuana Policy Project)
Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger
Jeffery Miron (Senior Economics Lecturer at Harvard University)
John P Walters (Former United States Drug Czar)

Music featured in this segment (in order of appearance):

IQ - OSO-Krazy - Johnny Citizen - Bigga Haitian
Primary Others - Robin Williams - Obeah Vybes
Bill Berry - Elvy Musikka - Bob Dylan

Please pass this information on to everyone you feel would enjoy this show.

posted in Herbal Medicine - 0 replies

One Book to have

2009-05-16T20:34:29Z

If you had to give up all your books and documents on Herbs, herbal medicine, and other "Alternative Medicine", but where able to keep one book, which book would you keep?
Which book do you find invaluable? Title and Author?
If you would like to go further please elaborate.

posted in Herbal Medicine - 5 replies

Does an effective candida treatment exist?

2009-05-14T14:38:26Z

Hi folks. I've been researching candida, as my friend's dog has a severe case of oozing, pusing sores all over without any improvement from antibiotics and steroids. It sounds like a severe case of candida but there are so many treatments online, which one works? Which is best for humans and animals?

posted in Herbal Medicine - 10 replies

How do you know?

2009-05-13T17:20:50Z

If it's swine flu, or 'just' a virus?
I've been sick for 5 days - definitely on the mend. Lower respiratory at this point, but my 101.2 degree fever on Friday night makes it not 'just' a cold.
Now my husband is feeling ill, and HE has some other health conditions that makes this possibility more scary.
I'm not prone to panic, but at what point do I insist on medical intervention? And what good would it do? Is there different treatment for swine flu, vs. our normal symptom treatment? Rest, fluids, horrible tasting but effective herbal concoctions?
191 cases in Calif as per WHO report this morning.

posted in Herbal Medicine - 6 replies

BV - Bacterial Vanginosis and Smoking

2009-05-10T16:33:35Z

I am wondering, I have chronic BV and I smoke. I've been told that there is a higher likely hood of BV in smokers.....

How many of you who have chronic BV are smokers?

posted in Herbal Medicine - 2 replies

Herb of the week tribe

2009-05-08T18:26:45Z

http://tribes.tribe.net/herboftheweek

Welcome to the Herb of the Week Tribe! Here we discuss one chosen herb a week. While the primary topic is about its medicinal uses its edible uses, spiritual uses, horticultural, and any arts and crafts that this herb can be utilized in are appropriate discussions as well. Every sunday (give or take a day) we will begin a new discussion.

posted in Herbal Medicine - 0 replies

body shut down from alcohol use

2009-05-08T16:47:45Z

i have a dear friend whom this happened to. HEAVY alcoholic for 15 or 16 yrs until now. he's on a slew of meds (i didn't get the names but figure i could research that when i was there and had the herbs relevant) . he says his leg from his knee to his toe is numb. doc says liver is better than it should be, and diabetes was ruled out. i know this is not much info, but if any one has any experience or insight........

posted in Herbal Medicine - 5 replies

Ditching Conventional Medication.

2009-05-08T11:41:29Z

Today my Mother called me in tears.

Why?

She has made the conscious decision to stop relying on conventional medication for depression, insomnia, and chronic pain. During the conversation, she expressed to me that she is more than tired of depending on medications to help her feel emotionally and physically sound.

This is absolutely beautiful news!

However, while I do have a decent amount of information of what herbs she can supplement her medication with, I would love advice from others who I'm sure not only have more wisdom than I, but also possible experience with similar situations.

Many blessings,
-Lilith

posted in Herbal Medicine - 10 replies

Ed Rosenthal takes Time 4 Hemp PLUS Audio remarks from President Obama!

2009-05-07T02:51:49Z

Featured writer in CANNABIS CULTURE and SKUNK magazines as well as the author of more than a dozen books on growing marijuana - Ed Rosenthal takes 'Time 4 Hemp' and it's free to download at http://www.Time4Hemp.com Also included in this segment are audio recordings of President Obama talking about his use of marijuana and his approach to the War On Drugs.

Musical artists (in order of appearance):

Luke Scarmazzo - Pato Banton
Red Dirt - The Blaxicans

Please pass this information on to everyone you feel would enjoy this show.

Keep Strong!
Casper Leitch
Host/Creator: Time 4 Hemp
http://www.Time4Hemp.com

P.S. - Time 4 Hemp has a MySpace group - if you'd like to join, visit:
http://groups.myspace.com/ATime4Hemp

If you have time to surf the net, take a minute to say 'high' to all our friends at the Marijuana Music Awards:
http://www.marijuanamusicawards.com and
http://www.myspace.com/marijuanamusicawards

posted in Herbal Medicine - 0 replies

Looking for a nice way to detox from partying too much

2009-05-06T23:54:03Z

So lately i have been out too much and too often, the alcohol consumption, the hookah smoking and the sometimes not so healthy food, it's taking a big toll on my body and my skin.
I really do want to get all of that garbage out of my system so i can function properly and start feeling like i'm not on a 4th dimension. I Tango twice a week and i really do need my natural energy back.
If anyone knows of a good way to detox i would really appreciate it :)

posted in Herbal Medicine - 7 replies

Pandemic flu

2009-05-06T18:57:17Z

I think there might be a discussion of pandemic flu, or at least severe flu, in this Tribe somewhere. It might be a good idea to pull that back up:

There's a deadly new strain of flu brewing in Mexico that seems to have crossed the border into San Diego.
http://bit.ly/PldJi

two herbs that have a history of being helpful in past flu pandemics are andrographis (during one of the 20th century pandemics in India, I think) and boneset (US 1918, the really deadly one).

Andrographis is too nasty to take as a tea- capsules and tablets are available at many health food stores but not all of them.
Boneset works better as a hot tea. It is hard to dose with capsules only.

Andrographis is often combined with eleutherococcus in a formula for colds and flu.

Boneset combines well with red root or other lymph system support.

sources for my comments mostly come from Stephen Buhner's various books. I may read heard the boneset comment in Kathy Abascal's book on the Eclectic herbalist physicians' post-1918 pandemic surveys, though it was probably from Buhner.

Kathy Abascal Herbs and Influenza book discusses :
http://www.herbsandinfluenza.com/aboutbook.html

posted in Herbal Medicine - 38 replies

Uber-Easy Mint WIne!!!

2009-05-05T15:04:52Z

WOO-HOO!!! My local Library was having a book sale yesterday, and I made out like a bandit! *G* Although, because I only live a couple bnlocks away I had to carry both huge boxes filled with hardbacks back home--my arms are killing me today! Anyway, I got tons of cookbooks (it's so funny to thumb through those old, dated, "Better Homes & Gardens" anthologies, laughing at the dated-looking models! LOL!), as well as books on gardening (I always seem to have such trouble starting many herbs from seeds (I'd kill for a green house!). But, one of the books has one of the simplest recipes for a Mint Wine that I've ever seen (and even a recipe for Potato Champagne, and others!):

* 1 gallon water
* 1 quart fresh mint leaves
* 4 pounds white sugar

"pour one gallon of cold water over the mint leaves, stir in the sugar, and cover. Let stand for ten days. Stir each day.

"Strain the liquid through the cheesecloth and pour into sterilized quart bottles. Put a balloon over the neck of the bottles. When gas from the wine enlarges the balloon, let it out and place the balloon back over the bottle neck. Repeat the process until no more gas forms. Cork and seal the wine and store it. It should be ready to drink in about four months."

YIELD: Four quart bottles.

--Take from: "Plants Are Still Like People", by Jerry Baker [Plume/ Penguin, 1992], pp. 314-5.

BTW, I was wondering if anyone, here, might know how a Shcnaps is made? I've been curious about this, lately.

posted in Herbal Medicine - 9 replies

FDA Warns Consumers to Stop Using Hydroxycut Products

2009-05-03T16:38:36Z

http://www.fda.gov/bbs/topics/NEWS/2009/NEW02006.html

posted in Herbal Medicine - 0 replies

Take Heart With Hawthorne!!!

2009-04-29T03:10:38Z

[Hey guys, considering that one's heart-health is so important, and that heart-disease is the #1 killer in the US. among men and women, I thought it only appropriate to post this fabulous article by renowned Herbalist, Susan Weed! Some other equally brlliant sources that recommend Hawthorne for ensuring a healthy heart is: "The Earthwise Herbal", by Matthew Wood; "Rational Phytotherapy: A Physician's Guide to Herbal Medicine" [Fourth Edn.], by Schults, Hansel & Tyler; "Rodale's Illustrated Encyclopedia of Herbs"; and "A Druid's Herbal of Sacred Tree Medicine". And, another article on-line also addresses hawthorne's heart-beneficial ituents: http://www.herbcompanion.com/health/15-herbs-to-save-money-on-medical-bills.aspx\?page=3#Hawthorn Garlic also aids the cardiovascular system. So, share these articles with those you love, and add hawthorne to your diets. Sadly, many very basic Medicinal Herbals strongly advice against using any cardio-active herbs, especially Hawthorne; though there are certain herbs that can be harmful to the heart, such as Foxglove and Lily-of-the-valley. Hawthorne takes somewhere between 45-55 days before effecacy is seen, and it grows from that point on, even making all forms of exercise more tollerable, etc. and will even directly aid a damaged heart to pump blood more effortlessly. It also seems to lessen the risk of stroke. Hmmmm...given it's beneficial effects on blood circulation, one wonders how beneficial it might be for male sexual health and erectile function?]:

TAKE HEART FROM HAWTHORNE
By: Susan Weed
http://www.susunweed.com/herbal_ezine/November08/healingwise.htm

Hawthorn is the tree of May. Its many common names include whitethorn, hagthorn, ladies' meat, quickthorn, maytree, and mayblossom. Its magic and medicine are ancient and memorable. From the earliest records, hawthorn is one of the sacred trees. Hawthorn is the sixth tree of the Ogam cycle, Hath. Hath precedes Quer, the oak, center tree of the cycle of thirteen. Hawthorn is said to guard the hinges and to oversee crafts. A branch of flowering hawthorn placed in studio or workshop is believed to make the craftsperson skilled and successful. Hath shuts what is open and opens what is shut. Her magic, like her medicinal effect, is slow but long lasting.

The day of the fairies' return is not a calendar date, but, according to Ellen Everet Hopman, author of Tree Medicine, Tree Magic, "the day the hawthorn blooms." As the fairy gates open this May, open your heart to hawthorn. Let its beauty and strength imbue you with great heart, for hawthorn is the herb of healthy hearts.

Hawthorn (Cratageus) is notable for its long thorns and bright red haws (apple-like berries). The thorns may be used as needles; and hedges of thorny hawthorn grow quickly enough to keep even goats at bay. The tasty crimson haws - called cuckoo's beads, chucky cheese, and pixie pears - are fermented into wine or baked into little cakes to celebrate the new May.

The leaves, flowers, and ripe berries of Cratageus oxyacantha taste great and are easily consumed in teas, infusions, and tinctures. Consistent, long-term use of hawthorn is especially recommended for ageing hearts, weak hearts, damaged hearts, and those with hypertension, angina, arrhythmia, heart valve disease, or Reynaud's disease (arterial spasms).

Regular use of hawthorn can:

* Lower blood pressure
* Increase the effectiveness of the heart's pumping action
* Strengthen the heart muscle
* Slow the heartbeat
* Dilate coronary arteries
* Prevent heart disease, heart attack, and stroke
* Help those healing from heart surgery
* Support the immune system
* Increase longevity

The German Commission E - a scientific body which determines the effectiveness of herbal medicines - recommends tea or tincture of hawthorn for:

* Cardiac insufficiency corresponding to stages I and II of the NYHA
* Feelings of pressure and tightness in the cardiac region
* The ageing heart not yet requiring digitalis
* Mild bradyarrhythmia
* Increasing coronary and myocardial circulation

There are no contraindications and no overdose of hawthorn. It is safe to take with any other medicine, including other heart medicines. (Though it is redundant to take blood pressure medicine after taking hawthorn for three months.)

Hawthorn is a member of the rose family, and thus closely related to rose hips, apples, cherries, apricots, and almonds. Hawthorn tea is typically made by steeping two teaspoonfuls of dried leaves and flowers in a cup of boiling water for twenty minutes. Hawthorn infusion is made by steeping one ounce of dried flowers and leaves or one ounce of dried haws in a quart of boiling water for at least four hours. I make hawthorn tincture by soaking dried hawthorn haws in 100 proof vodka for at least six months, or until it turns quite red.

A dose is a cup of tea, half a cup of infusion, or a dropperful of tincture, taken first thing in the morning and last thing at night. For the first three months of use, a third dose, midday, may be added. Traditional European herbalists always add a big spoon of honey to hawthorn tea or infusion. They believe that sweetness heals the heart.

Hawthorn's ability to slowly lower blood pressure is well documented, although the mechanism of its action is unclear. Hawthorn does not block calcium channels nor is it a diuretic. In fact, it is highly regarded as a safe way to lower blood pressure when the patient is diabetic or has kidney disease. An injectable preparation of hawthorn was widely used in modern medicine prior to the introduction of blood pressure drugs and heart-valve surgery. It is still available in Germany.

The elder Rodale wrote of his heart and its response to hawthorn in Organic Gardening in the mid-50s. His editorials praising his renewed health and vigor stand as a modern-day testament to an age-old herb.

The leaves, flower buds, flowers, and berries/haws of the hawthorn are all rich in anti-oxidant flavonoids. Flavonoids benefit the heart and blood vessels in many ways. Their powerful anti-inflammatory effects relax the blood vessels. Their anti-microbial actions stop low-level infections like those associated with gum disease from harming the heart. And flavonoids support healthy functioning of the immune system and the liver. No wonder hawthorn is the herb of longevity in stories and tales!

In addition to flavonoids, hawthorn is rich in minerals, and contains a small amount of the active principle oligomeric procyanidine (1-epicatechol). Numerous scientific authors have scratched their heads in amazement that hawthorn can have any helpful effect since it has no harmful effect. Pharmacological studies of it constituents evidence "no objectively assessable results." There just isn't enough "active ingredient" to account for its observable actions. But herbalists understand that the magic of hawthorn is in the sum of the parts, not in one active principle.

The nutrients in hawthorn assist its active ingredient so that the heart and circulatory system are slowly and deeply healed on multiple levels. Hawthorn carries its magnesium and calcium directly to the heart muscles, enhancing their ability to contract and increasing available oxygen. This beneficial effect extends into the coronary blood vessels as well. Hawthorn is unique in its ability to strengthen the weak heart and carry the old heart into a healthy future.

Hawthorn works thoroughly, dependably, and slowly. Consistent use of the remedy is required for benefits to accrue. But, once gained, improvement persists. I take hawthorn berry tincture several times a week to keep my 60-plus-year-old heart in great shape.

There's magic and medicine in the tree of May, hawthorn. Take some home for yourself today.

posted in Herbal Medicine - 6 replies

sea sponge tampons

2009-04-28T01:44:08Z

Has anyone used these - any bad or good experiences to share? I want to try them, but am not sure (the cost to get them is a little much to just jump in). I'd appreciate any sharing.

Thanks, Lynn

posted in Herbal Medicine - 17 replies

Relief of bronchiospasms

2009-04-26T13:49:02Z

Hello,
A few weeks ago I became very ill. I have since mostly healed but cannot shake these persistant bronchiospasms. They are not painful, but often leave me feeling winded. I have been self administering decoctions of Horehound and chickweed infusions. Relief comes but only temporarily. Does anyone have any suggestions as to a remedy? Thanks.

posted in Herbal Medicine - 3 replies

prenatal heartburn remedys?

2009-04-24T22:54:12Z

my friend is experiencing heartburn on a regular basis due to her pregnancy, anyones input would be a true blessing, she is 31 weeks and does not experiance heartburn outside of her pregnancy.........................many blessings and nemeste

posted in Herbal Medicine - 6 replies

Something for MONSTER menstrual cramps?

2009-04-24T16:14:08Z

I have had trouble with my menstrual cramps being almost unbearable since my kids were born. The pain from month to month ebbs and flows, and although I no longer take codeine for them (just acetaminophen and ibuprofen) the over the counter stuff just isn't cutting it anymore...

Any suggestions would be appreciated. Thanks.

posted in Herbal Medicine - 42 replies

Business and Promotion Only Thread

2009-04-23T08:28:26Z

This is the thread, in which you get to promote yourself - services or products you make. the Key word here is you. List only your services, or products you manufacture yourself. No promoting pyramid product schemes.

1. Keep it about your service/goods

2. Please limit yourself to two good paragraphs, this is not the thread for explaining your whole reason for being, just to promote your service.

3. post links to your own page/business. I ask that all personal phone numbers (as opposed to say, a clinic) be shared via PM

4. members that join for the purpose of self promotion, need interact with the forum for a month before posting a listing here.

5. this having been said, don't forget the listing tab either.

6. if the thread turns bizarre, there may be some editing.

so tell us what you do! :)

posted in Herbal Medicine - 0 replies

Note:

2009-04-23T08:24:48Z

Please remember that i do not go for talking money in a thread. So please remember to move any posts advertising a money event, to the "listings'' tab on top.

Thanks,
Travis

posted in Herbal Medicine - 5 replies

The Liver and The Doctrine of Signatures!

2009-04-21T01:04:27Z

For a long time I have known of the beneficial effects of dandelion on maintaining a healthy liver, allieviating liver spots, as well as ensuring it's performing at its optomine health and purifying the blood, etc. However, I was thumbing through an old copy of the "Reader's Digest Family Guide to Natural Medicine" (our Library was having a book sale this week) which has led me, more and more, to accept the earlier belief in Herbal Medicine of the Doctrine of Signatures. Two other infamous herbs that are potent in healing the liver is tumeric and goldenseal--both of which are well known for deep yellow dye. I distinctly remember, when I was little, a juvenile game that we would play with each other entailed asking someone if they liked butter, and then affirming that fact my smearing their arm with a stain from yellow dandelion blossoms. Indeed, anyone aware of disorders in the liver will note that such a sign is usually predicated by a jaundiced, or yellow, complexion. Heck, even a Hawthorne Berry Tintcure yields a red hue, which is interesting when one takes into accounts the health benefits rendered to the cardiovascular system by this symple tonic. Here is another fascinating article on using herbs to maintain liver health: http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m0820/is_n228/ai_18523882/

posted in Herbal Medicine - 6 replies

YAY! Echinacea!

2009-04-20T09:10:20Z

WOO-HOO!!! I just saw that my Echniacea has started poking it's head above ground today. YAY!!! Now, I originally bought and planted it 3 years ago, but met with a set back last year (the year I had intended to harvest some of its root-stock this past Winter) when Iowa was struck by a barragew of what seemed like endless rain that Summer. Now, Echinacea is very drought tollerent, but this rain did it in as it had started to grow back from the following season. Tragically, it succumbed to root-rot. So, thoroughly upset (because it was like a baby to me, I had tended to it for so long!), I tromped right on down to my local nursery and bought another plant of a slightly different variety, and placed it elsewhere on our property--it didn't thrive in any way, but only languished until it expired. *sigh* But, the good news came a few weeks later after it seemed like our rains had thankfully stabelized.

I noticed that 2 new Echniacea plants had started to arise at the right and left peripheries of where my original plant had been positioned (we discarded the diseased leaves and what may have been the root, which apparently had some mould or something attached to it). Sadly, it was so late in the season--I conjecture--that there wasn't enough daylight or summer heat to allow it to thrive to fruition and blossom...it just grew several rather large leaves and only gre about 5 inches in height, I think. So, the Autumn and Winter eventually claimed this wonderful new growth, as She does to all perennial plants. But, this year, the Echnacea seems to be cropping up in two new places: in front and behind where the original parent plant had been. Indeed, there seem to be more than just two plants this year, but three or even fopur in their respective positions. But, I haven't seen the two plants from last year arise yet, which were at either left and right side. So, my thoughts are these: either what was left of the original parent plant sent out some off-spring before or while it was dying--expanding, if you will; or, all the new Echinacea plants are the results of seeds that naturally fell while we were collecting them from the first year's growth.

Thoughts, anyone?! ;o) And, was my hypothesis about there not being enough light and/or heat last Summer for the late sprouts to mature a correct one? Or, do new Echinacea plants that are growing for the first time simply not flower during their first year? And, should I expect these 3+ new plants to flower this year? I can't wait to capture some new images of far superior quality with the new Nikon CoolPix dig. cam. that I got for Yule last year...it's far better than the ol' poor quality hand-me-down that a wonderful friend gave me one year.

HA! An', me mum thought that because the plant hadn't reached maturity before Fall than it wouldn't come back this year! Ah...I do so love being right. Heh heh heh... Hey, to me it seemed very counter-intuitive to what a perennial is, by nature. :o)

BTW, are you guys aware of a white breed of E. called "White Swan" which is, apparently, supposed to be possessed of a honey-like fragrence? Neat!

Take Care,
Wade

posted in Herbal Medicine - 1 reply

Herbs/essential oils for sweat baths

2009-04-19T13:30:23Z

Are there any herbs or essential oils you would recommend for sweat baths aimed at cleansing, improving circulation and stimulating the lymphatic system? Also, how often should one take sweat baths? Thanks and blessings

posted in Herbal Medicine - 5 replies

Skunk Cabbage Dreams

2009-04-18T22:13:00Z

http://greenmanramblings.blogspot.com/

It began last April with a dream. In my waking life, my lungs had been congested and my neck and shoulder were sore. Before bed, I sat at my altar and burned sage and asked for a plant ally to reveal itself to me while I slept.

In the dream, Jason sat across from me in the grass on my parent's front lawn, and as we talked he told me he was having trouble breathing too. He remembered a great aunt, a Narraganset woman, who had used Skunk Cabbage as medicine.

We began drumming and singing and walked into the swamp behind the house. We came on a giant, glowing skunk cabbage plant who told us to dig up his roots and make a tincture to help our lungs and to take his leaves and make a poultice of his leaves to relieve muscle pain.

A friend confirmed that Skunk Cabbage was a medicine that could be used in those ways, but told me that by April the plant was too full of calcium oxylate for the roots to be used safely. So it would be almost a full year before the plant would begin teaching me directly . . . .

______________________________

Skunk Cabbage is not a plant for the faint of heart. The leaves and flowers smell like a skunk when bruised -- perfume for those who like their pheremones strong, unbearable odor to those who prefer subtle scents. The roots need to be harvested in early spring, best dug when the flowers are still green and have yet to bloom.

A trickster, Skunk Cabbage lures you out into the swamp, ankle deep in barely melted water in places where the mud has thawed just enough to suck your feet down. The roots are notoriously hard to harvest A U.S. Forest Service website says:

Skunk Cabbage is a perennial herb that has contractile roots that contract growing down into the soil. These roots pull the stems of Skunk Cabbage deeper into the wet mucky substrates found in wet forests, swamps and along streams. Eventually the entire stem is below surface level. After several years of being pulled further into the soil it is nearly impossible to dig up.

But Symplocarpus foetidus also has a way of setting roots deep in the imagination. So when winter began to subside I let it be known that I was determined to harvest Skunk Cabbage roots this year.

My mother called me in mid-March to tell me that she had seen the first Skunk Cabbage coming up in the swamp I had visited in my dream. By the time I got there, a few days later, the flowers of the plants she had found at the edge of the woods were purple and blooming. Thinking that I had come too late, I thought about going home, but I decided to offer some tobacco to the flower and offer prayers in hopes that maybe skunk cabbage would reveal his secrets next year.

The first surprise came when I realized that the plant that had seemed so masculine in my dream was speaking to my heart in a feminine voice. She told me to go deeper into the swamp. So I walked out as far as I could, following a trail of strange purple flowers.

I came to the edge of a shallow pool, and looked up and saw two deer standing directly across the water. We watched each other for 10 minutes, and when they slowly began to walk away I followed them until I stumbled on a green skunk cabbage flower sprouting up out of the water. Wading in up to my ankles, I dug very carefully around the plant, and then reached down into the mud, cradling the plant in my hands, and pulling up slowly. To my surprise, the plant yielded itself to me. I shook loose the dirt, put it in my bag, and followed a stream flowing from the pool to find three more young plants willing to give themselves for medicine.

____________________________________________________________

The Skunk Cabbage rhizome is thick and woody. The roots are tough and snakelike, pulling themselves deep into the mud. They are also powerfully thermogenic, thawing the ground around them.

Their medicine works in a similar way. The form of the roots suggests the bronchii (and the form of the round spiky green fruit suggets the alveolii -- though the fruit itself is not used medicinally). The medicine works its way deep into the lungs, bringing up mucous. The anti-spasmodic action of the plant's medicine simultaneously eases the violence of the coughing generated by the plant's expectorant properties. It works best in combination with other herbs -- elecampane suggests herself to me as a plant whose medicine complements Skunk Cabbage nicely.

As a diaphoretic, Skunk Cabbage helps to open the pores, relieving the heat of early fever -- just as heat rises outward from the plants' roots into the soil.

The shape of the flower suggests an inverted uterus hinting at the use of the roots in childbirth -- used to ease contractions. Interestingly, the Makah of the Pacific Northwest chewed on the roots of the distantly related Western Skunk Cabbage (Lysichiton americanus) to induce abortion early in a pregnancy, and the Quileute used the juice of the pounded and boiled root to ease labor. (Erna Gunther and Jeanne R. Janish. Ethnobotany of Washington. University of Washington Press, 1973,) My intuition tells me that Symplocarpus foetidus may also have abortifacient properties in early pregnancy, but that those secrets are likely to reveal themselves to an herbalist only after many years of working with the plant.

_________________________________

Skunk cabbage has strange and powerful medicine on a magical level as well.

The plant's energies alternate between being intensely masculine and intensely feminine -- and sometimes the plant seems to hold both energies at once. With fire rising from its body, roots deep in earth and water, and flowers and leaves giving off their musky scent, Skunk Cabbage combines the four elements of western magical traditions.

With its paradoxical nature and its dwelling place at a boundary between worlds, Skunk Cabbage as a natural ally for shamans and midwives.

The flower whispers strange names to me -- "The Faerie Shoe" that allows one bestowed with the plant's blessing to join in the dancing of the Sidhe without wearing through the soles of the dancer's feet. "Mystery Flower" -- dark and smooth inside, reaching down into moist, fertile darkness -- allowing us to hold a connection to the place from which life emerged while remaining present to the world into which it was born.

Its shape also suggests the form of the pineal gland, frequently associated with the third eye. The pineal gland produces melatonin which, among other things, helps us to dream. There is a resonance here with the slight narcotic quality of the medicine of the root. Dr. Rick Strassman has theorized that at birth, at death, and at moments of extreme pleasure or pain the pineal glands also produces dimethyltryptamine (DMT), a powerful psychedellic/entheogenic compound also present in many plants (most famously in the ayahuasca vine) that seems to facilitate the spirit's journey into and out of the body. If the shape of the Skunk Cabbage flower is in fact a signature revealing the plant's affinity for the pineal gland this suggests that at a magical level, and perhaps as a flower essence, Skunk Cabbage may help to ease the transition of shamanic practitioners as they move back and forth between worlds.

The contractile roots pull skunk cabbage deeper and deeper into my consciousness -- their heat burning new pathways for mind and spirit to explore.

posted in Herbal Medicine - 0 replies

Liniment Thickening Agent?

2009-04-17T12:53:41Z

Hey guys, I was wondering if anyone, here, could suggest (and even offer some substantiation, either through literature, for example) via tried-and-true methods for thickening up an alcohol-based liniment, like one finds in Purell? When my Lemon Balm has matured this summer (it SHOULD be mature by May sometime, though it seems to be growing very slowly, albeit's in a pot outside during the day, and I pull it inside when evening falls to protect it from the evening chill) I was planning on making it into a liniment (as well as a cheesecake, etc.!) for my leg muscles, because I walk and jog to stay fit (well, I'm trying, anyway). So, I'd like to produce a liniment that has a body and structure, so that when I pour it into my hands it wont run through my fingers and get on everything, etc. Ya' know what I mean? Sadly, Purell doesn't list what they use to thicken up their wonderful product, even by its potential chemical name (darn it!)!

posted in Herbal Medicine - 0 replies

Ashvagantha

2009-04-15T20:47:29Z

Also know as the Indian Ginseng. Anybody tried it out ? I am taking it for general well being, for more energy and speedy recovery as i workout very intensely.

posted in Herbal Medicine - 2 replies

toxoplasmosis?

2009-04-13T22:48:48Z

Has anyone here treated humans or pets for toxoplasmosis or other protozoa that may require similar treatment? I'm particularly interested in herbal experiences but I don't know much about how it's handled pharmaceutically either.

To refresh everyone else's memory, toxo is the cat-poop protozoan that causes major problems for pregnant ladies and I think is an opportuinistic AIDS infection, it's been in the news in the past because it appears to change people's personality (and definitely does that to rats, it's target, to make them more likely to be killed by cats, completing the parasite's lifecycle)

posted in Herbal Medicine - 4 replies

Psoriasis

2009-04-12T19:12:46Z

Does anyone know of any good herbal cures for Psoriasis? I have a friend that has it really bad on her scalp, but she doesnt have the funds to go to the doctor.....anyone have any ideas?
thanks
Sarai

posted in Herbal Medicine - 5 replies

Herbal training

2009-04-05T17:50:38Z

I'm thinking of becoming an herbal practitioner professionally. Any suggestions on where to study, school, workshops, etc.? I'm not interested in eastern herbs per se because I feel that the herbs should be indigenous to the region of the patient. (I'm not adverse to eastern medicine) Thanks for your suggestions.

posted in Herbal Medicine - 0 replies

Herbs for preventing Miscarriage in 1st Tri

2009-04-03T02:04:00Z

My girlfriend is pregnant and worried about miscarriage because it took her awhile to become pregnant in the first place and she's just a worry wart in general. She needs to relax but I know no matter what anyone tells her she will still be apprehensive. Which herbs are recommended for 1st Trimester Uterine stability? She is on the lowest dose of anti-depressant Cymbalta currently. Not sure if she should come off of that before taking any herb. She's tried coming off the Cymbalta before she was pregnant but with bad physical side effects like extreme dizzyness, so she's staying on them until her first OB appt to see what she should do b/c she's afraid if she comes off the Cymbalta that could cause a miscarriage. She's only about 3-4 wks along currently.

What are your thoughts on the whole subject?

posted in Herbal Medicine - 5 replies

gall bladder remedies???

2009-04-01T03:34:16Z

Having a gall bladder attack for the first time in 20 years. Any good natural remedies???

posted in Herbal Medicine - 6 replies

allergies

2009-03-29T04:37:41Z

what are some good herbs that can help cure allergies? im not looking to reduce the inflammatory, i want to get rid of it.

posted in Herbal Medicine - 3 replies

Sugar Demons! and gall bladder aches

2009-03-26T23:01:52Z

Hi guys, I'm attempting to ween myself off sugar. Mostly eating a green apple and a drop of maple syrup in my goat yogurt in the morning, and trying to rest of the day without it. But in the evening is when the cravings start to come... I'm wondering if anyone has recommendations for a tea or something that may ward them off. They're pretty intense and I just started on an adrenal supplement to help with energy and restore them. I'm also wondering if caffeine may have anything to do with it, I've been having green tea at 3oclock the last couple of days. Candida's definitely a possibility as i know my digestive system is not at its best.
Also, I've been getting spikey pains in my gallbladder lately, no stones as of yet, but i'm also wondering if anyone may have some clues as to whats going on or some gentle aids.
Gratitude
~T

posted in Herbal Medicine - 8 replies

CALIFORNIA BAY LAUREL

2009-03-09T23:37:27Z

WHAT IS THE MEDICINAL USE OF CALIFORNIA BAY LAUREL? DOSES?
THANKS

posted in Herbal Medicine - 4 replies

Crackling Joints?

2009-03-08T22:45:34Z

Anyone have suggestions for things to make 'em quiet down a bit?

Thanks! :)

posted in Herbal Medicine - 1 reply

HerbaSway Tincture

2009-03-05T03:32:39Z

Has anyone used this company's products?

I've been recommended their Vitaliza Kidney Nurturing Formula Tincture

posted in Herbal Medicine - 17 replies

Anti-malaria options?

2009-03-04T15:22:26Z

Howdy, all.

I'm heading to Tanzania with my bf at the end of the month. All of the anti-malarial drugs seem to have horrible side effects, and they can't even guarantee that they'll protect you.

I'm going ahead and taking the stuff prescribed by my doctor, but the bf is VERY anti-western medicine. Anyone have some recommendations for herbs to take with us? Herbal remedies to take in case symptoms appear? Anything?

I'm not looking forward to side effects, but more importantly, I'm very worried about his health. Please give me some insight. Thanks muchly!

posted in Herbal Medicine - 47 replies

Michael Moore, 1941-2009

2009-02-27T23:50:15Z

We've sadly lost one of the great ones. This tribute is from Michael Tierra:

Michael Moore, 1941-2009

Herbalist Michael Moore Michael Moore, the great Southwestern herbalist of North America, left his earthly dwelling for other realms on Friday, Feb. 20, 2009. Michael leaves us a rich legacy of herbal knowledge and wisdom, the fruit of over 40 years of his passionate explorations of the fundamental healing relationship between plants, the earth and humankind.

I had first heard of Michael around 1967 when he and I were involved with the avant-garde music scene at UCLA. At the time, Michael was an accomplished symphonic trumpet player. True to his nature as one attracted to the more esoteric fringe aspect of any endeavor, Michael was not content to simply occupy a life chair in a symphony. Instead, he was well known as the unconventional musician who was open and willing to explore exciting new musical languages and artistic experiences.

It just so happens that when we had our first brief encounter at a rustic outdoor summer fair in Topanga Canyon between Malibu Beach and San Bernardino in Los Angeles, Michael was already involved in another fringe movement: herbal medicine.

At the time I was identified with the artistic beat culture and living in Venice West. I must confess, herbs and herbal medicine had not even occurred to me when I happened into a quaint herb stall at the fair. Herbs hung to dry from the eaves and various homemade potions, lotions and ointments were priced to sell. For some strange reason I was drawn into this medieval-looking tableau and was taken a little aback to see a large man with a shaggy beard sitting behind a counter, looking more like an LA biker than ye olde herbalist of yore. We shared the look of the ‘beat outlaw,' and as such we should have been kindred spirits, so to speak; yet, his eyes were fixed menacingly on me.

I never understood why until years later, when Michael explained that he remembered my wandering into his booth and that he was sure I had pilfered one of his herbal extracts. Well, in those days I might have, but hardly from him -- I was still in my ‘rebel without a cause/Robin Hood' period and I would hardly have stolen anything from someone who looked as disheveled as he did. I also distinctly remember that Michael was eager to tell people the then-revolutionary idea that herbs could heal body and soul, but few believed him, and it didn't appear that he did much business. Given the social climate for herbs and my own ignorance at the time, I half jokingly reassured Michael, when we became respected herbal colleagues much later, that I owed him no debt from that day at the fair.

In retrospect, what I get from that brief encounter was that Michael Moore was pursuing his passionate affair with herbs before I or most anyone knew there even was such a thing (except, of course, for the herb). Years later we met again at a number of seminars and I visited his store Herbs Etcetera in Santa Fe. At the time he was teamed up with another giant man, Stuart Watts. Stuart and I were part of the first group of North American acupuncturists who went to China in the ‘70s specifically to study Chinese herbal medicine, which was then pretty much unknown among non-Chinese in the West.

I remember how much Michael and Stuart resembled each other in stature but also in the incongruity of their appearance as healers. As I mentioned in my first impression of Michael above, you could easily have mistaken these two as members of a biker gang. The fact was, they were both at the top of their game. Michael was never much of a business man. Like the rest of us, he didn't get involved with herbal medicine to get rich but was able to preach the gospel of herbs to anyone he encountered. From the beginning we were both dedicated to plying our herbal potions on those suffering from various ailments, who for a number of very good reasons found conventional Western medicine unsatisfactory. Michael mainly wanted to sell enough so he could continue his passion, which was to go either alone or with a small number of adventurous students on his herbal forays through the mountains, deserts, forests and canyons west of the Rocky Mountains. This was a perfect calling for Michael Moore, for various reasons.

You see, back in the ‘70s (and even continuing up to the present day somewhat,) the extent of our knowledge of North American herbs might have been summed up with ginseng, goldenseal, sassafras and sarsaparilla, which grow east of the Rockies. This part of the United States was first to be settled, and it was settled at a time when there was a still a keen interest in herbs as healing agents both here and in Europe. In those days there was a lively exchange of information and many Eastern seaboard medicinal herbs were shipped off to be integrated into European medicine. The Chinese, hearing that wild ginseng was available, literally imported tons from Eastern forests so that the ‘seng' trade rivaled the trade in furs and other wild products.

By the time the Westward expansion began to occur, interest in herbs - at least new herbs - was on the wane, and Native Americans, seeing how brutally their Eastern brethren were treated, became more and more reluctant to tell white settlers about the use of their native plants. So by the North American herbal renaissance in the mid-20th century, we herbalists knew little or nothing about native herbs west of the Rockies.

Enter Michael Moore, a man whose aerophobia kept him close to his Southwestern home base, and who loved to get in his truck and drive to remote areas of the West to learn, teach and harvest herbs for his homemade potions. Michael educated himself from whatever scientific literature was available, usually from "journals, sources and research outside the United States," as he states in the introduction to his Medicinal Plants of the Desert and Canyon West. He expresses this frustration of not being able to find similar literature in his own country in one of his usual rants against the ‘establishment': "We are able to develop and finance BIG medicines; we have no method of developing and financing little medicines (like herbs)," in contrast to countries like China and India, for instance.

Michael describes our being embroiled in a "grim, desperate, multi-billion-dollar mud-wrestling match between the public sector (the Food and Drug Administration) and the private sector (the pharmaceutical/medical/hospital industry)." He lays the problem out clearly, pointing out that the initial cost of $50 million is what it takes to bring a drug to market, meaning that no less than a million people a day have to take the new drug to justify its cost. It's hardly any different today than it was in 1989 when this book was first published, except to say that the figure is probably much, much bigger.

Michael goes on to say that at the time of his writing, medicine was our biggest industry, bigger than the Pentagon, costing us 10 percent of our Gross National Product. That was then; today not only is medicine still our biggest industry, but its cost has grown to 17% of our gross National Product, according the National Coalition on Health Care. Is it any wonder that in these times of deep recession we read in the news about how herb and supplement sales are up?

No herbal reference library should be considered complete without Michael Moore's three major books, Medicinal Plants of the Mountain West, Medicinal Plants of the Desert and Canyon West, and Medicinal Plants of the Pacific West. The first two are published by the Museum of New Mexico Press and the last by Red Crane Books. These are universally regarded as classics by the majority of herbalists throughout the world, not only for their practical descriptions of in-the-field, hands-on use of the herbs Michael selected, but also for his inimitable ‘Kerouacian' witty writing style that makes his herb books a very special experience to read (a talent of which the rest of us who have written herb books can only be envious). Here is a link to all of his published books and clinical manuals.

In contrast to the lucid communication provided by his books, Michael had an eccentric, difficult to understand stream-of-consciousness style of teaching. He seemed to have such a uniquely consummate understanding of Western biochemistry and physiology that he couldn't help but weave us dizzyingly through a labyrinth of complex scientific terminology and interrelationships in class. Few could follow him and still come out the other side; I know I couldn't. But I could understand enough to know that Michael espoused a vision of holistic interconnectedness expressed in scientific terminology that completely jived with my traditional Chinese and Ayurvedic models. It may have been tough for us to hang on to Michael's train of thought in a workshop or classroom situation, but this never diminished one iota my deep respect for him, whom I consider another one of those misunderstood geniuses.

For a while I wanted to engage Michael in a discussion comparing Chinese and Ayurvedic energetic herbal medicine with what I mostly suspected was Michael's version of the same in Western biochemistry and physiology. Knowing this, he approached me with his intention to formulate a constitutional model of the human body based on Western physiology. We co-taught one class together on this. In the end, I'm not sure either of us nor any of the participants got anything from the experiment, but it is worth knowing that we tried and that this is now increasingly becoming a powerful direction in which to carry Planetary Herbology in the future.

I do know that despite his gruff appearance, Michael was a true gentleman. He was always too cognizant of his own personal shortcomings to hold anything against others he would encounter. I think the concept of the personal hamartia (the tragic flaw that ultimately brings down the hero that the audience perceives but the hero does not) didn't apply to Michael, whose self-awareness made him the kind of teacher and healer who would have to say in so many words, "Do as I say but not as I do." All of us have our personal limitations that we must struggle with through life. In Michael's case these do not in the slightest tarnish the contribution he has made to herbalism now and as far as it will extend into the future.

Dioscorides, the famous Greek physician who served as a field doctor to Roman legions during the reign of Nero, discovered and chronicled the medical use of over 600 plants found throughout different regions of the known Western world. His herbal served as the most indispensible one of its kind for over 1,500 years through the Middle Ages. In a similar way, Michael Moore's three books on the medicinal uses of herbs west of the Rocky Mountains will remain as the quintessential source reference for this area for many years to come.

But back to the burly, bearded, avant-garde musician-herbalist at the fair.

I have noticed that for the most part, herbalists in all cultures are also artists, musicians or poets. There is an appreciation for aesthetics and things beautiful and creative that I think underlies one's attraction to the use of plants as medicine. As Michael says, "There are no fixed methods to apply to the human predicament, there is no single all-pervasive rule to follow, since medicine is not a science but an art."

No matter how deeply one studies and enters into the complexity of healing, plant biochemistry and so on (and I happen to agree with Michael that one should go deeply into these things), nevertheless there is always place for the irrational and the subjective. The poet's perspective of life, the musician's sense of harmony, the artist's eye of proportion and relationships - these are all shared by healers, especially the herbal healer who works with plants, which are the pure creative expression of nature and the healing process.

Michael was an extraordinary musician. Music is something that he and I shared in a special way. I was honored when at a symposium he presented me with a gift of two CDs which were the recordings of his beautiful orchestral works. After I learned of his passing, I went to find these CDs and play them in his honor. For whatever reason, they would not play. I was so happy to see that these recordings, along with his teaching manuals, scans of valuable medical Eclectic books, and other precious herb-related materials, are all freely available to enjoy online.

We are so blessed to have this kind of access to Michael's herbal and artistic treasures, which he always so graciously shared. Personally I think this says volumes about the kind of man Michael Moore was: at the core of his being, he was a man of genius, deep caring and generosity.

Note: Michael’s generosity does not leave a whole lot to pay for his enormous medical bills and support his beloved wife, Donna. It is important that we give back some of what we received from the life work of Michael Moore and all that he has done for the herbal renaissance of North America. Donations can be made out to The Bountiful Alliance and sent to: Catherine Mackenzie, 457 East Riverside Dr., Truth or Consequences, NM, 87901. The Bountiful Alliance is a 501 C-3 non-profit organization and is able to issue receipts for tax purposes.

Please consider attending this April 17-19, 2009, event in Truth or Consequences, NM. Originally coordinated to help raise funds for Michael's medical expenses, now it will be not only a fine educational event but also a celebration of this great herbalist's life and legacy.

posted in Herbal Medicine - 1 reply

New Website for herbs

2009-02-27T23:19:57Z

Just a post to let our friends know about our website. We are www.ofearthandair.com. We are a "brick and mortar" herb shop located in Hillsboro, OR since 2001 and are finally trying to establish a web presence. We carry an extensive selection of herbs, teas and essential oils and are able to ship in quantities as small as one ounce and in some cases even smaller. We specialise in hard to find herbs and will make an attempt to locate things we don't have as that is how our selection grows. We look forward to serving our online community and appologise in advance for the shameless self promotion.

posted in Herbal Medicine - 1 reply

BRAS and cancer......(!)

2009-02-26T02:47:17Z

http://www.willthomasonline.net/willthomasonline/A_Pinch_Of_Cancer.html

posted in Herbal Medicine - 8 replies

Drying Herbs in a Food Dehydrator?

2009-02-26T02:02:02Z

Is it okay to dry wildcrafted Herbs in a food Dehydrator?

posted in Herbal Medicine - 4 replies