Herbs 201 ~ Mod 4, Option 4 ~ Herb Uses (Part II)

Choose two of the emmenagogue herbs we studied and make use of them for medicinal or culinary purposes. Discuss your experience. Be sure to check any contraindications before use.




Herb:Red Raspberry
Latin Name: Rubus idaeus
Parts Used: Leaves, fruits, roots and stems
Properties: Is a emmenagogue, alterative, stimulant, styptic, tonic and a astringent herb that tones the uterine muscles during pregnancy.

Medicinal: The main two uses they have is 1. It can be used to relieve menstrual cramps with a feeling of heaviness. 2. It's used to tone and strengthen the tissue and muscle of the uterus. Drinking it during the last few months of pregnancy to tone the muscles to assist contractions and check bleeding in labor.
It also can be used externally to treat tonsillitis, mouth inflammation, sores, conjunctivitis, minor wounds, burns and varicose ulcers.

Preparation: OK! I just like to eat them. But my mom was tested and told her body was low on Iron. She loves teas, so I told her to start drinking red raspberry tea. My mom went and bought some and tried it and she seems to like it.

Here is how she prepared it as per my instructions.

Take about 1oz of red raspberry leaf and steep in 2 cups of boiling water for 5 to 10 minutes and strain through a cheese cloth into a mug. Add honey to sweeten since raspberry leaves are kinda blah. lol

Contraindications: Although this herb is commonly used in pregnancy, Dr. Francis Brinker says in his book Herb Contraindications and Drug Interactions that it is contraindicated where there is a history of precipitate labors. He also claims it has antigonadotropic activity.

History and Folklore: The use of red raspberry Leaves dates back to ancient Greeks and Romans. I haven't found anymore than that. Haven't been able to find any history on it's use as a wine though there were wineries producing it as a wine since at least the 1800's

Source Cited
Books:

1. Brown, Deni. The Herb Society Of America, ENCYCLOPIDIA of HERBS & THEIR USES, 1st Edition. New York, NY: Dorling Kindersley Publishing Inc, 1995, pp. 373,
2. Ibid, pp. 223
3. Ibid, pp. 194
4. Ibid, pp. 344
5. Moore, Michael. Medicinal Plants of the Pacific West, 1st Edition. Santa Fe, NM: Red Crane Books, 2001, pp. 305
6. Bremness, Lesley. The Complete Book OF HERBS, A practical guide to growing & using herbs, 1st Edition. New York, NY: Penguin Books USA Inc, 1994, pp. 247-248,

Herbs 201 ~ Mod 4, Option 4 ~ Herb Uses (Part I)

Choose two of the emmenagogue herbs we studied and make use of them for medicinal or culinary purposes. Discuss your experience. Be sure to check any contraindications before use.

...It is of an heating and digesting qualitie, and is profitable for the stomacke.
~John Gerald, 1597

Herb: Ginger
Latin Name: Zingiber officinale
Parts Used: Rhizomes, oils
Properties: Is a sweet, pungent, aromatic herb. It can raise perspiration, improve digestion, liver function and ease nausea, vomiting, and coughing. It is a stimulate that can help circulation. A antispasmodic and pain reliever.

Medicinal: Ginger is very popular internally for easing morning sickness, indigestion, colds, coughs and a host of other symptoms. Externally it is commonly used as a antispasmodic to relieve menstrual cramps, spasmodic pain and rheumatism. There is tons of uses within Chinese medicine as well, but my focus is Western medicine right now. I don't want to spread myself out to far yet. Focus on becoming adept at one system first, though I have every intention of delving into both Chinese and Ayurvedic medicine at a later date.

Preparation: I love Ginger tea and I tend to have digestion problems quite often. So I drink ginger to settle my stomach. Here is how I prepare it. I take about 3oz of sliced Ginger and put it in a teapot and pour 2 cups of boiling water over it and cover the pot. I let it steep for 15 to 20 minutes then strain it through a small square of cheese cloth over a mug. Kick back and relax and ya! Yum!!!

Two of my friends are pregnant right now and I have recommend it to them to combat morning sickness.

Contraindications: Ginger has no known toxic side effects, but some may experience heart burn and too much could cause a reverse effect of what it was intended for, and make the stomach upset. Some folks are sensitive to it's strong tangy taste. There are no known ill effect for pregnant mamas. But I would still suggest staying on the side of caution and using in small doses.
History and Folklore: The Romans brought Ginger west from Asia. It can be found in the Koran and Hindu writings and Confucius mentions it. So it's oldest documented use is dated around 650 BCE. It was brought to Europe by the Roman soldiers where it became second to the pepper in popularity. In the Roman Empire it was used more as a medicinal than culinary herb. The use of Ginger as a medicinal is actually older than it's use as a culinary spice and is one of the few herbs to have almost everyone of it's medicinal claims verified scientifically.

Note:This paper continues in next post.

Herbs 201 ~ Mod 3, Option 2 ~ Herb Actions

Explain each of the following actions and use examples:
1. Vermifuges 2. Vermicides 3. Taenifuges 4. Taenicides


All for of these kinds of herbs are called Anthelmintic herbs, in that they can either expell or destroy different kinds of parasites or worms. These kind of herbs are the 4 actions that Anthelmintic herbs are broken up into.

1.Vermifuges: These are herbs that expel basic intestinal worms from the body. Hyssop (Hyssopus officinalis) is a vermifuges herb. The hyssop oils from the flower is used in the form of a hot infusion to expel intestinal worms along with related therapy, good hygiene and nutrition. Note: It has been used since Biblical times and is mention in the Bible, Psalms 51:7, “Purge me with Hyssop, and I shall be clean”. No doubt they were speaking of worms, no?

2.Vermicides: These are herbs that kill basic intestinal worms from the body. Wormwood (Artemisia absinthum) is a vermicide herb. It has been used in India to kill intestinal worms and still is to day. Interesting note: They say it was used to kill tapeworms as well, even though they list it as a vermicide, not a taenicide herb, and was used by the Greek, Romans, Arabs and Persians to expel intestinal worms which would make it a vermifuges herb, which it is not listed as either. .

3.Taenifuges:These are herbs that expel Tapeworms from the body. Pumpkin Seeds (Cucuribita pepo) is a vermicide. The expressed oil of the seed is used in the form of a infusion or the emulsion or one to two tablespoons of crushed seeds with honey in three doses spread out over 6 hours. Note: They say the seeds from the West Indies is strong than American pumpkin seeds.

4.Taenicides: These are herbs that kill Tapeworms. It was not easy finding a strictly taenicides herb. Ripwort Plantain (Plantago lanceolata) turns out to be a taenicides herb widely used in Ethiopia to kill tapeworms in children in the form of a infusion from it's dry seeds. Note: The Plantain monograph in Module 2 mentions that it is a anthelmintic herb used for worms but doesn't say it was a taenicides herbs.




Source cited

RBC Herbal; Parasite Cleansing; http://drclarkia.com; 06/15/10.
Divine Remedy; Wormwood Uses; http://www.divineremedies.com/wormwood.htm; 06/15/10.
Global Herbal Supply; Hyssop; http://www.globalherbalsupplies.com/herb_information/hyssop.htm; 06/15/10.
The Bible; Psalms 51:7; 06/16/10.
Protabase Record; Plantago lanceolata L.; http://database.prota.org/PROTAhtml/Plantago%20lanceolata_En.htm; 06/16/16.
Herbal Nation Blog; Pumpkin Seed; http://herbalnation.blogspot.com/2008/09/pumpkin-seed-cucurbita-pepo-medicinal.html; 06/16/10.

Herbs 201 ~ Mod 2, Option 3 ~ What are active constituents?

Discuss three from any of the herbs studied in this lesson.
(All three need not be in one herb).

The Active constituents is the chemically active part or the plant that does the healing. A plant can produce several active constituents, where usually one is the dominate. Depending on which we need, there are several ways to draw and isolate them for use either by ingestion or topically. Steeping in teas, infusions, decoctions, tintures, fluid extracts, fomentations, ointments & salves, poultices, syrups.

The plants metabolism uses the sun to make simple sugars through photosynthesis which is partially responsible for making active constituents.

There are many different types of active constituents. Here are three.

1. Flavonoids: Flavonoids are what give flowers and fruit their color, and in some cases the leaves as well. Flavonoids are known for their actions as antioxidants, anti-inflammatory, anti-viral and antiallergenics.

The herb Red Clover (Latin: Trifolium pratense) has been found to be rich in a flavonoids called isoflavone. Red Clover isoflavones is believe to help maintain the density of the bones in both menopausal and peri-menopausal women.

NOTE: For the ancient Celtic priesthood of Druids , clovers were a symbol of the Earth, Sea and Sky which are the three realms of Druidry. Just thought I toss that in there. ;-)

2. Glycosides: Glycosides have a strong affect on animal and body tissue and some are real poisonous. Using water they can be separated into sugar and non-sugar.

The herb Plantain (Latin: Plantago major) has the active constituent, glycoside aucubin, which is known to have both healing and analgesic effect on bladder infections and stomach ulcers. It also has potential hepatoprotective and anti-inflammatory actions.

3. Allicin: Allicin is a constituent found in garlic oil if I'm reading this right. Allicin is created when garlic (Latin: Allium sativum) is finely chopped or crushed. Allicin has strong antibiotic properties. It's great as an anti-fungal in the treatment of skin infections and athlete's foot.

Source cited

WebMD; Menopause Symptoms: Natural Remedies; http://www.webmd.com/menopause/guide/8-natural-ways-to-ease-menopause-symptoms; 06/04/10
Garlic Central; Allicin – Health; http://www.garlic-central.com/allicin.html; 06/04/10

Herbs 201 ~ Mod 1, Option 2 ~ Essay

Where do I began? I believe I did a short version of this in my first class, but I shall try to go into greater depth this time around. I can't pin point the moment my interest in herbalism first began, but I can piece together what led me to where I am now.

I'll begin by saying that my spiritual beliefs and my membership within Ár nDraíocht Féin; A Druid Fellowship (ADF) play a major role in where I am going with my herbal studies.

I have been a practicing Druid for going on 26 years and actually stepped on the path of earth centered spirituality at the age of 16.
As long as I can remember, I have always been what I would call a nature nerd. As a kid my bookshelves and window sill was covered with leaves, twigs, pine cones, acorns, walnuts and any seeds I found. When my brothers and sister were off playing I be in the yard helping my grandfather doing the yard work or helping my grandma re-potting her plants. As a young teenager I loved to wander the Los Padres in my hometown.

I had a infinity for trees and in my early 20's I joined the California Conservation Corp for a year. Then I met my mentor in Boulder, CO who first set me feet to the Druidic path. Later at 24 I got involved with EarthFirst! and was involved with the Redwood Summer rally. Around this time I begin to realized I was starting to pick up a little here and there and thought it be cool to actually learn about herbs .
Over the years I continue to pick up a bit here and a bit there on herbalism. I worked on a few organic farms and started to get really interested in sustainable living and homesteading. By my mid 30's I had decided I wanted to homestead and started really researching and learning all I could.

During this time I went out with a lass who was training to be a midwife and this was my first real introduction to herbalism. I had wandered through a few ICs (intentional communities) and realized that the medical field was the one area they were not looking seriously at. Oh many dabbled in kitchen herbalism, but there were very few medically trained herbalist. It was strange too. There were a lot of trained masseuses and yoga instructors and Reiki practitioners and energy workers. But medically trained herbalist were majorly lacking in numbers. Being organic farming seemed to be at the center of this whole movement I would have expected herbalist to be at the top of the list among these communities. I started studying herbalism seriously on my own.

In 2003 I joined ADF and a homesteading plan begun to formulate in my mind. At first I was thinking purely a Druidic farm. My hearth culture is Gaelic,so it didn't take long for my work with herbs to attract Airmid to me. In 2007 I contacted Chris at Austrasian College about my interested in the Master Herbalist program. It took me 2 more years before I was finally able to find the funding to enter ACHS. In that 2 years I was encourage by my friends and the leadership within ADF to start a Order dedicated to Airmid and work towards getting a herbal training program going within ADF. I formed Ord na Airmid, and begun planning how to go about setting up a Druidic monastery and herb farm. I begun my work on my Dedicant studies. It will take me a year to complete that then start my Clergy Studies. My goal is to earn my clergyhood about the time I complete my herbal schooling and get my certification as a Master Herbalist. Education, knowledge, science and scholarship is taken seriously within Druidry and believe there should be accountability in any field one claims to practice. Hence my desire to get certified by a respected accredited college. My specific tradition follows the path of Knowledge (herbalism), Devotion (Airmid) & Service (tending to the health of the poor & needy). So you see I will be able to meet all three paths as a herbalist. Oh and for those who do not know, Airmid is the goddess of herbalism in the Gaelic hearth of Druidry. If you are interested you can read a great piece about her at: http://www.seanet.com/~inisglas/airmid.html


The picture above is of me at the Earthfirst Redwood Summer rally. Darryl Cherney is on guitar. My work within the environmental movement played probably the greatest role in my interest in herbalism because I studied the eco-system of the great red giants and I became fascinated by the diverse plant life that depended on them.

So what do I hope to gain from this course? A deeper and better scientific understanding of herbs to compliment my spiritual understanding and relationship with them. To help not only preserve a practiced once revered among my ancestors, but also teach it to others. And to be able to offer alternative healthcare to the needy who can't normally afford it.

Some who know me are probably wondering, "What about Brighid? Isn't she you matron?" Yes and no. Brighid is more like my spiritual mother. She has seen fit to foster me off to Airmid. So I am a child of Brighid, a Devotee of Airmid. It's actually a beautiful relationship, since my mother is a goddess of healing as well.

Beannachd leat!

Update: Laptop Virus

Wow! It's been awhile since I have posted to my blog. I am so sorry! I recently got a virus in my laptop and am waiting for my new laptop to arrive. In the mean time I have manage to get limited access to my laptop (still won't let me access the net). I can't remember if I backed up all my school papers on my external harddrive (A friend has it). So I have decided to post them here and back them up by doing so. So the following string of post will be those papers from my Herbs 201 class. Enjoy!

The Wild Remedy: Grassroots Herbalism from our Backyards & Beyond

As many of you know I am going to school as a student of herbal medicine. I read several blogs written by some great herbalist. One that I read religiously is Kiva Rose's Blog

She will be doing a Teleseminar on the 9th. Info can be found at the link Wild Remedy.

If you been interested in herbalism but been turned off by the new agey stuff you find in your urban community, then Kiva's blog is what you are looking for. She is old school and one of the people in the fore front of the rewilder movement that I see finally starting to catch on. (a few of my ADF friends seem to have come down with a touch of the rewilder bug. lol). Kiva shares her wisdom of the earth without all the flowery new age speech. Yet she writes with a wisdom that belies her years. Young ladies looking for a good role model could not do better.