An Introduction toUsing Herbal Remedies
by Jane Smolnik
Certified Intuitive Healer, Iridologist, and Herbalist
Note: This information is to be used for educational purposes. Please consult your local Herbalist or Naturopathic Physician for more information, proper diagnosis, or for specific questions regarding using medicinal herbs. The FDA has not evaluated these statements. This is not intended to treat, cure, diagnose, or prevent any disease or ailment. Do your homework. Take responsibility and make well informed decisions before using any medicinal herb. Please gain thorough information and understanding of each herb through reputable resources.
The "green" world of plants offers a wide variety of botanical medicines which Mother Nature has provided us to use through respect and wisdom. Herbal extracts contain plant constituents, or "active ingredients" which assist the human body in healing. Herbs tend to be specific to the different body systems such as the respiratory, circulatory, digestive, nervous, reproductive, cardio-vascular, and endocrine systems. Herbal medicine usually goes beyond the symptoms to the cause and specific system that needs help and support to heal.
A Holistic approach always works best, which means simply that the "whole" person is taken into account, not just the disease or symptoms. Their diet may need to be modified, perhaps their pattern of regular exercise, or lack of, needs attention. They may be over stressed and not properly releasing anxiety, anger, or tension. To truly heal, we need to look at the inter-connectedness of the Emotional, Physical, Mental and Spiritual needs of a person.
Botanical extracts made from fresh, organic plants and roots contain the vital life force of nature to bring forth its healing qualities. Many are growing in our backyards and gardens. Consider the common Dandelion. The leaves are a safe, effective diuretic, while the roots make a wonderful liver tonic. Burdock and Yellow Dock roots are great for the liver as well. Violets and Sheep Sorrel have been used in folk remedies for centuries to heal Cancer. Many plants and trees contain salicylic acid, like a "natural aspirin" for relieving pain and inflammation, like Willow and Quacking Aspen trees, Meadowsweet, and Vervain.
Many people use Echinacea (Purple Coneflower) to boost their immune system and fight viral infections, like the common cold. Mullein and Coltsfoot leaves are wonderful for treating many lung ailments. The beautiful yellow flowers of Calendula can heal many skin rashes and problems, while Comfrey is known to speed the healing of wounds. (Please consult an herbalist or Naturopath for more information before using any of these suggestions)
Herbs can be prepared and taken in a variety of ways. Often teas are prepared. Medicinal teas are a bit different than a beverage tea and need to be steeped (or simmered if using roots) in a covered pot for at least 20-30 minutes. 3-5 cups should be drunk throughout the day. Herbal extracts are the concentrated form of the plant in liquid base, usually alcohol because it extracts and preserves so well, having an unlimited shelf life. Sometimes vegetable glycerin or vinegar is used. Simply take the suggested dosage in a small cup of water, juice, or tea and drink.
Dried herbs can be taken in capsule form. These take longer for the active ingredients to be absorbed by your system and may be less effective. Dried herbs have a limited shelf life, so capsules should be absolutely fresh to assure that they have not lost their effectiveness. Compress, poultices, salves and oils are often used directly on the skin to penetrate the herbs to specific areas. Herbal baths can combine herbs or essential oils with hydrotherapy for a therapeutic effect.
Many herbs are considered "tonics" and are almost like a food source, which can be consumed on a regular basis to provide vitamins, minerals, iron, calcium, and support to our bodies in general. Other herbs that are strong and "medicinal" should only be taken for 2-3 weeks at a time to heal a particular problem. Several herbs can be taken at one time. It is often best when using herbal remedies to give the body a short rest period to allow the body time to integrate the herbs. A simple rule to follow is: 6 days on, one day off - One month on and one week off.
Many common ailments can be treated used simple herbal remedies. We can replace many synthetic drugs with natural, effective botanicals. Please consult your local Naturopathic Physician or trained herbalist for more information before using herbal remedies. Proper diagnosis is always important.
Following is a list of different body systems and some herbs that are useful or specific to each system.
The Immune System - ECHINACEA is most often used to boost the immune system and help the body fight viral infections. Use for 2-3 weeks at a time. ASTRAGALUS - is a deep immune enhancer and can be used as a daily tonic. GOLDENSEAL-is anti-microbial. Like an antibiotic it is often used for many bacterial infections being very effective against yeast, bacteria, protozoa, staph, streph, and ecoli. BARBERRY - is similar to Goldenseal, great for infections of the digestive tract like gall bladder problems, liver and spleen. Strengthens a debilitated system. USNEA is from a plant lichen and is considered a very effective anti-microbial for the respiratory tract and throat.
The Digestive System - All of the "Bitter" herbs are useful. The bitter taste triggers the digestive juices and the production of bile (capsules don't have this benefit). For the Liver -MILK THISTLE can actually help reverse toxic liver damage over time, as well as having an amazing detoxifying effect. DANDELION, BURDOCK AND YELLOW DOCK ROOTS are all very good tonics for the liver and digestive tract. Very high in Iron and potassium, they also help to cleanse the blood, help with skin disorders and constipation. For Indigestion FENNEL, PEPPERMINT, ANISE, CALENDULA OR LICORICE ROOT are all used in tea or extract form for relief. Ulcers and Gastritis can be healed with LICORICE RT., COMFREY RT., MALLOW RT., AND CALENDULA. GOLDENSEAL is both soothing and useful for the entire digestive tract.
The Respiratory Tract - MULLEIN is the most useful herb to heal the lungs. It relieves inflammation, dissolves phlegm, and an expectorant. PLANTAIN protects the mucous membranes, inhibits bacterial growth. COLTSFOOT -Anti-inflammatory, soothes spastic coughs, good for asthma, emphysema, bronchitis. ELECAMPANE - also an expectorant, anti-bacterial. Soothes irritated bronchial coughs. EPHEDRA is high in alkaloids. Good for colds and flu's, hayfever, sinusitis. GOLDENSEAL -reduces mucous, fevers, infections. For Laryngitis, swollen glands, tonsillitis, gargle with Sage and Thyme in apple cider vinegar or a strong tea. CATNIP, THYME AND ELDER are good decongestants.
The Nervous System - VALERIAN relaxes the both the mind and the body to relieve stress, anxiety, tension, muscle spasm, insomnia. SKULLCAP is also a good nervine to relax tension, hysteria, seizures, premenstrual tension. LEMON BALM and CHAMOMILE are great teas to relieve tension, depression, insomnia. HOPS is very calming, almost like a sedative it will help you go to sleep. ST. JOHNSWORT reduces pain, anxiety, depression, renews zest for life. It oxygenates your cells. Also helps reduce nerve damage.
The Brain - GINGKO is most helpful to stimulate circulation to the brain, improving memory, concentration, diminished intellectual capacity due to strokes, skull injuries, vertigo, Alzheimer's. GOTA KOLA helps improve memory, fatigue. Like ROSEMARY, it will stimulate the central nervous system. For Headaches, Feverfew, Vervain, Willow Bark, Lavender all help to reduce pain and inflammation. Valerian will reduce tension headaches by relaxing tight muscles in the neck and shoulders.
The Kidneys - HORSETAIL, DANDELION Leaves, and YARROW are all SAFE diuretics. They are astringent, reducing hemorrhaging, inflammation. UVA URSI will soothe, tone, and strengthen the urinary tract. Combined with GRAVEL ROOT will help reduce kidney gravel, cystitis, ulceration of the kidneys or bladder. SAW PALMETTO and HORSETAIL are very useful for the prostate glands.
The Reproductive Tract - FEMALES - VITEX - Will normalize Pituitary gland function, balance hormones. Useful for PMS, Menopause. WILD YAM- Anti-spasmodic, anti-inflammatory, relieves cramps, pains, increases progesterone. CRAMPBARK -Relieves cramps, helps prevent threatened miscarriage, excess blood loss, heavy periods. BLACK COHOSH -Relaxes and normalizes the female system, relieves cramps, muscular pain, neurological pain. RASPBERRY LEAVES -An excellent uterine tonic for all women, great as tea. DONG QUAI - Estrogenic effect balances female hormones, irregular menstruation, menopause. Strengthens internal organs. SQUAW VINE -Prepares uterus for pregnancy, uterine tonic. MALES - SAW PALMETTO BERRY - Tones and strengthens the male reproductive system, reduces an enlarged prostate, used for all infections of the gastro-urinary tract. GINSENG -Increases vitality, physical performance, improves body's resistance to a wide variety of illnesses. It will raise lowered blood pressure to normal. Useful for elderly people. SARSPARILLA - Aids in testosterone production in the body. Restores proper functioning, correcting a wide range of problems.
The Circulatory System - MOTHERWORT -Helps with palpitations, calms a "Nervous" Heart. HAWTHORNE BERRIES - are an excellent Heart Tonic to Normalized function, palpitations, weak heart. Helps reduce Blood Pressure. CAYENNE - increases blood circulation. JUNIPER Cream or Bath Oil will also improve circulation, create warmth. GINGER and YARROW - will also help stimulate circulation. GOTA KOLA -stimulates central nervous system and improves circulation.
The Skeletal/Muscular System - Arthritis can be helped with FEVERFEW, BLACK COHOSH, WILD YAM to relieve cramps, pain, and inflammation. ST. JOHNSWORT - is used to help repair nerve damage. Muscle cramps and pain are relieved with VALERIAN, BLACK COHOSH. To relieve pain and inflammation use MEADOWSWEET, VERVAIN, or WILLOW BARK.
The Skin - Chronic skin problems such as eczema, psoriasis, dry cracked skin, can be helped with YELLOW DOCK, BURDOCK, RED CLOVER, and NETTLES Internally. Topically, salves made from Calendula, Comfrey, Hypericum are all very good. For Varicose Veins, massage Calendula oil or salve in regularly. Bruises and Sprains are reduced with ARNICA applied topically as a Compress or Liniment. Acne is helped with Calendula in alcohol and witch hazel to clean and kill bacteria while it heals. Insect Repellents are PENNYROYAL (Great for fleas), TANSY (keeps away ants), RUE, WORMWOOD, SAGE, CEDAR.
Recommended Reading:
The Encyclopedia of Natural Medicine by Dr. Michael Murray, ND, and Joseph Pizzorno, ND. Prima Publishing.
The New Holistic Herbal by David Hoffman, Medical Herbalist. Element Publishing.
Herbal Healing for Women by Rosemary Gladstar. Fireside Publishers.
The Family Herbal by Peter and Barbara Theiss. Healing Arts Press.
An Elders Herbal by David Hoffman, Medical Herbalist. Element Publishing