20 HERBS TO LOVE — MORE INFO

*any cautions for using each herb, including Herbs to Avoid During Pregnancy. 

 

When working with herbs for a health imbalance, it is very important to make sure you are using the correct botanical (variety of herb). Some herbs, such as echinacea, have several variants, and not all are created equal. It is also very important to follow correct dosing, as some herbs must be taken as often as every hour, during a fever, and some are not to exceed a certain dose or duration of use. 

 

If you want to experience the empowerment of harvesting herbs from your garden or from the wild, it is important to understand two things: First, the images contained on these pages are not sufficient to identify a flower or herb properly and safely. Use Newcomb's Wildflower Guide by Lawrence Newcomb for definitive identification. Secondly, you must understand the principles of seasonal harvest so that you obtain the plants (and each part of the plant) at the proper time. If you are harvesting an herb for medicinal purposes, you must harvest the plant part at its peak of medicinal intensity. For example, the flower must be chosen immediately upon bloom and the leaf early in the growth cycle (when fresh and new). Bark can be harvested anytime. Seeds are harvested at the end of the growth cycle, typically in the fall. Roots are always at the end of the growth cycle, always in the fall, when the root has amassed all the power of the plant. We will be offering an Herbal Medicine Making class early to mid-summer 2017. The information comes from several information sources (see below) and my many years of working with these herbs personally. This is very basic information on each herb. I invite you to come into the store and learn more about the wonderful word of herbal and natural medicine. We are always available to offer assistance, and you can learn more through our extensive Lending Library. Terms that may be unfamiliar are 

highlighted so that clicking on them will lead you to the Glossary. 

 

A NOTE ABOUT USING ESSENTIAL OILS: Recently, there has been a lot of interest in using essential oils, and rightly so, as essential oils provide a powerful health remedy and can substantially boost emotional and physical wellbeing. However, you must make sure you are making informed choices. Do NOT take any oils internally and do not apply undiluted essential oils, absolutes, CO2s or other concentrated essences onto the skin without advanced essential oil knowledge or consultation from a qualified aromatherapy practitioner, especially when treating children. For in-depth information on oil safety issues, we recommend reading Essential Oil Safety by Robert Tisserand and Rodney Young. 

 

DISCLAIMER: Information provided herein is for educational purposes only. It is not considered complete and is not guaranteed to be accurate. Please remember that herbal medicine is potent and highly effective, and is one of the safest forms of medicine when used judiciously. Whatever form of medicine you choose, it is your responsibility to become informed, weigh the evidence, and form your own opinions before taking action of any kind affecting your health and well-being.

 

HERBS TO AVOID DURING PREGNANCY

 

While herbal medicine is an excellent support in all phases of a woman's life, and many plants are beneficial before pregnancy, during pregnancy and birth, and postpartum, some of these powerful medicines may have unwanted effects, such as stimulating labor. The following list of herbs is from the excellent book Women's Herbs, Women, Health by Christopher Hobbs, L.Ac., and Kathi Keville. It is important to consult a qualified natural health care practitioner to determine what is appropriate for you.

 

PREGNANCY, HERBS, AND SAFETY 

 Perhaps the most important information about herbs and pregnancy is what not to take. Many herbs are contraindicated during pregnancy or should be used only under the direction of your health practitioner.

 

The following herbs are well-known for their safety during pregnancy:

 

black haw                                        echinacea                                red raspberry leaf

German chamomile                      ginger                                       partridge berry

cramp bark                                     peppermint                            vitex

 

            The following herbs are contraindicated during pregnancy unless recommended by a qualified health-care practitioner. They are safe when used as kitchen spices or in cosmetics.

 

aloe vera powder                             castor                                      motherwort

angelica                                             catnip                                       mugwort

anise                                                  celandine                                 myrrh                   

arnica                                                 celery                                       nutmeg

 

asafetida                                           coltsfoot                                  Oregon grape

ashwaganda                                     comfrey                                   osha

barberry                                            corydalis                                  parsley

basil                                                   dong quai                                pennyroyal

beebalm                                            elecampane                            pleurisy root

black cohosh                                    ephedra                                   prickly ash  

bladderwrack                                   fenugreek                                quassia 

blessed thistle                                  feverfew                                  red clover 

bloodroot                                          goldenseal                              rue

blue cohosh                                      guggul                                     senna

blue flag                                            horehound                              thuja

borage                                               hyssop                                     vervain

blithe                                                  ipecac                                      vitex

bugleweed                                        juniper                                     wild indigo

California poppy                              lemongrass                             wormwood

camphor                                            licorice                                     yarrow

cascara sagrada                               lobelia                 

cassia                                                 mace

​

 

REFERENCES

​

The Complete German Commission E Monographs: Therapeutic Guide to Herbal Medicines 1998

by Siegrid Klein (Author, Editor),‎ Robert Rister (Author),‎ Chance Riggins (Editor)

 

The Way of Herbs: Fully Updated with the Latest Developments in Herbal Science August 1998

by Michael Tierra

 

The Way of Ayurvedic Herbs: A Contemporary Introduction and Useful Manual for the World's Oldest Healing System 1st Edition

by Karta Purkh Singh Khalsa and Michael Tierra

 

Planetary Herbology: An Integration of Western Herbs into the Traditional Chinese and Ayurvedis 1992

by Michael Tierra (Author),‎ David Frawley (Editor)

 

Rosemary Gladstar’s Family Herbal: A Guide to Living Life with Energy, Health and Vitality, Storey Books, 2001

 

Herbs for Health and Healing 1996

by Kathi Keville and Peter Korn

 

Women's Herbs: Women's Health 2007

by Christopher Hobbs and Kathi Keville

 

The New Holistic Herbal (Health workbooks) 1991

by David Hoffmann

 

http://www.medicinehunter.com/adaptogens-on-fox

 

Ayurveda Secrets of Healing 1995

by Maya Bri. Tiwari

 

http://www.naturalnews.com/035924_astragalus_cancer_prevention.html#

 

Compendium of Pharmacological Actions of Medicinal Plants and Their Constituents, Compiled and copyrighted by Eric Yarnell, ND Actions of Medicinal Plants 2007 Eric Yarnell, ND

 

Zhang CZ, Wang SX, Zhang Y, Chen JP, Liang XM. "In vitro estrogenic activities of Chinese medicinal plants traditionally used for the management of menopausal symptoms." J Ethnopharmacol 2005;98(3):295-300.

 

Nutrition 740 notes Spring 2006, Dr. Mona Morstein, SCNM

 

http://www.cancertutor.com/WarBetween/War_Cure_Rates.html http://cms.herbalgram.org/herbclip/pdfs/121581-151.pdf

 

The New Healing Herbs: The Essential Guide to More Than 125 of Nature's Most Potent Herbal Remedies 2010 by Michael Castleman

 

http://www.canceractive.com/cancer-active-page-link.aspx?n=536

 

http://www.webmd.com/vitamins-supplements/ingredientmono-111-burdock.aspx?activeingredientid=111&activeingredientname=burdock

 

http://www.motherearthliving.com/health-and-wellness/burdock-does-it-all.aspx

 

http://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/trees/chaste-tree/chaste-tree-cultivation.htm

 

http://www.healthy.net/Health/Article/Vitex_The_Hormone_Balancing_Herb/936

 

https://www.mountainroseherbs.com/products/vitex-slash-chaste-berries-whole/profile

 

http://www.peoplespharmacy.com/2013/12/30/cinnamon-offers-health-benefits-but-also-carries-serious-risks/

 

http://www.whfoods.com/genpage.php?tname=newtip&dbid=31

 

http://wiccateachings.tumblr.com/post/84619536314/medicinal-uses-of-the-common-dandelion-at-this

 

http://jonbarron.org/article/echinacea-have-mercy#.VenQDOn4tlI

 

The Book of Herbal Wisdom: Using Plants as Medicines 1997

by Matthew Wood

 

Echinacea: Nature's Immune Enhancer 1991

by Steven Foster

 

http://www.aromaweb.com/books/tissera2.asp

 

http://www.jeannerose.net

 

http://www.dec.ny.gov/animals/7472.html

 

http://www.sacredearth.com/ethnobotany/plantprofiles/ginseng.php

 

http://www.hardingsginsengfarm.com/cookbook.htm

 

http://www.sacredearth.com/ethnobotany/plantprofiles/goldenseal.php

 

http://www.sacredearth.com/ethnobotany/plantprofiles/hawthorn.php

 

http://herbs-america.com

 

http://www.webmd.com/vitamins-supplements/ingredientmono-555-maca.aspx?activeingredientid=555&activeingredientname=maca

 

http://www.themacateam.com/maca-benefits

 

Influence of colour type and previous cultivation on secondary metabolites in hypocotyls and leaves of maca (Lepidium meyenii Walpers).  Clément C, Diaz Grados DA, Avula B, Khan IA, Mayer AC, Ponce Aguirre DD, Manrique I, Kreuzer M.

 

Lepidium meyenii (Maca): a plant from the highlands of Peru–from tradition to science. Gonzales GF, Gonzales C, Gonzales-Castañeda C.  Instituto de Investigaciones de la Altura, and Faculty of Sciences and Philosophy, Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia, Lima, Peru

 

A pilot investigation into the effect of maca supplementation on physical activity and sexual desire in sportsmen. Stone M, Ibarra A, Roller M, Zangara A, Stevenson E. School of Psychology and Sports Sciences, Northumbria University, Newcastle upon Tyne NE1 8ST, UK

 

Effects of different varieties of Maca (Lepidium meyenii) on bone structure in ovariectomized rats.

Gonzales C, Cárdenas-Valencia I, Leiva-Revilla J, Anza-Ramirez C, Rubio J, Gonzales GF. Biological and Physiological Science Department, Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia, Lima, Peru

 

Beneficial effects of Lepidium meyenii (Maca) on psychological symptoms and measures of sexual dysfunction in postmenopausal women are not related to estrogen or androgen content. Brooks NA, Wilcox G, Walker KZ, Ashton JF, Cox MB, Stojanovska L. School of Biomedical and Health Sciences, Victoria University, St. Albans, Victoria, Australia.

early maca supplementation.

 

Maca (Lepidium meyenii) for treatment of menopausal symptoms: A systematic review.

Lee MS, Shin BC, Yang EJ, Lim HJ, Ernst E. Division of Standard Research, Korea Institute of Oriental Medicine, Daejeon, South Korea.

 

Effect of red maca (Lepidium meyenii) on prostate zinc levels in rats with testosterone-induced prostatic hyperplasia.

Gonzales C, Leiva-Revilla J, Rubio J, Gasco M, Gonzales GF.  Department of Biological and Physiological Sciences, Faculty of Sciences and Philosophy and Instituto de Investigaciones de la Altura, Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia, Lima, Peru.

 

Maca (L. meyenii) for improving sexual function: a systematic review.

Shin BC, Lee MS, Yang EJ, Lim HS, Ernst E. Division of Clinical Medicine, School of Oriental Medicine, Pusan National University, Yangsan, South Korea.

 

Subjective effects of Lepidium meyenii (Maca) extract on well-being and sexual performances in patients with mild erectile dysfunction: a randomised, double-blind clinical trial.  Zenico T, Cicero AF, Valmorri L, Mercuriali M, Bercovich E. Department of Urology, Morgagni-Pierantoni Hospital, Forlì, Italy.

 

http://www.vegkitchen.com/nutrition/maca-ancient-peruvian-superfood/

 

http://www.azmacare.com/mullein-the-velvet-asthma-soother/

 

http://botanical.com/botanical/mgmh/m/mulgre63.html

 

http://www.medicinehunter.com/red-clover

 

http://www.herbwisdom.com/herb-red-clover.html

 

http://www.motherearthnews.com/real-food/foraging-red-clover-for-medicine-and-food-zbcz1406.aspx

 

http://www.superfoods-for-superhealth.com/schizandra-berry-tea.html