EXTRACT FOR
Healing - The Shaman's Way Book III
(Author Unknown)

CHAPTER ONE

OVERVIEW

      

  Please note that the following material is suggestive and is not intended to replace modern medical practices. Always check with your doctor before using any of the herbs discussed in this course. Even though the Food and Drug Administration requires manufacturers of dietary supplements to ensure their products are free of contaminants is not a guarantee of their safety. And that includes herbs.

  Some of you may be taking this stand-alone course without having taken the first course, 'Healing-The Shaman's Way." I will reshare some of the information from that course, especially from Lecture 4, "Healing From Mother Earth-Part One-Herbs"

  The first verifiable evidence of the medicinal use of herbs dates back to 70,000 years ago, with the discovery of ten mummified bodies in the Shanidar Cave, Iraq.

  The fourth mummified body had the following plants: Yarrow, Cornflower, Batchelor's Button, St. Barnaby's Thistle, Ragwort, Marshmallow, Grape Hyacinth, and Hollyhock. That discovery was in 1960.

  However, the first concrete evidence for the use of plants for healing purposes came to light in 1991 with the discovery of a 5,300-years-old frozen man. Otzi, as he has been named, carried what is called a medicine bag which contained two chunks of the mushroom, Piptoporus betulinus, or birch bracket as it is commonly called. This particular mushroom is used to fight an intestinal parasite.

  An autopsy showed Otzi had an intestinal parasite.

  Shamans of old and today believe that all things are connected and there is a corresponding relationship to the world of healing. Fundamental to this belief is the use of medicinal plants. Plant Medicine quickly became the treatment du jour. The shaman's role is to diagnose, recommend treatment, and provide treatment. Over 2,000 pants have been identified as useable medicinal plants.  Remember, all plants are not herbs. What then is an herb?

  Herbs are the green leafy part of a plant and can be used to support the respiratory system, as an expectorant, soothes nasal passages, fights harmful organisms, and help the healing processes in a variety of human physical and emotional issues. The leaves of plants, trees, and shrubs can be used to aid in the healing process. And that includes herbs.

  

  The usable parts of herbs can be flower buds, leaves, stems, roots, or bark, woody parts of a whole plant. All of these may be prepared as the following:

  

  * A decoction is used for herbs and plants that are not easily chewable; Pine needles for example. Grind these using a mortar and pestle or a coffee grinder

  * Powder is made by grinding dried herbs and plants

  * Syrups are made from ground herbs and plants. They are then dissolved in water. Sometimes the syrup is bitter. To offset the bitterness had a teaspoon of raw honey.

  * Salves/Ointments/balms are made with ground herbs/plants and added to a base such as a beeswax

  * Sprays are made with the herb leaves boiled in water

  * Teas are made with herbs either ground or chopped and boiling water

  * Soups are made with a variety of vegetables, meats, seafood, and herbs

  For those who prefer to make herbal medicines here is a partial list of things you will need the following items:

  

  * Saucepans (at least a couple of different sizes), sterilized

  * Stainless steel spoons (long-handled, slotted, and non-slotted)

  * Stainless steel spatulas

  * Sterilized jars, lids, and plastic containers of various sizes

  * Mortar/pestle, or an electric grinder)

  * Knives (one for paring, cutting, and chopping)

  *  Strainers and cheesecloth

  

  As with crystals, some herbs are potentially harmful and should be avoided or used with care. Here is a partial list:

  

  * Comfrey, 		Pennyroyal, 		 Sassafras, 		 Ephedra

  * Betel Nut, 		Red Sage, 		Mistletoe,		 Gingko

  * Farfarae, 		Bear Berry,	 	Hawthorn,	 	Bitter Orange

  * Conker, 		Kava, 			Lobelia, 		St John's Wort

  

  To eliminate any confusion about herbs and herbals an herb is a physical plant and or its parts; whereas, an herbal may be parts of the plant with other substances added. Spices are the roots of the plant. Only herbs will be discussed in this course.

  Here are some general considerations when using herbs:

  1. Many herbs are used in teas. Avoid adding more than suggested in the recipe and don't over steep

  2. Pregnant women, breastfeeding mothers, infants, and very young children should not use herbs

  3. Even though an herb recipe did not work for you, using it could delay getting medical treatment

  4. Some herbs can produce unexpected and negative side effects.

  5. Hemp and marijuana are of the same plant species. Hemp's legal definition is that it is a cannabis plant containing 0.3 percent or less of THC On the other hand, marijuana, is also a cannabis plant containing more than 0.3 percent THC. Hemp is considered an herb.

  Botanical medicine, phytomedicine, and herbalism all refer to herb-based medicine. Further, many of today's drugs are now plant-based. Opium, quinine, digitalis, and aspirin. Aspirin for example is made from Willow Bark.

  Please remember, that it is not recommended that you ignore modern medical practices. Burke Lennihan reminds us that "Medicinal herbs contain many beneficial chemical compounds that provide a versatile array of therapeutic powers." (BurkeLennihan. The Practical Herbal Medicine Handbook. NY. Fall River Press, 2014 P 441). An example of a plant rich in flavonoids is Hawthorn. Among other things, Hawthorn is known to help blood flow.

  It's estimated that somewhere between 50 thousand to 80 thousand plant species have medicinal value. A small fraction of that number has been explored and developed.