My new(ish) obsession is herbal remedies. I read about them day and night. I just finished a wonderful book (in my sidebar) by James Green about making herbal medicines, salves, teas, oils, suppositories (!) you name it. I just ordered some organic medicinal seeds and some books to learn how to grow them.
I'm putting myself on a 1 year herbal challenge. No "conventional" medicines, just herbs, to treat whatever ails me. Unless I get really sick or in an accident or something; western medicine can be pretty damn heroic.
But for the day to day human aches, cramps, rashes, mood or sleep regulation, hormonal balancing, stomach upset, etc. I'm going green. Plants are so amazing - and the complex, whole plant is usually more effective than an isolated compound which is chemically extracted and processed. For example, white willow bark has been used for thousands of years to cure headaches, pain, fever and inflammation. Willow bark has salicylic acid in it (a key component of aspirin.) However, while aspirin pills can irritate your stomach, willow bark has built-in stomach soothers of tannins and mucilage. Elegant.
I'm enrolled and studying herbology via an online course.
What I will be making in the near future: hair tonic, love potion, wound healing balm, PMS reliever, mood lifter and maybe a tonic to help with nerve problems.
I consider myself pretty balanced between my right and left brains, intuitive and open-minded, while analytical. I will track the results as compared to synthetic medicines/treatments and report. If anyone wants to be a guinea pig (for non life-threatening ailments) please let me know as for my course I'm supposed to concoct some remedies for people and keep track.
I have a friend who believes in herbal substitutes and her family uses them daily. It is amazing how healthy they are, getting very few colds and what not. It has even help with her sons Autisim to the point that I would have never know that he had it if she did not tell me.
I will be looking forward to hearing more about your remedies.
Posted by: skydancer069 | September 07, 2006 at 01:27 PM
Very cool Jayne! I've been messing with essential oils for years. (which I realize are different from what you are speaking of here -- but similar) For wounds, headaches, upset stomach, stuffy noses, etc -- the most frequently used are lavender, eucalyptus, tea tree, and peppermint. I even clean with some, as they are antibacterial, anti fungal. Nature does provide. I'll be reading to see what you learn!
Posted by: wendy | September 07, 2006 at 04:27 PM
sign me up as guinea pig number one. Actually, next May I plan on taking the medicinal herbs and plants course at Boulder Outdoor Survival School in May. It's offered at their Slickrock Gathering. You can camp or stay at a local motel/lodge. pretty cool. I'm serious, though, sign me up!
Posted by: caroline | September 07, 2006 at 07:27 PM
I can't remember what it was...but when I had sore knees my friend gave some herbal stuff to rub on them. Man...did it ever work! Very soothing!
Posted by: Mark | September 07, 2006 at 08:42 PM
Ooh! I want to be a guinea pig. Wee-wee-weep!
We'll talk
~S
Posted by: Shephard | September 07, 2006 at 09:28 PM
I am volunteering to be a guinea pig if you will have me. Currently I am taking a multivitamin, calicum with magnesium and vitamin D every day. Occasionally I drink coffee but normally I drink only purified water, decaffinated green tea and cranberry juice. When I have trouble sleeping I drink lemon balm tea or cammomile tea. My diet is primarily lacto vegetarian with small amounts of meat usually chicken, salmon, cod or tuna. I exercise 3 times weekly (aerobics) and I walk for an hour every day. I suffer from fibromyalgia and osteo arthiritis. I consult a herbologist/homeopath for treatment after I receive a medical diagnosis of any kind and have maintained this pattern for the past 29 years.
Posted by: coyote aka timethief | September 08, 2006 at 12:23 PM
One of the things I LOVE about my new doctor is that he views medicines as a last resort. This is very refreshing, considering the fact that my old doc was... well... old. He thought every female ailment was rooted in depression and could be cured with Lexipro.
That being said, I have horribly itchy inner ears. My new doc wants me to rub olive oil in them, but that sounds gross. So if you want me to be your test subject, I'd be more than happy to try a natural remedy that doesn't make me crave pasta.
Posted by: Robin | September 08, 2006 at 03:59 PM
love potion?
um....you ship in plain brown paper wrappers?
Posted by: Edge | September 09, 2006 at 05:30 AM
That is awesome!
Even though I work in the "traditional" medical field, I totally believe in holistic therapies. It will be interesting to read about your potions and how they work for you!
Posted by: Laurie | September 09, 2006 at 11:05 AM
Skydancer: Thanks for your interest! I have heard about amazing herbal support for autistic children, it is always nice to have more anecdotal evidence.
Wendy: Essential oils are definitely within the realm of herbal remedies. The James Green herbal medicine maker book describes how to make essential oils and hydrosols, too cool. I also use them in laundry, cleaning, room and car freshening, wound cleaning, etc.
Caroline: Oh my god. That sounds so fun! I will look into that (you don't have to kill a sheep or anything, right? Just herb gathering?) Thanks for being a volunteer : ) I posted some guidelines.
Mark: I can't wait to try out some herbal balms and salves (so easy to make!!) Let me know if you find out what was in yours. Arnica?
Shephard: I can't wait!
Coyote: Wow, you sound like you are maintaining a very healthy lifestyle! So you are looking for herbs that have been successful for fibromyalgia and osteo arthiritis? If you e-mail me and let me know what you've tried, what your dosha is, etc. I can see what I can do . . .
Robin: Oh, God. I was on Lexapro for a few months UNTIL MY HAIR STARTED FALLING OUT IN CLUMPS!!! Grrr. One of the reasons I stopped taking all medications, fucking pharma fucking corporations. I was fatigued and blue, but the cause was my lifestyle (in my case) and food allergies. Olive oil - I know what you mean. I was in Sri Lanka several years ago and I went with my mom to a beauty salon for a haircut. Then they poured olive oil all over my hair and scalp. I thought "gross!!" but then when it was washed out, my hair never felt silkier.
You know, once you get over the initial impression of olive oil as "food" it can be a wonderful substance. Take a drop and put it on your lips to moisten them, like lip balm. Then use what's left as a cuticle oil, works wonders. Can even be used for other lubrication, in a pinch (shit, this isn't a "family blog," is it?) just not with condoms as any oil-based lubricant will break down latex.
Where was I? Oh, if you are still grossed out by olive oil in the ear (much less anywhere else ; )) you can use sweet almond or jojoba oil. I can make a soothing herbally infused oil with vitamin E for you (just be sure to tell me whether they suspect any fungus, yeast, etc. or whether it is just dry ears.)
Edge: Hahaha - the love potion I was referring to included herbs to INCREASE libido and sexual excitement. I don't think I could in good conscience make such a thing for you. The whole state of Indiana might explode. But there is a great Ayurvedic herb, Ashwagandha, that is great for stress balancing and sexual enhancement for both sexes, without overdoing it. I am making a tincture of this currently. (For a friend.)
Laurie: Thanks! I think traditional and "alternative" (which is which depends on your perspective, I suppose) can complement each other quite well.
Posted by: Jayne | September 10, 2006 at 08:49 AM
Do you have anything for IBS? It's gotten better since I quit caffeine, but my nerves still get to me sometimes.
Posted by: Todd Elliott | September 18, 2006 at 02:19 PM
I was just diagnosed with severe osteoarthiritis and wondered if there were any herbal rememdies you would recommend that have worked for others? Meade
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