The Innate Wisdom of Herbs

Mary Graber

 

Why not use the wisdom of thousands of years of alternative health to make your body well?

 

 

The natural healing arts—which have been with us since the dawn of time—can be very powerful in supporting our body’s innate wisdom. All we need do is pay attention to what helps keep us in balance, especially in these times of stressful living, immune breakdown, and pollutants.  If your body-mind-spirit responds to something you read, hear about or notice—listen! It may be trying to tell you something very important.

 

Herbal medicine is the use of botanicals, in many forms, for the treatment and prevention of disease. It is the oldest form of medicine known and the most widely practiced form of medicine worldwide. (80% of the world’s population relies on herbs for healthcare and wellbeing.)  Herbal remedies help restore the body’s balance, enabling it to activate its own healing power. Specific herbs can tone, nourish, and cleanse our organs, cells and systems. Many of these herbs can also help us to eliminate waste products more effectively, thereby increasing the amount of healing benefits to the affected area(s).

 

How do herbs differ from pharmaceuticals?  Pharmaceuticals are made of active (often synthetic) ingredients that are extracted from nature and dispensed in concentrated doses. Most pharmaceuticals are designed to work on specific symptoms.  The problem is that these potent ingredients may also travel to unaffected areas of the body, thus causing side effects that are often more uncomfortable or more severe than the original complaint. This is where herbal medicine’s use of the whole plant comes into play.

 

The whole plant offers active chemicals in balanced proportions and effective quantity, designed by nature, which are safely assimilated by the body. When only symptoms are treated, residual disease remains. When the whole body is treated, however, the immune system is strengthened to the point where it can help to naturally eliminate the disease. Herbal medicine treats the whole person, not just the symptoms.

 

Want the best of both worlds?  Why not use the wonderful technology of conventional medicine to diagnose your body’s problems, and then use the wisdom of thousands of years of alternative health to make your body well?

 

A Short History of Medicine

“Doctor I Have An Earache”

2000 B.C. “Here, eat this root.”

1000 B.C. “That root is heathen, say this prayer.”

1850 A.D. “That prayer is superstition, drink this potion.”

1940 A.D. “That potion is snake oil, swallow this pill.”

1985 A.D. “That pill is ineffective, take this antibiotic.”

2000 A.D. “That antibiotic is artificial. Here, eat this root.”

 

Herbal Remedies to Try at Home

 

Cold, Flu & Cough Tea:  Into a cup of boiled water, steep 1 teaspoon each of peppermint, yarrow, thyme, and sage for 5 to 15 minutes (the longer the steep, the more beneficial). Strain and drink 3 to 4 cups per day to relieve fever, aches, congestion and inflammation. Having trouble resting?  Add 1 teaspoon chamomile or lavender. In addition, adding local honey to sweeten the brew will not only help soothe an itchy sore throat, but will also help build your immune system against local allergens.

 

Tummy Tamer Tea aids digestion, calms nervous stomach, soothes gas and upset. To make this tea, first blend together equal parts chamomile, lemon balm, licorice root, slippery elm, catnip and fennel. Then, steep 2 teaspoons of the blend in 1 cup of boiled water for 5 to 15 minutes. Strain. Drink after meals, before bedtime or as needed. Herbal teas can be sipped hot or cold.

 

Get a good night’s sleep with your own Sleepy Time Pillow.  Start with a piece of fabric, cloth drawstring bag, handkerchief or small pillow case that can be folded into an approximately 5-inch by 5-inch square. Sew the edges together, leaving a 3 to 4 inch opening for filling. (If you choose to use a drawstring cloth bag, you will need to stitch the top closed after filling.) To make the filling, mix 1 heaping Tablespoon each of the following: lemon balm, hops, rose petals, lavender and chamomile. (If these herbs are not appealing to you, do a little research, for there are many more herbs for sleep and dream aid.) Fill your bag with the herbs, sew it closed and slip it into your pillow case or amongst your pillows. Crushing the herbs periodically will rejuvenate the effects. Also, storing it in-between uses in an airtight container or ziplock bag will help it last longer.

  

Mary Graber is the owner of Mountain Mary's herbal shop in Eagle River .  Readers can contact her at 622-9850, by e-mail at mountainmary@ak.net, or via her website:  www.mountainmary.com