Share the Talking Stick

How much nettle?

I have been suffering from adrenl fatigue and have been healing myself with nettles.  How much is too much?  Can I over do it drinking nettle infusions?  Currently I am drinking 2 liters of nettle infusion daily.  I have been doing this for almost 4 weeks.  I feel better, although not completely healed.  I was just wondering if I should slow it down a little, or continue for a few more weeks/months?  Thanks in advance for the advice.

Blessings,

Lucy

poke berries tincture

Hi, my name is Teresa. I have been an herbalist for the past decade. This year I was looking at my poke plant, and was she beautiful. I make tincture out of the root but thought why not out of the berries? I have an acupuncture practice also, and many of my patients are weiry of not biting the seeds of the berries. So I tinctured the berries. So far my patients report their arthritus is much better and there spirits have improved.

I am posting this so I can see if anyone else has tinctured the berries.

Thank you

Teresa Berger Dip. LAc. M.S.

Spring Newsletter from Desert Medicine Woman

Just wanted to share with anyone who is interested my latest newsletter on herbal healing in the sonoran desert. It is online at http://www.desertmedicinewoman.com/newsSpring06.html

Darcey

Arizona Madrone (Arbutus arizonica)

Do you know the Madrone?  Madrone is a large shrub to medium sized tree in Ericaceae family.  When young it has remarkable, smooth, red bark, that as it ages peels and becomes scaly and grey on older trunks and branches.  The leaves, deep green with a reddish tinge around the edges are smooth and leathery.  Arizona Madrone, just happens to be the species that grows here in Arizona.  There are many species of Arbutus that grow all over N. America.  It is related to a more commonly known medicinal plant, Uva Ursi, and here in Arid-Zona, the Manzanita.  Madrone can be used much like Uva Ursi, as a urinary tract disinfectant.  Though not as strong as either Manzanita or Uva Ursi, Madrone can still be effective for urinary tract infections, when used with kidney and urinary tract nourishing herbs like dandelion, cleavers, corn silk, and marshmallow.  Arbutin and hydroquinone break down in the kidneys and are excreted and serve as a disinfectant to the entire system.  In addition, the leaves are extremely astringent, and will help to heal and soothe inflammed or bleeding tissues in the urinary tract.  Though useful, Madrone, Uva Ursi and Manzanita should not be used for extended periods of time internally.

Madrone can also be an ally to new mothers in their post partum bath soaks.  The astringent tannins in the leaves can help soothe and heal perineal tears, hemorrhoids, and post partum bleeding.

A simple infusion is the best way to use Madrone leaves, but a tincture will work as well.  Just make sure to get plenty of fluids when spiraling with a UTI, your kidneys and urinary tract need water more than anything else at that time.  Do not forget to rest, relax and nourish yourself with good food, and loving care.

No to licensing of herbalists

2 February 2006 Feast of Flames

Dear Marguerite, and anyone else who thinks herbalists need licenses:

No to all licensing of herbs and herbalists. Never. No way.

Ask the midwives of North America. They fell for "let's regulate ourselves before the big boys do." And they regulated themselves out of existence. There are no midwives left, according to Jeannine Parvati; only medwives. I agree. Let us learn from their mistake. No licenses for herbalists.

Herbal medicine is people's medicine. People don't need licenses to care for themselves and their families. Licenses don't protect people; they protect, and create, institutions. Herbalism is change, individuality, and uniqueness. Institutions don't change. Licensing herbalists kills herbal medicine. Licenses, and their companion, liability insurance, set up protocols. The art of herbalism is re-placed with "evidence-based" science designed to protect healers, not heal patients. No licenses for herbalists.

I have taught and lived in Germany, where herbs and herbalism are licensed. In daily life, this meant my access to herbs was limited, and my students -- many of whom are professional, licensed healers -- were threatened with loss of their licenses when they recommended home-made medicines such as dandelion vinegar and St. Joan's/John's wort oil. No licenses for herbalists.

Any American who wants a license to heal with herbs can get one. There are plenty available. Be an herbalist and a massage therapist, an herbalist and a chiropractor, a naturopath specializing in herbs, an acupuncturist/herbalist, even an M.D. herbalist. Surely these are enough. No more licenses.

Licenses do not confer credit or merit or worth. They replace these things. We have an excellent system already in place for "certifying" herbalists: the apprentice system. We know each other, our strengths and foibles. We know who we have trained. And we talk openly. Licenses make people less secure, less likely to trust each other, less open, more protective. No licenses for herbalists.

Herbs are not manufactured. They grow. Besides standards of purity and identity -- which are in place -- we do not need rules. Except perhaps to consider banning the use of herbs in capsules, which, to my mind, are more likely to be harmful than any other dosage form available.

I stand firm and proud for herbal medicine free of licenses. Reconsider your plan. Herbalists have a long heritage as revolutionaries. Don't make Culpepper and Euell Gibbons, Maude Grieves and Adelma Simmons rise from their graves to remind us: No licenses for herbalists.

I, personally don't want to be forced to go underground, like the Chinese acupuncturists in my area, who cannot legally practice because they don't speak enough English to pass the exam and get a license. No licenses for herbalists.

I say "NO" to all attempts to license herbalists. Please raise your voices with me, in a lusty green yell:

TRUST YOURSELF; TRUST THE EARTH; NO LICENSES FOR HERBALISTS!

Green blessings, Susun S. Weed www.susunweed.com

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