Harmful Effects and Things to Avoid
Herbs are no doubtly good alternative medicine. It is striking to know that there are over 300,000 higher plant species. So it is not possible even for an expert herbalist to be familiar with all the varieties. He may know only one or two thousand of them. Therefore, there is a possibility to make mistakes even by an experienced herbalist. It is important to know that there are some herbs that may harm your body if taken wrongly or in high doses. Let\’s discuss the most common problems with such herbs:
Pregnant women are recommended to avoid barberry root bark, cascara sagrada, feverfew, juniper berries, mugwort, pennyroyal, pokeroot, rue, senna, southernwood, tansy, thuja and wormwood as all of these herbs can accelerate the risk for miscarriage.
Safe herbs during pregnancy include Manna, Butternut Bark or Root, Flax Seed, Slippery Elm and Lemon Verbena.
You must be prepared for anything unexpected no matter whatever herb(s) you are using.
Stop taking the herb(s) and consult an expert you can trust if you spot any abnormality.
Correct diagnosis is not so easy and sometimes doctors make mistakes. But be sure that you receive the one and have a thorough discussion on treatment plan with a professional.
It is necessary to watch for any allergic reactions before starting a new herbal remedy. Even though you may have never had any allergies in the past, you may experience allergic reaction during an herbal treatment.
If you notice any breathing problem within 30 minutes of trying a new herb, food or drug, immediately contact 911.
You may also experience an anaphylactic reaction, the most serious type of allergic reaction. This condition demands prompt treatment otherwise it may be fatal. Even though such reaction is rare, you need to be cautious.
Medicines often interact negatively with certain herbs. You must be careful at the time of consuming more than one drug or herb or a combination of both. Avoid any chances of such dreadful interaction by consulting your doctor before mixing any herb with drugs.
Everybody should be aware of the interaction of Antidepressants which is best known as Mono Amine Oxidase (MAO) inhibitors. They react unpleasantly with wine, cheese and many other food products.
It is to be noted that St. John\’s Wort is also known as an MAO inhibitor and consequently demands similar food restrictions. Discuss with your physician or pharmacist before having St. John’s Wort.
Most importantly, there is every need for both your physician and your herbalist to be completely aware of all medications or herbal treatments you are using. It will certainly ensure the best possible herbal solutions for your ailments.
QUICK FACTS AND TIPS
Hemorrhoids:
- Cayenne stimulates circulation.
- Nettles and Irish moss help increase blood circulation.
- If a potato suppository (raw potato) is inserted it overnight heals hemorrhoids.
- Slippery Elm or Flax Seed are also capable of doing the same.
Diarrhea:
Barley or rice water is good for diarrhea. For this boil one cup of rice or barley in 8 cups of water for on hour.
Add Celery juice, coconut milk or lime juice in order to cool colon.
Blackberry root, Bush Monkey Flower and White Oak are good antiseptics.
Pain reliever:
Mix 3 parts Comfrey, 1 part Lobelia and 1 part Cayenne to relieve pain.
Garlic:
It can be used externally for skin problems such as ringworm, scabies, and lice.
Make a strong tea and take thrice a day for 2 weeks.
Syrup of Garlic is effective for catarrh, asthma, tuberculosis, regulating blood pressure,
heart weakness and internal ulceration.
To get rid of odor or taste of Garlic, use Oil of Anise, Caraway, Fennel Cinnamon or Peppermint.
Golden Seal:
The herb removes B Vitamins from the body.
Stress:
1 ounce Bayberry Bark
2 ounces Ginger
1 ounce White Pine
1 dram of Clover
1 dram of Cayenne
Mix all the ingredients together and put one teaspoon of this mixture in a cup of boiling water and
boil for 15 minutes.
Antispasmodic Tincture:
1 ounce Lobelia Seed
1 ounce Skullcap
1 ounce Skunk Cabbage Root
1ounce Black Cohosh
½ ounce Cayenne
Add all these to one pint of boiling water and boil for ½ hour.
Add 1 pint of Apple Cider Vinegar and bottle for use.
Dosage: 8 to 15 drops in cup of hot water every hour. It is also useful for shock, cramps, epilepsy, hysteria, lock jaw, poisonous bites and stings.
Homemade Toothpaste:
1 pinch powdered Sage
1 ounce powdered Myrrh
1 pound powdered Arrow Root
20 drops Oil of Clover
12 drops Oil of Bergamot
½ ounce powdered chalk
3 ounces powdered Oris Root
4 teaspoons tincture of Vanilla
Add honey to get desired consistency
Nerve Tonic:
1 part Black Cohosh Root
1 part Cayenne
1 part Lady’s Slipper Root
Powder and mix all the ingredients and place in gelatin capsules. Take two capsules thrice a day.
First Aid Kit:
Charcoal for external drawing of poisons
Oil of Garlic
Antispasmodic tincture
Peppermint Oil for nausea
Sweating Herbs ½ Elder Flower and ½ Peppermint
Liniment:
2 ounces powdered Myrrh
1 ounce powdered Golden Seal
½ ounce Cayenne
1 quart Apple Cider Vinegar
Mix together; shake each day for seven days then strain and bottle.
Gout:
Eat a minimum of 4 ounces of fresh Bing Cherries each day. If fresh cherries are not available drink bottled ones or buy concentrated and have one tablespoon three times a day.
Hangover:
Rub a wedge of lemon in each armpit.
Migraine Headache:
At the first sign, dip a toothpick in Cayenne Pepper and sniff in each nostril.