Herbs & Herbalism

This is a link to a video Thomas Easley did for Mountain Rose Herbals on making percolation extracts. This process is described in our book, Modern Herbal Dispensatory, shown above. 

In this free webinar, we go through each of the twelve categories of herbs. I explain the identifying characteristics of each category, the basic constituents found in each and the basic effect each category of herbs has on the tissues of the body.

Given the pressures of modern life, none of us are immune to stress. Unfortunately, stress can weaken our immune system, cause us to lose sleep, reduce our immune response, lower our sex drive and contribute to numerous other health problems. Fortunately, herbs known as adaptogens can help to moderate the effects of stress so that we can cope better.

Like many adaptogens, Ashwagandha is used as a tonic to support the functioning of the adrenal glands. Unlike most adaptogens, Ashwagandha is not stimulating, it’s a calming adaptogen. Studies and clinical experience show it is as potent as American or Chinese Ginseng, without the risk of overstimulation that can occur with excessive use of both Ginsengs.

Photos from Wikipedia

Pau D’Arco is a large South American timber tree with extremely hard wood that has antibacterial, anti-viral and antifungal effects.  It is anti-inflammatory and may also be helpful for some forms of cancer. It is commonly used to treat yeast infections, but may be overrated for this purpose.

Photo from Wikipedia

Oregano has been used for thousands of years as a spice and as a medicine. It is a potent antifungal, antibacterial and antiviral remedy, especially when the essential oil is used.  However, the herb, and more particularly the essential oil, is a strong herbal medicine and should be used knowledgebly.

Anyone who has heard me lecture over the years has probably heard me refer to an herbalist named Samuel Thomson, because many of my ideas came from his writings.  Thomson, who lived in the early 1800s, had six basic remedies that he used to treat just about everything, following a systematic procedure. This article contains a brief description of what Thomsonian medicine entailed, along with a description of Thomson's six basic remedies and some comments on how Thomson influenced the modern herb movement.

When you get done reading this article you will understand why, in India, turmeric is considered Holy Powder! This spice is worth its weight ten times over in gold. And gold is its color.

When we think of nutrition, what do you think of?  Due to modern academic training, many people think of vitamins, minerals, fats, proteins, carbohydrates.  But why?  Long before we started breaking down our foods into their component parts, people were nourishing themselves, and staying fairly healthy in the process.  They did so by eating whole foods.

This article talks about using herbs with children, how to get over your fears about treating your own kids, how to calculate doses and how to administer herbs.

Stinging nettle is a great herb for allergies and other health problems.  It's even edible!

One of the most difficult challenges a parent who wants to use herbal remedies faces with their kids is, “how do I get my child to to take it?”  While there are a number of tricks for getting children to use herbs, I find that the easiest and safest method of administering herbs to children is to make herbal glycerites.  This article contains instructions for making sealed simmer glycerites, a very easy-to-make, but effective herbal preparation for children (and adults).