Things to remember when choosing an herbal products

Call the manufacturer of the product(s) you are considering and see if they match up to this strict test of quality and integrity:

❏ If the herb comes in a capsule are the capsules preservative-free? (Make sure they are not synthetic materials, petroleum by-products, or plastic.)

❏ Are herbs free of all synthetic ingredients including dyes, artificial sweeteners, and other chemical additives? (Don’t we get enough chemicals in our daily lives without deliberately taking them with our daily herbs?)

❏ Does the bottle clearly state ALL ingredients and or additives? Does the label list the ingredients used as a base to bond the herbs into a tablet form? (Since the FDA does not require this disclosure on herb labels, those who volunteer this information on the label probably have nothing to hide.)

❏ If a preservative must be used to preserve freshness, is the source of the additive or preservative from a vegetable or fruit source? (You are again looking for hidden chemicals and synthetic materials with this question.)

❏ Does the manufacturer quarantine the bulk herbs for two to three days? (Any raw products left out to the elements can be spoiled or contaminated.)

❏ Are the herbs unsprayed? (It is customary in some countries to spray certain herbs and not so in others. Choose the manufacturer who knows this and gets the unsprayed herbs from the correct countries, or who tests all their herbs for any pesticides or chemical contamination.)

❏ Are the herbs you are considering more expensive than many others? (Unfortunately, cost is a factor in good herbs, just as cost is a factor in the quality of most products. Cutting costs at the cash register usually means cheating your body of the best herbal products.)

❏ Does the company use the most medicinal parts or the whole herb in their product? (Again, labels do not need to mention if the flower, stem, or root is used in a particular encapsulated herb, although there may be no value at all depending on which part is used. Another example is the age of a plant. Aloe vera, for instance, needs to be at least four years old to have any medicinal value. For greedy, impatient, or ignorant reasons, many manufactures will bottle and sell immature, and impotent plants because legally, they can.)

❏ Does the manufacturer test the “fingerprint” of each batch of herb they acquire to ensure it is what they ordered? (Many herbs look alike in bulk form. One large herb manufacturer told me that they once received cocoa bean from their supplier and was told it was pau d’arco. Visually the differences in the bulk herb were nil. The manufacturer’s first quality-control check quickly uncovered the mistake and the shipment was sent back. Make sure the manufacturer has the quality equipment to undertake these types of tests.)

❏ Are the encapsulated herbs made without the use of high heat? (Heat damages enzymes, evaporates potent essential oils, and decreases an herb’s value. Exception: concentrated tablets made from infusions or decoctions, liquid herbs, and extracts.)

❏ Are the herbs guaranteed pure? (There is a big difference between 100 percent refund guarantee and guaranteed 100 percent pure. It is more valuable to know that you are getting what you think you’re getting than to get something that is questionable and have it not work or make you sick! Would you rather have a purity guarantee or would you rather just take your chances and have to get your money back on a terrible product?)

❏ Does the manufacturer run themselves to pharmaceutical standards? (Are outside doors sealed against dust, do workers wear masks, gloves, and sterile clothes, are herbs quarantined, are strict quality-control tests taken before, during, and after processing, are herbs packaged tightly in sealed containers, etc.? If a company does not know what the typical pharmaceutical standards are, then the answer is probably “no.”)

❏ Is the manufacturing plant open to visitors or inspectors? (If no, why not?)

❏ Does the manufacturer have an investment of some sort in research and development? (A team of scientists, doctors, nutritionists, pharmocognosist, and researchers indicates that the manufacturer is dedicated to quality and integrity and has an interest in your health and not just their bottom line.) If you get a straightforward “yes” answer to all of these questions, then good for you, you’ve found yourself a quality company. Now let’s get on with a couple of things that will help your quality herbs work even better for you!

Picking the Right Herb

Picking my own herbs was nice and holistic, but the truth of the matter is that there’s a lot more to herbalism than identifying a plant correctly and picking it. The herb-picking party came to a screeching halt once I began to learn more about harvesting herbs. I learned that there are specific harvest times that need to be adhered to in order to capture a plant’s medicinal value. I also learned that the drying process had to be done just so for the best effects—and then I saw under a microscope that I was getting a whole lot more than just my herb with my herb, including bug parts, animal feces, and other unidentifiable beasties. That’s not to mention the dangerous possibility of incorrectly identifying a safe herb for a toxic or poisonous plant. A mistake like that could turn a Rocky Mountain High into a Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever!
Needless to say, I gave up on my little fantasy of picking all my own herbs very quickly! For my daily herb intake, I now rely on certain herbal manufacturers who not only send their specialists to the field to pick the herbs at the right time (important for capturing the best properties), but who also enforce strict quality-control standards that I am not capable of doing on my own. Besides, I wasn’t too hip on getting my protein from microscopic bug parts left on my self-harvested herbs! I haven’t abandoned picking herbs completely, though. I still pick my own sagebrush once in a while and use it for incense, or I harvest some chamomile and add it to my shampoo to lighten my hair. For the herbs I use internally, however, I order in!
Of course, I don’t want to discourage you from learning herbology from the ground up—this is a good way to get back to your roots. It’s also very helpful for when and if we are alienated from commercial availability, as we will have to rely on our knowledge of plants and herbs for survival and emergency situations. A lot of value comes from knowing the herbs around you. For the purposes of this book, though, you should probably stick to purchasing your herbs from a company whose reputation you can trust until you become an expert yourself. So, every salesperson, distributor, manufacturer, and herbal advertisement tells you that their product is the best? Guaranteed? All natural? How do you really know what sets the quality products apart from the fly-by-nights? Here’s a little checklist that you can use to find the best quality in your herbal products.

Herb Essence

Herbs are also used in homeopathic and flower remedies and to make essential oils. Essential oils are the “essence” of a plant—the moisture you see when you tear a fresh plant leaf or the spray that you see when tearing a fresh tangerine peel in the sunshine. These oils give a plant their scent; they evaporate thoroughly when exposed to air. The proper distillation process to extract these volatile oils is expensive and time consuming, so you will more than likely have to purchase your oils. Try to find a Grade A type, 100 percent pure oil when you shop.
Many in the market are adulterated with a chemical fragrance enhancer and/or another substance to stretch the company’s bottom line. Unfortunately, manufactures who cheat by diluting their oils could do you more harm than good. If you are in the wild and are positive that you have identified a plant correctly and want to use its essential oil, you can rub the leaves of the plant on you—the moisture from the plant is the plant’s essence. However, it is important that you identify a plant correctly—the essence of poisonous plants, such as poison ivy and poison oak, can give you a terrible skin reaction if touched. Before you go rubbing yourself with nature, know exactly what you are getting yourself into, or rely on a purchased product.

Chewable

Form: Chewable.
Description: Chewable herbs are another great way to get kids, the elderly, or anyone who hates to swallow pills to take herbs. Herbal manufactures make herbs in chewable forms that are usually sweetened with fruit juice.
How to Make: I have not found a palatable way to make my own, but here’s an idea used by some if you have the gumption: Take a small amount of the powdered herb mixture, moisten with a small amount of marshmallow herb, add a tiny amount of water (just enough to mix but keep firm). Roll into pea-size balls and leave to dry. Then dip the balls in honey or peanut butter to cover the taste.
How to Take: Chew and swallow.

Liquid/tinctures

Form: Liquid/tinctures.
Description: Liquid herbs, known as tinctures, are concentrated herbal extracts that can be preserved over longer periods of time. They are easier to administer to children, the elderly, and pets and are easily absorbed. Liquid herbs require a base, which is usually either glycerin or alcohol, to stabilize them. If an extract has an alcohol base that is disagreeable to taste, the herb can be placed in a small amount of very hot water before drinking. The hot water will evaporate the alcohol. Tinctures are not suited for those who lack tolerance to alcohol.
How to Make: To make your own liquid extracts use one pint of 60-proof or higher alcohol (brandy, gin, and vodka have all been used), glycerin, or apple cider vinegar to four ounces of herb powder. Combine in container with lid for two to six weeks. Vigorously shake the mixture two times per day. You will notice a slow change in the color. Strain tincture through cheesecloth and store in a darkcolored bottle (preferably with a dropper so that it can be easily administered).
How to Take: Take sublingually with a dropper, or by the teaspoon—usually a few drops will do. Or, place drops in water or juice, and drink. Tinctures may also be used externally.

Capsules or tablets

Form: Capsules or tablets.
Description: Probably the most convenient way to take herbs. Powdered herbs can come in a capsule form (usually made from gelatin or cellulose materials) or tablet form (usually a bit stronger than the capsules and made from a powdered herb that is compressed and coated to form a pill). Make sure that the company you get tablets from uses a natural coating, not plastic or synthetic coatings. All ingredients, including the binding or base materials used to form tablets, should be listed. If not, find out before you buy.
How to Make: If you’d rather swallow your herbs in a capsule, but you bought or grew your own herbs in bulk form, you can purchase empty capsules at your local health food store and encapsulate your herbs yourself. (Nature’s Way makes Vegicaps®, which are labeled kosher.) Crush your dried herbs into powder form with a mortar and pestle to make it easier to encapsulate. You will also get more herb in each capsule this way.
How to Take: Swallow with plenty of water.

Poultice.

Form: Poultice.
Description: A poultice is a paste made from herbs for an external application for injuries or infections, such as boils. The poultice’s value is the rapid absorption of the herb through the skin. A poultice will generally stimulate circulation, reduce infection, pull out toxins through skin, reduce inflammation, and relieve irritations.
How to Make: Using herb powders is best for making poultices. Capsules can be opened and the powder dumped out, or you can make your own powder from bulk herbs by using a mortar and pestle to crush the herb into powder. If using a freshly cut herb grate, crush or chew it a bit first. Moisten dry powdered herb with a liquid herb, such as aloe vera (we’ll talk about aloe later) until it has a pasty consistency. Other safe options to bind your herbs together with include egg whites, slippery elm, clay, or olive oil.
How to Take: Apply paste to injury, and cover with plastic, cheesecloth, wool, or muslin cloth and wrap with a bandage to hold in place. Change two to four times a day, or as necessary.

Compress or fomentation

Form: Compress or fomentation.
Description: For external use for injuries.
How to Make: Prepare decoction, or infusion (tea) as above.
How to Take: When decoction or infusion is ready, dip a clean rag into the mixture and place on injured area. As cloth cools, re-immerse into solution and re-apply to affected area. Repeat daily, if needed. This cloth may be wrapped with a bandage or even plastic wrap to keep it in place. A hot compress is also called a fomentation. This means that you apply extra heat on top of the soaked rag. You can place plastic over a soaked rag, then a dry towel, and then a heating pad or hot water bottle. Fomentations (or hot compresses) are best used for spastic or cold conditions such as muscle spasms or tension as they help relax and warm the body. Compresses can also be cold and are mostly used to decongest areas or inflamed conditions such as edema, constipation, poor urine flow, fevers, and sinus congestion. If you are really feeling energetic, you can also have your partner make you a hot and a cold compress and alternate them. This type of therapy stimulates circulation to the affected area and is helpful for injuries, sprains, bruising, lumps, bumps, and tumors.

Decoctions

Form: Decoctions.
Description: Usually stronger than teas. Decoctions are usually the twigs, stems, and dried roots of the herbs, which take a longer exposure time in hot water to extract their medicinal properties. Decoctions can be used for drinking or as enemas or douches.
How to Make: If your bulk herbs are not already cut into small pieces, slice all herb roots diagonally for maximum exposure to water. Place bulk herb into a pot of water, and bring water to a boil. Use approximately one ounce of herb for every one to two pints of water. Lower heat, and simmer covered for 20 to 30 minutes. Strain herbs before drinking.
Herbs come in many different forms for internal and external use.
How to Take: Treat the same as a tea and refrigerate if not taken right away. Again, this form of tea works best if your stomach is empty. It should also be drunk unsweetened.

Tea (infusions)

Form: Bulk herbs as teas, also called infusions.
Description: Usually the dried leaves, skins, and flowers of herbs in bulk form. Keep covered when in dried form, as bulk herbs can lose their essential oils rapidly if left open to the elements.
How to Make: Place bulk tea in a metal tea ball or press filter, which are both fairly inexpensive. Or, make sure to have some cheesecloth or coffee filters to strain tea when it is finished. Pour boiling water over herbs, and let sit for about five minutes or longer for a stronger taste. Teas only need a short exposure time to water to extract their oils and medicinal value.
How to Take: Drink right away, or refrigerate for later use. Teas work best on an empty stomach. Use approximately four tablespoons of herb per cup. If making tea from an encapsulated herb, use two to four capsules per cup. (Capsules are usually more concentrated than the bulk herb, so you will need to utilize more of the loose herb than the powder.)

The Different Applications of Herbs

Herbs can be utilized in many ways and have many different applications. They can be used internally, externally, or both. Fortunately, you don’t have to pick your own herbs and know botany to begin using herbal remedies. In fact, that subject is so deep that it takes decades to really learn herbology from the ground up and to apply the knowledge fully. For now, we will simply cover some basics so you can incorporate herbs easily and effectively into your life.
Herbs can be used in many different ways. They can be smelled, swallowed, sipped, and rubbed into the skin. They are most versatile and can be taken in any form that suits you. I prefer to take pills, but others prefer tea because they like getting the aroma, taste, and feel of a warm drink with their “medicine.” However, a tea may not always be your best choice, depending on the type of herb you are using. For relief of constipation, for instance, you will probably need to take herbs that are very bitter tasting, to stimulate bile flow and movement of the bowel, but, sipping bitter herbs in a tea form can be rather distasteful! In this case, pills may be a better choice. If you have trouble swallowing pills and do not care for tea, liquid or chewable herbal preparations will probably suit you best.
For simplicity’s sake, I will be referring to herbs to be taken in capsule or tablet form throughout the blog. In certain cases where a topical application or other use is more appropriate, I will indicate that accordingly.
Now I know some of you will be eager to know how to make and prepare your own remedies, so I have provided the following handy table for your reference. In later chapters when a helpful poultice or fomentation is called for, you can refer back to this chart to see how to make one.

What Is an Herb?

An herb is a plant with a fleshy stem. Webster’s Dictionary also describes an herb as a plant that typically dies back to the ground each year. An herb also usually has some type of value as a food or medicine. Steven Horne, AHG, one of my teachers and the current president of the American Herbalist’s Guild, puts it simply when he says that herbs are mainly just wild vegetables.
Although each part of the definition is true, the herb category is much broader than just a fleshy plant that dies back to the ground each year. Many plant products that are parts of trees, vines, or bushes also are called herbs even though they don’t fit the technical definition. For example, herbalists consider bee pollen (the pollen collected by bees from flowers) and other plant substances with a nutritional or medicinal value to be herbs as well.
As a general rule, plants and plant parts considered in the herbal category include:

* Bark from trees and vines (cinnamon, cascara sagrada)
* Fruit or berries (elderberry, bilberry)
* Nuts and seeds and their shells, husks, or hulls (flax seeds, black walnut hulls)
* Pollen, such as flower pollen collected by bees (bee pollen)
* Plant oil or resin (such as tea tree oil or myrrh gum)
* Plant “blood” (chlorophyll)
* Plankton (such as algae)
* Fungus (Reishi mushroom)

Herbalists also consider some foods that you might have considered vegetables to be herbs. For instance, that garlic in your refrigerator has also been used medicinally to thin the blood and help lower cholesterol. Remember the old saying, “Let your food be your medicine and your medicine be your food”? Herbs are really concentrated food sources.
Some people consider herbs weeds, such as the misunderstood dandelion. The term weed is given to plants that grow in places where we don’t want them to grow. It is a prejudiced word for a plant (sometimes an herb) that is considered undesirable, unattractive, or troublesome, which is also fitting for the dandelion in many cases. However, by the time you are done with this book, hopefully you will no longer think of the bright dandelion as a weed that serves as your enemy, but as God’s gift to your liver. Herbs contain naturally occurring chemical properties such as bitters, aromatics, tannins, flavonoids, and much more, which all have an effect on our body. Since herbs are foods, the body recognizes these chemicals and utilizes their nourishment in ways natural for the body. Herbs are being researched and scientifically validated for their health-building value. We’ll talk more in the next chapter on how herbs differ from medicines. First let’s take a look at some different ways you can use herbs.