Health Topics

These sites are some of the best on the internet for researching medicinal uses of specific plants. These sources are used for the final project in the Foundations of Herbal Medicine program at our school. They are also helpful for anyone doing independent study in the field of herbal medicine. http://oneearthherbs.squarespace.com/important-herbs-world/ http://www.herbcraft.org/articleindex.html http://animacenter.org/allies.html http://www.herbcraft.org/hoffmann.html http://www.ryandrum.com/index.htm#articles http://www.henriettes-herb.com/ http://cshs.com/archive.html http://medherb.com/1HERB.HTM http://medherb.com/Materia_Medica/materia_medica.htm http://www.herbalremediesadvice.org/Herbs.html https://foragers.jnmwebcreations.com/category/educational-resources/plant-profiles/ http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/ See More

Herbs are generally considered to be safer to use than pharmaceutical drugs. When used properly, they tend to have a gentler effect on the body; supporting organ systems rather than covering up symptoms. They are certainly more appropriate for home-based, grassroots health care. An important question is: “What is the proper use of herbs?” Let’s take a look at some safety issues to keep in mind when considering using plant medicines. Rule #1: Do No Harm The main safety issue I always ask myself is, “What will happen if the herbs are not effective?” No form of healthcare is 100% […] See More

Botanical Name: Berberis fremontii, B. haematocarpa Family: Berberidaceae The botany world goes back and forth with some of its labels. The plants don’t change; just the names. Berberis and Mahonia are sometimes the same and sometimes different. For the community herbalist, their uses are quite similar. Common Names: Texans I know refer to this genus as Algerita and Michael Moore uses this name in the “Desert and Canyon West” book. Habitat in Which it is Found/ Harvesting Season/ Special Considerations: Most often found between 4,000’ and 6,000’ just below the Mogollon Rim in Arizona although I have seen it along […] See More

Aconitum is a part of our local flora and a plant that has long fascinated me. This plant, commonly known as Monkshood, is found in only a few places locally. It requires extra moisture so it prefers riparian habitats. It is a beautiful deep blue flower that strongly resembles the hood of a medieval monk and it is easy to see where the common name comes from. The plant is quite toxic and I once met a guy who was interested in this plant due to its traditional use for poison tipped arrows in a variety of separate cultures in […] See More

Here is a list of books that have been published recently and that I have either read and recommend or that I am eager to read because they look great. 1. Adaptogens in Medical Herbalism: Elite Herbs and Natural Compounds for Mastering Stress, Aging, and Chronic Disease by Donald Yance The author, Donald Yance is one of the world experts on adaptogens (also known as tonics in TCM or Rasayanas in Ayurveda). I have attended workshops with him on this topic and left feeling very impressed by the potential of these plants and Donald’s expertise in helping people. This book […] See More

Elderberry Elixir This is definitely the time of year to use elder berries. They are abundant, affordable, delicious, easy to work with, adaptable to many recipes and effective for immune support, especially the viral-based colds and flu. Like vegetable soup recipes, there are endless versions for elderberry teas, extracts, syrups, elixirs and oxymels. This is my current favorite which includes the addition of clove. This well known spice adds a pleasant flavor and a warming, blood moving quality to this recipe. To make, use a canning jar of any size. 8 or 16 oz sizes work well. Fill the jar […] See More

Most herbalists I know love books. We spend hours in used bookstores, surfing Amazon and exploring local libraries. There is a tremendous amount of knowledge and insight to be found in the written word. Like so many areas of our lives these days, the vast number of choices of herb books can be overwhelming and some people aren’t sure where to begin. The following recommendations are titles I have used over the years and continue to use for reference, guidance, inspiration and to double check on my own hunches at times. These are works that have proven helpful, even essential, […] See More

The Herbal Apprenticeship Program is an individualized course of study to support the continued learning of herbalists with previous training and experience. Who Is It For? It is especially appropriate for past students who have completed the Foundations of Herbal Medicine course at our school. It is also open to anyone who has attended another school or has prior training and experience and wants to deepen and broaden their skill level. It is not for people who are beginning their study of herbal medicine. These people should enroll in the Foundations of Herbal Medicine or a similar course. For those […] See More

Omega 3 is a fairly well known dietary supplement. Yet many people have only a general idea that it is ‘good for you’ in some vague way, usually connected to inflammation. The purpose of this article is to clarify what omega 3 is, why we need it and where to get it. Omega 3 is an ‘essential’ fatty acid. It is essential in our diet because our bodies are not able to produce it. There are other essential fatty acids such as omega 6 and 9. They play a role as pro-inflammatory agents within the body. Omega 3 has a […] See More