Herbal medicine is a complementary therapy that uses plants or plant extracts to treat illness.
A Brief history[edit | edit source]
The healing properties of many herbs has been known since earliest times, there being archaeological evidence of their usage over 7000 years ago, but the first comprehensive record of plants of herbal value was compiled in the fourth century BC by Hippocrates, the Greek physician known as the 'Father Of Medicine'. By the Middle Ages many monasteries contained 'Physick Gardens', where a variety of herbs grown for their health giving properties could be cultivated. The first of these was at Oxford, established in 1621. The Chelsea Physic Garden, set up by the Society of Apothecaries, followed in 1673. The development of printing in the fifteenth century saw the production of many 'Herbals', these were magnificent books featuring descriptions and illustrations of plants along with their healing properties and details of their preparation. One of these was produced by John Gerard (1545-1612), who although dedicated, tended to be rather fanciful in many of the properties he attributed to herbs, and many of his more far fetched remedies are still quoted by those who oppose the use of herbs in healing sickness. He was succeeded by Nicholas Culpepper (1616-54), one of the best known British herbal healers. Despite his tremendous knowledge, and the fact that his 'Complete Herbal' produced in 1649 is still today a respected work, he died penniless, accused of 'witchcraft' by his more orthodox contemporary doctors due to the amazing numbers of cures he effected. Indeed, much indigenous knowledge of native herb lore was lost or suppressed by both the Protestant and Catholic churches during the 300 year period that we now know as the era of the witch hunts.
Paracelsus, a German physician, propounded his 'Doctrine Of Signatures' around this time, his belief being that the appearance and general characteristics of a plant gave clues as to it's healing and useful properties, having been placed there as a 'signature' of God. For example lungwort (Sticta pulmonaria) was held to be a cure for complaints of the chest due to it's spotted leaves that give the plant a resemblance to the human lung. Indeed, lungwort is mucilaginous, and is widely recognised as a treatment for pulmonary complaints.
The 21st century[edit | edit source]
Indeed, in the 21st century, much herb-lore that had once been held as superstition or 'old wives tales' is now being acknowledged as being based very much upon scientifically provable fact, and many reliable published modern herbals are now available. The modern grower can easily incorporate elements of the 'physic garden' into their own garden or allotment by growing a selection of medicinal plants in order to create their own outdoor 'first aid kit' which can be administered in forms such as tisanes, infusions, decoctions, poltices or compresses, although of course it is advisable that no medicinal treatment for serious complaints using herbal cures should be undertaken without qualified supervision.
How to use[edit | edit source]
Very fine chopped or Granulated herbs: the best method is to seep them in boiling water for twenty minutes and strain the excess herbs from the water and ingested twice a day for most beneficial outcomes
Roots and Barks: Simmered for at least thirty minutes to extract medicinal value. You may also find ways to grind these into a more loose form and turn them into a powder.
Leaves and Flowers: Most common form to make herbal medicines, usually seeped in boiling water like common teas. These can also be used to make syrups and herbal salves for exterior use
A list of herbal treatments[edit | edit source]
Acid Indigestion[edit | edit source]
- Meadow sweet - drink an infusion of flowers and leaves
- Mint - drink an infusion of leaves
Acne[edit | edit source]
- Burdock- drink an infusion of herb
Arthritis[edit | edit source]
- Dandelion- drink an infusion
- Agrimony- drink an infusion regularly
- Nettle- drink an infusion of herb
Asthma[edit | edit source]
- Meadowsweet - drink an infusion of flowers
Backache[edit | edit source]
Bad Breath[edit | edit source]
Boils[edit | edit source]
- Chickweed- leaf poultice of fresh plant
Broken Bones[edit | edit source]
- Comfrey- crushed roots applied as plaster
Bruises[edit | edit source]
- Lady's mantle- drink an infusion
- Marigold - wash with infusion
- Comfrey - drink decoction or infusion
Bronchitis[edit | edit source]
- Coltsfoot- make into syrup
Chestiness[edit | edit source]
- Marshmallow - drink infusion or decoction of root
- Horehound - make into candy
- Horsetail - drink infusion or spoonfuls of juice
Colds[edit | edit source]
Confinement (following)[edit | edit source]
- Lady's mantle - drink an infusion
Conjuntivitis[edit | edit source]
- Eyebright - use professional preparation
Constipation[edit | edit source]
- Plantain - seeds made into jelly with water
Coughs[edit | edit source]
- Coltsfoot - make into syrup
- Horehound- make into candy
- Comfrey- drink infusion of fresh flowers & leaves, or fresh juice
- Mullein- drink infusion
Covid-19[edit | edit source]
- Essay by Stephen Harrod Buhner
- Kudzu (Pueria spp)
- Salvia miltiorrhiza (also known as Dan shen)
- Ginkgo biloba
Dandruff[edit | edit source]
Diabetes[edit | edit source]
- Sweet cicely- add to food in place of sugar
Diarrhoea[edit | edit source]
- Blackberry- drink decoction of root or leaves
- Meadowsweet- drink infusion of leaves
Disinfectant[edit | edit source]
Eyestrain[edit | edit source]
- Always use professional preparations on the eyes- Rues, comfrey, eyebright, chickweed, agrimony and horsetail are all used by herbalists.
Flatulence[edit | edit source]
Headaches[edit | edit source]
Hiccoughs[edit | edit source]
- Mint- drink infusion or chew leaves
Indigestion[edit | edit source]
Insect repellant[edit | edit source]
- Rue- hang bunches of herbs in room or store clothes with moth bags
- Yarrow- use in bunches or moth bags
- Southernwood- use in bunches or moth bags
Insomnia[edit | edit source]
Intestinal tonic[edit | edit source]
- Marshmalow- drink infusion
- Plantain- seeds made into jelly with water
- Meadowsweet- drink infusion of leaves
Lumbago[edit | edit source]
- Rue- rub it on
Nausea[edit | edit source]
- Lemon verbena- drink infusion
- Mint- drink infusion
Nosebleed[edit | edit source]
Rheumatism[edit | edit source]
- Dandelion- drink an infusion of the elaves
- Horsetail- drink infusion of the leaves
- Agrimony- drink infusion of the leaves
- Burdock- drink infusion of the leaves
- Chickweed- drink infusion of the leaves
- Rue- drink infusion of the leaves
- Comfrey- drink infusion of the leaves
- Meadowsweet- drink infusion of the flowers
Spots[edit | edit source]
- Cleavers- crushed as a poultice
- Burdock- drink infusion of the leaves
- Elder- wash face frequently in an infusion
- Periwinkle- ask herbalist for ointment
Stitch[edit | edit source]
- Mistletoe- slowly chew a berry
Teething of children[edit | edit source]
- Orris root- chew
Warts[edit | edit source]
- Greater celandine- apply juice to wart
Wound dressing[edit | edit source]
- Sphagnum moss- apply to wounds