Working in the garden at DiamondHeart, I am constantly exposed to the diverse beauty and wisdom of the plant world. Flowering plants, trees and herbs offer many natural alternatives to help us create balance, vitality and personal well being. Because they have evolved along with us, providing nourishment that has adapted to our needs, plants offer a tool that is uniquely suited to our use.

Plants produce oil sacs between the cells of their leaves, flowers and roots, which are filled with essential oils. These oils contain between 50 and over 2,000 chemical constituents, the active ingredients responsible for the healing and balancing effects of herbs. The drugs used in allopathic medicine, in comparison, usually contain one or a few active ingredients synthetically produced in a laboratory.

Herbs work by supplying the body with many different nutrients that tone and revitalize. Because of their diverse chemical make-up, they are effective in small doses and produce few side effects. Some herbs work as general tonics that cleanse, nourish and rebuild on a cellular level. Others have an affinity for a specific system or organ, and may be used to treat related imbalances or symptoms. They work gently and naturally to support the body's own healing process.

In contrast, allopathic drugs containing one active ingredient have a very specific action on the body. They require higher doses and produce a larger number of side effects. Their chemical simplicity makes it possible to standardize a product (making it reproducible) and study its effects on the body. This is virtually impossible with herbs. Because they are a product of life influenced by an unlimited number of factors, no two plants grown and harvested under differing conditions will be exactly alike chemically. Their interaction with the human body is unique and not entirely predictable.

I am a strong believer in using every form of medicine available to us for the proper purpose. Herbal treatment is a gentle, effective and non-invasive form that works best for non-life threatening situations. Consider using herbs as a first choice in the following cases:

• As a preventative medicine. Herbs may be used to encourage the body to release toxins retained in tissues that may lead to degeneration over time. They may also be used to tone and rebuild cells.
• To strengthen the immune system and support our life forces. They are highly effective when used over a long period of time to enhance immune system function. They may also provide a boost to the immune system when under attack by flu, viruses or bacterial infection.
• Most non-emergency situations, including the bumps, strains and bruises of everyday life. For true emergency situations, herbal treatment (including Aromatherapy) can be an effective treatment if medical help is delayed or unavailable.
• For serious illnesses such as cancer, AIDS, and autoimmune disorders, herbal treatment can serve as a very effective complimentary therapy to allopathic treatment. They provide nourishment and support for the body as it undergoes more intense forms of treatment that may reduce life force.
• As an alternative therapy for conditions that do not respond to regular allopathic treatment. Chronic conditions, many women's health challenges, and any ailments for which there is "no cure" may be improved by the sustaining effect of herbal treatment.

Herbal treatments are available in a variety of forms, for both internal and external use. Internal forms include taking tinctures, teas, encapsulated herbs, fresh herbs, flower essences, and essential oil dilutions. External forms of treatment include using herbal and essential oil blends, liniments, salves and lotions topically, as compresses with heat or cold, in baths, as massage oils or body wraps, and through inhalation.

When taking herbs internally, consistency is the key to success. For most conditions, herbs should be taken at least six weeks for six days a week to make an effective change. For some conditions that have been present for a long time, it may take longer for the body to completely heal. Sometimes people may have positive results much faster, particularly in the case of viral and bacterial infections and acute injuries.

If you have tried herbal remedies with unsatisfying results, chances are you did not start with quality herbs or oils. Cultivation and harvest techniques, soil and weather conditions, and storage conditions all play a role in determining the quality of herbs and essential oils. In addition, herbs and oils may be standardized by adding synthetically produced chemicals and filler substances without declaring such additions on the label, as long as the substance was present in the original plant.

Because there is such a wide range in quality, it is wise to learn how to distinguish quality herbs and essential oils. Your most reliable tools are your own senses. Look for the most natural and vibrant color in dried herbs. Buy them close to their natural form (not powdered). Look for herbs that have a distinct and fresh odor (some herbs are pungent, others more delicate, but they should smell fresh), and a vital and distinctive flavor. Do not expect them to taste "good" since many medicinal herbs do not taste good. They should taste fresh, not stale or bland.

When looking for quality essential oils, buy from a supplier who is willing to disclose the source of the oils. Therapeutic quality oils, like herbs, should be wildcrafted or organically grown and produced by steam distillation or CO2 extraction. Labeling should indicate the species of plant using the botanical name (such as Lavandula augustifolia-Lavender). Other quality guidelines include gas chromatography and mass spectrometry tests, and the most important -- learn what quality oils smell like. Always compare the aroma of essential oils -- there are many misrepresentations on the market. A colleague in Phoenix estimates over 90 percent of oils on the market are not pure enough for medical use, despite being advertised as such.

When you choose to use herbal treatments as a therapeutic agent, be certain to research the herbs you are using. There are many excellent sources of herbal information. Recommended reading includes all books by Rosemary Gladstar (especially Herbal Healing for Women and Herbal Remedies for Men's' Health); A Modern Herbal by Maude Grieve; Aromatherapy: A Lifetime Guide to Healing with Essential Oils by Valerie Gennari Cooksly; and Advanced Aromatherapy by Kurt Schnaubelt, Ph.D.

Kathryn Sharp graduated from Pacific Institute of Aromatherapy in 1992, and has studied with numerous indigenous teachers and healers. She is a practicing aromatherapist in Anchorage, where she and her husband maintain DiamondHeart Garden. Call 274-2359 for more information.