Harvesting

Today was an excellent harvesting day! Although the idea of wild-harvesting may seem like a romantic one, the truth is not quite so rose-coloured. Between the vigorous hiking, the mosquitos (yes they are out already in full force), the blistering heat and getting lost (which is not uncommon for me) - harvesting is darn hard work! I will admit though, as hard as it is, I love every minute of it. There is nothing more satisfying than making your own herbal medicines by hand from herbs harvested in their natural habitat.


Today we decided to scope out a new harvesting location. Part of starting a new herbal practice is scouting out viable harvesting locations. Whenever I arrive at a new spot, I have no idea what I'll find. Perhaps I'll find a great source for multiple herbs or perhaps there won't be a large enough population to sustain harvesting. It can be frustrating - spending hours in a location only to find that it isn't as great a source as you had hoped. Today however, luck was on our side.

This new location will be an excellent source for herbs such as Horsetail, Sulfur cinquefoil, Hawthorn, St. John's wort, Plantain, Queen Ann's lace, Goldenrod and tons more!

Here are some photos of today's finds:

Ox-eye daisy - Leucanthemum vulgare

• Harvested enough for 500 ml

Red clover - Trifolium pratense

• Harvested enough for 120 ml

Herb Robert - Geranium robertianum

• I was so excited when I found a HUGE patch of herb Robert. Last year I wasn't able to harvest any and this year I managed to at least get enough for 120 ml. Woo hoo!

Fleabane - Erigeron spp.

• Harvested enough for 250 ml of infused olive oil

Have a fantastic weekend!


Peace,


Correne

The Great Soap Experiment

Hello all!

 

I didn't have class today so I decided to use my free day catching up on some much needed product making. I know... on the most gorgeous day so far this season I decide to stay inside and make soap!

I've never made soap before and I honestly don't know how the whole experiment will turn out, but it was great fun either way!

This one has patchouli and bergamot essential oils, orange zest and a bit of ground cinnamon! I haven't decided on a name for it... if anyone has any suggestions please comment and send me an email!

Enjoy the sun!

Correne

Making Menstruum

MAKING MENSTRUUM

This is Part II of a series of posts about making your own herbal medicines. Part I was on wild-harvesting your own herbs.

Introduction

For herbalists and fellow herb-lovers the beginning of wild-harvesting season also brings a new season of herbal medicine and tincture making. Vital to the formation of your own herbal medicines is the creation of a menstruum. When I first heard this term, it was completely unfamiliar to me. My exact words were something along the lines of “men... what?”

Technically a menstruum is “a solvent, especially one used in extracting compounds from plant and animal tissues and preparing drugs.” 1 In laymen’s terms, a menstruum is the medium you are using to extract the constituents from the plants. If you are making tinctures, your menstruum will most likely be alcohol based.

Every person who works with herbs, either professionally or as a hobby, will have their own methods for making plant-based medicines. The following menstruum recipe is the one that my teacher shared with us in our field studies classes.2 It is not the only method available and I invite you to experiment with a variety of menstruums to find one that you feel works best for your needs.

The Ingredients
Alcohol

Unless you have a license for the purchase of 95% alcohol, your choices are limited to what you can procure from your local beer/spirits store (e.g. LCBO in Ontario). After doing a brief Internet search on making menstruums I quickly discovered that most people simply listed “alcohol” as the main (or only) ingredient. Although your choices can vary from rum to brandy, not all alcohols are created equal.

When choosing an alcohol to use as your base you have to consider what its ingredients are and what it’s made from. If your alcohol contains sugar, other herbs, colouring or added flavourings, these ingredients could affect the extraction of the constituents. There is also the possibility of altering or adding to the effects of the constituents. For example, gin is made from juniper berries (a common herb used in herbal medicine). The gin will still contain some of the constituents from the juniper berries, which means your medicine/tincture will as well.

The alcohol of choice (as suggested to us in class) is vodka. Vodka is composed of ethanol (usually 40%) and water. That’s it. It can be made from any of the following fermented substances: potatoes, rye, wheat, molasses, sugar beets, grapes or rice. Of your choices of alcohol, vodka has the cleanest list of ingredients.

Water
The percentage of alcohol to use in the making of your menstruum is almost as varied as your choices in alcohol. Some herbalists prefer 50% alcohol solutions and others less than that. Most vodka that you can purchase in liquor stores is 40% alcohol. Some folks have a preference for straight vodka, which is a perfectly acceptable option. This will give you a tincture made in a 40% alcohol solution.

If you choose to make a menstruum solution with a lower percentage of alcohol, you will have to water it down. The water you use should be filtered or from a spring. Personally I use twice filtered tap water (using a Brita filter). Avoid using water that has been stored in plastic bottles. When making my own herbal tinctures, I use a 30% alcohol solution. This means that my vodka has been watered down by 10% (see below for the exact recipe).

Glycerine
Vegetable grade glycerine is another popular option for the making of tinctures. I use approximately 10% in the making of my menstruum. Glycerine’s sweet taste helps to cut the harshness of alcohol. It also works with the alcohol to extract some of the herb’s constituents.

When making tinctures for recovering alcoholics, glycerine is often used as the main ingredient in a menstruum. As an example you could use 50% glycerine and 50% water.

The Recipe
What You Will Need
• Measuring cup
• 1 litre mason jar
• Vodka or other 40% alcohol
• Filtered or spring water
• Vegetable grade glycerine (optional)

Instructions – with glycerine
• In your measuring cup pour out 750 mL of vodka (or other alcohol)

• Add 150 mL of filtered or spring water to the alcohol

• Measure out 100 mL of glycerine and add to the measuring cup
o Ensure that it is vegetable grade glycerine that is safe for consumption

• Pour contents of the measuring cup into the mason jar

• Shake the jar vigorously to ensure the glycerine doesn’t separate

The end product will contain 30% alcohol, 60% water and 10% glycerine.

Instructions – without glycerine
• In your measuring cup pour out 750 mL of vodka (or other alcohol)
• Add 250 mL of filtered or spring water to the alcohol
• Pour contents of the measuring cup into the mason and shake vigorously

The end product will contain 30% alcohol and 60% water.

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In the next blog post we will be exploring the wonderful world of tincture and herbal medicine making. Thanks for reading!

In good health,

Correne

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References

Dictionary.com - http://dictionary.reference.com/ 1

Living Earth School Field Studies – class notes 2

Stinging Nettle Lasagna

Good morning all! My friend and fellow student at Living Earth School shared this recipe with my fans on facebook this morning and I wanted to pass along the good fortune.

Here is the link to a recipe for Stinging Nettle Lasagna. Thanks go to Munna and the fine folks at Learningherbs.com!

Have a lovely morning,

Correne

Harvesting Herbs

WILD-HARVESTING HERBS

Spring has officially sprung, and with its arrival brings the beginning of the wild-harvesting season. The coming of sun, rain and bird song is a welcome sign to many an herbalist. It speaks of new growth and bringing with it the amazing healing power that herbs have.

There is no better way to learn about and get to know our herbal friends, than through observing (and eventually harvesting) them in their natural environment. That being said, there is most certainly a right way and a wrong way of doing it.

Why Wild-Harvest?

Wild-harvesting your herbs is a lot of work and with an abundance of with dried herbs available at most health food stores, one may wonder why undertaking such a laborious task is necessary. My teacher often talks about the relationship an herbalist has with their herbs. He speaks of the importance of touching, tasting and observing the plants in their natural environment. The ultimate goal is the formation of a respectful relationship and an understanding of all plants that we use in our practice and our daily lives.

Before starting my classes at Living Earth School, I had taken some other herbalism courses through correspondences. Although their information was valuable, most of it was through books and websites. I spent much of my time memorizing and not understanding. My ability to truly appreciate herbs and their properties only came when I started working with them hands on. Being involved in the process from harvesting to tincture making gave me a deep respect for herbs and nature in general.

When you purchase dried herbs – even from a reputable source – it is unlikely that you will ever be able to see the environment in which those herbs were grown. Wild-harvesting gives allows you that ability. It also brings an element of control. Is the environment polluted? Do people abuse the land where the plant is growing?

Plants growing in their natural environment also tend to be hardier than those grown in a controlled setting like a garden. Even in larger commercial gardens, the herbs are planted in the optimal soil, with the optimal lighting conditions and are given water a regular basis – basically, they are pampered. They have never had to struggle for survival. Think about “survival of the fittest”. Herbs in the wild have had to fight to live – through adverse soil conditions, possible drought or flooding, insects and other creatures. Those that survive are stronger and therefore have the strongest properties.

Know Your Herbs

Identification
I cannot stress the importance of this enough. Not all herbs are alike and many have toxic side effects. A misidentification could mean the difference between life and death. My goal is not to scare you off from wild-harvesting – instead I invite you to learn everything you can about a plant before you go out and harvest it.

For anyone who is considering wild-harvesting plants of any kind (or just simply has an interest) I recommend purchasing at least one (but preferably more) wildflower identification guides. If used correctly they will allow you to properly identify the plant in question. This does take some practice, but with time you could be at a 90-95% success rate. A list of book suggestions can be found below.

I also recommend signing up for some local herb walks or herb identification courses. Bring along a notebook and a camera. Take notes on the herbs you’re interested in and take photos for reference later on.

When it comes to flower/herb/plant identification there are two simple rules:

• If you don’t know what it is – DON’T TOUCH IT

• If you don’t know how it’s used – DON’T HARVEST IT

Medicinal Uses and Parts Used
Before heading off into the wilderness with your handy dandy books and your knife you must also know why you’re harvesting in the first place. Is it for food, for medicine or for drying herbs to make tea? Whatever the case may be it’s wise to know the properties of a plant (and their possible related toxicity) prior to harvesting it.

It’s also important to know which parts of the plants are traditionally used. For some herbs you will only use the flowers, others perhaps the root or rhizome. Being armed with this information is essential to successful harvesting. There would be nothing worse than arriving home with a bunch of leaves and flowers only to discover that the berries were traditionally used.

When to Harvest

Each herb has an optimal time in which it should be harvested. As a rule of thumb, if you are harvesting flowers and/or leaves, it is usually at the beginning of its flowering period. If you are harvesting roots, it tends to be in the fall (October to November). These, however, are just generalizations.

Sustainable/Ecological Harvesting

I would be amiss as a future herbalist to not discuss the proper and ecological way to wild-harvest herbs. Overharvesting plants of any kind is nothing but disastrous to the plant population and the surrounding ecosystem. When wild-harvesting it is always best to err on the side of caution. Here are some general guidelines to think about when you’re out in the field.

• Never harvest anything you don't need or plan on using. Also never harvest more than you need.

• The herb should not be rare or endangered. It should be common and abundant, not only in the area you are harvesting, but in the surrounding region as well.

• Only harvest from a plant if it (and the rest of the herbs in the area) look healthy. Just as people are susceptible to disease, so are plants. Rainy harvesting seasons can also cause mildew to form on some herbs. Watch out for this as well.

• Never take more than 5-10% of the plants in a particular area. More than this could stress out the species and decrease its chances for successful reproduction for the following year. Also, many plants spread by rhizome and if you harvest too much you risk killing the entire colony.

• If it looks like someone has been harvesting in the area before you – don’t harvest there. This may seem like a strict rule, but if you take 10% and the person before you takes 10% and the person after you... well you get the idea.

• Avoid harvesting the same herb from the same location every year. Give the species at least 2-3 years to recover and then go back to that area.

• Unless you grow it yourself you shouldn’t harvest in cities or other urban areas. They tend to be polluted and dirty. Also be wary of harvesting locations near farms – you don’t know what kinds of sprays and pesticides they may be using.

• Do not harvest from provincial parks and conservation land – it’s illegal.

What You Will Need

Each wild-harvester has their own method to harvesting. Tricks of the trade and individual flare will come with time and experience. Whenever I go harvesting I always have the following with me. Some of the items are essential (in my opinion) and others are just super duper extras!

• 2-3 identification guides
• A knife
• A compass and/or map of harvesting location
• Paper bags

• Camera

• Spring scale *

My teacher recommended the purchase of a spring scale and it has been a life saver! It is impossible for me to tell if I have 10 grams of an herb or 50! I am very careful to not harvest more than I need and the spring scale allows me to measure my herbs with relative accuracy while I’m out in the field. I always take a few extra grams to be sure and I’ve never arrived at home short! Here is where I purchased mine: Efston Science


Book Suggestions
Identification Guides

• Newcomb’s Wildflower Guide – Lawrence Newcomb

• Peterson Field Guides – Eastern/Central Medicinal Plants and Herbs – Steven Foster & James A. Duke

• The ROM Field Guide to Wildflowers of Ontario – Timothy Dickinson, Deborah Metsger, Jenny Bull & Richard Dickinson

Herbal Information Books

• Earthwise Herbal Series – Matthew Wood
• Holistic Herbal – David Hoffman
• Medicinal Herbalism – David Hoffman
• New Encylopedia of Herbs & Their Uses – Deni Bown
• Prescription for Herbal Healing – Phyllis A. Balch

Thanks for reading! If you have any questions at all please don’t hesitate to email me or leave a comment.

Happy harvesting,

Correne

My Detox - Day 12 - The Finish Line!!

Day Twelve – My Thoughts, Reflections and Results

My twelve day journey through Wild Rose’s Herbal D-Tox has finally come to its conclusion. I am happy to report that the experience has been a mostly positive one – something worth repeating in the future. As with all life experiences, there were pros and cons to my cleanse/detox. I always like to save the best for last so we’ll begin with the cons.

The Cons

Everybody Poops... But Seriously Now!?!
I found this formula to be way too laxative! The herbal philosophy I’m being taught in school is one of least interference. We don’t want the herbs to do the work of the body, we want them to support the body’s natural processes. That being said, the use of no less than three stimulating laxatives in Wild Rose’s formulas was overkill. I can understand their desire to ensure that people’s toxins are being properly eliminated from the body, however if a person’s body doesn’t need stimulating laxatives to get the job done, then they shouldn’t be in the formula. They were too strong for both my husband and I. A bulk laxative like flax seeds would have done the job just fine!

Headaches and Breakouts and Fatigue, Oh My!
Although I was fully expecting some of the regular detoxing side effects with this particular kit – I still have to place it firmly in the con category. For me personally, the side effects were relatively mild and didn’t last very long (3 days tops). For someone who is inexperienced with cleansing or is especially toxic, these side effects would be a huge deterrent and moral killer. No one wants to feel like crap and most people won’t put up with those types of reactions even if the end result is a good one. I truly believe that you don’t have to feel like you’re detoxing to know you’re detoxing.


The Pros

Honey!! Do you know where I put that extra weight I lost?
Many people who are interested in doing a detox/cleanse kit want to see results in the form of weight loss. Shedding unwanted pounds is a measurable result that people can appreciate and understand. Sometimes the result of “you’re less toxic” just doesn’t cut it for people. Due to the combination of dietary changes and the herbal formula, Wild Rose’s kit delivers in this category. I lost a total of 6 pounds over the 12 days detox and my husband lost 7 pounds.

As a caveat I will say this – I completely expect some of that weight to come back as a few of the food categories are integrated back into our diet. As long as we do it properly, in moderation and continue to eat the same amounts of food the weight gain should be minimal.

Who Knew Mother Nature Was Such a Good Cook?
By far the best benefit I had during this cleanse was the experience of new foods, cooking and healthy eating. My husband and I (like many people) have often used two common excuses as to why we didn’t eat as healthy as we could – money and time. In twelve short days we discovered that wholesome, nutritious and healthy food doesn’t have to be expensive (it was actually cheaper) and it doesn’t really have to take more time (and the extra time it does take is more than worth it). Although we ate fairly well to begin with, we still consumed some processed foods and junk at times. Many people eat nothing but those food items because they believe that it will be cheaper, but when we cut out everything junk-like and processed we found our grocery bill dropping by almost 40%! We ate better, felt better and it was cheaper. That’s a tune that most people can appreciate!

The eliminatory diet also allows people to integrate food groups back one at a time. This gives the added benefit of discovering what your food sensitivities/allergies might be.

I’m So Buzzzzzed!!!
When I told my husband no caffeine, no energy drinks and no sugar he looked at me like I’d just grown a horn in the middle of my forehead. You’ve got to be kidding right? What do you mean I can’t have my “wake-up juice?” This part of the diet change could be a major obstacle for people, but I tell you folks, it is worth it in the end. One may think that 12 days just isn’t enough time to eliminate the need for these nasty vices, but the results will surprise you. Sure, at the beginning of the cleanse I would have given my right arm for some chocolate or ice cream. But now that I’m finished I don’t even desire sweets, caffeine or junk food. I have more energy now that I ever did consuming caffeine and I’m sleeping better to boot!

Mirror, Mirror on the Wall, Who Has the Best Skin of All?
Well certainly not me! But I will tell you this, my acne and my eczema have both improved dramatically. Sure I suffered a few aggravation promoted breakouts in the beginning of the cleanse, but now that it’s over I can see a huge improvement in the appearance of my skin. I’ve had to deal with acne since I was a teenager and this was a most welcome change.


Well there you have it folks! My twelve day detox has come and gone. I’d like to thank everyone who supported me during this cleanse and for all of you who have followed me on my blog and fanpage. I really do appreciate it. If I’ve inspired even one person to cleanse/detox this spring then it was all worth it.



Until next time,

Correne

My Detox - Day 11

Day Eleven

Hello all! My apologies for the tardy post. I've just got in from a day spent in Waterloo and I am exhausted. I promise my Day 12 post will be much more exciting!! Thanks to everyone who has been following me on this journey and I will update you all on my last day of detox sometime tomorrow.


Good night (almost morning),
Correne

My Detox - Day 9

Day Nine – The Great Cheesecake War

Three more days until my Wild Rose Herbal D-Tox will be complete. Day nine was the hardest day of all for temptations. My husband and I went to my parent’s place to celebrate his and my mother’s birthdays. We brought our own dinner so we wouldn’t be enticed by barbequed burgers (veggie burgers in our case), but the desert proved to be a far more formidable opponent.

Once all the dishes were cleared away my mother plunks down not only one, but four types of cheesecake. Like a beacon in the night that cheesecake was guiding us back to our sugary home! The only saving grace was my brother, who told us that we weren’t really missing much and that it was rather bland. It was a kindness.... even if he was lying. We satisfied our sugar craving with fresh strawberries instead. Needless to say we won the battle against the cheesecake and I couldn’t be prouder.

For today’s recipe I’m going to share one of our favourite ways to make potatoes. This recipe is thanks to my friend Christy who gave it to me years ago.

Roasted Rosemary and Garlic Potatoes

2 lbs of new red potatoes (left whole is small – halved or quartered if large)
8 cloves of garlic – pressed/minced
2 tbsp olive oil
1 tbsp dried rosemary

• Pre-heat the oven to 400°F
• Mix the garlic, olive oil and rosemary in a small bowl
• Place the potatoes in a shallow baking dish in a single layer
• Drizzle the oil, garlic and rosemary mixture on the potatoes & toss
• Roast uncovered for 40-50 minutes – turn half way through cooking

We’ve also done these potatoes in a frying pan as a part of a breakfast – usually with scrambled eggs.

A big thank you to everyone who is following me on my detox and a super huge thanks goes out to brother, who kept us away from cheesecake sin!

Until tomorrow,

Correne

My Detox - Day 4

Day Four

What do you do when life gives you lemon juice, avocados, tomatoes and onions? You make guacamole!

I’ve been experimenting with very simple recipes during this cleanse. Meals with lots of ingredients are more complex for the body to breakdown and digest. Right now all the systems of my body are working overtime to try and eliminate stored toxins. If I give my body a complex meal to digest, it’s only going to take energy away from detoxification actions.

All in all, today has been a good day. I actually got to work out! I jumped on the stationary bike for 35 minutes (I might have actually been able to do longer, but my assets were KILLING me) and I felt fantastic afterwards. I didn’t need a nap at all today, which is also great news. I was very productive – laundry, cooking, cleaning etc. – but I still found it hard to concentrate on school work and studying.

Some new symptoms revealed themselves today and some old ones seem to be gone for good:

• Hunger – I find myself hungry more often throughout the day, but it’s taking much smaller amounts of food to satisfy me.
• Food cravings – I thought about having something sweet once today and again if was after dinner. I am a desert person through and through.
• Headache – Zip, zilch, nada!
• Muscle pain/tension – Minor neck and shoulder pain – nothing to write home about.
• Energy level – Almost back to normal. I was able to keep busy, workout and study (sort of) all without the need of a nap.
• Emotional side effects – Felt fantastic today!
• Other detoxing side effects – The skin side effects have finally reared their ugly heads. My eczema (on a few of my fingers) has flared up and I’ve broken out slightly on my face. I’m fairly acne prone anyway, so I’m not surprised by this. I knew it was coming! Urination and laxative side effects remain the same.

A big thank you to all of you who are supporting me during this cleanse! It is hugely appreciated.

In good health,

Correne

Garlic Mustard Pesto

I got this recipe from Patches of M. Mugwump’s blog. Although I haven’t made the pesto myself, it sounds fantastic!

Garlic Mustard Pesto



3-4 cups of fresh garlic mustard (Alliaria petiolata) herb
½ cup of olive oil
½ cup of toasted pine nuts
½ cup of Italian cheese (Parmesan, Romano etc.)
2-4 cloves of garlic (to taste)

Place all of the ingredients into a food processor, whirl it up and enjoy!

Scouting for Harvesting Locations

My husband and I went out looking for new harvesting locations for the upcoming season. Here are a few of the pictures we took on our hiking adventure.







Verbascum thapsus - Common mullein





Equisetum arvense - Common horsetail



Sumac - not sure which species though



Tussilago farfara - Coltsfoot flowers


Once again, all photography credit goes to my husband.

In good health,
Correne

Yarrow

HERBAL INFORMATION - Yarrow

Family: Asteraceae
Latin names: Achillea millefolium
Common names: Yarrow, Milfoil, Thousand leaf, Soldier’s Wound-Wort, Nosebleed plant
Parts Used: Flowers and leaves; essential oil
Constituents: Volatile oil (α- and β-pinene, borneol, bornyl acetate, camphor, α-caryophyllene, 1,8, cineole); sesquiterpene lactones (achillicin, achillin, achillifolin, millifin, millifolide); tannins, flavonoids (apigenin, luteolin, isorhamnetin, rutin); alkaloids (betonicine, stachydrine, achiceine, moschatine, trigonelline and others); phenolic acids (caffeic, salicylic); coumarins (1)

Description
Yarrow is a hardy flowering plant from the Aster family native to the Northern Hemisphere. Producing one to several stems, yarrow’s alternate leaves are largest near the bottom and middle of the stem. The flowers are arranged in flat top clusters with colours that range from light pink to white. There are approximately 31 species of yarrow. The information in this post pertains to Achillea millefolium specifically.

Yarrow has been used throughout history, mostly due to its astringent properties. Yarrow’s name (Achillea) is attributed to Greek legend about Achilles who was said to have used the plant to heal soldier’s wounds during the Trojan Wars. The use of yarrow in wartimes in is reflected in one of its common names – Soldier’s Wound-Wort.

Yarrow stalks have traditionally been used in many forms of divination. In the Chinese I Ching, an oracle would toss and then read yarrow sticks of varying lengths. It was said that Druids used yarrow stems as a method of weather prediction.

Today yarrow is used by herbalists all around the world from varying traditions and backgrounds. Many of its uses in Western herbalism stem from its long-established applications in the Native traditions of both Canada and the United States.

Therapeutic Properties
Antiallergenic, antibacterial, anticatarrhal, anti-inflammatory, antispasmodic, antiulcerogenic, antiviral, aperient, appetite stimulant, astringent, bitter, carminiative, cholagogue, diaphoretic, diuretic, emmenagogue, febrifuge, hemostatic, hypoglycemic, hypotensive, stomachic, vascular tonic, vulnerary

Contraindications
Due to its emmenagogue properties it is not recommended in pregnancy and lactation. Use with caution if you are taking oral contraceptives or any heart or blood pressure medications. Some cases of hypersensitivity to yarrow have been reported.(1)

Medicinal Uses

Epithelial
• Topical conditions (cuts, bites, scrapes, stings, burns, infected wounds)
• Deeper tissues injuries (bruises, sprains, strains)

Vascular Conditions
• Spider veins, varicose veins, haemorrhoids, arteriosclerosis, nose bleeds, hypertension

Digestive System
• Poor appetite, indigestion, cramps, spasms, anorexia, gas, bloating, ulcers
• Inflammatory conditions (colitis, diverticulitis etc.)

Respiratory System
• Upper respiratory conditions (sinus infections, cold, hay fever, flu, fevers)
• Useful in childhood fevers however its taste is a deterrent to its use

Liver and Gall Bladder
• Congestion, inflammation, acute hepatitis

Female Reproductive System
• Amenorrhea and menorrhagia

Urinary System
• Cystitis, nephritis

Essential Oil

Topical Uses
• Hair care, hemorrhoids, scars, stretch marks, varicose veins

Physical conditions
• Indigestion, insomnia, menstrual cramps, migraines

References:
AromaWeb - http://www.aromaweb.com
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

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

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