"Introduction to BASIC HERBALISM" With the increasing awareness today of the harm done by various chemicals to our bodies and our environment, people are finding themselves looking to Mother Nature for answers, and away from `unnatural' chemicals and drugs that harm the body and the Earth. Happily, a new resurgance is being seen of people seeking the more gentle (and many times more potent) cures offered in abundance by Mother Earth. Over the years, as my knowledge has grown, so has my wonder and amazement at the many cures and protections Mother Earth has to offer. We need only make the effort to learn of them. There are many `herbals' on the market today, and (being the proud owner of many myself) this is being presented, not to compete with, but to preclude. Were a person to undertake learning the English language, to hand them the Websters New Collegiate Dictionary and tell them to 'jump in' would be preposterous! The same is true of a new student of herbalism beginning with a comprehensive herbal. This is a beginning herbalists guidebook, a place to start. The herbs listed here are remedies for lifes basic ailments. I encourage you to experiment! All herbs listed are safe, so why not give them a try? You have nothing to loose, and everything to gain. Good health to you, the natural way! BLESSED BE ----------------------------------- CONTENTS I Common Ailments II Basic Herbs III Recipes (to get you started) ----------------------------------- "The Ailments" ABSCESSES carrot poultice Marshmallow poultice potato poultice Slippery Elm ALCOHOLISM Alfalfa Capsicum Goldenseal Valerian ANODYNE Hops (pain killer) Marshmallow White Willow alcohol ANTIBIOTIC (inhibits growth of germs on tissue) Bay Garlic Goldenseal hydrogen peroxide Myrrh ANTIEMETIC Frankincense (relieves nausea) hot water ice Spearmint ANTIHEMORRHAGIC vinegar (inhibits bleeding) Slippery Elm Yarrow ANTIPYRETIC cold bath (reduces fever) Dandelion Feverfew Frankincense White Willow ANTISEPTIC see ANTIBIOTIC APHRODISIAC Bay (sexual stimulant) Damiana Ginseng Guarana Passion flower Valerian APPETITE DEPRESSANT Guarana Kelp Kola Nut APPETITE STIMULANT Alfalfa Camomile Ginseng Goldenseal Hops Peppermint Spearmint ARTHRITIS Alfalfa celery Comfrey Peppermint Spearmint White Willow ASTHMA Comfrey Marshmallow Valerian ASTRINGENT Bay Comfrey Frankincense Myrrh Uva Ursi BACK Clary Sage Uva Ursi BEDWETTING Cornsilk (Enuresis) Fennel Marshmallow Oatstraw St. Johnswort BLOOD CLEANSERS Blessed Thistle Dandelion Kelp BRONCHITIS Chickweed Goldenseal Mullein Myrrh Slippery Elm CARMINATIVE Anise (to expel gas) Camomile Capsicum celery cinnamon Fennel Myrrh Peppermint Spearmint COLDS Licorice (for relief of) Marshmallow Valerian Yarrow COUGHS Comfrey (for relief of) Licorice Marshmallow Mullein Vervain DEMULCENT (soothes inflammed nasal passages) Comfrey Fenugreek Garlic Ginseng Goldenseal honey Licorice Marshmallow oatmeal Slippery Elm DEODORANTS earth Patchouli DIURETIC Alfalfa (increases urination) celery Cornsilk Dandelion Marshmallow milk Roses Sandalwood Uva Ursi water DOUCHE Comfrey (for cleansing) Goldenseal Myrrh Slippery Elm Uva Ursi Yarrow DYSENTRY (inflammation of colon; diahrrea) fiber Frankincense Mullein EMMENAGOGUES Blue Cohosh (stimulates menstrual flow) Camomile Myrrh EXPECTORANT Garlic (expels mucus from lungs) Licorice EYES Camomile (to strengthen) carrot Dandelion Eyebright Fennel FLATULENCE (gas) Camomile Peppermint Valerian GLEET (mucus discharge from wound) Comfrey Frankincense Goldenseal Marshmallow Roses Yarrow HAIR Kelp olive oil Yarrow HEADACHE Camomile (tea and compress) Fennel Feverfew Roses Valerian Vervain White Willow HEART Blessed Thistle (to strengthen) Camomile Valerian INDIGESTION Bay beets Peppermint Valerian Yarrow LAXATIVE Alfalfa Cascara Sagrada coffee Dandelion Psyllium LUNGS Garlic (to strengthen) Marshmallow Mullein Roses NARCOTICS (to stop the use of) Blue Cohosh NERVOUS COMPLAINTS Camomile (to aid in relaxation) celery Frankincense Thyme Valerian Vervain REJUVENATIVES - RESTORATIVES Alfalfa Ginseng Gotu Kola Patchouli RHEUMATISM see ARTHRITIS SINUS Garlic Goldenseal SKIN *to be used in baths (to maintain in a Camomile healthful condition) Comfrey Dandelion Kelp Roses White Willow SLEEP (to enable one) Camomile Dandelion Hops lettuce Valerian STIMULANTS coffee Fennel Frankincense Guarana Kola Nut Sandalwood STOMACHIC Camomile (aids digestion) lettuce Myrrh Spearmint Thyme SUNBURN Alfalfa Aloe Vera TISSUE (to heal) Alfalfa Camomile Comfrey Slippery Elm TRANQUILIZERS Camomile Catnip Valerian ULCERS (stomach) Alfalfa Comfrey Licorice WOUNDS Arrowroot (to promote healing of) Goldenseal Slippery Elm St. Johnswort White Willow ----------------------------------------------------------- BASIC HERBS ALFALFA Super-nutritive, herbal multi-vitamin, strengthener, liver cleanser, appetite stimulant, contains eight (8) digestive enzymes *No known MAGICAL uses ALOE VERA Good all-around skin healer and protectant, taken internally tends to constipate *No known MAGICAL uses ANISE A member of the carrot family, used to expel gas *Ruled by the planet Jupiter ARROWROOT Super-nutritive, demulcent, healer *No known MAGICAL uses ASAFOETIDA Expectorant, stomachic (Devils Dung) *MAGICALLY used as an anti-demonic, to protect against evil or evil intent BAY Eases the pain of the menses, to much (Sweet Laurel) may cause abortion *MAGICALLY used to ward off evil, ruled by the Sun BEE POLLEN General strengthener, aphrodisiac *No known MAGICAL uses BLACK COHOSH Cardiac stimulant, eases pain of the (Cimicifuga) menses, sedative properties, slightly narcotic *No known MAGICAL uses BLESSED THISTLE Strengthens the heart, oxygenates the blood, eases the pain of menses, digestive aid *No known MAGICAL uses BLUE COHOSH Eases pain of the menses, regulates blood pressure, diuretic *No known MAGICAL uses CAMOMILE Nerve relaxer; it is a good base for use with other herbs due to its pleasant taste *No known MAGICAL uses CAPSICUM Stimulates circulation, inhibits (Cayene pepper) internal bleeding, stomachic *No known MAGICAL uses CASCARA SAGRADA Super-laxative, colon cleanser *No known MAGICAL uses CATNIP Anti-convulsant, sedative, sleep-aid *Used MAGICALLY to induce the state of meditation CHAPPARAL Blood cleanser, eases arthritis (Gagwood) *No known MAGICAL uses CHICKWEED Good diet aid, as it neutralizes carbohydrates, bronchial cleanser *Ruled by the Moon CLARY SAGE Used as a muscle relaxer in baths, and in a decoction as a douche for vaginal discharge, antispasmotic, back strengthener *Ruled by the Moon and Jupiter COMFREY Stomachic, eases arthritis, good overall tonic for health *Used MAGICALLY to attract Elemental spirits, ruled by the planet Saturn CORNSILK Bedwetting, water retention and urinary disorders *No known MAGICAL uses DAMIANA Restorative, vitalizer, hormone balancer, eases symptoms of bronchitis, nerve relaxer *No known MAGICAL uses DANDELION Diuretic, good for skin, blood purifier and system cleanser *Ruled by the planet Jupiter EYEBRIGHT Aids vision, tonic for the eyes, feeds the pancreas *Ruled by the Sun FENNEL Bedwetting, appetite depressant, good for nausea and stomach ailments *No known MAGICAL uses FENUGREEK Dissolves mucus and slime, eases sinus congestion, diuretic *Ruled by the planet Mercury FEVERFEW Brings down fever, good all around tonic, (Bachelors relaxer, eases the pain of menses Buttons) *Used MAGICALLY as an aid to keep ones virtue, ruled by the planet Venus FRANKINCENSE This gum resin has been used ritualistically throughout the ages, relieves symptoms of headache and ulcers *Used MAGICALLY as a ritual incense GARLIC Antibiotic, strengthens the immune system if taken regularly, stomachic, regulates blood pressure *Used MAGICALLY to protect, ruled by the planet Mars GINSENG Reputed aphrodisiac, due to its rejuvenative and restorative powers, strengthener, regulates blood pressure *No known MAGICAL uses GOLDENSEAL Super-antibiotic, regulates blood sugar, blood cleanser, strengthens pancreas *No known MAGICAL uses GOTU KOLA Mental stimulant, good tonic, oxygenates the brain, rejuvenative *No known MAGICAL uses GUARANA Super-stimulant, appetite depressant (Guar Gum) *No known MAGICAL uses GLAUCOMMANAN Regulates blood sugar, stimulates circulation, stimulant *No known MAGICAL uses HOPS Used in making beer, can be used to relieve insomnia and symptoms of alcohol withdrawal, reduces fever *Ruled by the planet Mars HO SHU WO Strengthener, relieves pain of arthritis, good tonic, increases fertility in women *No known MAGICAL uses KELP Regulates thyroid function, stimulant *No known MAGICAL uses KOLA NUT Seeds are used in making a beverage similair to chocolate, nutritive, mental stimulant *No known MAGICAL uses LICORICE Aphrodisiac, natural cortisone *Ruled by the planet Mercury LIFE EVERLASTING Good overall tonic, strengthener, restores energy, healer *Used MAGICALLY to promote longevity MARSHMALLOW Bedwetting, eases coughs, allergies, urinary tract cleanser *No known MAGICAL uses MULLEIN Good tonic for respiratory problems *No known MAGICAL uses MYRRH This resin has been used throughout the ages in incenses and perfumes, stimulates circulation, mild antiseptic *Used MAGICALLY as a ritual incense to attract Elemental spirits, ruled by the planet Jupiter ORRIS ROOT Used in cosmetics, diuretic, stomachic, cleanses liver, relieves coughs *Ruled by the Moon OAT STRAW Bedwetting *Used MAGICALLY to attract Elemental spirits, ruled by the planet Mercury PASSION FLOWER Relaxer, good general sedative *Used MAGICALLY to increase ones spiritual strength PAU D'ARCO Blood builder, mild antibiotic, regulates blood sugar, relieves pain *No known MAGICAL uses PSYLLIUM Laxative, colon cleanser, creates bulk *No known MAGICAL uses PEPPERMINT Astringent, good combined with other herbs, due to its pleasant taste *Used MAGICALLY as an aid in keeping ones virtue PATCHOULI Neutralizes odors, good deodorant *No known MAGICAL uses ROSE HIPS Used in perfumes and herbal baths *Used MAGICALLY to induce love, happiness, passion, and unity, ruled by the planets Venus and Jupiter SANDALWOOD Burned as an incense, stimulant and disinfectant *Used MAGICALLY as an incense to attract Elemental spirits of fire SCULLCAP Strengthens the heart, relieves pain of the menses, sedative *No known MAGICAL uses SLIPPERY ELM Super-healer, aphrodisiac, good for digestive disorders *No known MAGICAL uses SPEARMINT Astringent, used in combination with other herbs, due to its pleasant taste *Used MAGICALLY as an aid in keeping ones virtue, ruled by the planet Venus SQUAWVINE Eases the pain of the menses, muscle relaxer *No known MAGICAL uses ST. JOHNSWORT *Used MAGICALLY as an anti-demonic VALERIAN Super-sedative *Ruled by the planet Mercury VERVAIN *Used MAGICALLY as a protectant from evil and evil intent, ruled by the planet Venus UVA URSI Regulates blood sugar, general cleanser *No known MAGICAL uses WHITE WILLOW Super-pain killer, astringent, anti- septic, cleanser *Ruled by the Moon and Saturn YARROW Appetite stimulant, blood cleanser, eases the pain of the menses, strengthens the lungs *Used MAGICALLY to increase ones personal power, ruled by the planet Venus ----------------------------------------------------------- RECIPES (TO GET YOU STARTED) "PEE PEE TEA" @ Make a DECOCTION of: (for bedwetting) Mint Cornsilk Oatstraw Fennel Marshmallow --------------------------------------------------- @ To make a DECOCTION of herbs: Add one (1) part herbal mixture to four (4) parts boiling water steep fifteen (15) minutes strain --------------------------------------------------- "FEMININI - TEA" Make a DECOCTION of: (for relief of menstrual stresses) Mint Black Cohosh Chapparal Squawvine "OBESI - TEA" Make a DECOCTION of: (to stop being) Mint Alfalfa Chickweed Kelp Kola Nut Supplement with (encapsulated) Guarana "SUPER - TEA" Make DECOCTION of: (super-nutritive) Mint Alfalfa Arrowroot Ginseng Comfrey "MENTAL - I - TEA" Make a DECOCTION of: (mental stimulant) Mint Blessed Thistle Gotu Kola "BEAU - TEA" Add to the bath: Rose hips Patchouli Lavender ------------------------------------------------------------ "To make an OINTMENT for HEALING:" On low flame - melt one (1) cup pure, vegetable base shortening Add: 1/4 cup Slippery Elm 1/4 cup Alfalfa leaf steep fifteen (15) minutes - immediately strain into glass jar - cap loosely - store at cool temperature - use as needed THE END ------------------------------------------------------------