tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1694364001063554832.post1999616644328427474..comments2024-03-18T22:33:57.339-04:00Comments on 5 Acres & A Dream: Healing With HerbsLeighhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02435811789823712254noreply@blogger.comBlogger23125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1694364001063554832.post-76087404277174683732012-04-06T17:48:37.833-04:002012-04-06T17:48:37.833-04:00Jana, you're welcome. You're right about t...Jana, you're welcome. You're right about the online community. It's wonderfully supportive and a great place to learn and share. If you don't have a blog, you consider it!Leighhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02435811789823712254noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1694364001063554832.post-74036411871351857222012-04-06T17:43:23.635-04:002012-04-06T17:43:23.635-04:00Leigh, thanks for the link. I will definitely loo...Leigh, thanks for the link. I will definitely look into. I will also keep in mind that there is an online community that can be supportive of alternative approaches and you seem to have found it!<br /><br />Thank you. <br /><br />JanaAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1694364001063554832.post-41558083442253441802012-04-06T12:47:58.726-04:002012-04-06T12:47:58.726-04:00Anonymous, I very much appreciate your comment. My...Anonymous, I very much appreciate your comment. My community is similar to yours and I agree, it's frustrating. Your situation sounds very similar to ours. Have you considered taking an herbalism course, like <a href="http://www.snh.cc/jamaffiliates/jrox.php?id=1491" rel="nofollow">School of Natural Healing?</a>Leighhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02435811789823712254noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1694364001063554832.post-72741335876825034742012-04-06T12:16:12.644-04:002012-04-06T12:16:12.644-04:00I'd like to chime in with my own experience be...I'd like to chime in with my own experience because sometimes I feel like nobody in my community is receptive to alternative medicine and it frustrates the heck out of me. <br /><br />I grew up wanting to be a doctor and became, instead, an EMT/ mom. For the first half of my adult life I suffered from asthma (uncontrolled on three meds), exzema, lactose intolerance and various unspecified mental disorders. In addition, I was misdiagnosed 9 out of 13 times and medicated to my detriment - no exaggeration. I got an infection in hospital that kept me bed-ridden for three months.<br /><br />Several years ago I got fed up and took control of my own health. I gave up processed foods and choose organic whenever possible. I quit all of my medications (check with your doctor first, really), avoid sugar where I can and found an alternative treatment for the recurrent UTIs (D-mannose). <br /><br />I haven't had an asthma attack in over a year, no skin trouble, no depression, anxiety etc for probably two and a half years, maybe one UTi a year and I have no difficulty whatsoever with any milk product.<br /><br />If I were bleeding out or experiencing breathing difficulty or chest pain, I would go to the hospital, otherwise, I do much better on my own.<br /><br />We folks need to trust our bodies' healing power and be willing to "get out of our own way".<br /><br />Oh, and I am in awe of this blog!!!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1694364001063554832.post-63863898579407510092011-08-10T10:26:27.396-04:002011-08-10T10:26:27.396-04:00Tinner's Rabbits, thanks so much for the recom...Tinner's Rabbits, thanks so much for the recommendations! I hope Shelia is following up on the comments. I have James Green's book in my homestead library, but the others are one's I'd like to take a look at.<br /><br />Limette, check out the ones recommended in the comments. I'd also personally recommend James Greens <i>The Herbal Medicine Maker's Handbook</i>, also <i>The New Age Herbalist</i> edited by Richard Mabey. Other than that, I'd say scour your public library! Also interlibrary loan for those you're considering buying. There are so many books on herbs out there, it would be good to get a hands on look at some of them.Leighhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02435811789823712254noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1694364001063554832.post-19134708894464156802011-08-09T12:17:14.303-04:002011-08-09T12:17:14.303-04:00Do you recommend a good book on this subject? I&#...Do you recommend a good book on this subject? I've been looking for a herb guide for ages and haven't been able to find one that has more than very basic information on a handful of herbs. I grow medicinal herbs but I haven't used them yet.Jenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00081848869231823977noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1694364001063554832.post-26141673660117897472011-08-09T10:44:50.196-04:002011-08-09T10:44:50.196-04:00Medical Herbalism by David Hoffman would be a good...Medical Herbalism by David Hoffman would be a good complement to a chemistry text. It might be overwhelming for an 11 yr old to work on by herself, but it would be great if she had someone to guide her through it, or for someone to design a course around.<br /><br />Healing with the Herbs of life by Leslie Tierra is great for learning how herbalists traditionally classify herbs by whether they are warming, cooling, drying, or moistening. It's a great system for taking the guesswork out of deciding which herbs from any given class (like diuretic,sedative,diaphoretic etc) to use in any given instance. <br /><br />Tierra also wrote A Kid's Herb Book, For Children of All Ages, which is perfect for an eleven year old :) <br /><br />Some of my other favorite herb books are The Herbalist's Way by Nancy Phillips, and The Herbal Medicine Maker's Handbook by James Green. <br /><br />Hope those are helpful! (they are all books that came as part of the first certificate program I enrolled in. Will really help you get a good foundation of herbs, or take your herbal learning to the next level.)Agathahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09115155497913565678noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1694364001063554832.post-21956859224060789612011-08-09T00:15:17.304-04:002011-08-09T00:15:17.304-04:00Shelia, I've been thinking about that because ...Shelia, I've been thinking about that because I have a lot of books on herbs. What would be of the best interest to an 11 year old is the question. Someone else might have a better suggestion, but perhaps Penelope Ody's <i>The Complete Medicinal Herbal</i> might be a possibility. Like any herbal, it's still somewhat technical, but it's DK book so there are lots of great photos. A number of foods (cabbage, orange, etc) are included as well. Also a section on how to make herbal remedies like infusions, decoctions, tinctures, syrups. There's a section on making an herbal 1st aid kit too. <br /><br />BRF, I agree there are an overwhelming number of books on the subject. I keep collecting them and have trouble settling on one I like best. Current favorite is <i>The New Age Herbalist</i> by Richard Mabey (editor).<br /><br />Crystal, well put. They key is learning the right ones and the right way to use them. Figuring that out is often no easy task. With our animals, I tend to always consult the vet first and follow their advice. Both times Jasmine had problems though, it was the herbs that helped more than the prescription medications. One anthelmintic is raw garlic. Not dried, not powdered, not deodorized. Fresh and raw. It used to work on my cats, but how to get the right dosage into a goat is another question altogether! Something to work on once I can do my own fecals.<br /><br />Crow, thank you! Aromatherapy is something I really need to research and begin to utilize more. Pretty neat how you can make the healing association with pictures.<br /><br />Richard, I would love a post on that! It would be very interesting indeed.<br /><br />Lana, thank you so much for the return visit! I always try to track back as well; I find some of the best blogs that way. How interesting that you wrote college papers on this very topic. I've only explored your blog a little bit so far, but am looking forward to reading more.<br /><br />Alicia, I couldn't agree with you more. I think we have everything we need for life and good health. I also believe that each region of the world has it's own collection of unique plants for the peoples of that area. Because of that, I don't need to look to Chinese or Ayurvedic herbalism, I just need to learn what grows in my own niche and how to use it.Leighhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02435811789823712254noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1694364001063554832.post-8362775370087170482011-08-08T22:38:44.947-04:002011-08-08T22:38:44.947-04:00This is just an awesome post!! I so believe that t...This is just an awesome post!! I so believe that the Lord put the herbs here for us and that they can help with so many things without having the awful side effects that so many prescriptions have.Again wonderful post!!Alicia@ eco friendly homemakinghttp://ecofriendlyhomemaking.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1694364001063554832.post-79319722747609355752011-08-08T20:10:16.918-04:002011-08-08T20:10:16.918-04:00This was extremely interesting. During my senior y...This was extremely interesting. During my senior year in college, I wrote many of my papers on the medicinal properties of herbs. I am so glad you stopped by my blog so I could track you back, I always try to track by those who post...your blog seems very interesting. You have many topics on former posts that I would like to read, so I'll be visiting you!!Lana from Farm Life Lessonshttp://www.farmlifelessons.blogspot.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1694364001063554832.post-56944210929195859142011-08-08T17:12:12.451-04:002011-08-08T17:12:12.451-04:00I hope to do a post on what the Amish do for natur...I hope to do a post on what the Amish do for natural cures, i find this subject very interesting. Richard from Amish Stories.trumphttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14379869475899318079noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1694364001063554832.post-4503708042461581172011-08-08T15:05:04.423-04:002011-08-08T15:05:04.423-04:00Herbs are a wonderful source for body, mind and sp...Herbs are a wonderful source for body, mind and spirit health. What a great articular on herbs. Your blog is literally a dictionary for me. <br /><br />Aromatherapy is an amazing tool. The sense of smell can comfort, console, awaken, and calm one's senses. Because I use them so much, just looking at pictures of basil or rosemary now has the similar affects as actually smelling them.<br /><br />weird but true ;-)Crowhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13450175157643194938noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1694364001063554832.post-87817873729616456212011-08-08T13:51:39.240-04:002011-08-08T13:51:39.240-04:00Great post!
I've never understood how people...Great post! <br /><br />I've never understood how people could easily dismiss herbal remedies as hocus pocus. When used properly, herbal remedies can be the ticket to good health.<br /><br />I happen to sit right in the middle.... I appreciate modern medicine & the science behind it (despise the corruption & greed of pharmacutical companies though...). <br /><br />I believe in herbal remedies when used correctly. <br /><br />For instance, in my area....with no hard freezes to kill off parasites I must stay on top of deworming on my goats. I cannot use herbals, they simply are not able to do the trick. I fecal before & after to know my results. I don't trust blindly. Same thing with chemical dewormers....test before & after to find what works (in my case my chemical wormers aren't even goat wormers as they have been horribly over used creating resistent parasites).<br /><br />However, by using herbals & proper minerals I can stess parasites, keep their numbers much lower & as a result lessen my dependency & frequency of chemical dewormers (about every 5 months on my adults...not bad for my climate & the fact that I can't rotate pens).<br /><br />In contrast, when Sabrina freshened with edema, I was told to get her an RX to clear it up (dex if I remember correctly). Instead I chose warm compresses, raspberry leaves, raw honey & vitamin C. Cleared up quite nicely :) <br /><br />To be honest, my herbal knowledge is the minimal basics, but my mother is my herb guru....lol When I'm sick, I call momma & she'll brew up some herbal concoction & bring it over. Never fails, if I follow her instructions I'm on the mend fairly quickly :)* Crystal *https://www.blogger.com/profile/05747729287507332288noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1694364001063554832.post-40770674901162456752011-08-08T12:52:57.158-04:002011-08-08T12:52:57.158-04:00Bravo!! I have been reading books about herbs lat...Bravo!! I have been reading books about herbs lately as well. Kinda overwhelming as there are so many, and a lot of them seem to overlap. But I hope to get an herb garden growing soon.BrokenRoadFarmhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09009162969006682361noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1694364001063554832.post-26101511028003292092011-08-08T12:03:26.066-04:002011-08-08T12:03:26.066-04:00I am wondering if you have any book suggestions. ...I am wondering if you have any book suggestions. My 11 yr old daughter has become interested in herbs and I was thinking of taking her science this year and spending a great deal of time learning and studying herbs. I have read a couple books at our small library and I liked two of them, but I have yet to find what I am really looking for, so any suggestions would be appreciated. <br /><br />BTW- I began reading your blog a while ago...don't remember how I found it (maybe through subsistence pattern). Just wanted to let you know that I enjoy reading your posts.Sheilanoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1694364001063554832.post-60651332624257856562011-08-08T11:45:47.643-04:002011-08-08T11:45:47.643-04:00Thanks Tami. Very astute in your observation about...Thanks Tami. Very astute in your observation about losing faith in western medicine. I have to say that largely true for us (and I used to be a registered nurse!). It's funny, but when I worked in an office as a doctor's nurse, some folks absolutely would not accept an OTC remedy or the fact that there was no prescription to help them. They weren't happy until they had that 'script in hand! In the end, it does seem to boil down to faith.<br /><br />Jane, too true, too true. <br /><br />Dr. Momi, thanks!<br /><br />Mama Pea, when I was in nursing school, that is exactly what they taught us; that the body has a tremendous ability to heal itself. Unfortunately that remained only a textbook fact, because actual medical practice completely ignores it. Unfortunately, the cures are often worse than the disease.<br /><br />Donna, good example! And the more complicated and ineffective cures get, the more expensive they get. It's true the herbal treatments are usually slower, but without all the side effects, it's definitely worth it.<br /><br />Bettina, I think that's very true. Actually, I think common sense has been bred out of us. :) Like you, we do occasionally use OTC medications, but they always seem to be a last resort.<br /><br />Mr H, thanks! It's a shame we've gotten so far from the knowledge of the natural. I think faith in science is immensely overblown, so that the old tied and true herbal remedies are all but forgotten.Leighhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02435811789823712254noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1694364001063554832.post-34299378884397969602011-08-08T11:05:27.377-04:002011-08-08T11:05:27.377-04:00What a terrific post, and to think that until rece...What a terrific post, and to think that until recently, throughout history, these healing herbs were used extensively and now that knowledge has all but disappeared. But yes, the drug companies cannot make much money off of natural cures.Mr. H.https://www.blogger.com/profile/04576034751522467377noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1694364001063554832.post-35991367174198997812011-08-08T09:43:01.942-04:002011-08-08T09:43:01.942-04:00I think one of the other problems with herbal medi...I think one of the other problems with herbal medicines is that people are so used to the often "instant" effects of commercial drugs, that they don't have the patience to use herbs that usually take a while to work. I wouldn't ban commercial medicines totally for my own use, but I do try to use herbs with most common ailments and only take other stuff, when in desperate need (which so far has only happened once, luckily). using common sense - like with most other things in life, would be useful:)) unfortunately a lot of people seem to have lost theirs (or switched it off?) over the years....Woolly Bitshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11961632742998726155noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1694364001063554832.post-33257812421465301472011-08-08T09:30:26.006-04:002011-08-08T09:30:26.006-04:00Fantastic post Leigh. This old nurse started her c...Fantastic post Leigh. This old nurse started her career using things like molasses to cure bedsores. It worked. When I left the field 9 months ago I was involved with "decubitus" treatment that required multiple meds, large amounts of exensive dressings and painful removal of dressings.<br /><br />They did not work but hospitals and pharmacies made tons of money.<br /><br />I am using more and more herbal treatments and they are working well but just a little slower. Also becoming ahuge fan of essential oils. They work well and I smell better than ever.Donna OShaughnessyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08266654110280149719noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1694364001063554832.post-47781141974242931922011-08-08T09:20:43.825-04:002011-08-08T09:20:43.825-04:00tami and Jane are both correct, in my humble opini...tami and Jane are both correct, in my humble opinion. The body is an amazing instrument and drug companies are not out to heal but rather to make money at the expense of others.<br /><br />As in so many other common sense aspects of life, we have gotten so far away from knowing our own bodies. Relearning the nearly lost knowledge of healing with herbs and homeopathy takes personal time and research. Both are natural aids to help the body heal itself . . . which it will do if given half a chance.<br /><br />Excellent, EXCELLENT article, Leigh. Thanks!Mama Peahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03649357184167949247noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1694364001063554832.post-76385844004996114432011-08-08T09:17:24.592-04:002011-08-08T09:17:24.592-04:00All very well said.All very well said.dr momihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15665259531466170062noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1694364001063554832.post-16780316217150347272011-08-08T07:37:07.542-04:002011-08-08T07:37:07.542-04:00But if we all would take responsibility for our ow...But if we all would take responsibility for our own health, how would the drug companies make a gazillon dollars a year and be able to own most of the world? ;)Jane @ Hard Work Homesteadhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02905658082120445313noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1694364001063554832.post-33995530883012927342011-08-08T06:25:03.622-04:002011-08-08T06:25:03.622-04:00Excellent article, Leigh. I admire your dedicatio...Excellent article, Leigh. I admire your dedication and determination to "go herbal". This requires a tremendous amount of time, research and experience. Most people (myself included) would never try to go this route on their own. Popping a pill is easier. Seeking out alternative medical options usually comes after a "loss of faith" in western medicine. Doctors are trained to give a "best guess" diagnosis and are expected to hand over an Rx everytime.<br /> <br />I almost developed an ulcer last year after taking too many nsaids for a migraine. Lots of stomach pain. I was placed on a PPI (omeprazole)a very common, now OTC acid blocker. Took it for 6 months then weaned myself off it as quick as I could because I KNEW that I was creating a dependancy on a drug that was blocking my absorbtion of nutrients (B in particular). I now control my residual "reflux" with dietary changes and an acid reducer, not a blocker. Same thing with my Hx of panic attacks. (None after giving up gluten.) The body is an amazing instrument. Know Thyself.Tamihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06597093453934852571noreply@blogger.com