Have you ever used Aloe Vera Gel on a sunburn, or
drank Peppermint Tea for a stomachache? If so then you have practiced
herbal medicine! Our herbal, plant friends have been helping us for
centuries. There is nothing “new age” about herbs. Among the earliest
compilations of herbal information is from both China and the Sumerians, dating
back to 2700 BC. The list of herbal history continues with the Egyptians,
Greeks, Romans, Europeans, and Native American Indians…in fact every
civilization on the planet has had a healing relationship with the plants the people
found in their home environment.
You might think of herbs as our natural helper in
healing. Just like vegetables, herbs are food, and they are
packed with nutrients, and other components that promote healing and wellness.
Illness and its symptoms are a result of our body
having lost its homeostasis or equilibrium. Conditions such as stress,
toxins, inappropriate diet, poor sanitation, etc. contribute to weakening
immunity, making us susceptible to illness. Herbs are foods that help to
correct the imbalance by aiding the body’s systems. The noticeable results
when taking herbs do vary. Some people
see results quickly, others may need to stay consistent for longer. Long term benefits take commitment.
As Michael Tierra outlines in his book
"The Way of Herbs", traditional herbal preparations are divided
into eight methods of therapy that can be chosen, depending on what the
desired effect is for the body. Often these methods are combined for
effective treatments for what ails us.
1.
Stimulation 2. Tranqualization 3. Blood Purification
4.
Tonification 5. Diuresis 6. Sweating 7. Emesis 8. Purging
Although the study of herbal medicine is quite
involved and many traditions vary in how they approach healing the body, anyone
can incorporate herbs into their lives. One simple way to do this is by
cooking with more herbs, fresh or dry. For example ginger is one of the
most versatile herbal stimulants, and can be taken as a tea, capsule or eaten
in food. It improves digestion, treats colds, and decreases muscle pain (when
applies externally).
When wanting to utilize herbs as medicine,
capsules, tinctures, decoctions or strong teas taken daily is the usual
protocol; liniments, oils, poultices are used on the skin for absorption.
One truly wonderful quality about herbs is that
they work on the body as a whole and are good for us on many levels of healing.
Marjoram for example is an antispasmodic, diaphoretic, carminative, tonic,
expectorant, stimulant and emmenagogue. It’s
even useful for seasickness.
There are wonderful and soothing herbs people
enjoy using for emotional upsets that can cause sleeplessness, anxiety, or
depression. Hops, Chamomile, Valerian,
Lemon Balm, Kava Kava and St. John’s Wort are a few to look into if you are
suffering from these conditions.
There are some points to consider when using
herbs. Pregnant women should use caution and do their homework when using
certain herbs, especially the ones called emmenagogues and those promoting
uterine contractions. Also, negative reviews by the FDA regarding
the use of certain herbs exist. These judgments were based on the
presence of a toxic substance that was extracted from the plant and then
administered in large quantities to laboratory animals. The problem with
the findings, according to many herbalists, is that this is not an example of
how herbal medicine is practiced. Herbs are ingested as a whole; either
the roots, the leaves, flowers, seeds or the entire plant is used; as a whole chemical composition, the herbs
have a different reaction on the body. Also, herbs should be ingested
with awareness and moderation rather than extreme excess.
Tierra, Michael "The Way of Herbs"
The world of herbs is such a useful and vital
resource for our healing. They provide us with a sense of power over our
own healing process and can work in conjunction with western medicine.
Herbal medicine is a beautiful and powerful way to health. With a bit of
research and self-education and some creative thinking, anyone can incorporate
herbs into their life and reap the rewards.
If you would like to learn more about how
herbalism can help you, call or email Tanya for an appointment. tanya@newlevelcounseling.com/404-702-8474
For more information regarding Tanya’s counseling
practice visit her website; newlevelcounseling.com
Resources: Rosemary Gladstar's Family Herbal: A
Guide to Living Life with Energy, Health and Vitality; Rosemary Gladstar
Healing Spices: How to Use 50 Everyday and Exotic
Spices to Boost health and Beat Disease; Bharat Aggarwal and Debora Yost.
Going Natural with Herbs, Integrating herbs into
everyday use; Maureen Kernion, M.S.