Miscellaneous

There are two primary ways to view herbal medicine and diet: Energetics and Chemical-Nutrition. Energetics uses three continuums to describe a food or herb’s affect on the body: Hot - Cold, Wet - Dry and Lax - Tense. These continuums form the foundation of many traditional diets and health care systems such as Traditional Chinese Medicine and Ayurveda. The Chemical-Nutrition approach looks at the chemistry of the plant to determine its affect on the body in regards to vitamins, minerals, anti-oxidants, etc. Both schools are valid and worthy of study. Neither gives a complete picture of the plant’s potential in […] 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

Herbs work in very different ways than modern pharmaceutical drugs. This difference is rarely well explained in books and is the source of much confusion for folks who are new to using herbal medicine. This article comes from my desire to explain and provide some clarity in this area. These Herbal Actions & Categories are explained and applied in depth during our longer herb programs, especially the Foundations of Herbal Medicine. A general outline is provided here. Many of the herbs listed were chosen because they are locally available in the SW. There are many other plants from other parts […] 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

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

Plants are alive. They are intelligent beings that respond to, and interact with, their environment. In this way, they are similar to humans. When two forms of intelligence interact, each relationship is unique. Relationships develop and change over time. This is why the amount and frequency of herb usage varies depending on the person, the herb and the health imbalance that is being addressed. Numbers are precise, constant, predictable and repeatable. 2 + 2 will always equal 4; regardless of other factors. People are drawn to numbers for the sense of security they provide. Pharmaceutical medicines are given with precise […] See More

A key difference between mainstream and herbal medicine is the concept of passive vs. active consumers. Many people I know who choose to use mainstream healthcare pay little to no attention to their diet, lifestyle or stress level. They go through life until they get sick, then go to the doctor with the attitude the doctor will make them better. This usually involves a pill of some type. I consider these people to be passive consumers. They make little to no effort to be informed about a healthy lifestyle. They view the doctor as having all the power and knowledge. […] See More