|
Post by garrett on Aug 16, 2011 1:02:00 GMT -5
always been curious about old school remidies vs western medicine.herbals,plasters,casts ect.....any thoughts advice? growing/harvesting herbals or home tx's? what individual herbs do?how they work? i thinkthis is specialized enough apart from gardening to warrant a seperate board?
|
|
|
Post by paintedgoat on Aug 16, 2011 6:40:45 GMT -5
If you have specific questions, those are easier to answer. I've been using various herbs for awhile, but I also use homeopathy which is completely different. youtube is a great place to check out some videos on herbs. Look for well respected names in the herbal field for the best info. I can not and will not vouch for everything on youtube
|
|
|
Post by garrett on Aug 16, 2011 9:07:13 GMT -5
If you have specific questions, those are easier to answer. I've been using various herbs for awhile, but I also use homeopathy which is completely different. youtube is a great place to check out some videos on herbs. Look for well respected names in the herbal field for the best info. I can not and will not vouch for everything on youtube thanks pg........smiles
|
|
|
Post by dogwoman on Aug 16, 2011 10:28:17 GMT -5
Herbs are powerful medicine. Many people buy jars of herbal rememdies without having done any research. This is not a good thing. Herbs can have contraindications, reasons why certain people should not use them. A particular herb may cause harm in relation to a particular condition. For instance, echinacea should not be used by people who have auto immune dysfunction, such as Rheumatoid Arthritis. The fine print on a jar of this herb, which states this caution, is so small that many people don't see it. Some herbs should not be taken in combination with certain drugs, usually because the herb will interfere with the efficacy of the drug. When doing herbal research, read at least three articles regarding the use of the herb. Some articles are poorly researched or poorly written, don't rely upon only one source of information.
|
|
|
Post by garrett on Aug 17, 2011 0:30:12 GMT -5
Herbs are powerful medicine. Many people buy jars of herbal rememdies without having done any research. This is not a good thing. Herbs can have contraindications, reasons why certain people should not use them. A particular herb may cause harm in relation to a particular condition. For instance, echinacea should not be used by people who have auto immune dysfunction, such as Rheumatoid Arthritis. The fine print on a jar of this herb, which states this caution, is so small that many people don't see it. Some herbs should not be taken in combination with certain drugs, usually because the herb will interfere with the efficacy of the drug. When doing herbal research, read at least three articles regarding the use of the herb. Some articles are poorly researched or poorly written, don't rely upon only one source of information. thanks ma.reccomendations for general well bieng herbs?
|
|
|
Post by paintedgoat on Aug 17, 2011 8:05:18 GMT -5
what are you refering to with "general well being"? Are you asking for tonic type herbs that just nourish the body? I can list some, but if I do you should promise me to read about each one first. Even herbs that are tonic in action may not be the right thing for everyone. Most herbs are best taken in tea or infusion form when being used as a tonic purpose (my opinion). When you start taking them as tinctures or capsules you are getting something you are likely more disconnected from. Perhaps the best place to start is your own yard. What herbal plants are growing there? What can you walk out, pick fresh, and use? I had a really wonderful time getting to know the plants right outside my door when I was on the farm. I had lovely red clover (good for women in particular), Beautiful Motherwort (good for heart and women issues), sassy chickweed, Dandelions, burdock root, plantain, catnip, pineapple weed (relative of chamomile), yellow dock, and a number of things I planted myself. I like to read many sources as was suggested above. Some have traditional wisdom, some modern understandings and precautions, and others lovely suggestions on how to use the herbs.
Learning herbs is something I continue to do on a regular basis. Even the ones I think I know surprise me with new info I may have missed somewhere down the line.
|
|
|
Post by dogwoman on Aug 17, 2011 11:38:08 GMT -5
The use of herbs as medicine is complicated. It is not to be taken lightly. There is no magic. Well-being is a process. It begins with good diet, exercise, mental discipline/control of one's mind. Herbs can be used as dietary supplements, such as flavoring foods with basil, oregano, or thyme. The herbs not only flavor the food, but they add vitamins and minerals. If one is trying to cure or prevent an illness, these herbs would be used differently. Basil has anti inflammatory qualities, oregano has antibiotic and anti-fungal properties, thyme has antiseptic properties. (FYI one of the major components of the original flavor Listerine mouthwash is thymol, oil of thyme, which kills bacteria.)
|
|
|
Post by garrett on Aug 17, 2011 11:38:30 GMT -5
always enjoy learning pg.........smiles
|
|
|
Post by sherylgallant on Aug 18, 2011 11:16:59 GMT -5
I have grown and used my own medicinal herbs for a long time now, always in tea form with some salves. The one I use the most: feverfew. It really does help with the migraines.
Please research all herbs yourself and even get some advice from an professional herbalist, especially if you are mixing them with each other or are on other medication and let your doctor know what you are taking. That said, I medicate myself and hubby constantly. We drink a lot of herb teas. I have herbs that are good for just about anything! I make my own tea mixes to ward off colds and treat aches and pains and teas for daily strengthening and health.
I have recently begun to grow purslane on a large scale. Its a great addition to the medicinal herb bed and so often overlooked! Ditto for stinging nettles and prunella vulgaris (Heal all) - both excellent for health and mostly treated as weeds.
I discovered meadowsweet this year and have the pink. Its the herb originally used to develop aspirin. It still has all the properties of aspirin without the stomach damage. In fact, it has been used to help ulcers. Definately worth researching and growing - hangs and dries easily.
I grow, harvest and dry: meadowsweet, purslane (frozen, not dried), dandelion, spinach, heal-all (prunella vulgaris), feverfew, evening primrose (O. bennis), cilantro (used in Europe as a milk sedative), thyme, oregano, burdock (mostly for burn salve), chamomile, comfrey (for animals and plants only), calendula, lemon balm, motherwort, st. john's wort, rosemary (for memory), echinecea, catnip, mint, choc mint. I harvest much of the evening primrose heal-all from my fields but grow some in the herb garden, as well. I have not bothered with the clover or plantain (plantago), although I have a lot of it growing in the fields. I am adding nettles to my herb collection this year. Getting seeds in the mail soon. Those will have their own raised and separate bed, as will the mint and choc mint and catnip, all of which are becoming invasive. I'm building raised beds for them now.
I'm actually building a 3 tire tall wall at the back of the garden to keep the wild fields out and planting the invasive herbs in the tires. That's the plan for now, anyway. Still in the tire collection stage, just building as I go.
I'm trying to dry purslane this year but don't believe it's going to be a good one for drying, unfortunately. I just don't have a lot of space in my freezer and have begun to dry everything. Spinach is awesome dried!
I love the freedom from cost worries that growing and using my own herbs gives us. Most herbal teas are quite easy to drink, the exception being feverfew. Nothing hides that extremely bitter taste but it works. If you've ever had bad migraines, you know that it doesn't matter one whit what it tastes like if it helps! I think it's a taste that one can get used to.
Wikipedia is a good source of basic herb information.
|
|
|
Post by garrett on Aug 18, 2011 11:19:58 GMT -5
niiiiiiiiiiiiiice post sheryl ya gotta always have more tires....smiles specially here....grins ever make herbal wines?
|
|
|
Post by Penny on Aug 18, 2011 11:24:23 GMT -5
Excellent post Sheryl.....karma to you.
|
|
|
Post by garrett on Aug 18, 2011 11:25:39 GMT -5
KARRRRRRRRRMAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA......SMILES!!!!!!!!!!!
|
|
|
Post by cottonpicker on Aug 21, 2011 9:27:19 GMT -5
I've been eating purslane for y e a r s....... also Poke weed (MUST BE PROPERLY PREPARED!!) & Lambsquarters. I make a nice tea from sasafrass bark or root ( tastes like root beer) and Staghorn Sumac flowers (like lemonade). Learned those from my grandmother & great grandmother. LarryD
|
|
|
Post by garrett on Aug 22, 2011 2:28:22 GMT -5
thanks cotton.
|
|
|
Post by Train on Aug 22, 2011 18:11:00 GMT -5
Ya Start at the big oak. 150 paces to the north. 75 paces to the east. 75 paces north to the pond. 62 backstrokes then climb up to beach. 75 steps north, 20 west 7 north. Didja got it? Train
|
|
|
Post by garrett on Aug 22, 2011 20:19:42 GMT -5
lol
|
|
|
Post by roziedozie on Sept 25, 2011 15:14:20 GMT -5
We've started drinking lots of organic, shade grown green tea; pitchers and pitchers of it with ice and a bit of local honey. Honestly, I feel so "clean" and energized and "pure". I'd love to know more about natural rememdies, although my health is excellent for an old woman. I don't take any medications at all, just an occasional aspirin for muscle pain if I work too hard in the garden. Hubs has CLL, a chronic form of leukemia. I've flooded his diet with organic foods that are high in anti-oxidants and he's doing well. The doctor keeps saying he can't believe how healthy he is in spite of the blood cancer. Wish I knew more about herbs for him, but I don't know if he'd take them. I do manage to sneak in some extra vitamin c and fish oil (doc says those are fine with his medications) into his smoothies but he may balk at other things. Any suggestions for herbs that might help? CLL is an auto-immune disease.
|
|
|
Post by dogwoman on Sept 25, 2011 15:40:32 GMT -5
Never use echinacea for your hubs, Rozie. It is contraindicated for people who have autoimmune dysfunction.
Selenium is a trace mineral which is necessary for proper immune function. Adults need 55 micrograms per day. It is an antioxidant, promotes healthy white blood cells, and it helps to regulate irregular heart beat. I started taking it a few years ago because I had frequent episodes of racing heart beat. Supposedly in proper dosage there is no side effect for women, however, it is supposed to have a side effect in men of increased libido!
|
|
|
Post by roziedozie on Sept 25, 2011 18:49:12 GMT -5
Selenium is in our future! ;D Thanks for the advice, Dogwoman. I'll try and get some this week when I go to "town". Wonder if I can add it to the smoothies? He will drink anything I put in there. He has a smoothie every morning made with fruit, yogurt, bran cereal and raw milk plus his vitamin c and fish oil. I'm hoping the raw milk will help, too. Raw milk is still allowed here at certified dairies and I buy it from one that is near us. It tastes so different from the "cooked" milk in the store. This dairy is very clean and their cows are gorgeous. Sometimes I wonder if it's risky but, then, everything you eat has risk. What do you think? Is the raw milk a good idea?
|
|
|
Post by w8n4dave on Oct 12, 2011 23:57:58 GMT -5
So ok .. I hate to say this .... I have "Oral Lichen Planus" I have had it for a couple of years now. Also I have had a rash on my arm , I assumed it was from mowing in between the pine trees, Well seems thats a form of lichen planus also... They usually give steriods I believe, is there anything I can rub on it for the itching on my arm??? It is an auto immune thing.
|
|
|
Post by kay on Oct 16, 2011 12:52:09 GMT -5
Witch hazel, aloe vera, chamomile and oatmeal are used for itches. Hope one of them may help!
|
|
|
Post by indiancreek on Dec 27, 2011 18:37:19 GMT -5
Roziedozie--- The raw milk thing it one of the greatest mysteries to me. I grew up on and now live on my grandpas dairy. Grew up drinking raw milk. (i have a serious milk addiction) When he retired all those years ago, I had a melt down that lasted 2 years. I just didnt know how to handle store bought milk, or the fact that there wasnt an endless supply just outside. My husband could never aquire a taste or drink the stuff. Well no of us ever had a single problem drinking grandpas milk. So why is it like so hard to get or buy milk from a farmer? Around here it is like serious taboo, like jail time and stuff. So they wont even chance it. Cant blame them. So I want my own cow.!. Hubby is not liking the idea at all. But I never got over missing my raw milk. I seemed to enjoy better health when drinking that. I am very interested in what others have to offer on the subject. That and the whole herb natural home remedy thing. Thankyou posters.
|
|
|
Post by garrett on Dec 29, 2011 1:51:29 GMT -5
i wish i had more to contribute here.i agree its an amazing topic....smiles
|
|
|
Post by herbalbetty on Dec 31, 2011 7:36:05 GMT -5
Ah, herbs! :-) I grow around 300 or so. But, then, I count dandelions, chickweed and nettles as herbs. (Because they are!!) There are tons of herb books out there. I have a lot of them. I have also finished David Winston's 2-year Herbal Therapeutics course. Also did Dr. LowDog's Herbal course. As well as bunches of herb conferences. And have been growing and using herbs on my own since I was a teen. Please don't do the math on that one! A book you might enjoy is "Backyard Medicine" by Julie Bruton-Seal and Matthew Seal. It is user-friendly, intelligent, down-to-earth and has great pictures.
|
|
|
Post by bella18 on Jan 14, 2012 19:23:40 GMT -5
I grow cayenne pepper, dry it and grind it to sprinkle on all kinds of foods. Also, just take 1/4 tsp. or more occasiionally, for a little boost of energy. Good in a tincture, too.
Dr John Christopher, the herbalist, called it the perfect heart food, and used it for that and many other ailments.
|
|
|
Post by bella18 on Jan 15, 2012 1:51:36 GMT -5
dogwoman & others; what do you think about comfrey for internal use?? I have heard that it is ok to use, and also others warn that it can cause cancer. Not sure who to believe on that.
I would like to make a salve from the plant I have, but think you need a carrier oil, does anyone make salves or balms??
|
|
|
Post by colojd on Feb 13, 2012 15:30:19 GMT -5
One of our favorite remedies is Elderberry extract, often sold under the name "Sambucol". Has antiviral properties and works great to knock out viral colds or flu. There was a lot of talk about it and then all of the sudden the grocery store drug section and even some drugstores stopped carrying it - might have put a crimp in their prescription drug sales.
Another one to try is the spice Tumeric. Has been used for centuries in cooking like curries and recent studies found that it helps reduce aches and pains from inflammation like arthritis as good or better than prescriptions and you need only a little a day, about 1/4 tsp. I tried it and does seem to work!
I grew Borage last year, was such a nice plant and pretty blue flowers. Never got around to using it but it was very attractive. If anyone has used it would like to hear about it.
|
|
|
Post by bluelacedredhead on Feb 13, 2012 16:15:27 GMT -5
I'm reading Lifesaving Cures; How to use the latest and most powerful cures for the 21st century by Dr. Cass Ingram.
It's about treating conditions with Essential Oils. Quite interesting.
|
|
|
Post by bluelacedredhead on Feb 13, 2012 16:17:27 GMT -5
I grew Borage last year, was such a nice plant and pretty blue flowers. Never got around to using it but it was very attractive. If anyone has used it would like to hear about it. The only thing I've used borage for is as a culinary garnish in drinks. I use an herbal tea with elderberries and holy basil when colds or flu systems begin. I'm not fond of the taste of it, but it does work!
|
|
|
Post by colojd on Feb 20, 2012 14:43:41 GMT -5
One thing with Elderberries is that it can have a laxative effect so you have to be careful about keeping the dosage to just what you need! Haven't tried doing anything with the borage yet, it was pretty though. I did read that because the flowers are edible and sky blue, that some candy and cake companies like to candy them to use as cake decorations.
That book about lifesaving cures sounds really great. I can recommend "How your mind can heal your body" by Dr. David Hamilton, and just heard about another one - need to find the name of that book and author but same idea. Lots of talk about natural and mind/body connection, and its probably a good thing, we might all become healthier and less dependent on prescriptions.
|
|