Herbal Medicine and DIY Health

[Sprocket Hole]

What websites, books, or information would you all recommend? I would like to soak up as much of this useful information as possible :)

Thanks

[Le Libérer]

Is there a particular condition you are looking for? I have found great info on cancer alternatives, such as Pro-biotics, and suppliments that promote an alkaline base in which cancer cannot live.

[Pawn Power]

Isn't DIY medicine just whiskey?

[Le Libérer]

Isn't DIY medicine just whiskey?Rum works wonders.

[Sprocket Hole]

Nothing in particular, just looking for anything and everything I can jot down for futer reference. Mainly everyday stuff and sickness.

[Rascolnikova]

Where There Is No Doctor, and Where There Is No Dentist.

http://www.hesperian.org/publications_download.php


Also, I'd look seriously into preventative health; learn in detail from a variety of reputable sources about exercise, nutrition, and other low cost preventative things. Flossing seems to prevent heart disease, and exercise does more than anything else to prevent type II diabetes. It's better not to have to cure.

Before you rely on alternative medicine, be able to read the primary research yourself and Do It. There are a lot of quacks making money out there on "alternative health."

[Plagueround]

I have a book called "Good Health Magic" that I rather like (and couldn't find the home remedies copy online :( ). In addition to having a lot of good information, it's done in a very tongue and cheek and sardonic 50's "patriarchial perfect household" art style that is pretty funny.

[Sprocket Hole]

I did some research and been marking notes in a herb journal,

Mostly what I've found is herbs that have recreational effects :)

Here are some:

Echinacea root: Overall immune system booster. Been known to increase T-Cell count and is a remedy to any upper respiratory infection, and infected tonsils

Mugwort: The leaves can be dried and cut for smoking, or the plant can be made into a tincture for tea of for putting drops on a pillow. It has been known to be a dream "enhancer", causing intense, lucid dreams. Also is used to add a pleasant taste to other smoke.

Wild "Opuim" Lettuce: A common weed related to lettuce. The leaves are edible, but bitter, it has a few medicinal values, but most of all the active chemicals in it are Lactucopicrin and Lactucin. Both are mild sedatives. The leaves can be dried, as can the white sap, and smoked for a mild sedation. Or you can extract and concentrate the stuff into a blackish tar like substance for a very pleasant more potent sedation.
Good treatment for insomnia.

Scullcap: Mild sedative, smoked or made into tincture

Damiana: This one is interesting, it has a pleasant smell. It's effects have been described as very euphoric and mind centering. It can be made into tea (carfull though, high doses can cause liver damage that will need you to detox), or smoked.
Also a good cure for depression and anxiety.

Edit edit: After discussing this issue with the admin team, this kind of stuff is ok. Everyone just make sure you keep within the guidelines and use common sense. -Plagueround ;)

[cleef]

Human saliva contains a protein called histatin which is great for sped up recovery from wounds as it has properties which fight the bacteria which cause infection...and the best part is it's free!:cool:

[casper]

some fruits and juice have high amounts of anti-oxidants.like acai berrys, blue berry, pomegranates(omg, so so good). en, nutrition basically. also, working out and exercising does wonders, great mood boaster.

i would like to know more about herbs, their...interesting. maybe I'll rope off my own little garden area when it gets warmer.

[apathy maybe]

Please be careful and never rely only on "alternative medicine" for your health care.

Please know that for many things there have been no scientific studies done to show if they are effective or not.

Please also remember this simply rule:

Without herbs etc., the body can take as long as two weeks to get rid of a cold.
With, it only takes a fortnight.

This simple rule tells you much of the effectiveness of many "herbal medicines".


(That said, I'm not dissing all herbs, there is a reason the pharmaceutical industry likes to package some of them up in pill form.)

[Rascolnikova]

Please be careful and never rely only on "alternative medicine" for your health care.

Yes. . . instead I should rely on the great system of free clinics we have here in the US. . .


When what you have is nothing, anything is worth looking in to.

[N3p7uN3]

Human saliva contains a protein called histatin which is great for sped up recovery from wounds as it has properties which fight the bacteria which cause infection...and the best part is it's free!:cool:

It also contains a bacteria that can be fatal if exposed to the wrong areas.

[Comrade B]

Read some stuff by Linda Crockett, she knows what she is talking about, and from personal experience, she is a very intelligent person politically as well, though at first her accent may make you laugh a little (a mixture of Welsh and Queens NY)

[Sorcha]

What websites, books, or information would you all recommend? I would like to soak up as much of this useful information as possible :)

Thanks

My recommendation is to look for books on naturopathy. This is the alternative health field that is, in my experience, the most scientifically centered on the effects of natural ingredients on our health. If you find websites that are lumping homeopathy and naturopathy together INDISCRIMINATELY, I'd be leary. Though some naturopaths may use homeopathic remedies, the good ones will be educated enough to quickly tell you the difference between the two "alternative" approaches.

In my opinion, any good naturopath is also going to instruct you on the nature of "holistic" health. Much of herbalism is dependent upon the body having a overall balanced disposition, based on an alkaline diet. Good naturopaths will first put any patient on a strict alkalinizing diet for a month to see if/how their ailments improve before even THINKING of which herbs to use for the conditions. If herbs are used at the beginning of treatment, it would just be to aide the process of alkalinizing and purifying the body, reserving the antidote herbs for later.

Another pointer.... Rather than trying to memorize specific plants, I'd focus on trying to learn the most readily available herbs based on their usage. For example, focus on the anti-mucousal herbs. Ones that are anti-fever/inflammation, diuretics, anti-diurectic, etc. After you have a basic well-rounded knowledge of herbs effects on the body, then you can branch into learning how to prepare them (i.e. poultice, tincture, decoction, etc.)

I love to use botanical.com as a reference. You can never stop learning on this subject!

Enjoy!