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

SELECTION CRITERIA - HOW TO CHOOSE YOUR HERBS

Medicinal herbs may be classified in several different ways according to need. They may be listed by

alphabet - anemone, birch, chamomile etc

botanical family - rosaceae, lamiaceae, apiaceae etc

plant parts - roots, leaves etc

therapeutic effect- astringent, tonic, sedative etc

constituents - tannins, alkaloids, mucilage etc

distribution - European, Asian, north American etc

When choosing herbs for medicine it is the therapeutic effect and the constituents which are of especial significance. 

Energy based

There are numerous energy based systems of assessment and therapy, including traditional Chinese medicine, Ayurveda from India, Unani from the middle east, Physiomedical from Europe and earth-centered from the Native Americans. Each of these involves a complex assessment of the constitution and temprement of the person in relationship to their environment and may invoke etheric or intangible forces in healing process. Frequently an attempt is made to balance opposing energies such as hot or cold, light or dark, wet or dry, internal or external, and to create harmony and regularity where disease has disrupted the natural order of things. This way of using herbs requires years of study and practice as well as significant degree of sensitivity of the practitioner to be able to sense the subtle energies of patient and plant. 

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Actions based

This is the easiest way for you to begin using herbs. All herbs have biochemical actions and effects in the body. Knowing what these are and understanding the specific pathology of the patient you are dealing with, will enable you to decide which actions and then which individual herbs are best suited to correcting the disease.

Some herbal actions include:

Antibacterial

Several herbs have a direct effect upon pathogenic microbes both topically for skin infections and also internally for lung, gastric or other systemic infection. E.g.. Lomatium (Lomatium dissesctum), Goldenseal (Hydrastis canadensis), Thyme (Thymus vulgaris)

Digestive stimulants

The bitter taste of some herbs initiates a nerve impulse from the taste buds to the brain then down the Vagus nerve to the entire digestive tract. This can stimulate everything from salivation to gastric acid and digestive enzyme production to peristalsis. E.g.. Wormwood (Artemisia absinthium), Centaury (Erythrea centaurea), Gentian (Gentiana lutea)

Circulatory stimulants

These are warming herbs that dilate blood vessels and strengthen the heart. They may direct blood to the head, limbs or through the central organs. E.g.. Cayenne (Capsicum minimum), Ginger (Zingiber officinalis), Prickly ash (Zanthoxylum spp.)

Expectorant

These herbs stimulate the cleansing activities of the lungs and aid the removal of thick or sticky mucous. E.g. Licorice (Glycyrrhiza glabra), Elecampane (Inula helenium), Marshmallow (Althea officinalis)

Anti-inflammatory

This group includes a wide variety of herbs and constituents and may be effective in many different parts of the body. E.g. White willow (Salix alba), Devil's claw (Harpagophytum procumbens), Turmeric (Curcuma longa)

Anti-depressant

These herbs tend to be gentle strengthening agents, nourishing, tonifying and healing. They may be chosen for their invigorating or their sedative properties according to need. E.g.. St. John's Wort (Hypericum peforatum), Vervain (Verbena officinalis), Lemon balm (Melissa officinalis)

Analgesic / anodyne

For mild to moderate pain herbs may offer a useful alternative to the harmful non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs . E.g. Jamaican dogwood (Piscidia erythrina), Wild lettuce (Lactuca virosa), California poppy (Eschscholzia californica)

Sedative nervine

Calming, soothing and relaxing herbs for anxiety, stress and sleep disturbance. E.g.. Passionflower (Passiflora incarnata), Skullcap (Scutalleria lateriflora), Chamomile (Chamomilla recutita)

Energy booster

Strengthening and tonic herbs that support the adrenal glands, thyroid and nervous tissue. They generally should not contain caffeine or other aggressive stimulants. E.g.. Siberian ginseng (Eleutherococcus senticosus), Gotu kola (Centella asiatica), Kelp (Fucus vesiculosis)

Immune stimulating 

Used to build immune strength and resistance to disease. E.g.. Echinacea (Echinacea spp), Wild indigo (Baptisia tinctoria), Usnea lichen (Usnea spp.)

Antispasmodic

For relaxing smooth and skeletal muscle and easing cramps, muscular tension and spasmodic conditions. E.g.. Cramp bark (Viburnum opulus), Lobelia (Lobelia inflata), Black cohosh (Cimicifuga racemosa)

Uterine tonic

Strengthening and tonifying to the uterine muscle and lining, useful in restoring normal menses. E.g.. Partridge berry (Mitchella repens), Yarrow (Achillea millefolium), Ladies mantle (Alchemilla vulgaris)

Diuretic

Gentle but effective remedies that will not cause potassium depletion or stress the kidneys. E.g. Dandelion leaf (Taraxacum off. folia), Celery (Apium graveolens), Corn silk (Zea mais)
 
 
 
 

BUILDING YOUR FORMULA

Remember that it usually more effective to give more quantity of a single herb than small amounts of many different things. Five or six herbs in significant quantities (which vary with each herb) is usually the most effective number - it gives you room for all the herbal actions you need and yet doesn't confuse the body with to many chemical combinations all at once.

You should start by listing all the herbal action that you think you need to use for this particular condition. Always try to seek the cause of the problem and don't just treat the symptom. That doesn't mean you should never treat symptoms, of course this can be a useful thing to do to give some relief while you take the time to try and understand the condition and its underlying or root causes. 

An example of formula building

A friend seek your advise for chronic mild asthma manifesting as frequent episodes of mild to moderate chest tightness, wheezing and shortness of breath. There is a frequent cough with thick sticky mucous which is hard to move. The symptoms are aggravated by contact with dairy products, animals and feathers. The patient is pale, weak, cold and lethargic. 

You might choose to utilize the following herbal actions: 

antispasmodic

soothing 

immune boosting 

warming 

stimulating 

Now list out all the herbs you know that have these actions. Any herb which appears in more than one category is a very likely candidate. Additionally within each category there will be some herbs with greater tissue specificity for the lungs and these are, of course, to be preferred over those with tissue specificity for other parts of the body. If possible you should also include the energetic properties of the herbs and the patient ion your choices. For example, in this case, you might choose Echinacea as the immune stimulant because it is warming as compared to Usnea which is cooling. 
 
 

A sample formula for asthma

Lobelia 5% A warming, stimulating antispasmodic, specific to lung tissue

Marshmallow 20% Soothing and relaxing 

Echinacea 20% Warming immune booster to reduce the allergic reactions that trigger the asthma

Ginger 10% A warming circulatory stimulant

Licorice 20% A warming, energizing and stimulating herb which supports the immune system and aids the removal of mucous from the lungs

Nettle 15% A nutritive and restorative herb that reduces response to inhalant or ingested allergens

Cramp bark 10% An antispasmodic that combines especially well with Lobelia to relax the lungs
 
 

The traditional and time - honored approach suggests that a formula should have within it:

The proportions can also be adjusted to give additional potency to certain herbs, or an action may be enhanced by several herbs working in synergy. Additionally each herb may have several different activities and effects. In this way the formula can be layered and overlapped so as to give almost infinate adaptability. This enables the clinical herbalist to prescribe a very personalized formula, specific to an individual and their particular set of health concerns. 
 
 

HOW MUCH TO TAKE

When determining the dose of herbal formulas there are several criteria which must be taken into account. 

First and foremost is the question of the medicines themselves - exactly how powerful and potent are the herbs and is there any question of possible toxicity? The severity of the condition must also be considered. Generally, the worse or more acute the condition, the more medicine you will need to give, gradually tapering off as the condition abates.

The height, weight and overall body size is significant - you wouldn't give the same dose to a frail, little 80 year old woman as you would to a 250 lb weight lifter. Also consider the absorption and elimination processes. If there is significant constipation or digestive sluggishness then lower doses might be required because the herb would remain in the system longer. Conversely, in cases of chronic diarrhoea a larger dose might be necessary. If a fever is present or if the general metabolic rate is high then higher doses might be required. 

The constitution of the patient should also be considered. The tongue, pulse, skin tone & color should be assessed as well as their personal and family health history. 

If you use teas then up to 1 oz (30 g) of herbal blend per day is a reasonable amount. If you use tinctures at a strength of 1:3 to 1:5 then up to 1 tsp. (5 mLs) three times a day is usual.