Herbology - Precautions and Tips for using Herbs

Common Sense Rules Of Herbology - Precautions and Tips for using Herbs

Herbology is defined as the use of natural plant substances to treat illness.

A common accusation brought against herbs and herbalists by medical and pharmaceutical interests is that they are either useless placebos which can rob the patient of valuable time in seeking "real" help or that herbs are crude drugs which in their unrefined state, will act as poisons.

The truth is, herbs are useful and can be very beneficial in treating various conditions of ill health. Written works such as the Holy Bible lend credence to the fact that herbs were successfully used to treat the sick. Ancient records coupled with the resurgence of herbology in our modern times, point to the fact that herbs offer an alternative to the "wonder drugs" of our day.

Hippocrates was able to treat every illness he encountered with approximately 40 herbs. He however, was a skilled physician with a good working knowledge of the herbs to which he had access and their effect on the human body. Without this knowledge and experience, it is necessary for those interested in using herbs to follow some simple rules as outlined below:

1. Do not use unidentified herbs. Unless one is an experienced herbalist or botanist it is potentially dangerous to pick and process herbs for personal use. An elderly couple died from drinking tea made from foxglove. They had picked it as comfrey! To be sure of the herbs obtained for personal use, purchase them from a reputable source.

2. Do not use narcotic herbs or plants. Why flirt with the misery of addiction and possible death by experimenting with psychoactive plants? Avoid Opium, Marijuana and the use of those plants from which such hallucinogens and narcotic drugs are derived.

3. Use common sense dosages of herbs. When using herbs for children, always lower the dosage to one half the adult minimum dosage. Also, know the peculiarities of the herbs being used. Fenugreek for instance, tends to dehydrate babies because it is too powerful to be used on infants. Be aware (though one may disagree) that the Food and Drug Administration (F.D.A.) has listed 27 herbs as unsafe: Arnica, Belladonna, Bittersweet Twigs, Blood Root, Broom Top, Buckeye, Calamus Root, Heliotrope, Poison Hemlock, Henbane, Jalap Root, Jimson Weed (datura), Lily of the Valley, Lobelia, Mandrake (Europ.), Mandrake (Am.), Mistletoe (Europe), Mistletoe (Am.), Morning Glory seeds, Periwinkle (Vinca), St. Johnswort, Tonka Bean, Wahoo Bark, Spindle Tree, White Snakeroot, Wormwood, and Yohimbe.

4. Some mildly toxic herbs can be useful under certain circumstances but that decision should be left to a professional. For example, Belladonna used in small amounts by prescription only, can be very useful for eye problems. Penny Royal, Spikenard and Rue can be dangerous when taken internally by an expectant mother but a qualified herbalist would know when and how to use them.

5. Exercise moderation when using any herbs. Even herbs considered completely safe can be misused by immoderate and extreme application. Fatalities have been recorded from the extreme consumption of carrot juice and even brown rice.

6. Take the opportunity to educate yourself in the use of herbs by attending seminars, reading books and periodicals and consulting recognized authorities. "It is always the part of wisdom to do nothing out of ignorance."

7. Do not take a large number of different herbs or combinations of herbs at the same time. The safest procedure is moderation in variety as well as in amount.

8. If an extreme reaction develops after taking an herb or herbal combination, it is usually due to one of two possibilities: either the person is experiencing a healing crises caused by the herbal cleansing of stored toxins in the body or he is experiencing an allergic reaction. In any case, if extreme discomfort occurs, the herbal dosage should be cut down or stopped until the problem is pinpointed by a qualified physician.

9. Herbs are food for the body. Most of the healing benefit one derives from herbs is the result of their high nutritional content of needed vitamins and trace minerals. These critical nutrients are supplied to the body and, once supplied, the natural God-given abilities of the body to heal itself take over. If a condition persists after herbal first aid, remaining static or even worsening, see a qualified physician immediately.

It is well known that smoking is hazardous to your health. It is equally true that many food additives in use today have a deleterious effect on the body. Many of these additives have been used and accepted for years only now to be discovered as carcinogenic or toxic in other ways. Like poorly built automobiles with safety sacrificed for corporate profits, much of what Americans as a nation eat and drink is simply a crime against the body. The same agencies and associations which permit these health hazards to continue put forth the premise that herbs are of no value or actually harmful in their raw-natural state. Regardless of the number, origin or intent of these accusations, herbs, coupled with common sense and moderation, are a viable source of health therapy. Those who say all herbs in their raw state are of no value are as much at fault and as ignorant of the facts as those who say established medical practice is of no good.

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