Herbal medicines are as old as the world itself and in the beginning of human history, they were the only means of restoring good health. Records relating to the use of plants as medicine date back to the Sumerians around 5,000 years ago, and archaeological studies show the use of herbal medicine from 8,000 years ago in China and 60,000 years in Iraq. Since the rise of western medicine, herbal medicine has been put under the spotlight and its validity strongly contested, notwithstanding such a long history of valuable use.
Before to the era of synthetic drugs and the use of modern chemicals, each culture had extensive knowledge of the plants and herbs in their locality and were able to put them to good use to heal their sick. Chinese records from around 3,000 B.C. lists around 1,000 herbal remedies and ancient Egypt used many of the herbs that we use today including cloves, mint and garlic. Ancient Greece developed their own tradition of medicinal herbalism. The earliest European writer on plants compiled his works in the 4th century B.C. The Romans first brought Herbal Medicine to Britain around 43 B.C. The use of plant medicines declined in the Dark Ages but later revived with the growth of religious orders. The monasteries became centres of medical information, similar to universities in today’s world, and practical knowledge of herbs developed with the fostering of herb gardens.
Herbal Medicine was popularised in the United States when the first health food store was opened in 1896. Today herbalism is an important part of holistic healing and its medicinal values have been organised in a wide variety of books and journals that can be found in any library. A high percentage of today’s pharmaceutical products are derived from or are synthetic replicas of plant substances.
In the 20th century, when it became evident that many modern medicines have undesirable side-effects there began a renewed interest in herbal medicine and natural healing methods. In her book “Dorothy Hall’s Herbal Medicine,” Dorothy says “man can only copy imperfectly what nature produces perfectly.” Quotes from Australian Sourcebook of Natural Health.
Herbal Medicine
Herbal medicine is concentrated nutrition, that is, fresh or dried plant material made into a form where the nutrients in the plant are put straight into the bloodstream part of assimilation instead of consumed with food to pass through the digestive system to be assimilated. When the remedy is added to a small amount of water and taken on an empty stomach, direct absorption takes place through the linings of the stomach, blood vessels and absorption centres, such as under the tongue. Apart from the increased speed of absorption, full benefit of the remedy can be achieved, which is particularly good news for anyone who suffers with poor digestive health.
Each plant carries a particular energy signature known as vibratory frequency which can be physical, chemical or other growth energy. Dispensing herbal medicine, like all medicine, requires specific knowledge of the plant, the ailment being treated and the person receiving the treatment, along with other finer details. When I hear someone say “it’s natural so it’s safe,” I hasten to help them understand that not all of nature is beautiful and kind. Some plant products are excellent when applied topically but poisonous when taken internally, and others are better off left alone, for example, deadly nightshade or oleander.
Herbalist – Specialist in the Use of Herbs for Healing
A herbalist is a healer who uses the absolute best time tested products that nature has to offer to assist people in their healing process. Throughout history, herbalists have been subjected to a lot of bad press but we’d all like to think the world has come a long way since those days. However, considering the current level of enlightenment that’s available to mankind, there is still a lot of misinformation about who herbalists really are and what they do.
A herbalist is a specialist in the use of herbs for healing. It takes years of careful study to become qualified to practice, followed by a lifetime dedicated to learning. Herbalists are highly trained to treat the whole person, not the symptoms alone. Most herbalists use Iridology as a diagnostic tool to give accuracy to the prescription, so when you’re looking for a practitioner, Iridology is a “must-have” skill. This is important because of the level of accuracy and safety it provides you. Iridology,(which uses the coloured part of the eye to gain accurate information from the body) ensures that your treatment is specific to your personal needs and not given according to a set of symptoms or a written protocol.
The Herbal Consultation
Most herbal consultations take 90 minutes. This allows time to gain full understanding of your health concerns and related issues and not to rush your Iris Diagnosis. This is the most crucial part of the consultation because the Iris is where the actual cause(s) of your suffering is revealed. All of this is important because it gives the information necessary to make the most appropriate prescription that will provide your body with the support and repair it needs at the origin. The prescription is usually made on the spot and the dosage and other important information is written clearly on the label. Remedies are generally taken for 12 weeks. That’s the length of a blood cycle or how long it takes your blood to completely change, which is how the healing is promoted. The first remedy is taken for 6 weeks then we review your progress in a second consultation and update the next remedy to remove the remaining symptoms.
Healing with Herbal Remedies
There is a naturopathic law that all natural therapists live by that says “a small amount of a particular substance will have a predictable effect on a predictable part of the body, while too much of the same substance will have the opposite effect on the same part of the body.”
My best advice to anyone interested in achieving long-term healing with herbal remedies is to seek professional advice in consultation with a qualified herbalist who is highly trained in dispensing the exact remedy specific to your needs. It’s vital that you understand the importance of this. Herbal remedies are very powerful and must be prescribed carefully, taken at the right dosage and for the optimal length of time. Getting the remedy right for you depends on the herbalist’s ability to gather all relevant information, including the causes and the affected parts of your body. The concentrated nutrition of herbal remedies restores your organs and body systems to the delicate balance between function and demand, thus returning you to optimal health and vitality.
Herbal remedies can be made from fresh or dried plant material including the seeds, fruit, stems, leaves, roots, and sometimes even the whole plant.They’re are taken for the period of time your body requires to complete the work of healing, that’s usually 3 times daily over a period of 3 months. That’s the length of the blood cycle, the time it takes to change the condition of your blood. It’s important to be committed to taking all remedies as prescribed, particularly if you suffer from long-term or chronic conditions. This approach is going to promote real healing, but it’s not a “quick-fix” solution.
It is wise to avoid self-diagnosing, self-medicating, Dr Google and over-the-counter medications and supplements because there is no One-Size-Fits-All when it comes to restoring your nutritional balance and healing your body. The right supplements might make you feel better while you’re taking them, but because healing is dose-sensitive and supplements are generally not designed to promote healing, you’re not actually improving your overall health by taking them. However, the wrong supplement can upset your nutritional balance and cause you more trouble than you had to begin with.
Common Ailments & Herbal Remedies
“Let food be thy medicine and medicine be thy food” takes us back thousands of years to Hippocrates, the father of medicine. This quote still carries the all-important message that, when heeded, gives us power over much of the suffering that we experience because of today’s modern lifestyle choices.
Following is a list of some common ailments, herbal remedies and foods that, when used consistently in a healthy diet and lifestyle, can help you to maintain your inner wellness as well as your strength and vitality.
However, I must mention here that while some herbs are household items and can be used freely without concern, others are for practitioner use only and require careful professional judgement to prescribe. Self-diagnosis and prescribing is not recommended.
Apple Cider Vinegar– Diluted- improves satiety after eating, aids digestion, may assist in weight loss and lowering blood sugar levels, eradicating free radicals and wart removal, relieve minor sunburn, soothe stings
Warning:Never consume apple cider vinegar undiluted as it softens tooth enamel and strips the linings of everything it touches, including your throat and digestive tract.
Acne – Alfalfa,Lemon, Dandelion, Echinacea, Evening Primrose Oil, Watercress & Parsley
Asthma – Fennel, Thyme, Echinacea, Liquorice, Ginger, Garlic, Fenugreek, Horseradish, Ginger
Alzheimer’s Disease – Garlic, Passionflower, Evening Primrose Oil, Antioxidants, Potassium Phosphate 6x, Magnesium Phosphate 6x
Appetite (Excessive) Chamomile tea, B Complex Vitamins, Minerals Chromium & Zinc, Essential Amino Acids
Appetite (Loss of) Golden Seal, Dandelion, Swedish Bitters, Alfalfa, Fenugreek
Vitamin B1, B Complex, B 6, B 12, Zinc, Iron, Royal Jelly, Brewer’s Yeast
Bad breath – Fenugreek, Dandelion, Watercress, Parsley, Alfalfa, Peppermint
Bites & Stings – Lemon, Garlic, Baking Soda, Teatree Oil (topically) Willow Bark, Golden Seal, Yellow Dock, Echinacea
Conjunctivitis – Eyebright, Bilberry, Golden Seal,Chamomile tea (also used as an eyewash)
Coeliac Disease – (No Gluten) Digestive Enzymes, Alfalfa, Dandelion, Peppermint tea, Fenugreek,
Constipation – Liquorice, Senna, Slippery Elm Bark, Swedish bitters, Alfalfa, Aloe Vera, Dandelion, Psyllium seeds or Guar Gum
Cough – Garlic, Horseradish & Fenugreek, Chamomile, Ginger, Peppermint, Thyme
Eczema – Dandelion, Echinacea, Milk Thistle, Chickweed (External), Evening Primrose Oil, Borage Oil,
Fluid retention (mild) – Watercress, Parsley, Celery, Dandelion, Alfalfa, Equisetum
Glandular Fever – Echinacea, Garlic, Vitamin C, Immune System Support
Gout – Celery, Dandelion, Alfalfa, Watercress & Parsley, Cranberry, Bilberry
Haemorrhoids – Bilberry, Slippery Elm, Herbs to improve blood circulation
Headache – Chamomile, Lavender oil on temples
Immune System – Echinacea, Garlic, Parsley, Rosehips, Green Tea, Vitamin C, Iron, Zinc
Liver – Lemon, Alfalfa, Dandelion, St Mary’s Thistle, Garlic, Green tea
Menstruation – Chamomile
Motion Sickness (sea, air, car) Try a sachet of Salt in the navel held in place with tape or bandaid. This is a seriously good, tried-and-tested Japanese remedy for any kind of motion sickness.
Nausea – Caraway, Chamomile, Cloves, Lemon Balm, Peppermint
Rheumatism – Celery Seed, Rosemary (externally)
Sore Throat – Vitamin C, Warm water with honey & lemon, Salt water gargle, Thyme tea, Drink water, Green Tea, Pineapple, Sage tea, Warm shower, Rest, Fresh air
Sprains – Arnica, Comfrey poultice, Chamomile, Calcium, Magnesium, Potassium, Iron, Amino Acid Complex
Toxicity – Lemon water, Garlic, Dandelion, Echinacea, Milk Thistle, Green Tea, Kelp, Spirulina, Chlorophyll
Ulcers (Stomach) – Slippery Elm Bark,Chamomile, Peppermint, Liquorice
Vomiting – Chamomile, Lemon balm, Peppermint, fresh Ginger root or ginger tea, Fennel seeds, Cloves
Wounds – Echinacea, Garlic, Evening Primrose Oil, Comfrey poultice
Wrinkles – Watercress & Parsley, Evening Primrose Oil, Flax seed Oil, Protein Supplement,Multi Mineral Complex, Zinc, Vitamin A, B, C & E
Yeast Infection (Candida Albicans) – Garlic, Echinacea, Vitamins: A, B Complex, B3, B5, B6, C (frequent large doses), E, Lactobacillus, Acidophilus & Bifidus bacteria, Digestive Enzymes, Evening Primrose Oil, Iron, Zinc, Chromium
The Four Thieves
There are many versions of tale of “the four thieves cold remedy.” Some say it dates back to 1281, others say 1413, the time of the Bubonic Plague, or Black Death in France. One story tells that the thieves were caught and charged with stealing from the sick and dying. They never got sick, and attributed their good fortune to the use of the original version of this recipe because of its high antimicrobial properties. Another version of the story reports the thieves already charged and their punishment was to bury the dead, and that’s when they made the remedy to protect themselves.
“Four Thieves Remedy”
1 tablespoon each dried lavender, rosemary, sage and peppermint (or ¼ cup each fresh)
2 teaspoons dried wormwood (not to be used during pregnancy)
2-3 bay leaves
1 teaspoon garlic granules or 4 fresh cloves, chopped
1 teaspoon ground cloves
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
2 cups cider vinegar
Put all the dry ingredients into a jar and fill with the cider vinegar. Cover tightly and leave in a warm place for 3-4 weeks. Strain off the liquid through a sieve lined with kitchen paper or a coffee filter, into a clean jug, then pour into a sterilised bottle and seal.
Dosage: Take 10 drops in water, 3 times daily until cold symptoms disappear.
Warning: Do not take internally if pregnant as wormwood and sage can cause miscarriage.
Contact Margaret at Blueprint Natural Health on 0414 463 417 to make an appointment