The Healing Remedies Sourcebook: Over 1,000 Natural Remedies to Prevent and Cure Common Ailments. C. Shealy Norman

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СКАЧАТЬ materials such as roots, bark, nuts, and seeds. Using the same proportions, place the herb and water in a saucepan and bring to the boil, simmer for 10–15 minutes, strain, and drink hot.

      Tablets and capsules are taken in the same way as a conventional drug, and are useful for people who would rather not taste the remedy.

      Creams and ointments are applied externally to soothe irritated or inflamed skin conditions, or ease the pain of sprains or bruises. Cream moistens dry or cracked skin, and massaging the ointment into bruises and sprains helps to ease the pain. In both cases the active ingredients of the herb pass through the pores of the skin into the blood stream to encourage healing.

      Compresses, either hot or cold, help with aches, pains, and swollen joints. Fold a clean piece of cotton into an infusion of the prescribed herb and apply to the point of pain. Repeat as the compress cools or, in the case of cold compresses, until the pain eases.

      Poultices, made from bruised fresh herbs or dried herbs moistened into a paste with hot water, are also good for painful joints or drawing out infection from boils, spots, or wounds. Place the herb on a clean piece of cotton and bandage on to the affected area. Leave in place for around two hours or until the symptoms ease.

      Suppositories and douches are sometimes prescribed for rectal problems such as piles, or vaginal infections, respectively. The suppositories will come ready-made for you to insert. Douches are made from an infusion or decoction that has been allowed to cool.

      Herbal baths are perhaps the most pleasant of the herbal remedies, and are a useful supplement to other forms of treatment. The heat of the water activates the properties of the volatile oils so that they are absorbed through the pores of the skin and inhaled through the nose. In both cases they pass into the bloodstream, and when inhaled they also pass through the nervous system to the brain, exerting a healing effect on both mind and body.

      SEEING A PROFESSIONAL

      Professional consultant medical herbalists are usually trained in orthodox diagnosis and can treat all of the ailments treated by a family physician or general practitioner. Accredited members of organizations such as the National Institute of Medical Herbalists have undergone four years of university or university-standard study and two years of supervision. They will understand all the indications and contraindications of herbs, and any problems which may arise from taking orthodox drugs. They will refer to other specialists if necessary.

      It is becoming more common for a patient to register with a herbalist in the same way as one would register with a physician—for a check-up and then to be on the records should the need arise. Such patients have yearly checks to maintain optimum health. Whole families register, as herbalism is especially suited to children and the elderly.

      A consultation will take about an hour and consider all aspects of health, diet, exercise, and lifestyle. Your herbalist will take a “holistic” view, which means taking into consideration everything that affects your health on a physical, mental, and spiritual level.

       You will be asked questions about:

       age

       career

       personality, priorities

       concerns

       appetite

       sleeping patterns

       previous medicines and illnesses

       bowel movements

       family

       symptoms

       any other aspect that is relevant

      As well as what you say, your therapist will want to know how you feel and will note your appearance. The condition of your hair, skin, and facial expression, your posture, and how you move all provide important clues that will help with the diagnosis. There may also be a physical examination. Treatment will then be prescribed by the therapist.

      Before a first visit it is worth spending some time considering your health and expectations. It is useful to make a list of relevant points in your medical history and questions you want to ask, as these can easily be missed or forgotten in the stress of a first meeting. If for any reason you do not get along with the practitioner, try another one. It is important that there is a relationship of mutual trust and respect.

      Many of the herbs prescribed will be familiar, but some will be unknown to you. After a consultation, a herbalist is able to prescribe herbs which are limited by law and not freely available over the counter to the general public.

METHODS AND DOSAGES

      WATER - INFUSIONS (TEAS)

       Standard strength

      1oz. (25g) herb to 2 cups (500ml) water; or 1 teaspoon herb to 1 cup water

       Dose

      Some herbs have specific indications and dosages; other herbs are not recommended at certain times, for example, early pregnancy or when breast-feeding. Read the indications and contraindications of each herb carefully.

       Standard adult dose

       1 cup three times a day for normal conditions

       1 cup up to six times a day, or every two hours, for acute conditions

       Drink 1 cup twice a day as a long-term strengthening tonic

       Children’s dose

      Reduce proportionally. Give a child of seven half the standard adult dose. At six months, use 1 teaspoon of the standard strength tea. For breastfeeding infants, give the remedy to the mother.

       Brewing times

      To some extent this depends on personal taste, but the following is a good guide:

       up to 3 minutes for flowers and soft leaves

       up to 5 minutes for seeds and leaves

       up to 10 minutes for hard seeds, roots, and various barks

      Water infusions at the standard strength are used as teas, gargles, lotions for the skin, compresses, and fomentations. Dilute with an equal amount of water for hand or foot baths, douches, and enemas.

      WATER - DECOCTIONS

       Standard strength

      1½oz. (40g) herb to 3 cups (750ml) water

       Method

       Put herb in saucepan

       Add 3 cups (750ml) water

       Put on a tight lid

       Bring to the boil, then turn down as low as possible and simmer for 10–15 minutes

       Strain thoroughly

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