Herbal Medicine: From the Heart of the Earth articles

Recent articles from Herbal Medicine: From the Heart of the Earth

LYMPHATIC SYSTEM.
January 1, 1999... Methods to support a healthy lymphatic system include: * A low fat diet is advised to lessen the burden of dealing with ingested fats that are directly dumped into the lymphatic system. * Eat lots of fresh leafy greens. * Exercise...

MUSCULOSKELETAL SYSTEM.
January 1, 1999... The musculoskeletal system can benefit from regular, moderate or low-impact exercise or range of motion exercises. Spasmodic pains can benefit from massage, stretching, manipulation, heat, counterirritant herbs used externally, and rest....

NERVOUS SYSTEM.
January 1, 1999... Methods to support a healthy nervous system include: * Meditation and prayer * Deep breathing * Warm baths * Massage * Darkness and quiet relaxation * Herbs high in minerals, especially calcium and magnesium are...

REPRODUCTIVE TRACT.
January 1, 1999... Methods to support a healthy female reproductive tract include: * Yoga postures or exercises such as kegals that tone the pelvic area and increase' circulation * Yoga postures that affect glandular activity * Spinal and pelvic...

Female Reproductive Herbs Compared.
January 1, 1999... Actions Angelica sinensis Menstrual A warming female tonic that enriches the blood, pro- cycle motes blood circulation, regulates and normalizes men- struation and the menstrual cycle. It will...

RESPIRATORY SYSTEM.
January 1, 1999... Methods to support a healthy respiratory tract include: * Breathing dean air * Deep breathing * Meditation * Yoga exercises * Hydrotherapy * Support of the immune system against respiratory infections. *...

SKIN.
January 1, 1999... Methods to support healthy skin include: * Full body massage * Skin brushing * Hot and cold alternating showers (3 minutes hot, 30 seconds cold) x 3 * Moderate sun * Support other organs of elimination so the skin does...

SUPPOSITORY RECIPES.
January 1, 1999... The following suppositories are made with a cocoa butter base. The most common recipe is 1 part herb to 3 parts cocoa butter. Vaginal suppositories are not an effective method of treating sexually transmitted diseases that must be treated...

SLIPPERY ELM SLURRY and GRUEL.(Brief Article)
January 1, 1999... The following recipes can be used for general gastrointestinal inflammation and irritation. Slippery elm is very soothing and healing to the gastric mucosa. Slippery Elm Powder Slurry Depending on the desired strength, mix 1.5...

SUPPOSITORIES.(Brief Article)
January 1, 1999... Due to the convenience, suppositories are often used in preference to douching or enemas. Herbal suppositories are used to deliver botanicals to the vaginal or rectal canals. The combination of herbs used in a suppository depends on the...

TEAS.(Brief Article)
January 1, 1999... Infusions Infusions are used for extraction of labile constituents such as vitamins, enzymes and volatile oils. The aerial parts of herbs such as flowers and leaves are usually used for infusions. Directions for one cup of infusion:...

Common Names to Latin Names.(medicinal herbs)(Brief Article)
January 1, 1999... The herbs below are listed alphabetically by common name, with their corresponding Latin name to the right of each column. Agrimony Agrimonia spp. Alfalfa Medicago sativa Angelica ...

Latin Names to Common Names.(medicinal herbs)(Brief Article)
January 1, 1999... The herbs below are listed alphabetically by Latin name, with their corresponding common name to the right of each column. Achillea millefolium Yarrow Acorus calamus Calamus Aesculus hippo. ...

Herb Chart for Harvesting and Preparation of Liquid Extracts.(Brief Article)
January 1, 1999... COMMON LATIN NAME NAME PART USED Achillea millefolium Yarrow Flowering Tops Acorus calamus Calamus Roots Aesculus...

Charcoal & Clay Poultices.(Brief Article)
January 1, 1999... Charcoal and clay are used for their incredible absorptive properties. They are used internally to absorb toxins such as from food poisoning, to bind heavy metals, and as a general detoxifier. Externally, they are used as poultices upon the...

Book, Journal and Video Recommendations.(herbal medicine)(Brief Article)
January 1, 1999... Books Botanical Saftey Handbook, McGuffin, Hobbs, Upton and Goldberg, Boca Raton:CRC Press 1997. Herbal Medication: A Clinical and Dispensary Handbook, A. W. Priest and L.R. Priest, London: Fowler and Co. 1982. Herbal Drugs and...

Herbal Schools, Events & Suppliers.(Brief Article)
January 1, 1999... Schools and Educational Events Blazing Star Herbal School PO Box 6 Shelbourne Falls, MA 01370 413-625-6875 California School of Herbal Studies PO Box 39 Forestville, CA 95436 Dry Creek Herb Farm & Learning Center 13935...

References.
January 1, 1999... [1.] Lawrence Review of Natural Products, Wormwood, April 1991. [2.] Brinker, Francis, The Toxicology of Botanical Medicines, non-published. [3.] Del Castillo J, et al., Marijuana, Absinthe and the Central Nervous System. Nature....

SALVES.(Brief Article)
January 1, 1999... A salve is a thick ointment. Herbal salves are usually made with botanical oils, thickened with a wax, generally, beeswax. Implements and Ingredients: 1. Herbal oil, see preparation of "Herbal Oils." 2. Salve containers: 1...

POULTICES.(Brief Article)
January 1, 1999... Poultices are made from fresh or moistened herbs, clay, vegetables, or other moist, absorbent materials, that can be ground, mashed or otherwise pulverized, and then placed on the skin. They are used on insect bites, stings, burns, rashes,...

LIQUID EXTRACTS or TINCTURES.
January 1, 1999... A liquid extract or tincture is a method of preserving herbs in a base of water and alcohol, making them convenient to dispense and take. In addition to preserving the herb for long periods of time, alcohol is better than water at extracting...

HERBAL OILS.
January 1, 1999... COLD MACERATION METHOD Implements and Ingredients: 1. Finely chopped herbs 2. Clear glass containers with lids * Herbs and oil should be visible 3. Good quality oil * Organic, extra virgin olive oil is a ...

HYDROTHERAPY or HERBAL BATHS.
January 1, 1999... OAT BATH This bath is used to soothe itchy, irritated skin. Implements & Ingredients: * 1 cup rolled oats. * Vitamix or blender. * Silk stocking or thin sock. Directions: 1. Place rolled oats in blender or...

GLYCERITES.
January 1, 1999... Glycerin can be used in the place of honey if preferred. If making this for children under 3 years of age, it is preferable to use glycerin because there is the chance of botulism from honey in children 1 year or younger. Health care...

ELIXIRS.
January 1, 1999... Elixirs are a tasty and easy method of ingesting herbs. They contain the herb, water, a sweetener, such as honey or glycerin, and a small amount of alcohol. Although usually better tasting than a liquid extract, generally they are not as...

COMPRESSES OR FOMENTATIONS.
January 1, 1999... A compress or fomentation is simple to make and use. It is a cloth soaked in hot or cold water, herb tea or herbal oil and applied to the skin. Medicated pads used for hemorrhoids are a commonly used type of compress. If a compress is to be...

CAPSULES.
January 1, 1999... Items needed: 1. Powdered herb 2. Capsules 3. Smooth, flat working surface It is easy but time consuming to make herbal capsules on a small scale. The herbs should be in powder form. An extremely coarse herb cannot be...

COLLECTING, DRYING and STORING HERBS.
January 1, 1999... Flowers, leaves and roots maintain their medicinal properties for about one year. Bark and seeds may last from 2-3 years. The best method to use for deciding the potency of an herb is the organoleptic method. This is the art of using...

Dosages.
January 1, 1999... MEASUREMENTS FOR DOSAGES English and Metric LIQUIDS 1 dram = 3.7 milliliters = 1 teaspoon = 60 minims = 70 drops of filtered water = 183 drops of alcohol. Note: the greater the amount of alcohol, the thinner the drops, due to...

URINARY TRACT.
January 1, 1999... Methods to support a healthy urinary tract include: * Urinate when there is an urge. * Take showers rather than baths. * Wipe from front to back when voiding. * Drink 6-8 glasses of water a day. * Urinate after sexual...

LIVER.
January 1, 1999... Methods to support a healthy Liver include: * Use bitter or stimulating herbs to assist with the natural physiologic processes of the liver. * Avoid liver stimulating herbs when there is active liver or gallbladder irritation or...

IMMUNE SYSTEM.
January 1, 1999... Methods to support a healthy immune system include: * Avoid allergens or food sensitivities. * Eat a nourishing diet of whole organic or biodynamic foods that are low-fat, low-protein, high-fiber, and with complex ...

HEART & CIRCULATORY SYSTEM.
January 1, 1999... Support of a healthy circulatory system depends on adequate aerobic exercise like brisk walking, swimming, bicycling, cross-country skiing or dancing for 20-30 minutes a day, 4 - 6 days a week. Proper nutrition is necessary with a diet high in...

EYES, EARS, NOSE, & THROAT.
January 1, 1999... Methods to support healthy eyes include: * Eat bilberry/blueberrys * Consider antioxidants as supplements such as zinc, selenium, vitamin C, or antioxidants in herbs such as ginkgo, blueberry, astragalus and ginger. *...

ENDOCRINE SYSTEM.
January 1, 1999... ADRENAL TONIC Siberian ginseng Eleutherococcus senticosus 20-30% Gota kola Centella asiatica 20-30% Licorice Glycyrrhiza glabra 10-20% Oat Avena sativa ...

DIGESTIVE SYSTEM.
January 1, 1999... Methods to support a healthy digestive tract include: * Eat foods, grown biodynamically or organically. They should be consumed in the unrefined form. * Eat in a joyful appreciative mood in an unhurried manner. * Avoid eating when...

Formulas for Specific Health Conditions.
January 1, 1999... The suggested formulas or single herbs below are to be used in the treatment of the following conditions, disorders or pathologies. Make sure the herb or herbal formula is specific for the condition being treated by looking up the herb or...

Materia Medica.
January 1, 1999... Alfalfa - Medicago sativa in the Fabaceae or legume family. Part used: Aerial parts. Taste/smell: Bland. Tendencies: Cooling, moistening. Dosage: Infusion: 1 heaping tablespoon per cup of water; or 1:1 fresh + dry plant...

Dictionary of Herbal Preparations.
January 1, 1999... For detailed directions on making these preparations, see "How to Make Herbal Preparations." Balm: A healing or soothing medicine. Bath: A bath is a water-based infusion or decoction, designed to treat the skin or deliver herbs through...

Properties & Actions of Herbs.
January 1, 1999... The following is a peek at a few of the numerous plant properties and actions found in nature's pharmacy. Most categories have examples included. Abortifacient: Causes expulsion of the fetus. Practitioners should be extremely cautious if...

Foreword.
January 1, 1999... I met Sharol Tilgner thirteen years ago, when we both attended National College of Naturopathic Medicine in Portland, Oregon. My first memory of her is from the first week of school. We were going on a plant walk with Cascade Anderson Geller to...

Preface.
January 1, 1999... Herbal Medicine From the Heart of the Earth is an outgrowth of the numerous requests I receive on a daily basis to provide herbal information. This book compiles the most important herbal information for health care practitioners into one...