[Jazzy_Grape]

I have recently started practicing herbology, by taking infusions, and cooking from foods that are said to be good for certain things, ex; Oregano = good for stomach cramps , and using organic methods for cleansing/moisturizing etc. I'm not sure if I believe in the alternate medicines/ or health benifits since I'm just starting out but I think the whole think seems really natural and interesting. Does anyone else practice herbology and do you find it benifical? Do you believe in it?

 

[nigel]

I use medicinal herbs from time-to-time. Did you have anything particular in mind?

 

[Jazzy_Grape]

Quote:

Originally Posted by nigel

I use medicinal herbs from time-to-time. Did you have anything particular in mind?

What sorts of medicinal herbs do you use? Do you believe in the whole "alternative medicines" and "self-healing" thing?

 

[nigel]

It really depends on the symptoms and where I am.

I am a strong believer in modern medicine and ALWAYS leave the serious stuff to my doctor.

 

[VegAnna]

I think there is a place for alternative AND conventional medicine in this world, they just need to work together. Treat and/or prevent what you can with less invasive or aggressive treatment and then go up from there.

For example, I take folate for restless leg syndrome. I still get it sometimes but it's not worth taking prescription drugs for. I also eat ginger or drink ginger tea when my stomach is upset and it works really well. I eat loads of parsley when I feel bloated, and put cayenne in my food when my nose is stuffed. This is probably not all herbology, but I think I've made my point

 

[Jessica Alana]

What do you use for cleansing?

 

[Morrigann]

My husband is studying acupuncture and oriental medicine, so I'm around it a lot. I've learned some basic herbology, mostly through my mother. Really interesting stuff. Like VegAnna, my husband and I weave herbal and alternative remedies when we can avoid typical western medicine-- ginger for upset stomach, kava for stress, mint for breath, licorice for sore throats, etc.

*BTW VegAnna-- I love your quote! It's one of my favorite Gandhi quotes!

 

[lachry]

I don't know much about it but I am open to 'holistic/alternative medicine'. I'm sure some of it is rubbish.

I'm quite sceptical of orthodox medicine. I try to avoid doctors and prescription medicine.

Ivan Illich's book 'Limits to Medicine' sums up my views well.

 

[starseed13]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jazzy_Grape

What sorts of medicinal herbs do you use? Do you believe in the whole "alternative medicines" and "self-healing" thing?

Yes. Ive been studying/practicing alternative medicine for a few years now, basically ever since typical western medicine screwed me over in a variety of ways.

(short story, instead of actually helping me with my depression, the doctors dumped 2 different kinds of meds into my system for most of my childhood, and growing up on all these drugs messed me up severely, both mentally and physically, and also, when I had a severe skin problem it was misdiagnosed 2 DIFFERENT TIMES and I was given medication I didnt need which messed up my skin even more *steroids and anti fungals*. These skin conditions, not to mention my depression, were only alleviated after seeing a chinese herbalist, and this was after a YEAR of getting no answers from dermatologists).

I went from being heavily medicated and borderline psychotic to off prescrition meds (now all I take for mental balance is all natural SAM-e and omega 3 fatty acids). Ive cured my psoriasis and pityrasis rosea...Ive been helped in SO many ways by alternative medicine while western medical professionals have only hurt me. I could go on and on.......I am very against the "treat the symtom and not the problem" attitude of western medicine.

Alternative medicine rocks! Just be sure to do LOTS of research..read read read....Im thinking about looking into a career as a herbologist or something cuz Im so into this stuff lol.

 

[Gita]

I feel that most of the "patented" medicines made by drug corporations and pushed by doctors are poisons with side effects that you must weigh carefully. Medicine of this nature is good in the case of dire need and usually when hospitalised it is for something serious. I feel that gobbling over the counter medicines and surpressing natural symptoms has bad consequences. Natural medicine can have both highly dangerous unknown drugs and less potent drugs that are less dangerous than drug company counterparts. A good example is asprin. The stuff sold in stores can eat up your stomach and under certain circumstances can be quite toxic. Asprin is really over-kill, and you only need a tiny amount. Something like white birch bark has the same chemicles as asprin but is said to be less toxic. (isnt the term Herbalism? "Herbology" is from a Harry Potter book-- I've never heard it called that in the real world).

(oh I've been reading herb books for about 10 years-- it is just for my own interest)

 

[Jessica Alana]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gita

A good example is asprin. The stuff sold in stores can eat up your stomach and under certain circumstances can be quite toxic. Asprin is really over-kill, and you only need a tiny amount. Something like white birch bark has the same chemicles as asprin but is said to be less toxic.

Isn't aspirin made from willow bark? Or something like that. It's after 4:30 am and I don't feel like looking it up. I know it's in the same family as salicylic acid, hence the effectiveness of aspirin masks in helping control acne.

 

[Scythe]

I drink some alcoholic ginger stuff at times, does that count?

 

[specialK12]

ohhhhhh im so interested in natural medicaine i wanna send a question out , im looking to study it and does anyone know how to study this from home or aromatheropy??? and get some qualifications too?

 

[Morrigann]

Quote:

Originally Posted by specialK12

ohhhhhh im so interested in natural medicaine i wanna send a question out , im looking to study it and does anyone know how to study this from home or aromatheropy??? and get some qualifications too?

One of the writers of the book, Skinny ***** http://www.skinnybitch.net/, got a master's in holistic nutrition from Clayton College: http://www.ccnh.edu/.

Here's a little bit about their accreditation and where you can get credentials once you get your degree: http://www.ccnh.edu/visitors/accreditation.asp

I don't know a lot about it, but it sounds interesting. Don't think people will take you as seriously as if you had studied clinical nutrition at UCLA, but it has an interesting curriculum.

Does anyone know more about this? I'm interested...

 

[specialK12]

thanks

yer i want to get qualifications , ill search around

 

[Jazzy_Grape]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gita

(isnt the term Herbalism? "Herbology" is from a Harry Potter book-- I've never heard it called that in the real world).

(oh I've been reading herb books for about 10 years-- it is just for my own interest)

I've heard it both ways, not sure if just one is correct.

 

[Ludi]

I'm very interested in plant-based treatments but have in general not found them to be as efficacious as the pharmaceuticals which have worked for me (not saying all pharmaceuticals work, and certainly not saying they all work for all people). My favorite authority on plant medicine is Dr James Duke. I recommend his book "The Green Pharmacy" highly.