Choosing The Right Herb

Nothing in the makeup of a plant tells us in what way it would be used the best.  There are over a half million known herbs that could be used as possible remedies.  In China, The Chinese Herbalist practitioners have over 2,000 that are readily available in their pharmacies.

Herbal remedies around the globe vary in strength from very mild, gentle remedies that we even use as food to potential poisons if taken at the wrong dose. Folk use of herbal remedies is familiar to all of us in some form or another.  Rightly so, because this is how these remedies are learned.  They are passed down from generation to generation.  Unfortunately, that is what fuels the fire of the scientific community and their disdain.  It really is their loss, because generations of experience and knowledge should not be so readily dismissed.  In fact, many of our current pharmacological concoctions have their roots in herbal medicine.

Remedies and recipes for herbal teas are handed down from generation to generation and are still remembered and used to this day.  Thankfully, the current changes in the world toward the traditional remedies is changing and changing for the better. 

As we stated earlier there are countless numbers of herbal combinations that are useful for specific ailments.  Additionally, certain herbs are recommended to target individual body parts and we will list them here:

Arteries - Kelp, Hawthorne Berries, Wheat Germ Oil, Garlic.  Bioflavonoid herbs such as Ginkgo, Buckwheat and Lime Blossom are especially useful in strenghtening blood vessels.

Bladder - Juniper Berries, Bochu, Wild Carrot Seed, Gravel Root

Blood Pressure - European Mistletoe, Apple Bark

Bones - Comfrey, Horsetail Grass

Brain -  Lily of the Valley, Ginseng, Gotu Kola

Circulation System - Cayenne (most powerful), Ginger, Bayberry Bark, Prickly Ash

Digestive System - Hops, Papaya, Mustard Seed, Centaury, Gentian, Agrimony, Oregon Grape Root, Wormwood

Ears - Eyebright, Golden Seal

Endocrine Glands - Ginseng, Sarsparilla, Yarrow, Licorice, False Unicorn Root, True Unicorn Root, Pumpkin Seeds, Kelp

Fertility - Sarsparilla, False Unicorn Root, Damiana, Licorice

Gall Bladder - Olive Oil, Bayberry Bark, Comfrey

Hair - Rosemary, Sage, Henna

Heart - Wheat Germ, Hawthorne Berry, Tansy

Kidneys - Dandelion Root, Uva Ursi, White Poplar Bark, Sandalwood, Parsley

Large Intestine - Cascara Sagrada Bar, Squaw Vine for transverse colon

Liver - Oregon Grape Root, Dandelion, Mandrake, Maple Bark

Lungs - Comfrey, Mullein, Lobelia, Oat Straw, Pleurisy Root, Lungwort, Garlic

Mouth - Tincture of Cayenne, Bayberry Bark, Oak Bark

Nervous System - Skullcap, Valerian, Hops, Lobelia, Ladies Slipper Root, Passion Flowers, Linden Flowers

Nose - Bayberry Bark, Golden Seal (Snuff: 1 part Bayberry Bark 2 parts Golden Seal)

Pancreas - Cedar Berries, Yarrow, Periwinkle, Dandelion

Prostate - Pumpkin Seeds, Echinacea, Saw Palmetto Berries, Uva Ursi, Gravel Root

Respiratory - Cayenne, Lobelia, Hyssop, Oat Straw, Garlic, Mullein, Elecampane and Coltsfoot.

Skin - Chickweed, Walnut Shell tincture

Small Intestine - Rhubarb Root, Slippery Elm

Spleen - Maple Leaves and Bark, Hyssop Tea with Steamed Figs, Bayberry Bark, Angelica

Stomach - Raspberry Leaf, Dandelion Root, Angelica, Centaury, Agrimony, Calamus, Wormwood, Oregon Grape Root

Throat - Mullein, Sage, Golden Seal, Slippery Elm, Eucalyptus, Bay, Poppy Seeds, Yerba Santa, Blood Root, Hyssop, Elecampane

Urinary - Dandelion root, Parsley Root, Wild Carrot Seed, Juniper Berries, Uva Ursi and Corn Silk are useful.

Uterus and Vagina - Squaw Vine, Dong Kwai, Golden Seal Root, Oak Bark, White Pond Lily, Trillium, Beth Root, Uva Ursi, Angelica, Myrrh, Yarrow, Comfrey, Alfalfa, Saw Palmetto Berries

Harmful Effects & Things To Avoid

Herbs are good medicine.  There is no doubt about that fact.  However, there are over 300,000 higher plant species.   A good herbalist may know of one or two thousand of them.  This means that even an experienced herbalist can make mistakes.  Let's take a look at some of the most common problems.

Pregnant women should avoid barberry root bark, cascara sagrada, feverfew, juniper berries, mugwort, pennyroyal, pokeroot, rue, senna, southernwood, tansy, thuja and wormwood.  All of those herbs can increased a risk for miscarriage.  Safe herbs during pregnancy would be Manna, Butternut Bark or Root, Flax Seed, Slippery Elm and Lemon Verbena.

No matter what herb(s) you are taking, be mindful of anything unexpected.  Stop taking whatever it is and consult an expert you can trust.

Make certain you have the correct diagnosis.  Diagnosis is not easy and sometimes doctors make mistakes.  Generally, however, a doctor is much better equipped to diagnose.  Discuss any planned herbal discipline you plan to undertake with your physician.

Watch for any allergic reactions.  Even though you may have never had any allergies in the past, if you are embarking on an herbal journey, watch carefully for any adverse reactions.  If you experience difficulty in breathing within 30 minutes of trying a new herb, food or drug, call 911 immediately!  You may be having an anaphylactic reaction which is the most severe form of allergic reaction.  This condition can quickly become fatal unless treated promptly.  This reaction is rare, but you need to be careful and be aware.

Watch for any interactions.   Medicines often interact negatively with one another.  So do herbs.  Always be careful when taking more than one drug or herb or a combination of both.  If you suspect an interaction consult your physician or pharmacist.

One interaction that you should be aware of is Antidepressants known as monoamine oxidase (MAO) inhibitors.  They interact badly with wine, cheese and many other foods.  St. John's Wort is also an MAO inhibitor so the same food restrictions apply.  If you plan on using St. John's Wort, discuss it with your physician or pharmacist.

Lastly, make certain that both your physician AND your herbalist are fully aware of all medications and/or herbal treatments you are using.

 For lots more interesting and informative content on alternative health remedies and specific treatments see our Topical Articles.