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Old 10-10-2008, 02:43 PM   #1
Carol
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Default Herbalism

Herbalism

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Herbalism is a traditional medicinal or folk medicine practice based on the use of plants and plant extracts. Herbalism is also known as botanical medicine, medicinal botany[1], medical herbalism, herbal medicine, herbology, botanical medicine and phytotherapy. Sometimes the scope of herbal medicine is extended to include fungi and bee products, as well as minerals, shells and certain animal parts.

Many plants synthesize substances that are useful to the maintenance of health in humans and other animals. These include aromatic substances, most of which are phenols or their oxygen-substituted derivatives such as tannins. Many are secondary metabolites, of which at least 12,000 have been isolated — a number estimated to be less than 10% of the total. In many cases, these substances (particularly the alkaloids) serve as plant defense mechanisms against predation by microorganisms, insects, and herbivores. Many of the herbs and spices used by humans to season food yield useful medicinal compounds. [2][3]

Role of herbal medicine in human society
People on all continents have used hundreds to thousands of indigenous plants for treatment of ailments since prehistoric times. There is evidence from the Shanidar Cave in Iraq that suggests Neanderthals living 60,000 years ago used medicinal plants. A body that was unearthed there had been buried with eight species of plants which are still widely used in ethnomedicine around the world.[5]

The first generally accepted use of plants as healing agents was depicted in the cave paintings discovered in the Lascaux caves in France, which have been radiocarbon-dated to between 13,000 - 25,000 BCE. Medicinal herbs were found in the personal effects of an "Ice man," whose body was frozen in the Swiss Alps for more than 5,300 years, which appear to have been used to treat the parasites found in his intestines.[6]

Anthropologists theorize that over time, and with insight, instinct, and trial-and-error, a base of knowledge would have been acquired within early tribal communities. As this knowledge base expanded over the generations, the specialized role of the herbalist emerged. The process would likely have occurred in varying manners within a wide diversity of cultures.

Indigenous healers often claim to have learned by observing that sick animals change their food preferences to nibble at bitter herbs they would normally reject. Field biologists have provided corroborating evidence based on observation of diverse species, such as chimpanzees, chickens, sheep and butterflies. Lowland gorillas take 90% of their diet from the fruits of Aframomum melegueta, a relative of the ginger plant, that is a potent antimicrobial and apparently keeps shigellosis and similar infections at bay.[7] Researchers from Ohio Wesleyan University found that some birds select nesting material rich in antimicrobial agents which protect their young from harmful bacteria[8]. Sick animals tend to forage plants rich in secondary metabolites, such as tannins and alkaloids. Since these phytochemicals often have antiviral, antibacterial, antifungal and antihelminthic properties, a plausible case can be made for self-medication by animals in the wild.[7]

Some animals have digestive systems especially adapted to cope with certain plant toxins. For example, the koala can live on the leaves and shoots of the eucalyptus, a plant that is dangerous to most animals. A plant that is harmless to a particular animal may not be safe for humans to ingest. A reasonable conjecture is that these discoveries were traditionally collected by the medicine people of indigenous tribes, who then passed on safety information and cautions.

The herbal medicine system, based on Greek and Roman sources

The Ayurvedic medicine system from India

Chinese herbal medicine (Chinese herbology)

Unani-Tibb medicine

Shamanic Herbalism

Many of the pharmaceuticals currently available to physicians have a long history of use as herbal remedies, including opium, aspirin, digitalis, and quinine. The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that 80 percent of the world's population presently uses herbal medicine for some aspect of primary health care. Herbal medicine is a major component in all traditional medicine systems, and a common element in Ayurvedic, homeopathic, naturopathic, traditional Chinese medicine, and Native American medicine. According to the WHO, 74% of 119 modern plant-derived pharmaceutical medicines are used in ways that are similar to their traditional uses. Major pharmaceutical companies are currently conducting extensive research on plant materials gathered from the rainforests and other places for possible new pharmaceuticals.[9]

Three quarters of plants that provide active ingredients for prescription drugs came to the attention of researchers because of their use in traditional medicine.
Among the 120 active compounds currently isolated from the higher plants and widely used in modern medicine today, 75 percent show a positive correlation between their modern therapeutic use and the traditional use of the plants from which they are derived.
More than two thirds of the world's plant species - at least 35,000 of which are estimated to have medicinal value - come from the developing countries.
At least 7,000 medical compounds in the modern pharmacopoeia are derived from plants[10]

Biological background
All plants produce chemical compounds as part of their normal metabolic activities. These can be split into primary metabolites, such as sugars and fats, found in all plants, and secondary metabolites found in a smaller range of plants, some useful ones found only in a particular genus or species.

The functions of secondary metabolites are varied. For example, some secondary metabolites are toxins used to deter predation, and others are pheremones used to attract insects for pollination. It is these secondary metabolites which can have therapeutic actions in humans and which can be refined to produce drugs.

The word drug itself comes from the Swedish word "druug", which means 'dried plant'. Some examples are inulin from the roots of dahlias, quinine from the cinchona, morphine and codeine from the poppy, and digoxin from the foxglove.

The active ingredient in Willow bark, once prescribed by Hippocrates, is salacin, or salicylic acid. The discovery of salicylic acid lead to the development of "aspirin", also known as "acetylsalicylic acid". "Aspirin" was originally a brand name, and is still a protected trademark in some countries. This medication was patented by Bayer AG.

Types of herbal medicine systems
Medicinal plants can be used by anyone, for example as part of a salad, an herbal tea or supplement, although the sale of some herbs considered dangerous is often restricted to the public. Sometimes such herbs are provided to professional herbalists by specialist companies. Many herbalists, both professional and amateur, often grow or "wildcraft" their own herbs. Many common weeds have medicinal properties (such as the dandelion, for example).

In Chinese medicine herbs (which may include animal and mineral parts) are divided into "Superior" (food grade), "Moderate" (to be taken for disease for a short time) and "Inferior" (toxic, short term) grades. Herbal formulas are based upon the organ system which is out of balance, with chief herbs addressing the main complaint, deputy herbs which reinforce the actions of the chief or address other affected organ systems, and servants which may harmonize, balance temperatures or tastes of the herbs, direct them to various parts of the body or assist penetration. Herbal formulas tend to have five to 15 herbs.

Eclectic medicine came out of the vitalist tradition, similar to physiomedicalism and bridged the European and Native American traditions. Cherokee medicine tends to divide herbs into foods, medicines and toxins and to use seven plants in the treatment of disease, which is defined with both spiritual and physiological aspects, according to Cherokee herbalist David Winston.[13]

Auyrvedic medicine has quite complex formulas with 30 or more ingredients, including a sizable number of ingredients that have undergone "alchemical processing", chosen to balance "Vata", "Pitta" or "Kapha."[14]

Herbal Administration
Main article: Herbal Administration
There are many forms in which herbs can be administered. The easiest way and one that still is frequent among indigenous healers is to chew on the plant. The roots of plants like echinacea, the fruit of lycium (goji) plants, the seeds of the emetic lobelia and the resins of myrrh have all been injested directly. On the other extreme is standardization which may boost certain constituents at the expense of others.

Examples of herbal medicine

Artichoke and several other plants may reduce total serum cholesterol levels in preliminary studies. [17]
Black cohosh and other plants that contain phytoestrogens (plant molecules with estrogen activity) have some benefits for treatment of symptoms resulting from menopause.[citation needed]
Echinacea extracts can limit the length and severity of rhinovirus colds; however, the appropriate dosage levels, which might be higher than is available over-the-counter, require further research. [18][19]
Garlic can lower total cholesterol levels[20]
Purified extracts of the seeds of Hibiscus sabdariffa may have some anti-microbial effect, but may also have some toxicity to mammalian testes.[21]
Nigella sativa (Black cumin) is a general medicinal plant can be used for diverse ailments such as cough, pulmonary infections, asthma, influenza, allergy, hypertension and stomach ache. [22][23][24][citation needed]
Pawpaw can be used for insecticidal purposes (killing lice, worms).[citation needed]
Phytolacca or Pokeweed is used as a homeopathic remedy to treat many ailments. It can be applied topically or taken internally. Topical treatments have been used for acne and other ailments. Internal treatments include tonsilitis, swollen glands and weight loss.[citation needed]
Peppermint oil may have benefits for individuals with irritable bowel syndrome.[25][citation needed]
Rauvolfia Serpentina, used extensively in India for sleeplessness, anxiety, and high blood pressure. The first proven allopathic medicine for high blood pressure was extracted from this herb.[citation needed]
St. John's wort, has yielded positive results, proving more effective than a placebo for the treatment of mild to moderate depression in some clinical trials: however, safety and efficacy profiles (that is, amount of drug needed for a clinical effect) have not been shown.[26]
Valerian root can be used to treat insomnia.[citation needed]
Feverfew can be used to treat migraine headaches.[27]However, many reviews of these studies show no efficacy [28] and dangerous side effects.[29][30]
Saw Palmetto can be used for BPH. Supported in some studies [31], failed to confirm in otherrs. [32][citation needed]
Lemon juice or apple cider vinegar can be used to treat acne.[citation needed]
Green tea components may inhibit growth of breast cancer cells[33] and may heal scars faster. [34][citation needed]
Lemon grass can lower cholesterol.[citation needed]
Honey may reduce cholesterol.[35][citation needed]

Blog
HolisticOnLIne allows you to search our Herb Knowledgebase based on the scientific name of the herbs or by the common names used. Please be aware that sometimes the same common name may imply different herbs depending on where the usage comes from. The users are advised to pay particular attention to the scientific name which is a better representation of the herb in most instances.
http://www.holisticonline.com/herbal...tory_Index.htm


Herbs & You
Introduction to Herbs
Articles on Specific Herbs
Herbs - by Condition
Herbs - by Body System
Herbs & Children's Health
Herbs & Women's Health
Herbs & Men's Health
Herbs & Aging
Herbs - Physiological Actions
Find an Herbal Practitioner
Botanical Medicine Texts
http://www.healthy.net/scr/center.asp?centerid=24


Over 300 High Quality Herb pictures
http://altnature.com/Herbs2003/herbpicturelist.htm
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Old 10-12-2008, 08:10 AM   #2
whitecrow
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A working knowledge of herbalism is a valuable thing to pick up. It should involve some familiarity with medicinal herbs, both growing wild in your area and the ways they come packaged and prepared; plus a good knowledge of local and regional flora, including edible and poisonous plants.

You don't have to take an expensive course (though it never hurts), and you don't have to be a botanist or a druid. One thing you do need is a good selection of herbal books. I never yet have seen one that has adequate illustrations for positive identification, which is one of the reasons for owning a shelf of them. The small manual put out by the Smithsonian is one of the best in this regard.

Unfortunately, herbals tend to repeat the same information over and over. This shows that many writers don't do their own research, and in this way some mistakes have been passed on for generations. Therefore, I suggest taking all information in herbal manuals with a grain of salt, and proceed cautiously. Gain experience gradually, especially in working with medicinal herbs.

A perfect example of this concerns the calendula flower. This lovely healing blossom looks like a large, sunny yellow marigold, and in fact in some parts of England it is called the pot marigold. This confusion of names led some writer at some dim point in the past to state that the marigold and the calendula are the same plant, the same flower. I've seen this in any number of books, and I've even seen it on packages of calendula creams and sprays. In fact, calendula officinalis, though superficially similar to tagetes (marigold), is not even related. Nevertheless, the mistake marches on through the decades, unstoppable.

When I want to take a quick look at a new herbal, first I look at the illustrations. Are they clear enough to definitely identify the plant? If you're wildcrafting, you'd better be sure. Poison hemlock and sweet cicely look a lot alike! Then, even before checking out the individual plant descriptions, I look at the article on calendula. If the book says that it's the same as the marigold, I know that everything that writer says is questionable because he didn't do honest research (Are you reading this, Jack Richason, MD)?. He's not really an herbalist, but a writer making a buck from herbalism.

Then I look at the article on cannabis. This tells me a lot about the attitude of the writer. I don't want books that extol the entheogenic virtues of every poisonous plant on every hillside, but neither to I want someone who's seen "Reefer Madness" too many times. If there's a well-rounded and objective article on this plant, plus accurate identification of calendula/marigold AND exceptionally clear pictures, then maybe I'll buy the book.

Last edited by whitecrow; 10-12-2008 at 08:15 AM.
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Old 10-12-2008, 08:36 AM   #3
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The best way for a newbie to approach herbalism is with a book that focuses on your local area. You might look for titles like Roadside Plants Of Pinkerbligh County, or Edible And Medicinal Plants Of Southeastern North Dakota. Don't try to learn every plant in your area unless you're just a data junkie. Instead, focus on a few plants at a time that grow in your region.

Look at the pictures, but also get outdoors and find living specimens. Note how the plant likes to grow. What's its habitat? Does it like to keep its toes wet, or does it like dry hilltops? Does it like the shade? Don't pull up a plant when you find it for the first time, but come back through the seasons and visit it. See when and how it blossoms and fruits. Do birds eat it? Bugs? Does it grow alone? Try to learn its voice and hear its song. In this way you will see the plant as an intelligence to be mentored by, and not just a resource to be used.

You won't find wild rosemary along creek banks, and you won't find cattails in the desert. It's better to have a good working knowledge of a couple dozen nutritious, medicinal and poisonous plants in your area, than to have an encyclopedic memorization of hundreds of herbs you've never seen and will probably never use.

If you take plants, take the time to plant plants. If you garden, take seeds and cuttings every chance you get.

Wildcrafting herbs is for me at least, deeply satisfying. I find many useful plants in my area. On my hikes I find white sage for smudging, chaparral for tea, wild rosemary and lavender and many other useful plants. At the creek across the street I can gather wild celery, cattails, tiny wild onions, cress, plantain, nettles, Russian thistle and even coconuts...that's right, there's a stray coconut palm down there. Lord knows how it got there, but it's a huge tree, and the ground beneath it is littered with coconuts. Some of these herbs we eat...some I use in soaps and balms, and some are used in medicines.

Herbs should be gathered away from roadways, and (usually) in the morning. Always thank the plant for its gift. In the case of white sage, I generally leave behind a gift of tobacco, or a hair from my head. Know which part of the plant you are going to use - flowers, leaves and twigs, bark, or roots. Never waste herbs, never kill plants needlessly, and never take more than you need.

Herbs can be stored for some time dried, but will lose their virtue as the seasons pass. Tinctures are easy to make and store indefinitely. Water infusions or teas must be used fairly promptly. Sometimes herbs are infused in liguid or hard oils, in which case they have a fairly stable shelf life depending on the oil used.

Last edited by whitecrow; 10-12-2008 at 08:51 AM.
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Old 10-12-2008, 09:54 AM   #4
quest
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a 'whitecrow's column' or section would suit this site very well i think.

i have a balcony that is hardly ever used, i am considering to convert it into a small herbal garden. just bit by bit introducing plants and seeds to see if they like the environment.

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Try to learn its voice and hear its song. In this way you will see the plant as an intelligence to be mentored by, and not just a resource to be used.
i really would like to develop the kind of sensitivity to receive or exchange with nature. going out wild crafting may not be possible or interesting for everyone. but if we can get a better understanding of the natural principals, how to grow plants in a harmonious way, than it may not matter so much if plants are grown in a nursery, or in the wild.
the idea of exchange does interest me a lot. natures knowledge and our free will and creativity, those two combined.

Last edited by quest; 10-12-2008 at 10:48 AM.
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Old 10-13-2008, 06:52 AM   #5
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Quote:
Originally Posted by quest View Post
i have a balcony that is hardly ever used, i am considering to convert it into a small herbal garden. just bit by bit introducing plants and seeds to see if they like the environment.
All I have is a 12' x 12' patio. Use your imagination. Besides seating, a fountain and a small table, I have four palm trees, a banana tree, and over 50 large and small plants. A sunny balcony or patio is perfect for herbs and specimen plants. One that's mostly shady, like mine, is more suited to tropicals and flowers.

Quote:
Originally Posted by quest View Post
i really would like to develop the kind of sensitivity to receive or exchange with nature...natures knowledge and our free will and creativity, those two combined.
If you have the desire and don't act, that's a useless velleity. If you have the desire and act, that is accomplishment. If your intent is good then nature will be friendly to you. It is not something you can learn by watching documentaries or reading books. Whether you wildcraft herbs or collect rocks or take nothing but photos, the way to get intimate with nature is to get intimate with nature. Your intent and openness will guide your accomplishment.

Last edited by whitecrow; 10-13-2008 at 06:55 AM.
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Old 10-13-2008, 09:53 AM   #6
quest
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Quote:
Originally Posted by whitecrow View Post
If you have the desire and don't act, that's a useless velleity. If you have the desire and act, that is accomplishment. If your intent is good then nature will be friendly to you. It is not something you can learn by watching documentaries or reading books. Whether you wildcraft herbs or collect rocks or take nothing but photos, the way to get intimate with nature is to get intimate with nature. Your intent and openness will guide your accomplishment.
yes, the wishing/acting issue is essential. we've had some interesting experiences with birds, ducks around the house here, fish too. there definitely is a way of exchange, but hard to grasp. in response to you’re forum name, i’ve noticed that crows oftentimes respond to humans. if i open a window or leave the house, i see they react on that. or, when biking trough the fields, they let one know were they are hiding in the trees.
the subject is a kind of hard to define, maybe its more a matter of allowing, and ore being allowed.
but on the other hand, like you mentioned in your thread about the sacred site you've found, in other times people were 'skilled', dowsing, shamanistic rituals etc., to consult nature spirits, these are techniques that can be learned. but then, diving in to the left-brain-area spoils it all for me.

Last edited by quest; 10-13-2008 at 10:10 AM.
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