Your,Own,Herbal,Expert,your,fi health Be Your Own Herbal Expert - Pt 3

If the vagina is not offering the firm grip to your male partner, he expresses displeasure in lovemaking. You need to tighten the orifice and regain lost elasticity. You can make use of herbal remedies for loose vagina treatment naturally. H The technology behind listening devices has improved dramatically in recent years, giving new hope to those with impairment. While still far from a perfect replacement for the natural ability to hear, these devices give those with a disabili

In your first lesson, you learnedhow to "listen" to the messages of plant's tastes.  And you discovered that using plants in waterbases (as teas, infusions, vinegars, and soups) - and as simples - allows youto experiment with and explore herbal medicine safely.In your second lesson, you learnedabout herbs for teas and how to preserve and use their volatile oils. Youleaned about vitamin- and mineral-rich herbal infusions, and how to use them topromote health and longevity. And you continued to think about using herbssimply.In this lesson you will explorethe differences between nourishing, tonifying, stimulating/sedating, andpotentially-poisonous plants. You will learn how to prepare and use them forgreatest effect and most safety.All Herbs Are Not EqualAll herbs are not equal: somecontain poisons, some don't; some of the poisons are not so bad, some can killyou dead. I divide herbs into four categories for ease in remembering how (andhow much) to use. Some herbs nourish us, some tonify, some bring us up or easeus down, and some are frighteningly strong.Nourishing herbs are thesafest of all herbs. They contain few or no alkaloids, glycosides, resins, oressential oils (poisons). Nourishing herbs are eaten asfoods, cooked into soups, dried and infused, or, occasionally, made intovinegars. They provide high-level nutrients, including vitamins, minerals,trace minerals, proteins, phytoestrogens and phytosterols, starches, simple andcomplex sugars, bioflavonoids, carotenes, and essential fatty acids (EFAs). Nourishing herbs in water bases(infusions, soups, vinegars) may generally be taken in any quantity for anyperiod of time. Side-effects - even from excessive use - are quite rare.Nourishing herbs are rarely used as tinctures (in alcohol), but when they are,their effects may be quite different.It is generally considered safe touse nourishing herbs in water bases with prescription drugs. They may also betaken even if you are using tonifying, stimulating/sedating, or potentiallypoisonous herbs.Some examples of nourishingherbs include: ·         burdock roots ·         chickweed herb; tincture dissolves cysts·         comfrey leaf·         elder blossoms and berries·         fenugreek seeds·         garlic·         mallow leaves and roots·         mushrooms·         nettle leaves and seeds·         oatstraw·         plantain leaves and seeds ·         red clover blossoms·         seaweeds ·         rose hips·         slippery elm bark·         violet leaves and blossoms. Tonifying herbs aregenerally considered safe when used in moderation. They may contain alkaloidsor glycosides or essential oils, but rarely in quantities sufficient to harmus.Tonifying herbs act slowly in thebody and have a cumulative, rather than immediate, effect. They are mostbeneficial when used for extended periods of time. Tonifying herbs may be usedregularly (but usually not daily) for decades if desired.Tonifying herbs are prepared inwater and alcohol bases: tinctures and wines, as well as infusions, vinegars,and soups. The more bitter the tonic tastes,the less you need to take of it. The more bland the tonic tastes, the more youcan use of it.Side effects from overuse andmisuse of tonics is uncommon but quite possible. The dividing line between whatis tonifying and what is stimulating differs from person to person. Ginseng istonifying to my sweetheart, but stimulating to me. Even herbal authoritiesdisagree on which herbs are tonifying and which stimulating. Take care to counter any tendencyto overuse tonifying herbs or you may experience unwanted side effects. It is generally considered safe touse tonifying herbs in water bases if you are taking prescription drugs. Youmay also use tonifying herbs while using nourishing, stimulating/sedating, andeven potentially poisonous herbs. Tonifying herbs in alcohol bases areconsidered safe to use with nourishing herbs, but may produce unexpectedresults if combined with drugs or strong herbs.Some examples of tonifyingherbs include:·         burdock seeds, especially in an oil base·         chasteberry ·         mug/cronewort herb, especially in vinegar·         dandelion leaf, root and flowers ·         echinacea root ·         ginseng root·         hawthorn berries, leaves, and flowers·         horsetail herb·         lady’s mantle·         motherwort leaves and flowers·         sarsaparilla root·         yellow dock leaves, roots, and seeds Stimulating/sedating herbsfrequently contain essential oils, alkaloids, glycosides, or resins. Becausethese substances cause strong physical reactions, stimulating/sedating herbsare known from their rapid and pronounced effects, some of which may be unwanted.Stimulating/sedating herbs aremost often prepared as tinctures (and wines), vinegars, teas, and infusions.Many stimulating/sedating herbs are used as seasonings in cooking as well.Despite my cookbook's injunction to use only a little, I long ago learned thatmore aromatic herbs in my soups gave a "livelier" result.Because long-term use ofstimulating/sedating herbs can lead to dependency, dose and duration of usemust be carefully watched. A moderate to large dose, taken infrequentlywill   produce better results than asmall dose taken over a longer period.Side effects from the use ofstimulating/sedating herbs in water bases are not common but possible. Sideeffects from use in alcohol bases are frequent. Whenever stimulating/sedatingherbs are used regularly, health is compromised. It is not safe to takeprescription drugs with stimulating/sedating herbs, but they may be taken evenif you are using nourishing and/or tonifying herbs.Some examples ofstimulating/sedating herbs include: ·      leaves of aromatic mints such as catnip, lemon balm,lavender, sage, skullcap·         cinnamon bark·         coffee beans·         ginger root·         kava kava root·         licorice root·         passion flower·         tobacco leaves·         uva ursi leaves·         valerian root·         willow bark and leaves Potentially  poisonous herbs alwayscontain alkaloids, glycosides, resins, or essential oils. And they containlarge quantities of those poisons, or in very potent forms. Potentially poisonous plants cancause death directly, through the actions of their poisons on their targets (suchas cardiac glycosides which stop the heart) or indirectly, by causing the liverand/or the kidneys to fail (as they attempt to cope with and clear the poisonfrom the system).Potentially poisonous herbs areusually extracted into alcohol (tinctures) and used in minute doses (1-3drops). For safety sake use potentially poisonous herbs as infrequently aspossible and for the shortest possible time. Powdering and encapsulatingincreases the risk of side effects from any herb, but when we take stimulating/sedatingand potentially poisonous herbs in capsules, the side effects can be deadly.Homeopathic pharmacy uses manypotentially poisonous plants, but in such dilute doses that death isimpossible. Side effects can occur, even with homeopathically tiny doses,however.Potentially poisonous herbsactivate intense effort on the part of the body and spirit and may causenausea, visual disturbances, digestive woes, and allergic reactions even whenused correctly.  Always be extremely cautious whenusing potentially poisonous herbs. Consult with at least three otherknowledgeable herbalists who have used the plant in question before proceeding.In general it is not consideredsafe to take potentially poisonous herbs while taking prescription drugs, otherpotentially poisonous herbs, or stimulating/sedating herbs. It is generallysafe to use potentially poisonous herbs while using nourishing and tonifyingherbs.Some examples ofpotentially poisonous herbs:·         belladonna·         castor beans·         cayenne·         cotton root·         goldenseal ·         liferoot/groundsel·         nutmeg ·         poke root·         rue leaves and flowers·         tansy leaves and flowers·         wormwood  ExperimentNumber OneSpend some time alone quietlybreathing. Tune into your body piece by piece (toes, feet, calves, knees,thighs, and so on). Use colors to draw yourself. Don't worry about making art. For the next month include somenourishing herb in your diet. Example: on Monday include seaweed as a vegetablefor dinner, on Tuesday drink a quart of nettle infusion, on Wednesday make asoup with burdock and other roots, on Thursday drink a quart of red cloverinfusion, on Friday make garlic bread with at least one clove of freshlychopped garlic per slice, on Saturday drink a quart of oatstraw infusion, onSunday drink a quart of comfrey/mint infusion. And so on.One month later, sit alone andbreathe quietly. Tune into your body piece by piece. Use colors to drawyourself. Has anything changed? You can continue this experiment for as long asyou like. Experiment Number TwoRepeat experiment number one, butinstead use any one tonic (preferably one that lives where you do) at leastfour times a week for one month. Again, note any changes in how you feel, howmuch energy and stamina you have, how much curiosity and delight you experiencein life. You can continue this experiment for as long as you like also.ExperimentNumber ThreeWhat stimulants and sedatives doyou use regularly? What happens if you give up one or more of them for a week?For a month? Try - on different days - at least one herbal stimulant and oneherbal sedative and keep notes of your reactions. ExperimentNumber FourChoose one potentially poisonousplant that grows near you and cultivate a relationship with it. Read about it.Talk about it with others who have a relationship with it. Keep a special bookfor writing about your poisonous ally.Furtherstudy1.    Name five more nourishing herbs. Specify part used,preparation, and dosage.2.       Name five more tonifying herbs. Specify part used,preparation, and dosage.3.     Name five more stimulating/sedating herbs. Specifypart used, preparation, and dosage.4.      Name five more potentially poisonous herbs. Specifypart used, preparation, and dosage. In what case and how would you use each?5.       What is the difference between a tonic and astimulant? Advancedwork Give thebotanical name (genus and species) for each plant listed.List fivenourishing herbs commonly sold in tincture form and describe what they are usedfor in that form.Learn moreabout homeopathy. Susun WeedPO Box 64Woodstock, NY 12498Fax:  1-845-246-8081