Are herbs “dilute forms of drugs” and therefore dangerous? Or are they “natural” and therefore safe? If you sell herbs, you probably hear these questions often. Which is the right answer? Depends on the weed! These thoughts on herbs will help you explain to your clients (and yourself) just how safe, or dangerous, any herb can be.
To avoid problems when selling or using herbs:
- Make sure you have the correct plant.
- Simple use.
- Understand that different preparations of the same herb may work differently.
- Use nourishing, invigorating, stimulating, and potentially poisonous herbs wisely.
MAKE SURE YOU HAVE THE RIGHT PLANT
One of the easiest ways to get in trouble with an herb is to use the “wrong” one. How could that happen? Common herb names overlap, leading to confusion as to proper identity. Weeds that are properly labeled may contain foreign material from another, more dangerous weed. Weeds can be picked at the wrong stage of growth or handled incorrectly after harvest, causing them to develop detrimental qualities.
Protect yourself and your customers with these simple steps:
- Buy herbs only from reputable vendors.
- Only buy herbs that are labeled with their botanical name. Botanical names are specific, but the same common names can refer to several different plants. “Calendula” can be Marigold officinalisa medicinal herb, or Tagetesan annual plant used as a garden plant.
- If you grow the herbs you sell, be meticulous about keeping the different plants separate when you harvest and dry them, and be obsessive about labeling.
SIMPLE USE
A simple is an herb. For optimal safety, I prepare, buy, sell, teach and use simple herbs, that is, preparations that contain only one herb. (Occasionally I will add a bit of mint to flavor a remedy.)
The more herbs in a formula, the greater the chance of unwanted side effects. Understandably, the public looks for combinations, hoping to get more for less. And many mistakenly believe that herbs must be used together to be effective (probably because potentially poisonous herbs are often combined with protective herbs to mitigate the damage they cause). But combining herbs with the same properties, such as goldenseal and echinacea, is counterproductive and more likely to cause problems than a single one. A simple echinacea tincture is more effective than any combination and much safer.
Different people have different reactions to substances, whether they are drugs, foods, or herbs. When herbs are mixed into a formula and someone taking them has distressing side effects, there is no way to determine which herb is the cause. With simple, it’s easy to tell which herb is doing what. If there is an adverse reaction, other herbs with similar properties can be tried. Limiting the number of herbs used in a day (to no more than four) offers additional protection.
Herb side effects are less common than drug side effects and are usually less severe. If an herb disturbs digestion, it may be that the body is learning to process it. Give it a few more tries before you give up. Stop taking any herb that causes nausea, dizziness, severe stomach pain, diarrhea, headache, or blurred vision. (These effects will generally occur fairly quickly.) Slippery elm is an excellent antidote for any type of poison.
If you’re allergic to any foods or medications, it’s especially important to check resources that list side effects of herbs before using them.
UNDERSTAND THAT DIFFERENT PREPARATIONS OF THE SAME HERB MAY WORK DIFFERENTLY
The safety of any herbal remedy depends on the way it is prepared and used.
- tinctures Y extracts they contain the alkaloid, or poisonous, parts of plants and must be used carefully and wisely. Tinctures are only as safe as the herb in question (see precautions below for tonic, stimulant, sedative, or potentially poisonous herbs). Best used/sold as a single, not a combination, especially when using strong herbs.
- dried herbs made into teas or infusions contain the nutritional aspects of plants and are generally quite safe, especially when nourishing or toning herbs are used.
- dried herbs in capsules they are generally the least effective way to use herbs. They are poorly digested, poorly used, often stale or ineffective, and quite expensive.
- herbal infused oils they are available as is, or thickened into ointments. They are much safer than essential oils, which are highly concentrated and can be deadly if taken internally.
- herbal vinegars they are not only decorative but also rich in minerals. A good means of nourishing and toning herbs; not as strong as stimulant/sedative tinctures.
- herbal glycerins they are available for those who prefer to avoid alcohol, but they generally have a weaker action than tinctures.
USE NOURISHING, TONING, STIMULATING AND POTENTIALLY POISONOUS HERBS SMARTLY
Herbs comprised a group of several thousand plants with widely varied actions. Some are nourishing, some are tonics, some are stimulants and sedatives, and some are potential poisons. To use them wisely and well, we need to understand each category, its uses, the best way to prepare it, and the usual dosage range.
nourishing herbs they are the safest of all herbs; side effects are rare. Nourishing herbs are taken in any quantity for any length of time. They are used as foods, as are spinach and kale. Nourishing herbs provide high levels of protein, vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, carotenoids, and essential fatty acids.
examples of nutritious herbs are: alfalfa, amaranth, astragalus, marigold flowers, chickweed, comfrey leaves, dandelion, fenugreek, flaxseed, honeysuckle flowers, lamb’s quarter, marshmallow, nettles, oat straw, plantain (leaves /seeds), purslane, red clover flowers, algae, Siberian ginseng, slippery elm, violet leaves, and wild mushrooms.
toning herbs act slowly in the body and have a cumulative effect, rather than an immediate one. They build the functional capacity of an organ (such as the liver) or a system (such as the immune system). Toning herbs are most beneficial when used in small amounts for long periods of time. The more bitter the tonic tastes, the less you will need to drink. Mild tonics can be used in quantity, like nourishing herbs.
Side effects do occasionally occur with toners, but they are usually short-term. Many older herbalists mistakenly equated stimulating herbs with toning herbs, leading to widespread misuse of many herbs and serious side effects.
examples Some of the invigorating herbs are: barberry bark, burdock root/seeds, chaste tree, crone, dandelion root, echinacea, elecampane, fennel, garlic, ginkgo, ginseng, ground ivy, hawthorn berries, horsehair, lady’s mantle, lemon balm, milk thistle seed, motherwort, mullein, pau d’arco, raspberry leaf, schisandra berry, St. John’s wort, turmeric root, usnea, wild yam, and yellow dock.
Sedative and stimulating herbs cause a variety of rapid reactions, some of which may be unwanted. Some parts of the person may be stressed to help other parts. Strong sedatives and stimulants, whether they are herbs or drugs, push us out of our normal ranges of activity and can cause strong side effects. If we trust them and then try to function without them, we will end up more agitated (or depressed) than before we started. Habitual use of strong sedatives and stimulants, whether opium, rhubarb root, cayenne, or coffee, leads to loss of tone, impaired functioning, and even physical dependence. The stronger the herb, the more moderate the dose should be and the shorter the duration of use.
Herbs that tone and nourish while sedate/stimulate are some of my favorite herbs. I use them freely, since they do not cause dependency. Sedative/stimulating herbs that also tone or nourishNotes: boneset, catnip, citrus peel, butcher knives, ginger, hops, lavender, marjoram, motherwort, oat straw, passion flower, peppermint, rosemary, sage, skullcap.
Strongly sedating/stimulating herbs include: angelica, black pepper, blessed thistle root, cayenne, cinnamon, cloves, coffee, licorice, opium poppy, osha root, shepherd’s purse, sweet woodruff, turkey rhubarb root, grape leaves ursu, valerian root, lettuce sap, willow bark and wintergreen leaves.
potentially poisonous Herbs are intense, powerful medications that are taken in small amounts and only for as long as needed. Side effects are common.
examples Some of the potentially poisonous herbs are: belladonna, bloodroot, celandine, chaparral, foxglove, goldenseal, henbane, iris root, Jimson weed, lobelia, may apple (American mandrake), mistletoe, poke root, poison hemlock, stillingia root, turkey corn root, wild cucumber root.
Also, consider these thoughts on the safe use of herbs:
- Respect the power of plants to change the body and spirit in spectacular ways.
- Increase confidence in the healing efficacy of plants by trying remedies for minor or external problems before or while working on larger and internal problems.
- Develop ongoing relationships with expert healers, in person or in books, who are interested in herbal medicine.
- Honor the uniqueness of each plant, each person, each situation.
- Remember that each person completes and heals in their own unique way, at their own pace. People, plants and animals can help in this process. But it is the body/spirit that does the healing. Don’t expect plants to be panaceas.
Disclaimer: This content is not intended to replace conventional medical treatment. Any suggestions made and all herbs listed are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease, condition, or symptom. Personal instructions and use should be provided by a clinical herbalist or other qualified healthcare professional with a specific formula for
you. All material contained in this document is provided for general information purposes only and should not be considered medical advice or consultation. Contact a licensed health care professional if you need medical care. Exercise self-empowerment by seeking a second opinion.
