Herbs and Nutrition for Preventing and Treating Colds and Flu

Herbalists all over the country are combining forces to educate the public about natural health practices that can be used during cold and flu season, and especially in this time of the H1N1 flu pandemic.

Contrary to common belief, the flu is both preventable and treatable with herbs and other methods derived from nature. And the common cold can be eased along with the assistance of herbs and other nutrients allowing our bodies to fully experience each stage of recovery necessary to healing.

Symptoms of cold include, coughing, runny nose, sore throat, fever, chills, ear infections, restlessness nausea and appetite disturbances. Flu symptoms include fever, achiness, loss of appetite, cough and sore throat and dizziness. Both are contagious viral infections which cannot be treated with antibiotics and over the counter pharmaceuticals do little but mask symptoms. Many herbs grown across the US and sold in bulk at herbal shops or health stores are far less expensive than OTC medicine and herbal remedies can easily be made at home.

The herbs in this category are anti-microbial, which fight illness and destroy harmful pathogens. Anti-inflammatory, which act to soothe inflamed tissue and remedy irritation through a soothing emollient or demulcent action. Tonic, which help the body assimilate essential nutrients into the body and strengthen the system overall. Expectorant, which helps the respiratory system expel excess mucous from the lungs. And Febrifuge, which helps the body reduce fever.

Building the Immune System

Building the immune system is the first step to creating sustained wellness and the ability to successfully fight common cold and dangerous flu viruses.

Elderberries and Elder Flowers have been clinically studied and are proven to show remarkable action for preventing and treating flu and cold viruses. Elderberry syrup can be taken prior to a virus as a preventative measure or during the course of illness, often resulting in a quicker recovery period. Everyone can take elderberry syrup, including infants, and will notice immediate results. A strong tea of the berries or flowers also has the same effect.

Echinacea has long been renowned for it’s immune boosting properties. As an anti-viral herb, its unique ability to act as a lymphatic decongestant is the primary reason it works so well to rid the system of harmful organisms and viruses to support the immune system as a whole.

An herb popularly used in Traditional Chinese medicine is Astragalus, fast becoming popular to Western Herbalists. Astragalus is a root and is used to support immunity. Fresh or dried chopped root can be added to vegetable or chicken broth for a powerful immune enhancing soup.

Nutritional Support During Healing

Garlic is one of nature’s finest anti-viral and anti-microbial agents can be taken at the onset of illness. Raw garlic cloves taken daily with pure water and lemon juice can be useful in clearing up congestion, expelling mucus from the respiratory system and nasal passages, acting as an expectorant and fighting infection. Use in tandem with any of the herb vegetables of the onion family, chives, scallions to fight viruses and tone the entire system.

Nutritionally Garlic, Onions and Carrots work well together as a support during cold and flu season. Russian herbalists recommend drinking carrot juice daily, the Vitamin C content and beta carotene are vital components for immune strength and health. A soup made with vegetable broth, onions, garlic, carrots and Astragalus makes an excellent tonic.

The old saying “Feed a cold, starve a fever” is taken to mean when we have a cold, we may be more inclined to eat, but when we have a fever, our bodies are less likely to consume regular quantities of food in order to conserve energy for healing. Therefore, it is important to feed our bodies the highest quality nutrients, reducing sugar intake, processed foods, red meat and dairy.
A diet of easily digestable food is preferable to heavy, starchy or fiberous substances. Brown or white rice and miso soup is a well balanced alternative to canned soups and Kitcheree, a Middle Eastern dish made with lentils, rice and carrots, coconut milk and lemongrass, ginger and cayenne can be a nutritionally packed meal supporting healing.

The use of Cayenne and Ginger have a warming affect on the body by increasing circulation and will induce sweating and promote the expelling of fever.

During the flu, when we are less inclined to eat, herbal teas can be nutritive and provide adequate fluid. An excellent Tonic is made from Chickweed, a little weedy flower that grows in grassy fields. Chickweed is a cooling, restorative herb that can help with any chest infection or feverous conditions. In addition to tea, a light meal of whole grain toast with elderberry jam can improve stamina in addition to boosting the immune system, and lemon/ lime juice in fresh water can provide the vitamin C and energy you need during an illness.

Symptom Relief

To relieve a scratchy, sore throat, mucilaginous herbs called Demulcents can aid in reducing inflammation and irritation. Marshmallow root, Licorice and Slippery Elm are all used for this purpose. At your local health food store, you can find Slippery Elm Lozengers and a great tea is made with these ingredients is from Traditional Medicine called Throat Coat. A milder tea for children can be made with Raspberry Leaf, Chamomile and Marshmallow Root.

Honey is another staple food item that is needed during cold and flu season. Honey makes an effective cough syrup and the addition of certain herbs can make honey a prize fighter on the road to recovery. Nettle leaf is a wonderful tonic herb that can help heal respiratory illnesses. It releases deep congestion without irritating sensitive lung tissue. Pine has always been a remarkable healer of all kinds of lung conditions. Throughout the centuries herbalists and doctors have known of Pine’s unique healing qualities and have often recommended that infirm patients walk in Pine Forests to soothe their respiratory ailments. I combine a mixture of Marshmallow Root, Red Clover and White Pine to local honey to make a wonderful cough syrup for adults and children alike.

Children tend to get upset easier when they are sick. Valerian root is an excellent calmative which can be given to babies and children to calm them and ease them to sleep. Glycerites are pleasant tasting herbal medicine for children and Valerian Root Glycerite is easy to administer to even the fussiest of children. Adults can also benefit from Valerian when they are ill, tea or tincture can be taken regularly until a state of calm is induced. The benefit of Valerian as a sleep aid is that it is non habit forming and after a peaceful night sleep there is no grogginess upon waking the next morning.

If ear infections become a worrisome factor during a viral illness, treatment at the onset of earache is often effective to relieve pain and discomfort. A few drops of warmed olive oil can do the trick, but the addition of anti-microbial herbs such as Mullein, Garlic and Lavender add power to the remedy. Do not use this treatment however, if the ear drum has ruptured.

Checking In with Our Bodies

Herbalists and Holistic practitioners believe that illness is often a call to action. When we are tired and over-stressed, our bodies become more susceptible to illness and invasive bacteria and viruses.

It has become standard practice in our culture to seek a quick fix to many ailments with over the counter pharmaceuticals, which merely mask symptoms and do not get to the root of the problem. As a society, we feel pressure from our employers and our families to be well and get back to our busy lives immediately without taking time to fully recover.

The body has a way of miraculously healing when given adequate rest, fresh air, light exercise, nutrition and herbal treatments, renewing the system, detoxifying the body and giving rise to a more vibrant energy.

If illness tells us anything, it is to take the time to look within, slow down and take stock of our lifestyles and make the necessary adjustments to live in a more balanced and nurturing way.

Treating Childhood Ear Infections Naturally

Middle Ear infections, called Otitis Media, are becoming more and more common amongst infants and children of the twentieth century. It has been reported that ear infections increased 150 Percent between 1975 and 1990. Childhood ear infections can be the result of a viral infection, bacteria, inflammation and even emotional stress. With the rise in antibiotic treatments, infant formula and use of cows milk, many holistic practitioners are citing these factors as some of the main reasons for the increase in ear infections in children.

Inner ear infections result in severe pain related to fluid retention, causing pressure on the ear drum. The risks are high if left untreated and can cause permanent hearing loss due to a ruptured or fractured ear drum. Outer ear infections result in inflammation and redness with a dull ache when the earlobe is pulled or pressure is exerted on the ear.

When an infant or child has a highly mucilaginous diet, full of heavily saturated fats from cheese, milk, refined sugar, red meat and other processed foods, frequent episodes of colds or runny nose can occur and may block the Eustachian tube of the inner ear, causing it to fill with mucus and become inflamed. Inflammatory fluid builds up, and over time bacteria can multiply causing painful chronic infection of the middle ear.

Another documented source of ear infection has been linked to pacifier and bottle use. A non-breastfed infant is at a greater risk of ear infection due to being placed on his/her back with a pacifier or bottle, which can cause nasal and throat bacteria to drip into the inner ear canal and cause under-developed Eustachian tubes to swell.

Children with frequent ear infections may be at risk for more serious illnesses as they age. Autism, ADHD hearing loss, language delay and certain neurological problems may either be the result of chronic ear infections or the antibiotics given to treat them.

One third of all ear infections are Viral. Now that we know that antibiotics do not kill viruses, why do doctors continue to prescribe antibiotics for many ear infections? It is simply because there is no way to tell if an ear infection is viral unless the inner ear drum is pierced and the fluid is drained for testing. Many studies have shown that short term antibiotic use has little effect and that no treatment is often better, minimizing the risk of harmful bacteria becoming resistant to the antibiotics and the antibiotics killing off any remaining helpful bacteria in the ear.

Natural remedies have been successful in the treatment and cure of ear infections for centuries by addressing the root cause of the problem.

Before rushing your child at the last minute to the emergency room for drainage and drugs, know the signs and symptoms and treat naturally.

To avoid swimmer’s ear, drop a few drops of white vinegar into your child’s ear after swimming to kill bacteria.

Be conscious of your child’s emotional environment, children who “block” out what is being said to them may require a different approach to communication, sometimes emotional barriers manifest in the physical.

When your child has reddened or inflamed ears, try using a hot water bottle wrapped in a towel to reduce swelling. Couple this with light, yet firm massage on pressure points along the jaw, backs of the ears, cheekbones and top of the head.

The first line of defense is to make sure the home environment is free of unnecessary pollutants and toxins, such as harsh chemical cleaners, sulphuric products and cigarette smoke which can be the cause of allergies and asthma.

Make sure their diets are well balanced and healthy and avoid dairy products which may cause a build up of mucus to form in infected areas, such as the upper respiratory system. Adjusting your child’s diet to include more raw fruits and vegetables and reducing dairy, red meat and processed foods will show an automatic immune response by improving energy, creating a more stable internal environment, strengthening liver function to fight toxins and balancing internal flora. When your child has an infection serve only foods that are seasonal and do not have extreme temperatures. Serve juice or tea lukewarm, do not let them eat ice cream or freezer pops. Warmer foods help to decrease the mucus in the system.

The immune system can be supported by enhancing your child’s diet with vital herbs such as garlic, a powerful anti-viral and anti-microbial; elderberry which has been clinically proven to fight cold and flu and strengthen the immune system overall; Echinacea acts as a lymphatic decongestant and its powerful antimicrobial functions make it the ideal herb for treating any viral, bacterial or fungal infection.

Mullein and Garlic Oil dropped directly into the ear acts as an analgesic and anti-bacterial, ridding the inner ear of infection and easing pain. Drop 3 drops into the infected ear and have your child rest on a pillow on their side for 5-10 minutes. Repeat on the opposite side. In the meantime, wrap the hot water bottle in a towel and place under the other ear. A substitute for this or additional to the oil can be Calendula Oil.

Above all, your child’s comfort in times of illness is important. Rest and relaxation aid in easing discomfort. Chamomile tea is an excellent and gentle sleep aid and Valerian Glycerite is a superior calmative for fussy infants and children of all ages.

If the infection persists more than 4-5 days seek medical advice. It is often the case that fluid from an inner ear infection can remain in the ear anywhere from 2-3 months. Fever may occur with infection, it is important to become comfortable with the notion of fever as a detoxification agent, cleaning out the system naturally and preparing for a new, healthier internal environment to be born. You can support this natural healing process with the use of herbs and natural health remedies. By following these measures you can reduce the chance of your child getting painful chronic ear infections and improve their long term health overall.

Embarking on a Mission of Health

Call me crazy, idealistic, extreme, whatever, but I am thinking of embarking on a year long food mission for my health and the health of the planet. I recently read Gary Paul Nahban's book, Coming Home to Eat, and was inspired. Not only did I learn a ton about an area of the country that I hardly think of, but I was deeply and profoundly impressed by his wisdom, fortitude and continued empowerment when it came to eating locally within his own foodshed.

It got me thinking, being in the New England area allows me an abundance of seasonal food all year round. I have alot of time on my hands as a work at home mom and I love a good challenge. Why not try my own version of what Gary did in his desert town of Sonora Valley and explore my local terrain, meet other local foodists and native eaters and learn a thing or two about the history of this area and our food supply.

I think if I tried to eat 3 out of 4 meals including mostly locally grown and produced faire and 2 out of 4 meals raw, that would be a substantial challenge that I would love to explore. In addition, reducing my carbon footprint by walking more and finding out what each corner in my city has to offer would be a good way to get out of the house with the baby for a little exercise and fun.

So far, I haven't found any books on New England based local eating movements but I know there are plenty of locavores here. I may start a new blog about this if it is something I don't get burnt out on too quickly. A year is a long time and I am still breastfeeding, so I don't want to do anything stupid. I just think that this would be something unique and life affirming and a good way to get to know myself even better as well as to instill in my child something that I care deeply about.

The Devil You Know

Last night my husband came home complaining of chest pains in his cardiovascular region. Because it was so late and because heart attack's run in his family, I urged him to go to the ER. While I waited up for him to arrive home, I kept in contact with him to give him my support though I could not be there.

When he checked in they provided him with an EKG and took his blood pressure, temperature and asked him all of the routine questions. Then they sent him out to the waiting room until they could make room for him. About eight hours later, having had blood taken and more questions asked, they diagnosed a strained muscle and prescribed Naproxen, Flexerol and another muscle relaxer. Three pharmeceutical medications for the diagnoses of a pulled muscle in the chest cavity!

At 3am my husband came home, weary from the strain of florescent lights and waiting in a crowded hospital ward. I came downstairs to inquire about the results. As he told me, I must have reacted with horror and in my own tired haze began to tell him all that I knew about the muscular system, the different ways to self-heal without prescription drugs and lectured him on taking better care of himself. This must have overwhelmed him because he snapped "You're not the expert!" and we ended up sleeping in separate rooms that night.

Why does my husband not want my advice, when I have done so much to discover different ways of self healing and bring to light the possibilities of creating and sustaining personal health?!

This question raged through my sleep-deprived mind all day. For many hours I resented my husbands words of, "You're not the expert." And no, I am certainly not an expert, but then again, how many doctors are experts? How does one become an expert in their field? It takes years and years of practice with experience of both specifics and variables being studied and learned. By no means am I an expert, but at the same time, I might never be, nor ever want to be. If the only means by which I could be considered an expert is to get my doctorate after 8 plus years of school and brain washing, no thank you.

Dejected feelings aside, I have to ask, why, when I have brought such knowledge of natural healing, herbs, aromatherapy, yoga, pilates, energy work and nutrition into our home would my husband rather take drugs to ease his pain before even trying any of the alternatives?

I decided to discuss this with him in a more gentle way this evening. Inquiring, I asked him if the doctors had told him of any stretching exercises that he could do to relieve his discomfort. No.

Did the doctors recommend any topical solution to the problem? No.

Did the doctors discuss any minerals or vitamins that could help with the muscle spasms? No.

Did the doctors advise any alternative ways to cure the pain besides the medicine? No.

Then my husband said something astounding: "I received the prescriptions and I did not feel that I had a choice but to get them filled".

I realized then that my husband had fallen into the medical trap just as many American's have. Precisely because we are not given a choice, therefore we feel as if we do not have a choice. Choice is one of the major cornerstones of modern society, and yet our medical system appears to give little choice to individuals looking to partake in their own self care. Three prescriptions offered because of what? A relationship between drug companies, the hospital tax shelters or simply because no one knows of anything better to offer?

This is the very reason herbalists like myself are pushing for Integrative Medicine in our country. This is why we must fight for our health freedom and the right to choose the treatment we would like to have offered to us and to our bodies. If our bodies are supposed to be our temples, only we can determine the right course of action for them. No one should be made to feel like a poor patient because they refuse to take their medicine or decide to get an alternative diagnosis.

While the miracle of modern medicine, surgery and transplantations is very valid, one should be cautious to begin with the least intervention in the first stages of illness. Very often the body is reacting to stress, toxins, hormonal imbalance or poor nutritional distribution in the body. This is the time to do nothing and to take stock of what might be affecting us, not cover up the problem with drugs.

My husbands entire family seems to be deeply rooted in the medical system, it doesn't come as a surprise because his father has Polio. In the era when Polio was first being treated, he was one of the very first kids in Pennsylvania to receive treatment, one which allowed him to be mobile and heal from the Polio. My husbands father also receives dialysis on a regular basis for kidney failure and has survived four heart attacks, while his mother received a gastric bypass surgery and a knee replacement. All of these interventions have kept them going into their mid seventies. But you see, they were born into an era when how to eat healthy and how to treat the body was not widely explored. And they were born when the medical system was just beginning to take shape. Now there are so many marvels of modern medicine to take advantage of and when you are already locked in to needing this or that surgery, one must feel quite priveledged to be able to partake in these sciences. Therefore, my husband also feels that he is receiving the best care, because afterall UPS has the best healthcare coverage in the United States today.

So we finally determined that the reason my husband was more inclined to take the advice of the medical "expert" over the simple herbalist is because it is easier to hear what the Devil you know has to say than the Devil you don't know.

So the next time you feel you have no choice, think again, it may not be easy at first to think about what your body might be trying to tell you, or what your body might need, rather than accepting the quick fix. But in the long run, you will have taken an approach which allows freedom of choice over feelings of fear to take you where you need to be. You will be empowered to act confidently and take responsibility for yourself and your self care and that is a beautiful thing.

My Raw Food Experience

I haven't blogged in a while, I guess you can say I have had a bit of the old writers block. I've also been very busy with the Hope Eternal Loud Music Festival, a little something I put together to celebrate the recovery of a good friend of mine who was diagnosed with a very rare form of uterine cancer this year. Green Inside Herbals has taken a back seat because I am still trying to figure it all out. Being new to this line of business has been a little bit of a challenge. Anyone who knows me from my Eternal Embrace and Triple Moon Entertainment business knows me to be smart, savvy and decisive, but for some reason, my Herbal Business self just has not found her sea legs yet.

This past month has been a very positive and transformational month for me though. I have been told that my ability to change easily and quickly is not always beneficial, but I disagree. I love change and the more I grow in this life, the easier I may have it in the next life. (At least I hope that is the case!)

About a month ago I suddenly started to receive information about raw foods in my email. I don't recall how I started to get them, maybe facebook put a trace on an inquiry that I made to an aquaintance who was trying to go raw and sent the website www.rawepicurian.net to my email, or perhaps some of my herbal buddies turned me on to the idea. At any rate, I began to receive blogs regularly, not thinking too much of it, I would read the recipes with a vague interest. Until one day I was sent a blog about Sarma Melngailis' new book Living Raw Food. It was probably Sarma's unique beauty that caught my attention first, but I began to read the synopsis of the book and became fascinated. In 1999 I breifly encountered a Raw Food workshop being held in Newburyport, MA and I was intrigued, but at the same time scared. I didn't want to eat raw meat and raw eggs. Boy was I mis-informed. I picked up Sarma's book, one of two in a series, and devoured it. Soon enough I began to incorporate raw foods into my every day eating, then I suddenly lost all my desire to eat otherwise. In a month's time I went almost completely Raw Vegan.

As a still breastfeeding mother, I worried at first that I would not be providing enough nutrients for my daughter, but because breastfeeding is merely supplemental at this point and she eats everything now, I surged ahead. I was relieved when I read that certain vegetables and fruits, including coconuts have more protien than meat and that our bodies are more efficient when we eat our fruits and veggies in liquid form.

Not only did I suddenly have amazing energy because of this new eating, but I loved food again. I went through quite a long period after my pregnancy, where I detested food and craved only sweets. It was not pretty and I felt that something had to be done when I received a blood test back where my tryglicerides were through the roof! I had originally met with a dietician who counciled me about portion sizes, that helped tremendously as we are now consuming double the portions that we did fifty years ago. I also began running and joined a Pilates class which has been such an amazing experience for me because I previously did not like to exercise and now I love it. Now, finally, after I made these adjustments, I am beginning to feel better about myself, not only my energy and eating habits, but better over all, more confident, more aware, more myself it seems.

Although recently, I must admit, I fell off the wagon, I jumped right back on. It was hard though. I guess learned behavior patterns can often derail progress. It helps to have amazing resources on the web. If you are interested in exploring more about the benefits of Raw Food health, check out www.rawepicurian.net and www.crazysexylife.com both of these sites are inspirational in their own way and support people looking to add more raw food into their lives. The raw epicurian is all raw food recipes and they even do monthly give-aways, and Crazy Sexy Life has quotes, articles and stories about everyday people who are making the transition to living healthier.

I am not 100% anything. Why be so strict when I know that I will fail, that is why diets never work. But I make an effort (and yes, it is an effort some days more than others) to do a little each day. In the morning I always have a smoothie or a peice of fruit. In the afternoon, I may have a salad or sometimes I eat just a simple dish of tunafish or share chicken fingers with my daughter. And for dinner I will have a plate of veggies and some rice or a small peice of chicken. I want to try to eventually be about 85% raw, but I am not going to kill myself. As long as I am exercising every week at least three times a week, and eating that way I know I am doing a world of good for me and for my child.

We also implemented Meat Free Monday's at our house, which I borrowed from CSLs website. I read that more and more communities are advocating MFM to try to reduce our consumption of meat. From 1950, we have doubled our meat consumption and also doubled our body masses. Since cows and other meat animals are being fed diets of grain rather than grass, to make them grow fatter quicker, they are unhealthy and get sick easier due to a comprimised immune system which is why they are injected with the antibiotics that we have now built immunity against. I am making a concerted effort to only purchase grass fed meat when I buy meat at all anymore.

I also found these great bars today at the supermarket. Usually supermarkets don't carry anything raw, but Lara Bars are 90% Raw and they are Vegan. If I get a chocolate craving or a sweets craving, I can turn to Lara Bars. I think their base is made of dates, what my Mother calls "God's Candy".

I can't wait to buy Sarma's first book too, I was reading it at the bookstore a few days ago and couldn't put it down. She is an inspiration for me, we are around the same age, she grew up in Newton, MA and went to Mount Ida Summer Camp and I went to college in Newton at Mount Ida. She is a saavy NY restaurant owner and also has several online companies. As a multiple business owner myself, it is nice to have a peer like her to admire and connect with. To learn more visit her restuarant Pure Food and Wine www.purefoodandwine.com or her oneline wholesale raw food store One Lucky Duck www.oneluckyduck.com.

At the end of the day, it is all how you feel about yourself, maybe you will find that eating Raw is not for you which of course, there are plenty of additional ways you can improve your health. I myself, finally found something that is working for me and it took 32 years to figure that out and I am still trying to work at it!

Your kitchen is your medicine cabinet

To learn how to use the herbs and spices in your kitchen as a part of a healing diet or as supplements in your self care routine, read this article: http://www.examiner.com/x-14746-Manchester-Natural-Health-Examiner~y2009m7d9-Your-kitchen-is-your-medicine-cabinet

New Hampshire: Where the herbs are

My latest article entitled New Hampshire: Where the herbs are, has just been published at http://www.examiner.com/examiner/x-14746-Manchester-Natural-Health-Examiner~y2009m7d2-New-Hampshire-Where-the-herbs-are.

Please visit to generate traffic to my site and to learn about New Hampshires herbal scene.

Green Inside Herbals News

It's been awhile, my life has been in a bit of an upheaval lately. Many changes have been taking place and recently some positive ones are coming to fruition. A few months ago, I had met up with the woman who inspired me to become an herbalist, Maria Noel Groves, she was forming a group of NH Herbalists and invited me to join. I have since gone to several meetings and have found it to be a very rewarding experience so far. Last week I volunteered to be on the education committe to engage in a discovery process about how we can educate the public and ourselves regarding herbs. I am excited and have alot of ideas surging forth!

Another wonderful new outlet that I am exploring is freelance writing. I have been hired by the Manchester Examiner www.examiner.com, to be a Natural Health writer for their online newspaper. My latest article, Creating sustained wellness: Strengthening the immune system can be read at http://www.examiner.com/x-14746-Manchester-Natural-Health-Examiner.

I will also begin working more directly with the Intuitive Life Network to promote my herbal business in hopes of reaching a more diverse community of people interested in exploring natural health alternatives.

I will be available for consultations and classes through www.intuitivelifenetwork.org in the months ahead.

Where the Herbs Are in New England

It's that time again, when nature sprouts her seedlings and plants are abundantly growing in the wild, cultivated on farms and in gardens, off of our porches and decks and all about in farmers markets, supermarkets, garden stores and more! The earth is singing her birthing song once again.

One may wonder where to find specific herbs this season. If you've been listening to my radio show or reading this blog, an herb that I mentioned may have piqued your interest. To a person who is new to the world of herbs or someone looking to find fresh rather than dried herbs, the quest isnt always an easy one. There are so many online stores it is dizzying, how do we know that the herbs sold at certain natural food stores are truly organic or what they say they are, how do we know which product to choose from with so many on the shelves?

It can be difficult, I will not lie. It sometimes takes alot of trial and error before finding the best quality on the market today. But I like to make things easy for people and I like to help. So here is a comprehensive list of many of New England's Herb Farms, the best Online stores that sell dried herbs and herbal products and some wonderful resource books that I recommend to anyone interested in increasing their herbal knowledge. With these tools, I hope you will find the herbs that will resonate with you and make you happy during this year's growing season.

Books About Herbs and Herbalism
Healthy Healing: A Guide to Self-Healing for Everyone
Author: Linda Paige
Product DescriptionThe ultimate resource for improving your health naturally! In its first edition nearly 20 years ago, Dr. Linda Page’s book Healthy Healing was the only one of its kind. Now updated and expanded, it’s still the easiest to use natural health reference book on the market. Customize your own personal healing program from natural therapies for over 300 ailments through diet, whole herb supplements and exercise.

Naturally Healthy Babies and Children
Author: Aviva Jill Romm
Product DescriptionYearning for natural ways to care for their children, many parents seek techniques that do not require the invasive procedures and medications often associated with Western medicine. Midwife and herbalist Aviva Romm offers an A-to-Z handbook that addresses common health issues of children, from newborns to preadolescents. Aviva’s whole-child approach integrates herbal remedies, nutrition, hygiene, and alternative health techniques with supportive, informed parenting.

A Kids Herb Book
Author: Lesley Tierra
Product DescriptionA creative blend of information, projects, activities, preparations, colour-in artwork, stories, songs, lore and interesting herbal tidbits. This book will help parents and their children learn about herbs.

Herbal Healing for Women
Author: Rosemary Gladstar
Product Description
Comprehensive and easy-to-use, Herbal Healing for Women explains how to create remedies -- including teas, tinctures, salves and ointments--for the common disorders that arise in the different cycles of a woman's life. A complete women's health-care manual.

The Male Herbal
Author: James Green
Product DescriptionUntil herbalist James Green introduced THE MALE HERBAL more than 15 years ago, there was virtually no information about using herbs specifically in men's health. With sensitivity toward men's reluctance to focus on health matters, Green's trusted advice and wisdom is as vital today as it was then. He outlines the medicinal uses of scores of herbs for male-specific issues, while emphasizing prevention and health rather than illness.

Reference Material from www.amazon.com

New England Herb Farms
Massachusetts
Cedar Spring Herb Farm159 Long Pond DriveHarwich, MA 02654donnna@cedarspringherbfarm.com508-430-4372Wide range of herbal products, including plants, teas, culinary blends, household cleansers, beauty products, potpourri. Also offers classes and events, wellness consultations, and weed walks. Farm store on premises, also mail-order. Registered United Plant Savers Botanical Sanctuary.

Cutler Mill Herb Farm171 Foundtain StreetAshland, MA 01721info@CutlerMillHerbFarm.com508-881-7200Dried and potted culinary and medicinal herbs. Farm store on premises, farm welcomes visitors.

Hartmans Herb Farm1026 Old Dana RoadBarre, MA 01005hartmansherb@hotmail.com978-355-2015Potted herbs, dried herbal wreaths. Farm store. Some online ordering.

New Hampshire
Misty Meadows Herbal Center185 Wednesday Hill Road Lee, NH 03824 office@mistymeadows.org603-659-7211Huge selection of herbal products, teas, tinctures, aromatherapy, books, gems and jewelry. Periodic plant sales. Farm store and online ordering. Herbal Education Center. Plant Identification Walks.

Heartsong Farm Healing Herbs859 Lost Nation RoadGroveton, NH 03582603-636-2286Fresh and dried medicinal herbs, herbal preparations, including mouthwash, cough syrup, bitters and others.

Maine
Blessed Maine Herbs257 Chapman RidgeAthens, ME 04912gailea88@gmail.com207-654-2879Beauty products, incense, smoking blends, herbal syrups and tonics, dream pillows, herbal teas, salves, massage oils, herbal aphrodisiacs. Many products certified organic.

Steeplebush Farm Herbs102 Staples Rd.Limington, ME 04049herbs@steeplebush.comCulinary herbal blends, teas, salve, lip balm, lotions, salt rubs, potpourri. Farm store and online ordering.
Vermont

Everlasting Herb Farm931 Greenbay Loop, P.O. Box 143Peacham, VT 05862wendy@everlastingherbfarm.net802-592-3111Organically-grown herbal and flower potpourri, bath infusions, lip balms, drawer sachets and sachets made from vintage linens. Online ordering.

Woodsong HerbalsP.O. Box 301Randolph, VT 05060woodsongherbals@verizon.net802-728-4941Herbal and aromatherapy products, including healing salves and oils, herbal therapy pillows, teas, moisturizing creams and lotions, children's products, lip balm.

Zack Wood Herb Farm278 Mead RoadHyde Park, VT 05655zackwoods@pshift.com802-888-7278Certified organic. Dried and fresh medicinal herbs in bulk, potted plants. Farm store and online ordering. Farm tours available by appointment.

Connecticut
Topmost Herb Farm244 North School RoadCoventry, CT 06238carole@topmostherbfarm.com860-742-8239Fresh medicinal and culinary herb plants, available at farm store from May-September.

Rhode Island
Cherry Valley Herb Farm969 Snake Hill RoadNo. Scituate, RI 02857401-647-3614Farm store closed, but products available online. Catalog does not indicate which herbs are grown at the farm.

Online Resources
Mountain Rose Herbs
www.mountainroseherbs.com
For buying quality dried herbs and spices

From Nature With Love
www.fromnaturewithlove.com
Large selection of quality dried herbs, aromatherapy products and natural care products. Local web based business from Connecticut.

United Plant Savers
www.unitedplantsavers.org
Education resource for information on endangered wild botanicals and herbalism

New England Grown
www.newenglandgrown.com
Database for New England Based Herbal Study Courses and Internships

American Herbalist Guild
www.americanherbalistguild.com
Locate an herbalist in your area, learn about herbalism and general information regarding herbs as medicine.

Do you want to dream?

Many of us have trouble falling asleep, with the stresses of the day and our busy lives weighing on us, we may toss and turn and think obsessively until at last we fall asleep only to be awoken unexpectedly, never really settling in, never really feeling the satisfaction of a full night's rest.

REM Sleep is our deepest and most healing slumber, it is where our body and mind does it's healing work. If we do not reach this deep state of relaxation, we are often irritable, fatigued and on edge throughout the day.

Prophecy Tea has been designed to allow the body to relax and unwind naturally and drug free. The ingredients are time tested and non habit forming, safe for just about everyone.

Would you like to try some? Would you like to have the sleep you deserve? Order today at www.intuitivelifenetwork.org

Tune in to my Herbal Radio Show at Para-x.com, Monday, May 11th

Announcement: Eleanor Moyer signs on as the official Herbalist for the Intuitive Life Network Org.

Eleanor Moyer brings Herbalist Training to ILN Certified Herbalist, Eleanor Moyer announces her acceptance to New England's prestigious Intuitive Life Network Organization (ILN) in Chelmsford MA. Eleanor has signed on as the official Herbalist for the ILN network. Her "dedicated to helping people build healthful lifestyles by incorporating herbs, natural supplements, aromatherapy, nutrition and body work into their lives" is exemplary, said Anderson Mar, ILN's press secretary. We are convinced of Eleanor's ability to create a nature based nurturing environment for inner and outer wellbeing.

Eleanor specializes in natural pregnancy and childcare options, herbal spa therapy and product formulation for the whole family. She conducts workshops to enhance public awareness of herbs powerful healing uses and she gives herbal health consultations to people throughout the New England area and she is proud to extend those services to the ILN network.
As an Herbalist, Eleanor is dedicated to helping individuals take back their sense of autonomy, build confidence in the natural and alternative health choices available today and guide people to create a more fulfilling and rewarding lifestyle for themselves and their families. She will be featured on ILN Radio, on a regular basis, to take calls from members and the general public alike. Eleanor Moyer brings to ILN her Herbalist training and was certified in 2007 at Misty Meadows Herbal Center in Lee, NH. She is currently pursuing a Distance Learning Course in Aromatherapy Certification with the East West School of Herbal and Aromatic Studies.

Eleanor's business is located in Manchester, NH. Green Inside Herbals, a brand focusing on public workshops, private consultations and customized products and Gothic Herbals, a division of the company that gears marketing medicinal herbal products toward individuals of a darker persuasion. For more information on Eleanor and her work as an herbalist, visit her blog at www.greeninsideherbals.blogspot.com, or browse the member profiles on the ILN website. Eleanor can be reached at greeninsideherbals@gmail.com or by phone at 603-233-3217.


Written by Lou Ann Diamond
Choice Treasures Companies for Intuitive Life Network Chelmsford MALdiamond@choicetreasuresTEAM ILN
Office: 978-251-0828 (9AM-6PM)
Just for Today TV Broadcast:
Producer: http://www.IntuitiveLifeNetwork.org

Your Kitchen is Your Medicine Cabinet!

This is the research paper that I wrote for a recent seminar I gave for the New England Metaphysical Faire in Cambridge, MA, sponsored by the Intuitive Life Network and the New England SEERS. All information in this text is for public knowledge and has been written with the idea that herbal healing is for everyone. That being said, the easiest way to access herbs and their healing powers is right in your own kitchen! I hope that you will enjoy reading this work and that next time you look in your kitchen spice cabinet you will be able to take advantage of the useful information described below.

Your Kitchen is Your Medicine Cabinet!
By Eleanor Moyer

My name is Eleanor Moyer, I’m a Certified Herbalist and the Owner of Green Inside Herbals located in Manchester, NH. As an herbalist, I specialize in Herbal Health Care for the whole family, with a focus on infants and children and pregnant and nursing mothers. I formulate and make herbal products, conduct herbal health consultations and make recommendations and I give workshops such as the one you will be experiencing today

You don't have to be a Top Chef to know that one of the most valuable culinary secrets is that herbs used in the kitchen have medicinal properties.

You can bet that if you have an Italian grandmother, she is well aware that the oregano and basil she uses in her famous spaghetti sauce are digestive aids as well as herbs that have antibiotic properties; helping to keep her family healthy during the cold winter months.

My own Jewish grandmother would put heaping tablespoons of chive, onion and garlic into her matzo ball soup broth for the very same reason.

If you come from an multi-cultural background, chances are, your family has their own arsenal of kitchen herbs used as medicine throughout the seasons.

Just this year, an Indian-American friend of mine told me about the use of Cumin tea as an ancient Ayurvedic remedy passed down through her family to help induce labor. I tried it and it worked! So much for thinking cumin was just for spicing up tacos.

If you’re interested in alternative healthcare, I’d like to share information with you about how the herbs in your spice cabinet can be included as part of a healing diet or used as supplements in an herbal self care program.

In this seminar, Your Kitchen is Your Medicine Cabinet, some of the herbs we’ll be discussing today are Oregano, Basil, Thyme, Anise, Fennel, Mint, Chamomile, Cayenne and Turmeric. You might be familiar with the uses of some of these herbs, yet there may be some things these herbs are capable of that you may not have known.

I would like to answer any questions that you might have, and welcome your thoughts and inquiries at the end of the session.

The next time you make rosemary chicken think about the fact that you’re using an aromatic herb that also benefits blood pressure and proper circulation.

Cayenne Pepper, used popularly in the Master Cleanse Program and added to many Mexican dishes, is known to speed up metabolism and help promote weight loss.

Catnip is not just for cats anymore. If you have cats and have some catnip in the house, you can make a tea of this herb to soothe an upset stomach, calm a colicky baby, reduce fever or use as a wash to bring out a rash. This multifaceted herb is part of the mint family, which are known for their digestion enhancing qualities.

Fennel too, is another wonderful herb to have in the kitchen. Its seeds can be chewed after a meal to promote healthy digestion and ease flatulence. Its use is popular throughout the Mediterranean as well as in the Middle East. If you’ve ever gone to an Indian restaurant and seen upon leaving a bowl of dried herb with bright colored specks sitting out, that is called Mukhwas, a mixture of Fennel, Anise Seed, Coconut and Sesame Seeds. These beautiful herbs are meant to be used as a digestive aid just as a mint candy would after dinner at an American eatery.

Indian curry recipes often call for turmeric, recognizable by its vibrant orange hue. This delicate spice is scientifically proven to have anti-inflammatory properties and has been used by athletic trainers to decrease swelling after a sports injury. Internal swelling is one of the main sources of many diseases afflicting Westerners today. Turmeric is a good remedy to have on hand in the kitchen and may even aid people who suffer from asthma.
Some of the most common complaints can be remedied by herbs that we might never have thought of for that purpose. With proper planning, one can create a healing menu for every ailment, every day of the week!
Who said cloves were just for pomander balls made during the holidays? Cloves have a bite that take away the sting of a tooth ache, just soak a teaspoon of cloves in an ounce of extra virgin olive oil overnight and apply it to the affected area as you would over the counter Orajel. I have used this remedy on my baby since she began teething and my husband who has chronic tooth problems swears by it.
If you suffer from chronic headaches or migraines, herbs which we call nervine tonics are often the most useful for relaxing tension in the body and helping to return the body to optimal function. In your kitchen you may find peppermint tea, commonly thought of for stomach ailments, this wonderful herb is highly effective in treating nausea and pain associated with migraine headaches.
Colds, Flu and Bronchitis are often rampant this time of year. Stock up on savory herbs such as sage, thyme, rosemary and marjoram. These herbs are known to be anti-spasmodic: reducing the action of a chronic cough, astringent: reducing inflammation and creating a protective barrier within the body, expectorant: allowing for mucous to be expelled from the lungs, and sedative: calming to the system. Make a strong tea of these herbs, add ginger and fresh local honey to ease a chronic cough, relax the nervous system and help a fever break.

If you're like me and suffer from insomnia, Chamomile tea is a great way to unwind from a hectic day. Most of us have used this gentle herb for tummy related issues, but don't let Chamomile's subtle properties fool you; it’s a hard working little flower that packs a big punch in all it can do. Chamomile is an infant’s best friend. If your baby suffers from colic, just make a tea and allow it to cool and put it in with their formula or spoon feed it to them as much as they will take. You will see results almost immediately. I've also used Chamomile as a wash for sore eyes and as a compress to reduce mild inflammation of insect bites and wounds.

For some of us, food equals love. Food invariably carries with it the ability to attract or repel. Many Hollywood movies have been made about food and its sensual qualities. Think of Chocolat, the film that came out in 2000 with Juliet Binoche and Johnny Depp. This movie inspired chocolatiers everywhere to begin experimenting with spicy peppers in their chocolate recipes. The next time you and that special someone are in the mood for a treat, try adding a bit of cinnamon and cayenne to your hot chocolate on a cold winter night and you'll see what I mean!

If you'd like to take your beauty regimen to a whole new level, look no further than your kitchen.

Hops in beer makes an excellent emulsifier and conditioning agent for limp hair. I have been using quality beer for years to make my lack luster hair luxurious!

We all need our beauty sleep. Perhaps your significant other snores so loudly it wakes you up or vice versa, simply place a heaping tablespoon of peppermint in a muslin bag and position it by your head where you sleep to reduce snoring and clear nasal passages.
Inhale deeply to unclog a stuffed up nose or to stimulate wakefulness and boost energy.

The skin is a mirror of our health as are the tongue and eyes. The next time you give yourself a facial, be sure to steam open your pores to release built up toxins in your skin. You can reduce inflammation in your face and reduce signs of aging by adding a tablespoon of chamomile flowers and rose petals to the boiling water and allowing the steam to penetrate your face under a towel for at least fifteen minutes. Follow by making a paste of honey and oats, leave this on as a mask for 10 minutes and scrub the skin gently to slough off any dead skin cells, follow by rinsing with warm water and then cool water to close the pores.

Not only can herbs be added to your diet to increase health, sustain wellness and nourish the body, but many fruits and vegetables, sea vegetables, minerals and grains are therapeutic as well.

Before grocery stores and pharmacies, which became a product of the industrial revolution, our ancestors relied on the seasons and their own harvests to nurture their bodies during the year. Storehouses and basement refrigeration, canning and drying were the primary method of preserving food for the year ahead. Folk medicine was the herbs you found in the wild, the vegetables and fruit you grew in your gardens and the natural wisdom of how to use these substances to heal, which was passed down by word of mouth generation to generation.

While much of the wisdom of the ages has been lost, a lot of it has been preserved in books and handed down by wise men and women who kept this knowledge flowing into today’s modern world. In recent years, alternative medicine has become the preference for many American families. As rising costs in healthcare have caused many to become uninsured, people are looking for ways to remain healthy without having access to modern medicine. In addition, individuals who seek a more nature based way to nurture their bodies are returning to greener lifestyles, invoking the memory of their ancestors to embrace organic gardening, alternative healthcare, bodywork and environmentally safer options in their daily lives.

Because kitchen herbs are so versatile, we can use them in a variety of ways as part of a healing diet, as supplements and in body care products such as creams, salves and oils. The most popular way of ingesting herbs for medicinal purposes is by drinking tea. You will find that children will readily drink a sweet healing tea over a chemical filled over the counter medicine.

We have become a culture of quick fixes. When we have an illness, we want to eradicate it immediately so that we can get back to our busy lives. It is important to note that sometimes illness hits us for the very reason we are seeking to avoid, to cause us to slow down, reflect and rejuvenate our bodies. Rather than being resistant to the care our bodies need, we should try to look within to find out what an illness might be trying to tell us.

Herbs work with our bodies to gently, yet powerfully nurture and nourish us. Although they might work slower than a single compound pharmaceutical, herbs work more directly to bring about balance to the body as a whole. It’s nice to know that we have a whole arsenal of healing remedies available to us right in our own kitchen.

It is important to state here that not all herbs, even kitchen herbs, in a healing diet are for everyone. Some who have compromised immune systems should consult their regular healthcare practitioner prior to taking any herbs. Nursing and Pregnant mothers should also communicate with their health care provider regarding which herbs they are taking. A word of caution is necessary regarding the use of rosemary for medicinal healing. This herb is high in Pyrolyzic Acid, known to have a strong effect on the liver if used in excess and may be toxic to some who have weakened liver function. Children should not ingest this herb regularly.

As an herbalist, I can help guide you and your family in the wise choice of incorporating herbs into your lives as part of a healing program. Not only can you use the dried herbs in your kitchen cabinet to create and sustain wellness, but you can purchase perennial herb plants from your local farmers market and easily grow herbs to use all year long.

I recommend trying to purchase only organically grown herbs without the added pesticides, as well as fruits and vegetables that have not been contaminated by chemical fertilizers. In a healing diet it is always best to start off with the freshest local and organically grown ingredients to reduce the toxicity levels in our bodies.

Because we live in an ever more industrial world, it is up to us, seekers of wisdom, healers, beings of light, to bring about the needed changes it will take to sustain long term health not only for the individuals on this planet, but the collective whole of the planet and all her people so that future generations can enjoy the great bounty that the earth is blessed with. As an herbalist I support sustainable agriculture, local farming, organic growing and fair trade. In my practice I do not recommend herbs that are on the endangered species list and I am very careful to use herbs in my products that have no known toxicity. My commitment to your health is also my commitment to your safety. I advise you to always research herbal remedies prior to use and discuss any herbs you might be taking with your health care practitioner.

The Green Inside Philosophy

I came up with the idea of Green Inside Herbals shortly after my daughter was born this past year. I had recently ended my job in an industry which I could not see myself continuing in. It did not immediately occur to me to start my herbal business, having put it on the back burner for three years. However, many sleepless nights had me thinking deep into the wee hours of the morning, and each evening I would hear messages loud and clear, no matter how much I tried to turn them off "Do your herbal work".

These messages began at first, saying to just have fun with my herbal knowledge and start a website to sell a few products. Of course, when I fully explored that idea I found myself thinking that the fun could be turned into a viable business. Reading over the pages of the books I knew so well, I found that I could easily concoct various herbal recipes and knew I could market them to individuals and businesses using my experience as a business owner and entrepreneur. The more I thought about it, the more my intuition opened up allowing all manner of creative ideas to flow. Each night that I would lay down to sleep my mind would race until my thoughts were completely explored. I came up with recipes, a catalog, product lines, marketing ideas, a logo, and a mission; to focus on herbalism for pregnant and nursing mothers and infants and children.

Over the days proceeding days, Green Inside became a mantra of sorts. Whenever I would have doubts about my path, I would look to my herbal studies to guide me. Doors seemed to be opening up to me and it felt like the right thing to be doing for both myself and my family as well as for the community I live in. Now, four months into my work, and building my focus in Pediatric Herbalism and Women Care, I have my product for sale at Nini Bambini, a fabulous Childbirth Education Center, I am conducting a workshop at a Metaphysical Faire in Cambridge, MA, I will be selling my products at Misty Meadow's Wellness Fair in August and I am beginning to study with Aviva Romm on March 25th and have commenced my studies in Aromatherapy just this week.

All of this got me thinking about myself and the way I live my life and the message that I seek to portray through Green Inside Herbals. I recently came to terms with a very bad sugar addiction that I have, realizing that if I am going to live in a healthful way and promote healing to others, I need to practice what I preach. So just this week, I am on a light detoxification diet (nothing too drastic because I'm still nursing), and I am very focused on increasing my exercise and personal wellness initiatives.

Green Inside has come to mean many things to me. From the grassroots level, it is the way we are when we are first inside our mothers bodies from embryo to fetus and then as newborns after we are born. Our bodies begin in a pure state, unadulterated, blank slates for the start of a healthful life. If we are lucky, our parents were vigilant in keeping good health while we were in utero and our mothers ate well balanced, chemical free diets and exercised regularly and passed this way of being on to us as we grew.

Unfortunately, many Americans today have not had the opportunity to grow up with picture perfect health, many children suffer from asthma, diabetes, obesity, eczema, chronic ear infections, ADD and other behavioral issues, often associated with diet and environment. It is not to say that if we, or our children, are plagued with these health issues that we cannot work to relieve or even reverse the effects by moving toward healthier lifestyles. Given all of the opportunity we have in this country to indulge in all our fancies, we also have the opportunity to indulge in the bounty that the natural world has to offer. By looking deep within, to the core of our being, we can remember and embrace the natural state we were born into.

Green Inside is a philosophy of not simply being, but of becoming, becoming our best selves, our most empowered selves, our wisest selves. Green Inside is also a philosophy of living in harmony with nature and the earth, of giving back to what is slowly being depleted. You can begin at any time, even if you have spent years doing things differently, you can take small initiatives to recycle, to decrease your use of toxic chemicals, to support organic farming and local agriculture. Each of us has the power to significantly decrease our carbon footprint on the planet, it is true that it only takes one person to make a difference and small steps are better than non-action. It is my belief that because we are inextricably entwined with the universe and planet we live on, we can effect great changes by beginning to heal ourselves first. When each of us lives our life to the fullest, valuing the kind of philosophy which I am speaking of, we build our own inner strength, becoming more self aware, at peace, focused and positive about how we approach our world, this in turn will rub off on our children and help them to become more empowered people who approach life in a similar way.

Sometimes all it takes is a little redirection to get to a place where we feel confident in our bodies again and in our own ability to create and sustain lasting health and well being. In my practice at Green Inside Herbals, I see my role as a facilitator of wellness, as a guide toward opening hearts and minds to the power to both receive health and to give health in return, my philosophy of Green Inside is for everyone. I think it is a good time for each of us to take stock of our current health philosophies and discover if you too are Green Inside.

Why Informed Consent is Important

If you've ever been prescribed drugs by a doctor for a medical condition and have picked up the prescription at the pharmacy, discarded the packaging and started taking the pills as recommended, all the while, never asking a single question about side effects or contraindications, never reading the package insert or the warning labels, I am here to ask you to consider evaluating your actions differently.

The truth of the matter is, this is human nature, to trust. We want to trust that our healthcare providers know what is best for us when we don't seem to know ourselves. This is the problem however; we don't know ourselves. We are putting the trust of our bodies into the hands of a virtual stranger. Perhaps our doctors are people we have known all our lives, but they have not had intimate experience with our bodies as we have, and while they are professionally trained, they do not know everything.

It is important to take back the knowledge of our bodies, to reclaim the intuitive wisdom of our ancestors and begin taking responsibility for what we ingest, put on our skin and use for therapeutic or medicinal purposes.

There have been over 420,000 recorded deaths related to prescription drug contraindications and possibly many more which have been undocumented. FDA does not regulate all pharmaceuticals that are placed on the market. Only a certain percentage of drugs are regulated prior to being placed for general use, the other percent is only regulated after it has gone to the public.

When we step into a doctor's office and are prescribed a pill, we must ask if there are common side effects, we must ask if there are alternatives, we must ask if the drug is absolutely necessary. We must be informed. Only then can we give consent to allow another person to guide us in our decision making.

This same philosophy holds true for herbalists. As an herbalist, I evaluate your health through a series of interview questions related to your health history, allergies, prescriptions, supplements, activity level, stress level, family and social life, and conduct a pulse test and tongue evaluation (the tongue is a mirror to health, as are the eyes). When I ultimately make recommendations on the herbs that can be incorporate into diet, the supplements and vitamins that can be taken, the foods that can be eaten and the activities that can improve health; I want you to ask me questions, I want you to read the literature on the subject, I want you to search the Internet. Because this is your health, not mine and you need to feel confident and comfortable, in case you do have an allergic reaction to something, that you have gone forward with all of the research possible and have an awareness of what you are putting in or on your body.

It's not always possible for either doctors or herbalists to know that a person is allergic to something until an allergy appears, in which case, you should discontinue use immediately. Unlike prescriptions however, herbs are generally safe and the side effects are very rare. Because I work primarily with pregnant mothers and children, I make it a point in my practice to use herbs that have no known toxicity.

Another reason that I feel informed consent is valuable is for our children's sake. When your child sees you being assertive and communicating your thoughts, desires, expectations and concerns to your healthcare practitioner, it empowers them to do the same. In this day when authoritarian rules seem to dominate free thought, it is important for our children to know they too have a voice. Because our children are people too, they deserve to be able to ask questions and feel validated in their communication with adults who are authority figures. When our children are given the opportunity to express their fears and concerns with support from us, their loved ones, we begin to cultivate in them the ability to stand up for themselves and be in their own power which develops strength, courage and leadership skills for the future.

While we can't always go the natural route for all of our healthcare needs, we can always ask questions in order to truly understand our choices, because choice is one of the most important assets we possess as individuals.

About Herbalism

Herbalism is a time honored approach to natural healing that dates back thousands of years. Wise men and women have used herbs and plants to help facilitate healing in the body, ease pain and build nutrition for centuries. Herbal wisdom was handed down from family to family, generation to generation by word of mouth and then eventually put to paper. There is a long history of the use of herbs and while much information has been recorded, still much more is yet undiscovered.

It is thought that the first written record of herbal knowledge comes from ancient Greece, the writings of Hippocrates, the so called founder of modern medicine who believed that plants were the all powerful healers and doctors merely the administrars of such medicinal plants. His philosphy of "Harm None" later became known as the Hippocratic Oath which is used by modern medical practitioners today.

Before the advent of pharmeceuticals, there were only plant based medicines to help the body process an illness. People in countrysides knew when and where to harvest their plant allies and would store these plants for use during the year. Apothecaries in cities across the world held tinctures, teas, salves and poultices for every conceivable ailment. It was not until the sixteenth century that an alchemist, botonist and physician named Paraclesus discovered how to extract the vital alkeloids from plants to make a single component based compound, from which the drug industry as we know it today stemmed from.

You might wonder how herbalism has a place if the drugs we use today are mostly plant based and do the job to irradicate the illness that much more quickly than the plant might.

Because a single constituant distilled from a plant is a volatile substance, and because many of the modern pharmeceutical drugs have been synthesized, meaning artificially produced based on the chemical components discovered by the original extraction; the side effects of these drugs are not always known and side effects which are documented are the result of the product being combined with other artificial materials in order to make a chemical reaction.

Because herbs have so long been used, and because the vital alkaloids, proteins, vitamins and minerals remain in tact, they work together in a very powerful, yet gentle way to facilitate healing without side effects; people in modern times can take advantage of the well known and documented health benefits of thousands of herbs available on the market today.

It is not to say that heroic medicine does not have it's place. As any herbalist or holistic practitioner will tell you, it is about utilizing both gifts and knowing when to call your physician if there is a serious problem. However, herbalism provides a way for us to create vitality and inner fortitude by strengthening our immune system, balancing our energies, reducing inflammation (a main source of many diseases), and by allowing us to focus on living rather than irradicating disease. Herbs are nutritious, they combine wonderfully with each other and with whole foods and they make great companions for lasting health and wellbeing.

In my experience as an herbalist, I have seen that while drugs attack an illness resulting in only peripheral healing, herbs support a body's recovery through an illness to sustain long term health. It is thought in holistic health that illness is a necessary part of life and that the body has the miraculous power to heal itself with the support of proper diet, rest and nourishment from plants and homeopathic treatments.

I believe when you begin to truly experience the wonderful power of plants as medicine, our focus changes on how we handle illness and disease. From the view that our bodies are frail hosts for bacteria and germs, to the view that our bodies are sanctuary for wellness that invites the occassional illness only to work with the system to increase the power of healing that the body is capable of.

Integrating this mentality is tough in our world of medical intervention, to really feel empowered by the knowledge of ourselves as healers takes time, but I think that we can positively effect change by bringing herbal knowledge once again to the forefront of our healthcare practices. I think every business that markets healing products should have an herbalist on staff.

In this blog, I hope to reach people that have decided that they want to begin advocating for themselves and their families and no longer be passive onlookers to their health and wellbeing. If you are reading this blog and you feel that you are ready to take back your power, ready to learn how to heal yourself, ready to participate in your own wellness, you have come to the right place.

Stay tuned for the next topic of discussion: Why Informed Consent is Important.