Oz that is wonderful!!!
chickisoup I am on the fence when it comes to herbal supplements for things. There are issues with how effective they are because of standardization problems. Because they do not fall under the FDA, they are not regulated. That concerns me somewhat. I know "real" doctors will most likely "poo poo" them because many doctors are "pushing" the latest and greatest medicines the drug company reps are helping them push. Many of those medicines have possible side effects worse than the disease they are supposed to cure/help. So where does that leave us? I say do your own research into either the supplements or the medicine before taking it. If it works for you, take it. If it doesn't then don't. I had a psychiatrist try to increase DS's antidepressants (this was before they were known to cause suicidal issues with children) based on a single question he asked my son during a first time interview with him that lasted all of 15 minutes. I remember the doc handing me a script and telling me to make sure I set up our next appointment on my way out. Well you can guess what happened. We did not stop at the front desk, we got to the car and never went back. In fact when we got home I chose to take him off the antidepressants myself and thank goodness I did. I think they would have made things worse. I know some of these statements are somewhat blanket statements but I am so fed up with the majority of the medical community that I hate going to the doctor. I am not saying there aren't good docs out there or honest drug reps, it just seems that they are few and far between. IMO (ok done with my two cents and off the soap box now)
I have eighteen acres of desert herbals. Ranging from things for pain to things for conjestion... even a plant that acts like a cough drop. (the only one I have tried)
Herbal medicinals do work. But There are side effects. and I would never partake of any of it unless I consulted an herbalist that formulates their own.
The reason i tasted the cough drop herbal was I read extensively on it. My then roommate was taking a class on Native American culture. Her professor was battling Lung cancer. and still teaching. The subject at the time was herbals used by Native Americans.
I have Yerba Santa all over my property. It grows where there is water and that seems to be around the big rocks. She told him about it. He told her she was wrong... and they went around. Because the plant only grows in the Sonoran Desert.
She came back and told me I was wrong about the plant. I said no... I identified it through a book on medicinals I had and did research on what it looked like on line. Then she repeated what he said... I said tell him that this property is on a tiny nub of the Sonoran Desert.
She took him some fresh leaves... he was stunned and asked for a plant. she brought him a little one about the size of a one gallon potted tomato plant. He said he had a nursery friend that could keep it alive and growing.
I hope it worked for him. Roommate and I were beginning to not talk to each other after that. We sooo had different values... Bad choice for a roomate.
But I plucked one of those leaves and chewed it just to see. OMG. It tasted just like a cough drop called Cepocal. without sweetener. Leaves can be chewed, Dried and smoked, Or brewed into a tea.... you can also make tinctures which is a way to preserve them. Just takes some vodka and a jar and time.
One of my resources that pretty much gives the straight description and use.
WebMD
I look there and on Wikipedia as well as some of the websites that deal with herbals.
I also have books to identify the herbals as well. Those books talk about the use but not the actual hands on preparation of the hebals.
One of the herbals we converted over to medicine a very long time ago is Aspirin. Native Americans chewed or brewed the bark off certain trees we extracted the good stuff
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_aspirin
But acetylsalicylic acid can be found in many more plants than Willow. The Ribbon wood Plants are loaded with it. And Yerba Santa has it too because its in the willow family. (adapted through evolution to very dry climates)
But with regard to herbals that are sold in Whole Foods or Sprouts grocery stores... I would consult a Naturalpath doctor for the right ones to use... because they would know the interactions as well as allergic symptoms. and MOST of all dosages.
deb
