Use herbs easily and safely

Use herbs easily and safely

Are herbs “diluted forms of drugs” – and therefore dangerous? Or are they “natural” – and therefore safe? If you sell herbs, you probably hear these questions often. What is the “correct” answer? It depends on the herb! These thoughts on herbs will help you explain to your clients (and yourself) how safe – or dangerous – each herb can be.

To prevent problems when selling or using herbs:

1. Stellen Sie sicher, dass Sie die richtige Pflanze haben.
2. Benutze Simples.
3. Verstehe, dass verschiedene Zubereitungen desselben Krauts unterschiedlich wirken können.
4. Verwenden Sie nährende, tonisierende, stimulierende und potenziell giftige Kräuter mit Bedacht.

BE SURE YOU HAVE THE RIGHT PLANT

One of the easiest ways to get into trouble with an herb is to use the “wrong” one. How could this happen? Common names for herbs overlap, leading to confusion as to proper identity. Properly labeled herbs may contain foreign substances from other, more dangerous herbs. Herbs can be picked at the wrong growth stage or mishandled after harvest, causing them to develop harmful properties.

Protect yourself and your customers with these simple steps:

• Kaufen Sie Kräuter nur bei seriösen Anbietern.
• Kaufen Sie nur Kräuter, die mit ihrem botanischen Namen gekennzeichnet sind. Botanische Namen sind spezifisch, aber dieselben gebräuchlichen Namen können sich auf mehrere verschiedene Pflanzen beziehen. „Ringelblume“ kann sein Ringelblume officinalisein Heilkraut, oder Tageteseine einjährige Pflanze, die als Beetpflanze verwendet wird.
• Wenn Sie die Kräuter anbauen, die Sie verkaufen, achten Sie darauf, verschiedene Pflanzen beim Ernten und Trocknen getrennt zu halten, und achten Sie auf die Kennzeichnung.

JUST USE

A simple one is an herb. For optimal safety, I prepare, buy, sell, teach and use herbal simples, i.e. preparations that contain only one herb. (Occasionally I add some mint to flavor a remedy.)

The more herbs in a formula, the more likely it is to experience unwanted side effects. Understandably, the public is looking for combinations, hoping to get more for less. And many mistakenly believe that herbs must be used together to be effective (probably because potentially toxic herbs are often combined with protective herbs to mitigate the damage they cause). But combining herbs with the same properties, such as goldenseal and echinacea, is counterproductive and more likely to cause trouble than ease. A simple echinacea tincture is more effective than any combination and is much safer.

Different people react differently to substances, be they medications, foods or herbs. When herbs are mixed in a formula and someone taking them experiences unpleasant side effects, there is no way to determine which herb is the cause. Simples makes it easy to tell which herb does what. If there is a side effect, other herbs with similar properties can be tried. Limiting the number of herbs used in a day (to no more than four) provides additional protection.

Side effects from herbs are less common than side effects from medications and are usually less serious. If an herb disrupts digestion, the body may learn to process it. Try it a few more times before you give up. Stop taking any herbs that cause nausea, dizziness, severe stomach pain, diarrhea, headache, or blurred vision. (These effects generally occur fairly quickly.) Slippery elm is an excellent antidote to any type of poison.

If you are allergic to foods or medications, it is especially important to consult resources that list the side effects of herbs before using them.

UNDERSTAND THAT DIFFERENT PREPARATIONS OF THE SAME HERB MAY EFFECT DIFFERENTLY

The safety of any herbal remedy depends on the way it is prepared and used.

• Tinkturen und Auszüge enthalten Alkaloide oder giftige Pflanzenteile und müssen mit Sorgfalt und Weisheit verwendet werden. Tinkturen sind so sicher wie das betreffende Kraut (siehe Vorsichtsmaßnahmen unten für tonisierende, stimulierende, sedierende oder potenziell giftige Kräuter). Am besten verwendet/verkauft als einfache, nicht als Kombinationen, besonders wenn starke Kräuter verwendet werden.
• Getrocknete Kräuter Zu Tees oder Aufgüssen verarbeitet, enthalten sie die nährenden Aspekte der Pflanzen und sind normalerweise ziemlich unbedenklich, insbesondere wenn nährende oder tonisierende Kräuter verwendet werden.
• Getrocknete Kräuter hinein Kapseln sind im Allgemeinen die am wenigsten effektive Art, Kräuter zu verwenden. Sie sind schlecht verdaulich, schlecht verwertet, oft abgestanden oder unwirksam und ziemlich teuer.
• Angereicherte Kräuteröle sind als solche oder zu Salben eingedickt erhältlich. Sie sind viel sicherer als ätherische Öle, die hochkonzentriert sind und bei innerlicher Einnahme tödlich sein können.
• Kräuteressig sind nicht nur dekorativ, sondern auch mineralstoffreich. Ein gutes Medium für nährende und tonisierende Kräuter; nicht so stark wie Tinkturen für Stimulanzien/Beruhigungsmittel.
• Pflanzliche Glycerine sind für diejenigen erhältlich, die es vorziehen, Alkohol zu vermeiden, sind aber in der Regel schwächer in der Wirkung als Tinkturen.

USE NOURISHING, TONING, STIMULATING AND POTENTIALLY TOXIC HERBS WISELY

Herbs include a group of several thousand plants with very different effects. Some are nutritional supplements, some tonics, some stimulants and depressants, and some are potential poisons. To use them wisely and well, we need to understand each category, its uses, the best way to prepare it, and the common dosage range.

Nourishing herbsare the safest of all herbs; Side effects are rare. Nourishing herbs are taken in any quantity for any length of time. They are used as food, just like spinach and kale. Nourishing herbs provide high levels of proteins, vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, carotene and essential fatty acids.

Examplesof nourishing herbs include: alfalfa, amaranth, astragalus, marigold flowers, chickweed, comfrey leaves, dandelion, fenugreek, linseed, honeysuckle flowers, lamb's quarters, marshmallow, nettles, oat straw, ribwort plantain (leaves/seeds), purslane, red clover flowers, algae, Siberian ginseng, slippery elm, violet leaves and wild Mushrooms.

Toning herbswork slowly in the body and have a cumulative rather than immediate effect. They build the functionality of an organ (such as the liver) or a system (such as the immune system). Toning herbs are most beneficial when used in small amounts over a long period of time. The more bitter the tonic tastes, the less you need to take. Mild tonics can be used in large quantities, such as nourishing herbs.

Side effects occasionally occur with tonics, but are usually quite short-term. Many older herbalists mistakenly equated stimulating herbs with tonic herbs, resulting in widespread abuse of many herbs and serious side effects.

Examplestonic herbs include: barberry bark, burdock root/seeds, chasteberry, daisy herb, dandelion root, echinacea, elecampane, fennel, garlic, ginkgo, ginseng, ground ivy, hawthorn berries, field horsetail, lady's mantle, lemon balm, milk thistle seeds, motherwort, mullein, pau d'arco, raspberry leaves, Schisandra berries, St. John's wort, turmeric root, usnea, wild yam and yellow dock.

Calming and stimulating herbscause a variety of rapid reactions, some of which may be undesirable. Some parts of the person can be emphasized to help other parts. Strong depressants and stimulants, whether herbs or medications, take us outside our normal range of activity and can cause severe side effects. When we rely on them and then try to function without them, we end up more upset (or depressed) than when we started. Habitual use of strong depressants and stimulants - whether opium, rhubarb root, cayenne pepper or coffee - leads to loss of tone, dysfunction and even physical dependence. The stronger the herb, the more moderate the dose must be and the shorter the duration of use.

Herbs that tone and nourish while sedating/stimulating are some of my favorite herbs. I use them freely as they do not cause any dependency.Soothing/stimulating herbs that also tonify or nourish: bonewort, catnip, citrus peel, cleaver, ginger, hops, lavender, marjoram, motherwort, oat straw, passionflower, peppermint, rosemary, sage, skullcap.

Strongly calming/stimulating herbs include: angelica, black pepper, Benedict thistle root, cayenne pepper, cinnamon, cloves, coffee, licorice, opium poppy, osha root, shepherd's purse, woodruff, turkey rhubarb root, uva ursu leaves, valerian root, wild lettuce juice, willow bark, and wintergreen leaves.

Potentially toxicHerbs are intense, powerful medications that are taken in tiny amounts and only for as long as necessary. Side effects are common.

Examplesof potentially poisonous herbs are: belladonna, bloodroot, celandine, chaparral, foxglove, goldenseal, henbane, orris root, jimson weed, lobelia, mayapple (American mandrake), mistletoe, poke root, poison hemlock, stillingia root, turkey corn root, wild cucumber root.

Additionally, consider these thoughts about using herbs safely:

• Respektieren Sie die Kraft der Pflanzen, um Körper und Geist auf dramatische Weise zu verändern.
• Steigern Sie das Vertrauen in die heilende Wirkung von Pflanzen, indem Sie Mittel für kleinere oder äußere Probleme ausprobieren, bevor oder während Sie mit großen und inneren Problemen arbeiten.
• Entwickeln Sie kontinuierliche Beziehungen zu sachkundigen Heilern – persönlich oder in Büchern – die sich für Kräutermedizin interessieren.
• Ehre die Einzigartigkeit jeder Pflanze, jedes Menschen, jeder Situation.
• Denken Sie daran, dass jede Person auf ihre eigene einzigartige Weise und in ihrer eigenen Geschwindigkeit ganz und geheilt wird. Menschen, Pflanzen und Tiere können dabei helfen. Aber es ist der Körper/Geist, der die Heilung bewirkt. Erwarten Sie nicht, dass Pflanzen Allheilmittel sind.

Disclaimer: This content is not intended to replace conventional medical treatment. All suggestions and all herbs listed are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease, condition, or symptom. Personal instructions and use should be provided by a clinical herbalist or other qualified physician with a specific formula forShe. All materials contained herein are provided for general information purposes only and should not be considered medical advice or advice. Consult a reputable doctor if you require medical care. Exercise self-empowerment by getting a second opinion.