Introduction To The Art and Science of Herbal Medicine 
    by Chanchal Cabrera    page 1 2 3 4       

HOW DOES HERBAL MEDICINE WORK?

The modern reductionist model of medicine, where it is thought that the whole can be understood by minutely examining the individual parts in isolation, places the emphasis of therapy on physiological compensation. If the immune system is under performing and frequent colds are occurring then antibiotics are given to compensate for the weakness and help the body fight infection. 

In contrast, holistic medicine places the emphasis on physiological support. The holistic practitioner looks for the reasons why the immune system is under performing and seeks to support the whole body is attaining optimum metabolic function so that all bodily processes and activities are improved. In extreme circumstances antibiotics, or herbal anti-microbials might be used, but they would be simply creating an opportunity or a space for the deeper healing to occur and would never be considered an end unto themselves. Ultimately the herbalist is attempting to teach the body how to function in harmony, balance and optimum health and to reduce or eliminate the need for any therapeutic support, whether herbal or drug. This approach harks back to the ancient Latin roots of the word 'doctor' which also meant 'teacher'.

It was Hippocrates, 2500 years ago, who first stated that "It is more important to know what kind of person has a disease than to know what kind of disease a person has". This profound statement neatly sums up one of the abiding tenets of holistic medicine and is as applicable today, when the science of pathology is so well developed, as it was in the simpler times in which Hippocrates lived and worked. The individual patient is the single most important factor in determining the success or failure of a treatment and attention to the individual within the context of their whole life style and environment is one of the hallmarks of a good healer. 

For the herbalist, then, knowing the patient comes first and foremost. The skilled herbalist does not work with stock formulas, the same for each patient with a certain named condition, but will customize and personalize for specific individuals at specific times. Although the more interventionist approach is occasionally necessary, the herbalists real strength comes in knowing the strengthening, balancing and harmonizing herbs, for these are the herbs which will bring about real and lasting change in a persons health. 

The practice of herbalism as a clinical skill requires the application of both right and left brains - art and science. For example, while the chemists and pharmacists will speak in terms of tannins as a chemical class and assign astringent or cicatrizing properties to them, the trained and experienced herbalist will know that the tannins of Red raspberry are specific for the female reproductive organs while those of Horse chestnut are specific for the veins and those of Strawberry leaf for the stomach and lower bowel. There is no adequate scientific explanation for this tissue specificity but it is real and effective and can be attested to by many experienced practitioners over many generations

The herbs which bring about this balancing, strengthening and harmonizing are frequently called the adaptogens or the tonics. The adaptogens literally aid the body in adapting to various stressors, whether they may be physical or emotional, and are often referred to as harmonizers in Oriental medicine. The tonics act in a more generalized way, and typically over a longer time period, to reconfigure the inherently intelligent functioning of every cell, tissue and organ. They strengthen, nourish and rejuvenate the whole body, with various herbs and classes of herbs having specificity for various parts of the body. 

The tonics and adaptogens are inherently safe for prolonged use, with a couple of notable exceptions described below. If you are feeling run down, tired or lacking in that vital spark that makes life worth living then using tonics is a good idea for you. Tonics can also be used when you are convalescing from some more serious illness or are for any reason feeling debilitated, weak or depressed. 

The following is a list of my personal favorite tonic and adaptogenic herbs. There are, of course, many others which I could have included but these are ones that have stood the test of time and should always be included in your personal dispensary of herbal remedies. 

Tonics and adaptogens

Slippery Elm (Ulmus fulvus)

This tall and graceful tree, whose natural habitat in the eastern USA, is being steadily eroded by aggressive forestry practices, and is now succumbing to the depradations of a viral disease much like that which killed off millions of American elms many years ago. The Slippery elm has long been known for the medicinal properties of its inner bark. It is stripped off in long pieces from the branches and dried and powdered for sale. This powder is very rich in mucilage (a complex sugar molecule). When it is mixed with water it swells up and forms a thick, goopy gruel that coats and soothes the stomach lining, reducing irritation or burning. It has a similar action along the length of the digestive tract and also absorbs excess fluid in the gut so reducing diarrhoea. Additionally, it is rich in essential oils which are relaxing and anti-spasmodic to the whole length of the digestive tract. The powder is also rich in nutrients, providing a useful convalescent or baby food.

Slippery elm is used wherever there is indigestion with excess acidity, burning or cramping of the upper digestive system as well as in cases of nausea or diarrhoea and in inflammations of the large intestines. It is specific for stomach and duodenal ulcers, hyperacidity and gastritis, ulcerative colitis, Crohn's disease, diverticulosis and diverticulitis. 

By a reflex action in the nervous system, Slippery elm is also soothing and relaxing in the respiratory system and thins the mucous so that it can be more easily expectorated. 

The freshly powdered herb is best taken one teaspoon two - four times a day stirred into a glass of warm water and drunk quickly before it starts to thicken and gel. It can also be mixed into herbal tea blends.

Hawthorn (Crataegus oxycanthoides)

This thorny, shrubby tree is traditionally used in England to form an impenetrable hedge and has been used in fertility rituals and harvest festivities for thousands of years. It is another member of the Rose family but with some very specific and particular attributes. The flower buds and leaf buds are harvested in the early spring then the berries are gathered in the fall. These all contain very simple molecules called anthocyanidins, related to the Tannins, which exert an astringent and tonic action upon the vasculature (arteries and veins) so aiding in the regulation of blood pressure and in improving the integrity of the vessel walls in cases of varicose veins, spider veins, easy bruising or hemorrhoids. 

This herb has gained particular prominence as a tonic for the heart. It serves to regulate the rhythm of the heart while increasing the force of the contractions, without increasing the need for more oxygen to generate this extra energy. Thus it is prescribed especially for tired, weak, failing hearts, arrhythmias and angina. 

Hawthorn works in such a gentle, tonic manner that it is completely safe to use even with other heart medications, and will not interfere with heart drugs such as digitalis or beta blockers. The flower and leaf buds can be added to herbal infusion blends but the berries should be decocted (simmered). It can also be made into a tincture preserved with 25% alcohol. 

Horsetail (Equisetum arvense)

This common herb is unusual because it has survived since the time of the dinosaurs. 250 million years ago giant Horsetails, the size of trees, grew in many parts of the world and when the fell they provided much of the carbon that now makes up coal and oil and diamonds. Their descendants now reach only 1 - 5 foot but it is still an immensely tenacious weed - any gardener battling with it begins to understand why it might have survived so long. The reproductive parts appear above ground early in the spring, pale spears breaking the surface of boggy or marshy areas, and they are followed later by the vegetation. It is the feathery green stalks that are harvested when young and tender to make a medicine that is excellent for all manner of conditions.

The fresh Horsetail is rich in silica which acts in the body as a tonic to all the connective tissues. These are packing and connecting tissues such as muscle, bone, cartilage, ligaments and tendons as well as skin and subcutaneous layers. 

It has traditionally been used internally as a skin, hair and nail strengthener, as a rebuilding tonic for gout, arthritis, tendinitis, ruptured ligaments, torn muscles, broken bones 

In the kidneys Horsetail has an interesting almost paradoxical effect. The fresh herb is a powerful diuretic at the same time as being quite strongly astringent and tonifying to the membranes of the nephron (the functional unit of the kidney). Is has a long history of use as a tonic and healing agent for the kidneys, especially where there is blood or protein leaking into the urine. Additionally Horsetail has been shown to have antibiotic properties especially against staphylococcus and streptococcus infections. 

Although often traded in a dried form, this herb is probably best in the fresh form to prevent to silica oxidizing and becoming less biologically available. You can readily harvest your own from a clean source and make tincture using vodka.

Plantain (Plantago lanceolata)

This is one of the lowliest wayside weeds and one of the most useful. Colloquially known as "White Man's Footsteps" because it has followed all European colonizers to all corners of the globe and adapted to almost every climate. It has a basal rosette of leaves that can be as small 3 inches or as long as 24 inches under ideal circumstances. The flower is borne on a single, central stalk, pale and insignificant, pollinated by the wind. 

The leaf is the part used and it must be harvested with care because it is rich in enzymes which will bruise the leaf if it is damaged at all. 

Plantain contains numerous therapeutic agents. vitamin A, vitamin C and zinc speed up skin and tissue healing, aided by mucilage which is soothing and tannins which are astringing and reduce bleeding and act as antimicrobials. This makes Plantain ideal as a topical treatment for cuts, scrapes and wounds. The mucilage also helps to draw foreign objects to the surface and can be applied to dirty cuts to draw out particles. The easiest way to use the herb for these purposes is to mash up the fresh leaves and bind the resultant paste onto the affected part. Plantain is available fresh year round in temperate climates. If it is not available then the dried can be used. Liquid extracts made from the fresh plant are also effective. 

The mucilage also helps to loosen thick or sticky mucous in the lungs, this expectorant effect being useful in cases of chronic bronchitis, pleurisy or coughing of blood. The vitamin A & C, zinc and silica act as strengthening and tonic agents to the connective tissue of the lungs making it an effective treatment in emphysema, fibrosing alveolitis or tuberculosis.

The seeds of Indian Plantain (Plantago ovata) are better known as Psyllium. This is sued in much the same way as Slippery elm is used to coat the stomach lining with a thick protective coat. The ability of Psyllium to absorb water is extraordinary and as it progresses down the digestive, if you drink a couple more glasses f water after taking it then the powder will swell up to form a bulky, soft, slippery mass that facilitates easy bowel movements and effectively treats constipation. Conversely, if Psyllium is taken without the glasses of water to follow then it will absorb any excess fluid in the digestive tract and reduce diarrhoea.

Chaste berry (Vitex agnus castus)

This pretty purple flowering shrub is indigenous to the Mediterranean area and has a long tradition of use. In olden times it was also known as Monk's Pepper and was given in copious quantities to reduce libido and sexual function in monks and nuns. It is the berry which is used and it does both resemble a peppercorn and have a peppery, pungent taste.

In more moderate doses the volatile or essential oil in Vitex regulates the pituitary gland in the brain. This gland is sometimes called the Master gland because it produces so many hormones and directs them into the various other glands where they in turn produce other hormones. Specifically, Vitex is given to increase the amount and efficacy of Luteinizing Hormone which promotes ovarian function and the production of Oestrogen and Progesterone. Thus Vitex supports hormone production and helps to correct imbalances. 

Vitex has traditionally been used to restore regularity and rhythm to the menstrual cycle and to treat symptoms of PMS, menopause, infertility due to hormone disruption and other female conditions. 

Additionally Vitex may be beneficial where there is weakness or dysfunction of other glands served by the pituitary such as thyroid and adrenal.

Because so much of the medicinal value of this plant is carried in the volatile oil, it is best extracted into alcohol at about 45%. It may also be decocted, the patency being improved by crushing the berries first. It may also be put in a pepper grinder and freshly ground onto food to taste.

Sarsaparilla (Smilax ornata)

This is a thorny vine, native to central America and Ecuador. The root and rhizome (underground stem) are the harvested for medicine. Sarsaparilla has long been used as a flavoring agent in soft drinks, especially root beer. 

The major active constituents are as a group of steroidal and saponin glycosides. These chemicals bear as a structural similarity to cholesterol and the molecular skeleton can be used by the body to support the production and activity of cortisol and testosterone. Thus Sarsaparilla has as a folklore reputation as as a remedy for arthritis and rheumatism and other inflammatory joint conditions as well as being widely used as a somewhat anabolic male tonic. It is particularly used where there is reduced testosterone as evidenced by blood work and may of use in treating infertility as well as sexual weakness or dysfunction. 

Additionally Sarsaparilla is an excellent blood cleanser, finding use in treating excema, psoriasis, acne, especially in young men, and other skin afflictions. There is also some antimicrobial activity and it has as a long history of use to treat syphilis. The tea is moderately effective but the tincture is as a better way to extract the active constituents. 

Oats (Avena sativa)

This grass is extensively cultivated in northern climates to provide a nutritious grain, rich in protein, soluble fibre, vitamins and minerals. The Latin name comes from avidus meaning sought after and sativum meaning grown as a crop. When eaten as a food the grain provides a range of B vitamins, vitamin E, silica, calcium, magnesium, boron and other essential trace elements. Part cooking then rolling the grain to produce oat flakes contributes to a rapid breakdown of the vitamins, denaturing of the protein structures and loss of anti-oxident properties. Oats as a food are best taken in the form of scotch oats or oat groats which is the chopped whole grain, uncooked. It is soaked overnight and simmered for 10 minutes before eating. 

The green stalks and leaves along with the immature grain are also used as a medicine, taken in the form of tea, tablet or tincture. It is considered one of the best remedies for 'feeding' the nervous system, especially whne under stress. It is a specific remedy for nervous debility, exhaustuion or depression and as a convalscent aid. Oats may be of value where there is any damage to the tissue of the brain such as after a blow to the head, a seizure or a stroke. It has proven to be of value when treating epilepsy, anxiety, insomnia, hyperactivity and chronic fatigue syndrome. 

Fine oatmeal in a muslin bag hung over the hot tap of a bath will soften the skin and makes an excellent remedy for dry or irritated skin. 

CHOOSING AND USING MEDICINAL HERBS

Using herbal remedies to treat your friends and families is a wonderful way to bring the magic of herbs into your own home. If you have access to a kettle , a teapot and a saucepan then you can make medicinal teas. Tinctures are readily available in health food and herbal stores across the country, or you can make your own using vodka. 

Herbal medicine has traditionally been 'of the people, for the people, by the people' , inherently democratic and available to all. This is one of its greatest strengths and the deeply rooted folkloric nature of herbalism has protected millennia of empirical knowledge from the ravages of the modern reductionist scientific paradigm. The modern clinical herbalist in the 21 st century integrates folklore and tradition with modern science, so creating an entirely new paradigm called holistic medicine. 

Most herbs are safe most of the time. Some certainly have a potential for toxicity though, and it is always advisable to seek the advice of a qualified herbalist when you first start out using herbs. Just as your ancestors consulted with the wise woman, healer or shaman for serious conditions, so you can use the services of a qualified herbalist when necessary or appropriate. 

At all times when treating yourself, it is essential that you have an accurate diagnosis. Misdiagnosis can be a dangerous thing e.g. an occasional headache may be due to stress or fatigue but persistent headaches may be from more serious conditions such as glaucoma, impaired circulation, hypertension or neoplasms (cancers). The general rule is that if you have a condition for which you might normally take an over the counter medication and would not bother the doctor, then you can probably treat it at home with herbs. Any persistent or severe symptoms require professional help. 

There may be some risks in combining herbal remedies with certain prescription drugs and generally any patient taking prescription medication should consult with a qualified herbalist before taking herbs and should never cease taking the drugs without discussing the situation with the prescribing physician. 
 
 

Some conditions you can safely treat at home with herbs

Colds and flu

Sore throats

Mouth ulcers

Indigestion

Constipation

Bladder infections

Yeast infections

Scratches and scrapes

Boils and pimples

Minor skin infections

Tension headaches

Insomnia

Anxiety

Fatigue

Menstrual cramps

Muscle aching and joint stiffness
 

Some conditions which require professional assistance

Severe persistent headache

Severe pain in the limbs (joints or muscles)

Severe pain in the abdomen or chest

Blood in the stool

Blood in the urine

Shortness of breath without exertion

Fainting

Coughing of blood

Excessive bruising

Persistent weakness

Persistent diarrhoea

Difficulty swallowing

Persistent cough

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