Lavender

HERBAL INFORMATION - Lavender

Family: Lamiaceae

Latin names: Lavandula angustifolia, Lavandula latifolia, Lavandula officinalis

Common names: English lavender, Common lavender, French lavender, Garden lavender

Parts Used: Flowers, essential oil

Constituents: Volatile oil (linalyl acetate, linalool, lavandulyl acetate, borneol, limonene, caryophyllene); coumarins (umbelliferone, herniarin, coumarin); triterpenes, flavonoids 1

Description
There are many species of lavender, however, Lavandula angustifolia and Lavandula officinalis are the most commonly spoken of species in herbal medicine. Lavender is a small perennial shrub from the Mint family, growing to 1-2 metres in height. The leaves are evergreen and the purple flowers are arranged in tall spikes.

Although lavender can now be found all over the world, it originated in the Mediterranean basin. It has naturalized in North America and will grow in Ontario (zones 5-8), but it prefers slightly warmer winters.

As with many Western medicinal herbs, lavender has been used throughout history. Its name comes from the term lavare (“to wash”) – so coined by the Romans as they commonly used it to scent baths. Due to its anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties, the essential oil was used to disinfect hospital floors and walls during WWI. In modern days, much of its healing ability remains unknown to the average person. Instead we are familiar with its scent. Lavender essential oil and synthetic versions of it are used in anything from perfumes to fabric softeners.

Therapeutic Properties
Analgesic, antibacterial, anticatarrhal, anticonvulsant, antidepressant, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antirheumatic, antispasmodic, anxiolytic, astringent, carminative, cholagogue, choleretic, diaphoretic, diuretic, febrifuge, nervine, relaxant, rubefacient, tranquilizer, vulnerary

Medicinal Uses
Nervous system
• Anxiety, depression, headaches (including tension headaches & migraines), insomnia, nervous exhaustion, inflammatory conditions of the nerves

Digestive system
• Flatulence, bloating, indigestion, inflammatory conditions, cramping, poor appetite, motion sickness

Epithelial
• Skin conditions (acne, eczema)
• Topical conditions (cuts, bite, scrapes, stings, burns, infected wounds)

Essential Oil
Topical Uses
• Acne, arthritic pain, blisters, bites, burns, bruises, cuts, earaches, eczema, sprains, stings, sunburns)

Physical conditions
• Exhaustion, headaches, insomnia, migraines, nausea

Psychological conditions
• Depression, fear, hyperactivity, impatience, insomnia, irritability, mood swings, negativity, panic attacks, relaxation, worry


References:
Aromatherapy – Christine Westwood
Class Notes – Living Earth School
Earthwise Herbal, The – Matthew Wood
Holistic Herbal – David Hoffman
Medical Herbalism – David Hoffman 1
New Encylopedia of Herbs & Their Uses – Deni Bown

Herbal Sitz Bath

Today I finished making my very first batch of Mum & Babe Herbal Sitz Bath. Next weekend they are being delivered to my friend who runs a midwifery clinic in Orangeville. I’m super excited! Here are some photos of the whole process.

Enjoy,

Correne



Getting everything prepared.



Calendula flowers



Marshmallow root





Lavender flowers. They smelled divine!



The finished product!





All packaged and ready to go. Orangeville here we come!

Digestive Health

THE DIGESTIVE SYSTEM

The wellbeing of the digestive system is pivotal to the healing of all chronic health conditions. Proper functioning ensures that the cells of the body can receive the nutrients they require. From nerve cells to bone cells, their basic needs are the same. Just as we need energy to function, so does a cell. If your digestive system is incapable of absorbing the vitamins, minerals, and nutrients it needs from the food you eat, it won’t matter how healthy your diet is.

Even the healthiest and most active of people will have some digestive difficulties. If you look at the typical North American lifestyle the reason for our digestive upset becomes clear.

• High levels of stress
• Inadequate levels of sleep
• Excessive consumption of protein, sugar, and stimulants (namely caffeine)
• Low consumption of fruits, vegetables, and omega 3 fatty acids
• Little or no aerobic exercise
• Low levels of general activity – i.e. increasingly sedentary lifestyle

There are few of us who can say that nothing on that list applies to our lives. So how exactly do these issues affect our digestion? On a basic level, they contribute to inflammation in the body. The functioning of inflamed cells is compromised and they are therefore unable to absorb the proper nutrients from food. Some of these trends have more specific effects, which will be discussed in more detail.

Getting our Potatoes off the Couch
With each passing year our society is becoming increasingly sedentary. With more people commuting, working at desks and suffering stress, it’s no wonder that we can’t find the time or will to exercise. Other than looking and feeling better, exercise contributes to a healthy digestive system as well. It improves our general blood circulation, which means it also improves the circulation to and from the digestive organs. This increased blood flow allows the organs to function more efficiently. The nutrients that your body breaks down are then delivered throughout the entire body – thanks to improved blood flow away from the digestive organs.

Exercise also has a massage like effect on the organs which helps to improve bowel transit time, allowing you to have regular bowel movements. It’s easy to forget that the healthy and efficient elimination of waste products is just as important as what foods we eat and how we digest them.

Sugar – The Root of all Evil?
Sugar isn’t only that grainy white stuff you put in your morning coffee. It has many masks and can easily sneak into commercially prepared foods without us being aware of it. Here is a list of some of sugar’s aliases. This is in no way an exhaustive list, but it’s a good start.

• Corn sweetener
• Corn syrup
• Dehydrated cane juice
• Dextrin
• Dextrose
• Fructose
• Fruit juice concentrate
• Glucose
• High-fructose corn syrup
• Honey
• Lactose (milk sugar)
• Maltodextrin
• Malt syrup
• Maltose
• Maple syrup
• Molasses
• Raw sugar
• Rice syrup
• Saccharose
• Sorghum
• Sucrose
• Sugar alcohols (sorbitol, mannitol, malitol, and xylitol)
• Syrup
• Treacle
• Turbinado sugar
• Xylose

You have no doubt heard of many of these before, but some will be unfamiliar. A good tip to remember is that words ending in “ose” tend to be sugars. Also, anything “white” usually indicates a high sugar level. This includes white breads, pastas, and rice. Cutting out any and all sugar is hard to do. Moderation in all facets of life is a good lesson to learn.

The list of side effects due to excessive sugar consumption is much too long to discuss here. That being said, it is still important to highlight some of the more direct affects it has on the digestive system.

• Leads to inflammation of the digestive tract, which decreases its ability to absorb nutrients.
• It is a food source for unhealthy bacteria residing in your body, thereby negatively affecting the body’s natural immune response.
• Excessive consumption can acidify the body.
• It can upset the delicate balance of minerals and electrolytes in the body. It can also interfere with the absorption of certain minerals such as calcium and magnesium.
• Can lead to obesity, high cholesterol, heart conditions, and the development of type II diabetes.

Sensitive, Intolerant or Just Plain Allergic
Just as each of us are unique, so too are our digestive systems. One person may suffer terrible cramps when they eat cheese, while another person may break out in acne when they eat wheat. The trick to happy digestion is learning what your triggers are and how to avoid them.

A food allergy is a reaction from a person’s immune system in which the offending food is considered a foreign invader by the body. The body responds accordingly (by creating antibodies) leading to a range of side effects and symptoms. These side effects, which have a fairly rapid onset, can range from coughing, vomiting and sneezing to full-blown anaphylactic shock. Most people with food allergies are well aware of them and take the necessary precautions.

With food intolerances and sensitivities the responses are dictated by the digestive system and not the immune system. In some cases a person will actually lack the necessary enzymes needed for that food. A common example is lactose intolerance. The reactions and symptoms tend to have a slower onset, especially when compared to a food allergy. They also often require a larger amount of the food to be ingested before the reaction takes place, whereas someone with a peanut allergy may only have to smell peanuts to react. The side effects can range from gas, cramping, heartburn, and stomach pains to headaches, skin conditions and general irritability.

As mentioned earlier, most people know what their allergies are, either from previous negative experiences or testing done. Food sensitivities, however, are a different story. Some of us may have an idea of what foods bother us. Others, however, have no idea that certain foods bother them more than others. So you must be wondering, how could I possibly be sensitive to a food and not even know it? I’ll tell you how.

When we first start eating a food we’re sensitive to our body cries out for us to stop. Some of us ignore these cases of gas, cramping, bloating, nausea, and even diarrhea. We discount them as being a cause of “eating too much” or “too fast”. How many of us have had a negative reaction to a meal and instead of trying to figure out what was going on we simply say, “must have been something I ate.”

If we continue to ignore our body’s cries for help eventually our body stops crying all together. Whatever reactions we were having to the food were relatively minor and peripheral. Once ignored for long enough the reactions tend to go deeper into the body where we don’t notice them or we don’t realise they are connected to the foods we eat. They turn into inflammation, ulcers, skin conditions, arthritis, insomnia, you name it. Many people who finally figure out what their food sensitivities are suddenly find themselves cured of ailments they had no idea were connected to their diet.

Discovering what foods you’re sensitive often requires giving up a particular food group for long periods of time. Once the digestive system is healed and functioning again, you may be able to gradually introduce that food back into your diet. For other people, reintroduction of the food group may never be an option. In either case your digestive system and overall health will improve and your body will thank you for it.

Stress – The New Buzz Word of the Millennia
A wise man once said, “chill out dude” and he was right. You will be hard pressed to find anyone that doesn’t suffer from stress at some point in their lives – for most of us it is too much and too often. Stress itself has become a trend with phrases like, “I’m under so much stress”, being common place. They’ve become so common that we’ve actually forgotten that life shouldn’t and doesn’t have to be that way. Now don’t get me wrong. A certain amount of stress is necessary for human survival. It helps you meet challenges and fight through difficult situations, but past a certain point, stress can have many negative consequences on our health. How does it affect digestion? It relates to our “fight or flight” and “rest and digest” reactions.

For simplicities sake we will talk about the nervous system having two parts – the parasympathetic nervous system (PSNS) and the sympathetic nervous system (SNS). They are basically two sides of a very important coin. The PSNS can be summarized as our “rest and digest” portion. It takes care of things in the body that do not require a quick response, like digestion. The SNS is the opposite, our “fight or flight” portion. Basically it helps to mobilize our body’s resources when it’s under stress. It sends more blood to our lungs, heart, and certain muscles, allowing for quick reactions if necessary. At the same time, blood supply to non-essential systems, like digestion, is being reduced. Think about it this way – if a bear attacks you, you will be worrying about running or fighting, not digesting your morning meal.

Stress, either chronic or acute, has the affect of suppressing the parasympathetic nervous system and activating the sympathetic nervous system. In other words, when you’re stressed, you’re body’s digestive system is essentially shut down. Now if you are stressed out all the time, you can see how this will lead to digestive issues.

The Healing Power of Plants
Restoring an unhealthy digestive system back to its former glory is a long, but satisfying road. Like most roads there will be unexpected turns and the occasional road block or speed bump. Now I’m not talking about a little pill your doctor gave you to mask the symptoms of your angry tummy, I’m talking real and true healing. Amazingly, many of the plants that grow in our forests and fields have the astounding ability to bring our digest system back up to snuff.

There are two major categories of herbs that you need to cover when treating the digestive system. The first are carminatives.

Carminatives are herbs that help relieve and prevent gas, bloating, cramping and nausea. They also help to mildly stimulate secretions in the mouth, stomach, and small intestines. Carminatives can be further divided into those that are warming to the digestive tract and those that are not. Some examples of herbs that are excellent non-warming carminatives are roman chamomile (Chamaemelum nobile), lavender (Lavandula angustifolia), lemon balm (Melissa officinalis) and many of the herbs in the mint family including peppermint (Mentha x piperita) and spearmint (Mentha spicata). Warming carminatives have all the benefits of their non-warming counterparts, but they also add a little heat, which helps to stimulate blood flow to the digestive organs. For many of the best warming carminatives, look no further than your own kitchen; marjoram (Origanum majorana), rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis), thyme (Thymus vulgaris) and ginger (Zingiber officinalis).

The second category of herbs that needs to be considered is bitters. Bitters are herbs that stimulate the secretions of the entire digestive tract (including the liver and pancreas). In addition to supporting the entire digestive process, they also help to improve appetite. There is a catch with the use of bitter herbs. They stimulate secretions through a reflex action in the mouth. Basically that means for them to work properly you have actually taste them. Some great examples of bitter herbs are yarrow (Achillea millefolium), centaury (Centaurium erythraea) and boneset (Eupatorium perfoliatum).

When using herbs to treat any system of the body it is important to keep in mind that herbs are not meant to be used in isolation of each other. Herbalists will create formulations with a balance of carminatives (both warming and non) and bitters. These formulas will have anywhere from three to seven herbs in them. A basic digestive formula would usually consist of mostly non-warming carminatives, a one or two warming carminatives and one bitter herb.

To Sum It Up
The digestive system is a complicated, yet integral part of our body. The topics discussed here are but a taste of the importance of this system and the many complications that can arise if we abuse it. Our digestive health is connected to every other system in the body and therefore connected to almost any ailment that people can suffer from. Healing our digestive system is essential to healthy and vital life. I will be posting herbal information sheets on a few of the better known digestive herbs.

Thanks for reading. If you have any questions please feel free to email me.

In good health (and happy digestion),

Correne

Herbal Terms

HERBALISTS SAY THE DARNDEST THINGS

Enter a room full of herbal practitioners and after a few moments it may feel like they are speaking gibberish. It will seem that herbalists speak a language all their own and in many ways that’s true. Just as a doctor has a plethora of terms they must be familiar with, so does an herbalist. For an herbal practitioner, the following list of terms is second nature. For those whose interest is more causal, the terminology may seem overwhelming. I assure you, knowing every one of these terms in great detail isn’t necessary. So why read them at all? Having a general knowledge of herbal language will allow you to understand future posts in more depth and introduce new uses of herbs that you weren’t previously aware of. It’s also nice to have a reference in case you come across a term you aren’t familiar with.

Many of the following terms are used in most herbal traditions. Some terms were coined by my teacher and are therefore rarer in their use. This list is by no means complete, but it will serve as good backbone for future herbal endeavours.

Adaptogen:
These are herbs that support the body’s response to stress of all kinds. Many of these herbs are gentle and tonic and are used to help decrease stress and improve the overall functioning of the entire body. Their action is primarily through the endocrine and nervous systems, however their effects can be felt on almost all systems of the body.
It should be noted, that the methods in which these herbs are administered differ greatly between herbal systems. For example, a traditional Western Herbalist would use adaptogens on relatively healthy people whose treatments are nearing completion, which differs greatly from the method used in Traditional Chinese Medicine. Neither method is wrong, they are simply different.

Analgesics:
These herbs help to reduce pain or sensitivity to pain. Their effects range from mild (causing numbness) to strong (inducing loss of consciousness). The term anesthetic falls into this category. If used systemically (internally) they will result in loss of consciousness, but if used locally (on the surface), they will produce numbness.

ANTI-INFLAMMATORY
As the name implies, these herbs help to reduce inflammation. They do this by either eliminating the source of the inflammation or interfering with the inflammatory process itself. Most herbs have anti-inflammatory properties to some degree. The following are sub-categories of anti-inflammatories.

Antiallergenic:
Useful in reducing allergy symptoms. They are used to alleviate acute discomfort due to allergies and are often palliative in nature.
Antihepatotoxic:
Herbs that help to protect liver cells from toxicity caused damage.
Antioxidant:
Herbs that help to protect cells and tissues from the damage caused by oxidative substances (in most cases toxins). They reduce inflammation in the area and help to repair the affected tissues.
Antirheumatic:
Reduces the inflammation that is associated with rheumatic conditions. Most of these herbs also have detoxifying properties.
Neural anti-inflammatory:
Anti-inflammatory herbs that are of particular benefit to neural tissues.

ANTIMICROBIAL:
These are herbs that either kill or discourage the growth of unfriendly microorganisms in the body. They are divided into sub-categories based on which type of organism they affect.

Anthelmintic:
Antimicrobial herbs that affect worms specifically, by either killing or dispelling them. Also known as vermifuges.
Antibacterial:
Antimicrobial herbs that affect bacteria specifically.
Antifungal:
Antimicrobial herbs that affect fungi specifically.
Antiparasitics:
Antimicrobial herbs that affect parasites specifically.
Antiseptic:
The term used when an antimicrobial agent is applied locally to an infected area.
Antiviral:
Antimicrobial herbs that affect viruses specifically.

Antineoplastic:
These herbs help to discourage the growth and/or directly kill cancer cells. At times they can also increase the immune system’s ability to fight cancer cells.

Anticarcinogenic:
These herbs help to prevent the development of cancer cells.
Antimutagenic:
These are anticarcinogenic herbs that particularly prevent the genetic mutation of cells.

Antispasmodic:
Herbs that help to reduce spasms, cramping and tension. Their action can be general or on specific areas of the body such as mucus membranes, smooth muscle, or skeletal muscles.

Antithrombotic:
Reduction of the development of blood clots.

Aperient:
A gentle laxative effect. See cholagogue.

Aromatic:
Herbs with a pleasant, fragrant scent and a relatively pungent taste.

Astringents:
Effects of these herbs can be felt directly on the tissues they come in contact with. They cause the contraction of skin, blood vessels, and other tissues. This will help to stop any discharge of blood or mucus, as well as prevent toxins from penetrating the tissues therefore facilitating the healing and reduction of inflammation for that tissue.

Anticatarrhal:
A sub-category of astringent. Action is specifically on mucus membranes and are used most often to treat conditions characterized by runny noses.
Hemostatic:
A sub-category of astringent. These herbs help to reduce or stop bleeding. When used locally they are called styptics.

Cardiac:
Herbs that have a direct action on the heart. More specifically they help to improve and strengthen the heart by improving blood flow.

Circulatory stimulant:
Herbs that improve general circulation throughout the body. Called rubefacients when used locally.

Compress:
Applying a cloth or other material directly to the skin to reduce swelling, pain and redness. The compress is usually soaked in an herbal tea prior to application.

Decoction:
An herbal preparation made by boiling plant material (usually bark, roots or rhizomes) in water in order to extract their constituents.

Decongestant:
These are herbs that work in the upper portion of the respiratory tract. They thin and liquefy the mucus secretions of these areas.

Demulcent:
Herbs that soothe, protect, and relieve irritation of inflamed mucus membranes and other tissues. These herbs usually have mucilaginous constituents. They are useful in regulating the production of mucus and prevent the membranes from drying out (especially when astringents are being used). Called emollients when used locally.

Depurative:
Herbs that help to eliminate toxins from the tissues and fluids of the body. They do this by supporting some or all of the channels of elimination.

Diaphoretic:
Herbs that are helpful in improving circulation to the extremities of the body through dilation of blood vessels in these areas.

Neural vasodilator:
Diaphoretics that are very useful in increasing blood flow to neural tissues specifically.
Sudorific:
Diaphoretics that increase sweating.

DIGESTIVE:
These herbs help to increase or balance the secretions of the digestive organs. They are divided into categories based on their more specific actions.

Antiemetic:
A type of carminative that helps to reduce nausea and vomiting.
Bitters:
Digestive herbs that help to stimulate the secretions of the entire digestive tract. This is a reflex action that is stimulated as a result of tasting bitter herbs. They also help to improve general digestion and appetite.
Carminative:
These herbs help to stimulate the secretions of the mouth, stomach and small intestines. They also reduce gas, bloating and spasms in the digestive tract.
Cholagogue:
Herbs that stimulate the secretion of bile from the liver and gallbladder. Increasing bile helps to digest fats and prevent congestion of the liver and gallbladder. Many cholagogue herbs are also aperient.
Sialagogue:
Herbs that increase the secretion of saliva.
Stomachic:
Herbs that stimulate/balance the secretions of the stomach.

Diuretic:
Herbs in this category will help to promote the production and secretion of urine, thereby improving the function of the urinary tract. Also aids with the elimination of toxins through the urinary tract.

Antilithic:
A subcategory of diuretics, these herbs help to prevent the formation of stones.

Emetic:
Herbs used to induce the act of vomiting.

Emmenagogue:
These herbs are used to bring about menstruation and/or balance the functioning of the female reproductive system.

ENDOCRINE:
Herbs in this category have a specific action on one or more of the endocrine organs. They are further divided based on their specific action.

Adrenal:
Stimulate or balance the functioning of the adrenals.
Antithyrotropic:
Decrease the activity of the thyroid.
Hypoglycemic:
Decreases blood sugar levels.
Pancreatic:
Regulates the functioning of the pancreas.
Thyrotropic:
Stimulates the activity of the thyroid.

Essential oil:
A highly concentrated and aromatic volatile oil derived from natural substances (such as flowers, barks and leaves). They are usually used for their healing properties or as perfumes and are often made by steam distillation methods.

Expectorant:
These herbs promote the thinning and evacuation of mucus from the lower respiratory tract.

Febrifuge:
Herbs which help to lower fever.

Galactagogue:
Herbs that stimulate milk flow in nursing women.

Hypocholesterolemic:
Herbs that help to decrease blood cholesterol levels.

Hypolipidemic:
These herbs will decrease blood fats in general.

Hypotensive:
Herbs that help to reduce blood pressure.

Immune stimulant:
These herbs help to give the immune system a short-term boost. This can be useful in treating acute conditions such as colds and flu. The effects last approximately two weeks and are therefore designed to be taken in the short-term or pulsed over a longer period of time.

Immune tonic:
Whereas immune stimulants work to improve the immune system in the short-term, these herbs have longer and deeper effects. They are designed to be taken over a long period of time as their effects are gradual and cumulative.

Infused Oil:
An herbal preparation made by soaking plant material in carrier oil in order to extract its fat soluble constituents. The herbs are then removed and filtered from the oil, which can then be used therapeutically.

Infusion:
An herbal preparation made by pouring water (usually boiling) over plant material and allowing it to steep.

Laxative:
Herbs in this category promote evacuation from the bowels. The strength of their action ranges from aperients (gentle) to cathartics (strong).

Lymphatic:
These herbs decrease congestion and inflammation in the lymph nodes. They also help to promote drainage and circulation throughout the entire lymphatic system, thereby aiding in the elimination of toxins.

NERVINE:
Herbs that help to improve and strength the functioning of the nervous system in general. They will therefore help with the effects of stress. These herbs can be further divided into subcategories.

Antidepressant:
Nervines that help to alleviate the symptoms of depression.
Anxiolytic:
Nervines that have a moderately calming effect on the central nervous system and are therefore useful in anxiety.
Hypnotic:
Nervines that promote sleep by producing drowsiness.
Relaxant:
Nervines that are useful in cases of muscle tension and tension headaches. They have a relaxing effect to the muscles of the body.
Sedative:
Nervines that have a stronger calming effect on the nervous system. They are useful in more intense anxiety states and do not usually produce drowsiness.
Tranquilizer:
Nervines that have a gentle and calming effect to the nervous system.

Parturient:
Herbs in this category are useful during child birth, as they help to stimulate and strength uterine contractions. They are also useful in delayed or prolonged labour.

Poultice:
Directly applying herbs (either fresh or dried) to the surface of the skin to reduce swelling, pain and redness. They can also help to draw out foreign objects from the body (e.g. insect stinger).

Salve:
An herbal preparation in solid form usually made with a combination of an herbal infused oil and beeswax. Can be applied locally to mild skin conditions such as bites, cuts, stings and other wounds.

Tincture:
An alcohol based extraction of herbal constituents. Made by chopping up plant material, placing it in a jar and filling that jar with alcohol. The herbs are left to sit for a time in order to extract their properties. The herbs are then filtered out and the alcohol can be administered medicinally.

Uterine:
These herbs help to tone and strength the uterus.

VULNERARY:
These are herbs that heal damaged tissues through an astringent action and/or promoting cellular regeneration.

Antiulcerogenic:
These vulneraries are useful in healing ulcers on the mucus membranes.
Vascular tonic:
A subcategory of vulnerary, these herbs help to heal blood vessels specifically.

Thanks for reading. If you have any questions please feel free to email me.

In good health,
Correne

Class Update

Well at least we started the discussion on the female reproductive system in school yesterday! With a class that consists of seven insightful, creative and intelligent women, it’s a wonder we ever get anything accomplished. Each of us has our own unique background and set of experiences and with such a small classroom setting, participation (whether my teacher wants it or not) is pretty much guaranteed. What I enjoy most about class in general is the openness and honesty that accompanies each lecture. The frankness with which we talked about the reproductive systems was refreshing. It’s a type of truth that many of us are unaccustomed to – especially when dealing with delicate subject matter.

In a society that uses sex to sell pretty much everything, most of us would like to think that we’re very open to discussions about our bodies. In truth, the type of sex you see in the media is simply surface talk. When you get down to it, most of us know squat about our own bodies. How exactly do our hormonal systems work? Why do they work the way they do? What happens when they stop working as intended and how does this affect the rest of our body?

Hopefully things are better now than when I was a teenager. The birds and bees discussion with my mother (who I love to death) consisted of one question. “They talk about this stuff at school right?” I laughed, said yes and we moved on. Now this discussion may seem vague and unhelpful, but it’s a vast improvement from the way my grandmother dealt with the issue. Her and my mother didn’t talk about it at all! Perhaps when my generation’s children grow up, it will be a whole other ballgame.

However my mother was right, we did have sex education in school. Looking back I have to question whether it provided all of information we needed. Now I don’t want to talk down on the school system. Considering the wide variety of backgrounds, cultures and personal belief systems in our country, I don’t envy their position at all. It’s also not their job alone to teach children about the reproductive systems of the body.

There are many of us who think our reproductive systems have only do with sex. Sadly this is not true at all. They are hormonal systems and therefore have an intimate connection with all of the other hormonal systems in the body. For example, yesterday we discussed how the over consumption of simple white sugars can lead to disturbances of the reproductive system (especially for females). The pancreas secretes two hormones to help balance blood sugar – insulin and glucagon. In very (very) simple terms, if you over eat simple carbohydrates, this can mess up the balance of these hormones. And because they are hormones, they could influence the other hormones in the body. Crazy eh?

So the next time you (or someone who know) are assaulted with cramps, backache and mood swings, think back to that bag of gummy worms you ate last week! Okay, okay it’s not that simple, but diet, exercise, stress levels and toxicity all contribute to the health of our entire bodies, including the reproductive system.

I wish our class discussions were all sunshine and lollipops, but sometimes we talk about things that are downright frightening. Yesterday I learned about a little substance called Atrazine. What is that you ask? It is a pesticide (which is still widely used in North America and about 80 other countries) that researchers have discovered to be a major hormone disruptor in the body. In 2004 the EU banned it, but not us! It would result in the loss of a whole lot of money, due to loss in crops, if we banned it. Who cares if it caused male tadpoles to turn into hermaphrodites, we need corn! (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Atrazine)

Well as you can see, the classroom of a traditional herbalist student isn’t all about herbs. We discuss real health issues facing each and every one of us. My teacher has always said that learning herbs in isolation to other health information is close minded. Keeping updated on the newest discoveries in science will only make us better practitioners in the end.

I will endeavour to update the blog after each class. Thanks for reading and get outside and enjoy that sunshine!

In good health,
Correne

Ontario Herb Photos - Part I

Here are some photographs of herbs growing wild in various locations across Ontario. Photography credit goes to my husband, who is much better with a camera than I.



Jack-in-the-Pulpit - Arisaema triphyllum




Common horsetail - Equisetum arvense



Mouse Ear Hawkweed - Hieracium piolosella



Goat's Beard - Tragopogon pratensis L.



Garlic Mustard - Alliaria petiolata



Dandelion - Taraxacum officinale



Cow Vetch - Vicia cracca



Coltsfoot (flowers unopened) - Tussilago farfara



Blueweed - Echium vulgare



Blue violet - Viola sororia

What is Herbalism?

WHAT IS HERBALISM?

The term herbalism can conjure up a variety of ideas in people’s minds. Not as commonplace a term in this modern society, traditions of herbal medicine are often misunderstood. Some people see herbalists as strange folk who live in the country and make teas from bark and roots. Others think herbalism to be a medieval practice long forgotten. In truth, the definition of herbalism is as varied as the cultures of the world. As a student of traditional Western herbalism, my explanations will of course be routed in my knowledge of that system of healing.

In its most basic form, herbalism is the use of plant material (leaves, flowers, roots, bark, seeds and berries) for medicinal purposes. More simply, herbalists use plants as medicine to help people heal. When most people think of healing, they think of their doctor or general practitioner. In reality, herbalism existed long before the advent of modern medicine.

History of Herbalism
It can safely be said, that herbal medicine is likely as old as human civilization itself – older than both agriculture and the written word. Because it predates the written word, attempting to pinpoint the exact date in which herbalism came to be is an impossible task.

The oldest written record of the use of herbalism dates back over 5,000 years to the Sumerians. The Ancient Egyptians also recorded using herbs for medicine and there is even mention of the use of herbs in the Old Testament. The use of plants varied from culture to culture. Some used them in healing rituals like the indigenous people of Africa and North America. Others created traditional medical systems that involved the use of herbs (Ayurvedic and Traditional Chinese Medicine).

In the past plants were viewed as an integral and greatly appreciated part of daily life. They provided food, clothing, shelter and medicine to entire tribes and villages. Many of our ancestors learned to use plants as medicine through trial and error and by observing how local animals used plants. Due to their high value, plants were treated with a great deal of respect. Wiping out an entire colony of St. John’s Wort does nothing but ensure there will none for next year’s harvest.

Unknown to many people, herbalism’s past and the future of modern medicine were deeply entwined. In fact, if our ancestors had not sought plants for their healing abilities, modern medicine as we know it, may never have existed. Salicylic acid (found in Aspirin) was derived from white willow bark (Salix abla) and the meadowsweet plant (Spiraea alba). Vincristine, which comes from Catharanthus roseus (Madagascar periwinkle), is used in chemotherapy treatments. The pain relieving benefits of morphine would not exist if it were not for the Opium poppy (Papaver somniferum var. album).

How do Herbs Work?
The specifics of how exactly herbs work in the body is still a topic of hot debate. Some actions are easy to trace and others are much more subtle. In general, most herbs help to support the systems of the body, allowing them to heal and eventually return to normal functioning. I know what you’re thinking, a vague answer if I’ve ever heard one! Unfortunately, a more specific answer is not always known. Much of what herbalists know of how to use herbs, was knowledge passed down from generation to generation. With each passing year, scientists learn more about the medicinal uses of the plant. Not surprisingly, in almost all cases, they simply prove what traditional societies have known all along.

To help ease some of your concerns, I will tell you what we do know. Most herbs have anti-inflammatory action. That means that they will help to resolve general inflammation in the body. Inflammation is often one of the contributing causes to many common ailments. Most herbs are anti-oxidant to some degree as well. Since toxicity is of great concern to all of us and toxicity causes oxidative damage to our cells and tissues, you can see how anti-oxidant benefits would help to heal the body. Most herbs also have an effect on the nervous system (called nervines). This tranquilizing effect helps to reduce stress, another major contributor to many common health issues.

Although almost all herbs fall into the general categories listed above, many of them have areas in which they excel. For example, some herbs are excellent at supporting the liver. They do this by having specific anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant effects that are directed to the liver and by stimulating the secretion of bile. These actions would be beneficial in cases of liver toxicity, hepatitis, cirrhosis, jaundice and many others. Herbs such as milk thistle (Silybum spp.), dandelion root/leaves (Taraxacum officinale) and burdock root (Arctium spp.) are excellent supportive liver herbs.

Herbs Love Teamwork
In many traditional healing systems, herbs were often used in isolation in remedies called simples. In Western herbalism formulations of multiple herbs are used. So why do herbs work better in teams? The answer is synergy.

Synergy can be defined as “the interaction of two or more agents or forces so that their combined effect is greater than the sum of their individual effects.1” Many of us have heard the saying that the whole is greater than the sum of its parts. This wisdom holds true in herbalism as well. Herbs consist of hundreds of chemical constituents that work together to produce a desired effect. Although this is one of the areas where research is lacking, we do know that when one herb’s constituents combine with another herb with constituents that have similar effects on the body, the result is much greater than using a single plant. Often times formulations will have herbs with multiple effects in order to create a more well-rounded result. Here is an example to illustrate.

Bitters are excellent for the digestive system, as they increase secretions of the digestive organs. Carminatives, which also support the digestive system, help with gas, bloating and general digestive upset. Circulatory stimulants are also very helpful, as they ensure that all of the plant’s constituents are being circulated throughout the entire body. When creating a formula for the digestive system, it is only logical to include more than one herb so that we can cover all of the necessary categories.

The Future of Herbalism
Herbalism has gained much popularity in Canada in recent years. There are many contributing factors to this. As Canada’s population becomes increasingly diverse, we have access to systems of healing that we had never heard of before (e.g. Traditional Chinese Medicine). As people become more aware of their bodies and the effects that toxins (including the toxic effect of many pharmaceutical medications) have on their bodies, the desire for more natural healing methods increases. Whatever the reason, it is certain that the future of herbalism is a bright one.

That being said, proper research is still needed. I say proper, because much of the research being done today isn’t really adding to our understanding of herbs and their uses. Scientists often focus on isolating a single chemical constituent – hypericin in St. John’s Wort as an example – and researching its effect on the body. Although hypericin has show promising results in the treatment of depression, those results pale in comparison to using the entire plant. Once again we turn to the concept of synergy. Nature created plants with hundreds (and sometimes thousands) of chemical constituents. They weren’t designed to be broken down into tiny parts. Herbs work better when you use the entire plant, not an isolated chemical constituent designed in a laboratory somewhere.

Heal Thyself
Now a word of caution. Access to herbal remedies is much easier today, than it was in the past. Unfortunately knowledge doesn’t always come with access. Herbs are medicine. When taken in excess they can cause adverse effects in the body. Many herbs have received bad reputations due to their misuse. Kava kava (Piper methysticum) is an herb that was traditionally used by many cultures as a treatment for the nervous system. When administered properly and in appropriate amounts, it works wonderfully. However, when abused, one of the possible side effects is liver damage.

This doesn’t mean that you can’t use herbs to treat yourself and your family. As with most things, knowledge should come before use. There are many plants growing all around Ontario and other parts of Canada that are gentle and perfectly safe for you and your entire family, but there are just as many plants that aren’t as safe. Do some research or ask the fine folks at the natural health food store and for more complicated treatments consult a professional herbalist. Just as you wouldn’t take a cold/flu medicine before reading the instructions, you shouldn’t take an herb before you know its effects on the body.

For more information on herbs and local herbalist I’ve included some links below.

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The Ontario Herbalist’s Association

Henriette’s Herbal Homepage

Herb Med

Susan Weed’s Herbal Homepage
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1 http://wordnetweb.princeton.edu/perl/webwn?s=synergy